Carlos Ramirez: Testing QR Menus, Staying Patient

Carlos Ramirez, owner of Casa Ramirez Mexican Restaurant in Youngstown, is coming back strong, along with his family.

What are some ways your restaurant is rebounding from the effects of COVID-19?

We are trying to be as patient as possible. We recently re-opened for dine-in service, and in addition to incorporating new social distancing measures inside the restaurant, we are now offering our menu in digital form, via a QR code. With the uncertainty of each day, we are also continuing to watch our back-end spending. It is definitely a challenge for a small business like ours.

What’s been the reaction from customers so far?

Our customers have been great, supportive and patient. I could not ask for better customers. They definitely support us and our workers. Our customers have been very generous in these tough times!

What impact has the outbreak had on you personally?

Personally, this situation has been very inconvenient and challenging; we’re all going through it. I can no longer take my six-year-old daughter to the stores with me, which has added difficulty to my work/life balance as a single parent.

What advice are you sharing with the people you love?

Continue to use common sense.