Liz Biro, Indianapolis Star Published 5:50 p.m. ET March 16, 2020 | Updated 8:00 p.m. ET March 16, 2020
USA TODAY answers a question you may be wondering: Is coronavirus worse than the flu? USA TODAY
You can’t go out to eat at Indianapolis restaurants in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak, but you can still order takeout and delivery, which may leave you wondering how to do it safely.
Gov. Eric Holcomb shuttered full-service restaurant operations through the end March to control the spread of COVID-19. Restaurants from Carmel to Greenwoood are facing their toughest challenge: how to keep workers employed and stay in business.
In response, restaurants are expanding food delivery and takeout services or offering them for the first time.
Use these tips navigate the ordering process:
Do contact-free delivery
“Coronaviruses are generally thought to be spread from person-to-person through respiratory droplets,” according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. GrubHub, DoorDash, UberEats and others offer contact-free delivery to protect both customers and drivers.
Arrange for drivers to drop off orders on doorsteps, in the lobby or other areas you designate. If an app allows it, send a photo to help the driver pinpoint the drop-off location.
Also, watch delivery services’ apps and websites to learn what companies are doing to help control the virus’ spread. For instance, ClusterTruck, which has always operated as a delivery-only restaurant, has a coronavirus information section on its website. It’s where company founder Chris Baggot notes the kitchen is completely closed to the public. He also mentions that all staff, including delivery personnel, must sign a policy that requires them to report any symptoms of or exposure to illnesses.
“Additionally, we have frequent calls with managers to update them and reinforce actions,” Baggot said in a message to customers.
Wash more than your hands
Restaurants follow strict sanitation rules and have gone above and beyond the call during the coronavirus outbreak. But there’s more to consider.
“Current evidence suggests that novel coronavirus may remain viable for hours to days on surfaces made from a variety of materials,” the CDC reports.
Don’t touch your face after picking up your food and or once you’re back where you’ll eat, especially if you’ve used community doorknobs and stair rails to get there. Wash your hands before opening containers and utensils packaging.
Quickly toss food packaging and disinfect surfaces that have come in contact them. Disinfect doorknobs, light switches, cabinet handles and anything else you’ve touched on the way into your home or workplace.
“Wear disposable gloves when cleaning and disinfecting surfaces. Gloves should be discarded after each cleaning,” the CDC advises.
Before eating, wash your hands thoroughly for at least 20 seconds, paying special attention to the thumbs and finger tips. “A lot of studies have actually shown that the areas that we wash least are the areas we use for touching things the most,” Dr. Cole Beeler of IU Health’s Infectious Disease team says in a video demonstrating the best hand-washing techniques.
How to order
Check with restaurants to find out if they use a delivery service like GrubHub, DoorDash or UberEats. If they do, you must order through those services rather than calling a restaurant directly. That means you must download an app or order online using your computer.
You may also pick up takeout orders yourself. Some restaurants offer curb-side service including Patachou, Illinois Street Food Emporium, Oakley’s Bistro, Three Carrots vegan restaurant, Moveable Feast, North End Barbecue & Moonshine and Meridian Restaurant & Bar.
Restaurant delivery options in Indianapolis
These companies deliver restaurant food in Indianapolis. Check out menus via their apps or websites. They even deliver from fast food and chain favorites like McDonald’s, Arby’s, Panda Express, White Castle, Steak ’n Shake and Golden Corral.
GrubHub: grubhub.com
DoorDash: doordash.com
UberEats: ubereats.com
Postmates: postmates.com
Local delivery companies
Fast Track is bicycle-delivery company that serves downtown Indy, the IUPUI campus, Old Northside and Fountain Square. Cyclists bring food from restaurants, markets and food stands. The list includes Wildwood Market, Sugarfire Smokehouse and Circle City Soups. View the website fasttrackindy.com.
Total Take Out serves 115 Indianapolis and Carmel restaurants and another 50 in Greenwood and on the south side. Lots of international dishes like tacos, gyros and tandoori chicken are in the mix, along with comfort food favorites like fried chicken and barbecue. Download the app or visit total-takeout.com.
Toast TakeOut doesn’t deliver but saves you time by letting you order take-out ahead of time so that your order is ready when you arrive at a restaurant and at Fishers Test Kitchen. Check out toasttakeout.com.
Indy All Nightis for people who are not fans of using apps. Call or order online for dinner and late-night food delivery. Indy All Night doesn’t deliver restaurant food. It has its own kitchen where cooks prepare food including pastas, pizza, burgers, sandwiches salads, desserts and a kids menu. Call 317-690-0595 or order online at indyallnightdelivery.com.
ClusterTruck has its own kitchen, too, but the delivery-only restaurant serving Carmel and downtown Indy carries some local favorites, like Mathoo’s Eggrolls and Sahm’s sour cream coffee cake. Download the app or visit clustertruck.com.
Follow IndyStar food writer Liz Biro on Twitter: @lizbiro, Instagram: @lizbiro, and on Facebook. Call her at 317-444-6264.
Read or Share this story: https://www.indystar.com/story/entertainment/dining/restaurants/2020/03/16/indiana-coronavirus-how-order-takeout-delivery-food-indianapolis-restaurants/5059229002/