Two ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ restaurants that had been sitting out the coronavirus pandemic have reopened to offer takeout.
Govinda’s Natural Foods and Brother John’s Beer, Bourbon & BBQ reopened on Wednesday, April 1, for limited hours with limited menus. Both had closed after the city shut down restaurant dine-in service in mid-March in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
Govinda’s owner, Sandamini Cooksey, said she had three hours notice to close the dining room of her popular vegan-vegetarian buffet restaurant.
Cruz Valdez adds spice to the pulled pork she’s portioning for to-go orders at Brother John’s. The restaurant has reopened with a limited menu.
“Because we were a buffet, we weren’t set up for carryout,†she said Wednesday as her staff prepped for lunchtime customers. “We had to rethink this.â€
Govinda’s, which is celebrating its 28th year at 711 E. Blacklidge Drive, retained its 10 employees, many of whom live on the premises in a dozen casitas on the back end of the restaurant’s two-acre property.
People are also reading…
Govinda’s is offering three options — vegan, vegetarian and wheat-free — featuring seven items each drawn from their overall menu. Prices are under $8 apiece with desserts and beverages available a la carte. To place an order, call 792-0630.
Govinda’s will be open from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays. Cooksey said she might extend the hours depending on how it goes.
Brother John’s, 1801 N. Stone Ave., is offering free delivery and curbside pickup from 3 to 7 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays. In a Facebook post late Tuesday, owner John Aldecoa said diners can get a limited menu of their favorite barbecue items, beer by the pint or 64-ounce growler and bourbon by the ounce or bottle.
Owner John Aldecoa says Brother John’s Beer, Bourbon & BBQ, 1801 N. Stone Ave., is offering free delivery and curbside pickup from 3-7 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays.
In a video message on Brother John’s Facebook page (facebook.com/BrotherJohnsBBQ), Aldecoa said he decided to close the restaurant after the city ordered dining rooms closed so that he could deep-clean the 10,000-square-foot building and guard the safety of his employees, customers and their families.
“It really was a tough decision to close,†Aldecoa said. “We are a scratch kitchen and we do specialize in high-quality meats and high-quality products. Understanding the impact to our business model, shutting down was probably the smartest thing for us to do at that time.â€
Photos for April 1: ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ gets by during Coronavirus Pandemic
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, coronavirus
A dinosaur statue over the doors of MATS Dojo at 5929 E. 22nd St., sports an athletic cup for a face mask in the second week of COVID-19 restrictions, March 31, 2020, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, coronavirus
A pair of protestors use their car to block west bound traffic on Silverlake to let other protestors make the left turn in into the Pima County Adult Detention Complex during a vehicle based demonstration by #FreeThemAll for the release of prisoners in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, March 31, 2020, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, coronavirus
Raj Paudel hands a bag of food to a customer at Govinda's to-go-tent located at 711 E. Blacklidge Drive, on April 1, 2020.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, coronavirus
The biggest hit to employment in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ came in the leisure and hospitality industry — hotels, bars, restaurants and places of amusement — which alone shed 5,200 jobs.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, coronavirus
John Aldecoa tapes up a banner outside his restaurant, Brother John's, as he and his staff get ready to serve again after being closed since the COVID-19 restrictions were put in place two weeks ago, April 1, 2020, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, coronavirus
Michael Olivas, right, helps Arnold Vizcaino, City of ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Parks and Recreation employees, lock up swings at Gene C. Reid Park, 900 S. Randolph Way, in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz., on April 1, 2020. The City of ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Parks and Recreation employees are going around to all ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ parks to close all ramadas, gazebos, playgrounds, outdoor fitness equipment, all sports courts and fields, horseshoe pits and splash pads due Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19).
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, coronavirus
Caution tape across an entrance on a playground at Gene C. Reid Park, 900 S. Randolph Way, in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz., on April 1, 2020. City of ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Parks and Recreation employees are closing all ramadas, gazebos, playgrounds, outdoor fitness equipment, sports courts and more due to the coronavirus outbreak.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, coronavirus
A "CLOSED' sign and caution tape is placed around a ramada at Gene C. Reid Park, 900 S. Randolph Way, in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz., on April 1, 2020. The City of ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Parks and Recreation employees are going around to all ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ parks to close all ramadas, gazebos, playgrounds, outdoor fitness equipment, all sports courts and fields, horseshoe pits and splash pads due Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19).
