El Norteño customers wait outside restaurant
El Norteño is not closing
Contributed By:The 411 News
But workers' shortage forces restaurant to close early
It’s August and for the first weeks of the month, El Norteño closes its doors for vacation.
But, the conversation among customers waiting in line outside of the taqueria on west 5th avenue in Gary last week were questions about El Norteño's future.
Some customers had heard the restaurant was shutting its doors for good. The sign on the door reads, "El Norteño will close the first week of August. Re-opening, not sure?"
Restaurant staff cleared up the confusion, saying they were only closing for vacation. By Saturday, July 31, a post on its Facebook page said, "We will be closed 8/1/21-8/16/21. New hours Tuesday-Saturday 10am - 6pm."
The few customers permitted inside the carry-out got answers from the restaurant's security guard. Following the pandemic's guidelines for 6-ft of social distancing, about 5 people could fit safely inside.
After placing their orders, customers waited outside until the security guard said their order was ready.
Rozell Berry, in town for his brother's funeral, was picking up his order Friday afternoon. "It has been about 4 years since I've been here. I wanted to get some of these famous tacos. Didn't know this might be the last time."
El Norteño seems to draw former Gary residents back to its doors when they return for a visit. Berry was not the only out-of-towner saying El Norteño was their favorite taco joint when they lived here. And that's why they always return.
Longevity helps. Cadillac, the security guard, said El Norteño has been in business 60 years. He's been with them the last 8.
Cadillac said the COVID-19 pandemic has hit restaurants hard. "It's an employee issue and happening all over our city. I've seen it at McDonald's, Burger King, KFC, and Popeye’s."
El Norteño now closes at 6pm instead of 10pm, not because business is slow. "She can't get the workers. Back there now are 3 people, when it should be 8. It takes longer to get the orders out," Cadillac said.
Cadillac, El Norteño's security guard
Story Posted:08/02/2021
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