Oscar Sanchez had no sooner filed for all of his permits and licenses to open the new Lira Cafe in Silverado Ranch, when the news of the coronavirus swept across the country United States.
The veteran Las Vegas chef, who previously worked on the Strip at Caesars Palace, the Bellagio, Suncoast and the Renaissance, opened the Lira Cafe just two days before Governor Steve Sisolak declared that all restaurants in Nevada must close dine-in-service for 30 days.
“The city that never sleeps became a ghost town,” Sanchez lamented. “We thought we would open on schedule just for the heck of it and see what happens.”
Creative restaurants respond to coronavirus
It wasn’t just restaurants that were adversely affected when Governor Steve Sisolak declared all “nonessential businesses” must close, starting at noon on March 18. Nonessential businesses also include casinos, resorts, bars, gyms, clothing stores, shopping malls, movie theaters and more.
However, restaurants were actually lucky, since they are still permitted to offer takeout, drive-thru, and delivery. While many restaurants closed their doors at noon, others quickly added delivery or curbside pickup services to maintain their staff and feed their hungry customers. Sanchez bravely decided to open his new restaurant despite the alarming state in which restaurants in Vegas find themselves.
In the southwest part of the Las Vegas Valley, restaurants are not only offering takeout and delivery, but have also transformed into makeshift markets selling essentials. Some restaurants have been selling off their meats and other foodstuffs to neighborhood people at cost.
In the upscale suburb of Summerlin, even the Saturday Farmer’s Market is offering drive-thru service. While some of the restaurants in Summerlin have closed, many remain open with curbside pickup and delivery options.
A few eateries in Summerlin have devised even more creative ways to stay in business; Lazy Dog Restaurant and Bar is offering takeout as well as a $40 “Home Essential Package” that includes eggs, chicken, butter, milk, rice, vegetables, and highly coveted and hard-to-find toilet paper. Wolfgang Puck Players Locker is also offering takeout as well as grocery items, plus menus that change weekly.
However, despite the scramble to remain open and relevant, customers have been few and far between. Not only have nonessential businesses been ordered to close, but residents of the Valley are also remaining in their homes.
Whether they’re temporarily closed, open for takeout, closed, or finding creative ways to stay afloat, many Las Vegas area restaurants share the “Battle Born” sense of resiliency, pointing to the 2008 recession as well as the 2017 Las Vegas shooting as times that proved the city can overcome hardship. Residents of the Valley are stepping up to help support Las Vegas restaurants.
Lira Cafe Grill & Hookah Lounge
Lira not only offers delicious and reasonably priced Mediterranean and Lebanese fare, but also a variety of hookah pipe flavors. The cafe specializes in kosher and halal chicken kabobs, falafel, beef shawarma, baba ganoush, and traditional kibbeh. To round out the menu, they also serve up gyros, sandwiches, salads, and a vegetarian impossible burger.
Until the Governor’s order is lifted, Sanchez is offering both delivery and takeout through GrubHub, as well as with his in-house delivery drivers. The Lira Cafe is currently maintaining hours from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Despite his best efforts, Sanchez says business is slow. “Even our next-door neighbors only had one customer yesterday.”
Once his new restaurant can fully open, Sanchez plans to open up the hookah bar as well as hosting belly dancers and a Latin night. The hookah heads are made with fruit, for an exquisite flavor.
“I want to do something nice for the neighborhood,” Sanchez said about a future grand opening. “We are worried about the community, and are waiting for this to get over with.”
If you’d like to get takeout or delivery from Lira Cafe, Grill & Hookah Lounge, drive up to 9890 S. Maryland Pkwy., or call 702-550-3939.
