As pandemic restrictions around the area are being lifted, and things are inching back to normal, area restaurants have had unprecedented demand for in-person dining.
Some eateries have turned off third-party delivery apps to limit online orders as in-person dining roars back to life, including downtown Silver Spring’s All Set Restaurant & Bar and its sister operation, Money Muscle BBQ.
“Actually, now as we’re opening back up we’ve turned off our third-party delivery services,” co-owner and managing partner Jennifer Meltzer said to WUSA9. “I’m having to balance, how long our guests are going to wait in the restaurant for their food, to have a dining experience, because I can’t, I can’t control the flow of tickets.”
All in-person dining is first-come, first-serve, and the restaurant currently does not accept reservations online or over the phone.
Diners can still place orders for pick-up and delivery directly on All Set and Money Muscle BBQ’s websites. “Please note that we do not accept pre-orders or scheduled orders,” All Set’s website reads. “Please place your order when you are ready for your food. If the menu is not available during routine operating hours, we are catching up with demand. Please do not call as we cannot accept pick-up & delivery orders over the phone. Please try back later. Thank you for your support!”
Earlier this month, we reported that Money Muscle BBQ created an outdoor seating area in the parking lot next to their building at 8630 Fenton Street in downtown Silver Spring.
They’ve been able to park the now-established food truck on a portion of the lot owned by the Lee Development Group, courtesy of Bruce Lee, the company’s president.
“I approached him to activate this ‘patio’ space over the summer,” Meltzer said. “Even with people vaccinated, I still think people are going to be more comfortable being outside.”
The expansion plan, originally mentioned in a review of Money Muscle by Tim Carman of The Washington Post, is beginning June 1. Money Muscle will be operating under a 20′ by 40′ tent, with lights, games such as corn hole, oversized Connect 4, and Jenga, and picnic tables for seating up to 24 people.
Tentatively, the family-friendly space (next to All Set’s 8630 Fenton St. location), which will be blocked off with some decorative barriers, will be open Wednesday through Sunday from noon to 8 p.m., depending on staffing.
The original Money Muscle truck will be parked there as well, as they plan to rent another truck to take around town and continue to visit neighborhoods.
Photo: All Set Restaurant & Bar/Facebook