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, coronavirus
Vanessa Richards, 18, left, and Ella Dotson, 17, adjust their mortar boards and hair in the window of a building along Scott Ave. in downtown ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ on March 31, 2020. Due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic the rest of the school year has been canceled. Richards and Dotson are seniors at Marana High School and will not have a formal graduation ceremony. The pair came to downtown to get photos of themselves in their caps and gowns.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, coronavirus
Vanessa Richards, 18, left, and Ella Dotson, 17, take a selfie as their friend, Camilla Hamilton, 17, gets her photo taken by Vanessa’s mother, Chrissi, along Scott Ave. in downtown ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ on March 31, 2020. Due to the coronavirus, the rest of the school year has been canceled. The Marana High School seniors went downtown to get photos of themselves in their caps and gowns.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, coronavirus
Georgia Goodwin, volunteer, sews masks for hospital workers and the community at Cathey's Sewing and Vacuum, 5701 E. Speedway Blvd., in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz., on March 30, 2020. Cathey's Sewing and Vacuum have made roughly 2,000 masks, due to Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19), in one week for local hospitals in Southern ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, coronavirus
Along with other volunteers and employees, Paula Sanford, center, volunteer, sews masks for hospital workers and the community at Cathey's Sewing and Vacuum, 5701 E. Speedway Blvd., in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz., on March 30, 2020. Cathey's Sewing and Vacuum have made roughly 2,000 masks, due to Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19), in one week for local hospitals in Southern ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, coronavirus
Andy Cathey, Cathey's Sewing and Vacuum employee, sews masks for hospital workers and the community at Cathey's Sewing and Vacuum, 5701 E. Speedway Blvd., in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz., on March 30, 2020. Cathey's Sewing and Vacuum have made roughly 2,000 masks, due to Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19), in one week for local hospitals in Southern ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, coronavirus
Andy Cathey, Cathey's Sewing and Vacuum employee, sews masks for hospital workers and the community at Cathey's Sewing and Vacuum, 5701 E. Speedway Blvd., in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz., on March 30, 2020. Cathey's Sewing and Vacuum have made roughly 2,000 masks, due to Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19), in one week for local hospitals in Southern ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, coronavirus
Rudy Arriaga, far left, and his mother, Dale, chat with Damian Velez, far right, general manager and Joseph Ashbacher before leaving with their takeout order at Bianchi's Italian Restaurant, 3640 W. Tangerine Road, in Marana, Ariz. on March 30, 2020. The Marana location will closed due to a drop in business.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, coronavirus
A man wearing personal protective equipment works out at FitCore at Morris K Udall Park, 7200 E. Tanque Verde Rd., in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz., on March 29, 2020.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, coronavirus
Ruby Boulet-Stephenson waters the family's new backyard garden, on March 27, 2020.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, coronavirus
Roccos Little Chicago Pizzeria sports the phrase "Eat the Rich" on its marquee, on March 31, 2020. The local pizza spot is currently closed due to Coronavirus disease (COVID-19.)
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, coronavirus
A pedestrian crosses Church Avenue near the Historic Pima County Courthouse in a nearly-empty downtown ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ during the coronavirus pandemic in spring 2020.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, coronavirus
A bank customer wears gloves while at a drive up ATM at Chase Bank, 8701 E. Broadway Blvd., in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz., on March 29, 2020.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, coronavirus
While traveling through ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Canadians Lauri Buchanan and her husband Brian Buchanan, left, eat lunch with their friends Rhonda McDonald and her husband Pat McDonald, right, from Wyoming, outside of Whataburger, 6504 E. 22nd St., in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz., on March 30, 2020. Mr. and Mrs. Buchanan and Mr. and Mrs. McDonald were eating outside due to Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19).
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, coronavirus
David Cardinal, a sales associate at The Hub, works with a customer at the gun store located at 1400 S Alvernon Way, on March 28, 2020. The store saw an increase in customers during the last few weeks.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, coronavirus
An employee at The Hub, a gun store located at 1400 S Alvernon Way, works with a customer on March 28, 2020. The store saw an increase in customers during the last few weeks.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, coronavirus
Cassie Phelps, food service employee for ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Unified School District, hands two students lunches and breakfast at Harold Steel Elementary School, 700 S. Sarnoff Dr., in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz., on March 31, 2020. TUSD is offering lunches and breakfast for students due to schools being canceled because of Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19).
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, coronavirus
Jolene Luquin, teaching assistant for ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Unified School District, organizes educational packets for a parent at Harold Steel Elementary School, 700 S. Sarnoff Dr., in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz., on March 31, 2020. The educational packets, for grades K-12, include the curriculum for all classes from science to math to history and others. It allows the students, parents and teachers to keep learning despite not being in the classroom, according to Karla Escamilla, TUSD public information officer. TUSD plans to have most of the paperwork online in the next couple of weeks, said Escamilla, as well as issue laptops to students who don't have access to a computer. TUSD is issuing these packets and online school due to Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19).
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, coronavirus
After more than a week in isolation, Tami and Tedd Handy get the chance to dance as Mama Coal, Carra Stasney and Tim O'Connor give a street concert on Placita de Zacatal in the Casas Adobes neighborhood, Saturday, March 28, 2020, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, coronavirus
Mama Coal, Carra Stasney and Tim O'Connor take to the great outdoors along Moonshroud Dr., in Catalina Shadows, Saturday, March 28, 2020, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz.
Contact reporter Cathalena E. Burch at cburch@tucson.com or 573-4642. On Twitter @Starburch
In this Series
April's ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥-area coronavirus coverage: 1,200+ Pima County cases, stay-home order extended
Cathalena E. Burch
Reporter
