Ever since the countywide shelter-in-place order was put into effect in mid-March, Watsonville restaurants, coffeeshops and other establishments have been navigating a new frontier. While many closed their doors, others jumped head-first into the world of take-out and delivery.
Now, as restrictions begin to loosen throughout the city and county, some have yet again had to adapt in order to re-open their physical locations.
One such business is Ella’s at the Airport in Watsonville. Owner Ella King said that her restaurant has opened for outdoor patio dining, with each table placed six to eight feet apart.
“It’s working out,” King said. “So far it’s been very relaxed and easy-going.”
The restaurant is opting for what King has dubbed “dine-out:” guests can pick their own table, choose what they would like from the website or a paper menu, call in and have the food brought out to them.
“We are basing what we do off of the most sensitive person’s needs,” she said. “Like disposables—I really don’t like them, but we’ve been using them because it keeps people safe.”
King said she has appreciated customers’ patience and support as she and other restaurant owners figure things out.
“We’re all having a challenging time,” she said. “But I’ll say this to other restaurateurs… anything you’re doing, you’re doing it right. Everyone is going at their own pace and what is best for them.”
Below is a list of some Watsonville eateries that are currently offering sit-down dining. For a full list of restaurants, coffeeshops, breweries and other establishments open during shelter-in-place visit our website.
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RESTAURANTS
• Ella’s at the Airport Open Tuesday-Sunday 11:30am-8pm for outdoor dining and noon-7pm for curbside pickup. Menu: ellasinwatsonville.com. Location: 100 Aviation Way. Call: 728-3282.
• Golden China Open daily 11am-8:30pm for dine in, takeout and delivery. Menu: goldenchinaca.com. Location: 1866 Main St. Call: 724-6957.
• The Fish House Bar & Grill OpenWednesday-Monday 3-8pm for limited outdoor and indoor dining, curbside pickup and deliveries. Menu: facebook.com/TheFishHouseWatsonville. Location: 972 Main St. Call: 728-3333.
• Carmona’s BBQ Deli Open for limited indoor and outdoor dining, takeout and delivery through DoorDash. Tuesday-Saturday 12 noon-6:30pm, Sunday 12 noon-6pm. Menu: https://bit.ly/3ezSbvW. Location: 1040 East Lake Ave. Call: 761-9160.
• Main St. Burgers and Brews Open Monday-Thursday 12-8pm and Saturday-Sunday 11am-9pm for dine-in and takeout orders. Menu: watsonvilleburger.com. Location: 1116 Main St. Call: 536-4632.
• The Farm House Open Sunday-Tuesday 7am-4pm and Wednesday-Saturday 7am-8pm for dine-in and takeout orders. Menu: farmhousewatsonville.com. Location: 11 Green Valley Road. Call: 536-5363.
MEXICAN FOOD/TAQUERIAS
• Cilantro’s Open every day 11am-8pm for dine-in or carryout orders. Reservations for dine-in encouraged. Curbside pickup available. Menu: cilantroswatsonville.com. Location: 1934 Main St. Call: 761-2161.
• Jalisco’s Mexican Cuisine Open Monday-Thursday 11am-8pm, Friday 11am-9:30pm, Saturday 10am-9:30pm, Sunday 9:30am-9:30pm. Dine-in and curbside pickup. Menu: jaliscorestaurant.com. Location: 618 Main St. Call: 728-9080.
• Ranch Milk Market Open Monday-Thursday 5:30am-9pm, Friday-Saturday 5:30am-10pm and Sunday 6am-9pm for takeout and limited dine-in service. Menu: ranchmilk.com. Location: 1 South Green Valley Road. Call: 722-3662.
• Taqueria Mi Tierra II Open daily 10am-9pm for patio dining and carryout. Menu: taqueriamitierra2.com/taqueria-mi-tierra.html. Location: 1726 Freedom Blvd. Call: 724-5880.
BREWERIES, ETC.
• Beer Mule Open daily 11am-7pm for dine-in, draft purchases and to-go sales. Shop online at kickassbeer.com. Location: 45 Aviation Way. Call: 254-9789.
• Santa Cruz Cider Company Open Friday-Saturday 12 noon-6pm for dine-in (limited seating; first come first serve). Order online at santacruzciderco.com for pick up or delivery. Ship anywhere within the U.S. Location: 65 Hangar Way. Call: 288-7049.
CAFES/BAKERIES
• Hidden Fortress Open Monday-Friday 7:30am-12:30pm for limited outdoor seating, to-go coffee and food orders. Menu: hiddenfortresscoffee.com. Location: 125 Hangar Way #270. Call: 228-1400.
• Cafe Ella Open Monday-Saturday 6:30am-4pm for dine-in and patio seating. To-go, Doordash and catering orders also available. Menu: cafeellawatsonville.com Location: 734 East Lake Ave. #1. Call: 722-0480.
• Bagel Cafe and Bakery Open Monday-Saturday 5am-9pm and Sunday 6am-7pm for to-go orders. Limited patio seating available. Menu: bagelcafebakery.com. Location: 1830 Main St. Call: 722-3838.
• Beach Street Cafe Open daily 7am-2pm for dine-in, carryout and delivery orders. Menu: beachstreetwatsonville.com. Location: 435 W Beach St. Call: 722-2233.
