NEW YORK - Felix Almonte, the bar manager at El Sombrero on the Lower East Side, describes what the summer should look like - if not for coronavirus.
"Summertime is crazy, The lines, we have lines. Especially weekends. It’s very, very crazy,” Almonte said.
But there may be some hope for the restaurant.
Mayor Bill de Blasio was asked about the possibility of coordinating with restaurants to utilize the city's Open Streets program, which opens some streets to foot traffic to allow for safe outdoor dining this summer.
“There's a lot of excitement about this possibility,” said De Blasio. "Now, it's not in phase one as it's structured now But we are looking very intensely at what we can do with bars and restaurants, but again, with a safety first attitude.”
Due to the coronavirus pandemic the Mexican joint can barely reach one third of its usual business for this time of year.
"It will be better With the open streets there’s more people out and that’s a better chance for us to do better,” Almonte said.
But other restaurant workers say expanding to allow for outdoor dining putting their lives at risk.
"I have known a lot of people who have died doing the same job. We're on the receiving end of that. People are going to come out no matter what and we’re just kind of receiving that and receiving all their germs," said Dietrich Hing, a cashier at San Loco Mexican Restaurant.
Hing lives in the neighborhood and says he would never put workers like himself at risk by being a customer. Then there are others who miss the city's dining scene.
"I'm sick of being in my apartment and cooking I would love to be somewhat social and see my friends in the neighborhood I’m all for it,” said St. Claire Patterson, a Manhattan resident.
Though some people in the neighborhood told NY1 they are itching to go back to their favorite spots, some people are concerned about drivers and bikers making outdoor seating dangerous.
“If they had some kind of patrol in place to stop cars it’s not busy now But it gets pretty busy when they open streets are happening,” said Dave Russell, a Manhattan resident.
Restaurant groups and elected officials will hold a virtual press conference Thursday to announce legislation offering permits for restaurants to safely allow for outdoor seating once the city is ready.