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The owner of a New York pub decided to give Gov. Andrew Cuomo some “recognition and acknowledgment” for his latest coronavirus restriction on restaurants.
Harvey’s Irish Pub in Saratoga Springs gave the Democrat governor the dubious honor of having chips named after him so as to comply with his latest directive that bans the sale of alcoholic beverages without food. Owner Matthew Bagley added “Cuomo Chips” to his customers’ tabs to make sure his pub stays complaint and to help patrons who do not want to pay for a full meal.
(Source: CBS New York)
“For the time being until we have more information– That’s food. And you can buy it for a dollar,” Bagley told WRGB-TV.
“Here’s your food Cuomo. Come on by. I’ll buy your first chip,” he wrote on Facebook.
Here’s your food Cuomo. Come on by. I’ll buy your first chip.
Posted by Matthew Brian Bagley on Thursday, July 16, 2020
Cuomo’s direct order this week launched a new statewide rule requiring that restaurants now only allow service for “seated patrons,” and that “all establishments must only serve alcohol to people also ordering food.”
“The concept here was bars and restaurants would be allowed to do outdoor dining — that is a dining situation, you go with several people, you have a meal,” he said. “That would be a limit to the exposure of the people at that table.”
Cuomo also announced there would be a three-strike rule.
“Any establishment that receives three violations will be closed for business,” he told reporters.
But the directive hit hurting businesses, many of which only just began reopening after a months-long shut down because of the coronavirus pandemic. For Harvey’s Irish Pub, it presented another “hurdle” to go through on the road to recovering.
An order of “Cuomo chips” at the pub is being sold for $1 and Cuomo senior adviser Rich Azzopardi reportedly gave the menu item a thumbs up for compliance.
Tonight @NYGovCuomo ordered that bar/restaurant patrons can’t order alcohol unless they order food as well. Harvey’s Irish Pub in Saratoga Springs is serving “Cuomo Chips” for a dollar so people won’t have to spend money on a larger meal. pic.twitter.com/Lw8Z0w3puX
— Steve Maugeri (@CBS6SteveM) July 17, 2020
“I mean why not, they’re his chips, they’re his rule so he might as well get some recognition and acknowledgment for another little hurdle we have to jump through as business owners,” Bagley said.
Also, since we’ve discussed the impact COVID has had bars and restaurants before, @jontaffer what is your take on this?
— Steve Maugeri (@CBS6SteveM) July 17, 2020
“It’s consistent with the guidance — but you have to be seated,” Azzopardi said, according to the New York Post.
However, after the report on the menu item was aired, the pub reportedly got a call from the State Liquor Authority, informing the eatery of the more ridiculous clarification that chips alone would not be in compliance with Cuomo’s edict. However, chips with a dip or a side of salsa would make the cut.
Coming up at 530. “Cuomo Chips” Part 2. Harvey’s Owners got a call from the state liquor authority today after last night’s story that the Cuomo chips alone are not in compliance with state requirements. But if the chips have salsa with them, they are in compliance. pic.twitter.com/zb1xC9pdDv
— Steve Maugeri (@CBS6SteveM) July 17, 2020
“Peanuts, chips, anything like that on their own would not count and wouldn’t be in compliance. So the counter is that instead of just chips, it’s chips and salsa. It’s chips and baked dip. Chips and guacamole. We have a beer cheese dip we can serve,” Bagley said.
“As long as you’re in compliance with the masks I don’t feel that it should matter if you’re sitting down having a drink or having something to eat,” customer Christina Hoffnegle said. “Once again another infringement on our rights but I agree full heartedly there are precautions that need to be taken.”
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Frieda@bizpacreview.com
Originally from New York, Powers graduated from New York University and eventually made her way to sunny South Florida where she has been writing for the BizPacReview team since 2015.
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