Queen Mother Cafe in Toronto is finally taking steps to reopen since closing in March

Queen Mother Cafe is finally reopening in Toronto after being closed temporarily since mid-March.

The restaurant has been around since 1978, and they're known for serving Laotian-influenced food in cozy pub-like confines and also on a sweet patio.

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Due to the challenging circumstances around Covid-19 and for the greater protection of staff and customers, the Queen Mother Cafe will be closing until further notice. We look forward to serving you when we emerge in health and well being at the other end of this crisis. Stay safe.

A post shared by Queen Mother Cafe + Patio (@queenmothercafe) on Mar 17, 2020 at 1:01pm PDT

"We initially closed because under the circumstances at the time we didn't want to risk the well being of everyone employed here by bringing them into the workplace. Now that the government is slowly lifting restrictions and encouraging us to restart our businesses we felt it was the right time to open up again," says Andre Rosenbaum of Queen Mother Cafe.

"We were primarily a dining -in restaurant. We had not signed up for any delivery services prior to the pandemic. The takeout model is quite the pivot - akin to starting up a new business. That has its daunting challenges as well after 41 years of doing things a certain way."

They're "beginning by launching a takeout and delivery service called Queen Mother T'Go with a fairly extensive menu that includes most of our most popular signature dishes," according to Rosenbaum.

Those include favourites like ping gai and pad thai, and beer and wine are available from the restaurant as well. As for that patio, they're eagerly awaiting the green light.

"Our backyard garden patio is ready to open when we enter phase 2 and we get the go-ahead. We hope to create greater social distancing by expanding seating into our adjacent parking area under the new regulations," says Rosenbaum.

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After a three month hiatus (more like an induced coma state), the Queen Mother Cafe is taking its first tentative steps towards reopening. We are launching a Takeout Service, called Queen Mother T'Go on Wednesday, June 17th. We are excited to be serving up fan favourites from our extensive takeout menu. We will also be selling wine and beer along with non alcoholic beverages. Our hours will be Tuesday to Sunday, noon to 8pm. We are implementing government guidelines to keep our valued customers and hardworking staff safe and healthy. The amazing support we have recieved from our customers is very much appreciated and we hope you order from us directly for pickup to avoid hefty third party delivery fees that restaurants are charged for the service. For more information on pickup and delivery please check out our website! Finally, we will work as hard as ever to give the delicious and positive experience our patrons have grown to expect. We do ask for your indulgence as this is a radical pivot in our service model. As prepared as we think we are to take on the new reality, there are sure to be unexpected hiccups. If there are any issues please let us know so we can respond and correct them at once and flatten our learning curve. We are dedicated to making satisfying meals that provide comfort in uncomfortable times. Again a huge thanks to our customers for years of support and we look forward to serving you soon. From all of us at the Queen Mother Cafe 💖 . . . ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #QueenMotherCafe #Gratitude #TorontoRestaurant #QueenStWest #toronto #torontoeats #torontofoodie #viewsoftoronto #foodpornto#torontofoodblogger #tastethesix#yyzeats #torontoinsta#torontorestaurant #thaifood #loas#to_finest #cravethe6ix #dishedto#foodgasm #thaitoronto #torontohistory #toronto #queenstwest #viewsofthesix #torontophotography #yyzliving #dishedto #thankfulforourcustomers #doordash #takeoutday

A post shared by Queen Mother Cafe + Patio (@queenmothercafe) on Jun 16, 2020 at 2:44pm PDT

"People will access the patio from the rear at Renfrew Place, the lane running east to west between McCaul and St. Patrick. We will also ask patrons to wear masks if they need to use the washrooms because it is challenging to social distance in those spaces."

Rosenbaum doesn't anticipate the restaurant will be able to open to dine-in customers any time soon, but "when that happens we will take all steps necessary to make it a safe, comfortable and enjoyable dining experience for our patrons. At every stage, we intend to implement government guidelines to keep customers and staff safe and healthy."

Queen Mother officially reopened for takeout and delivery on June 17.

by Amy Carlberg via blogTO