It was opening night at Mariano’s Mexican Cuisine in Dallas in May of 1971. Customers had fully embraced the fiery, “fiesta” atmosphere of the restaurant’s happy hour, demanding copious amounts of frozen margaritas as the bartender’s hands cramped under the pressure and the drinks began to devolve in quality and consistency. Customers complained and cocktails were poured down the drain—things were not looking good.

With the expiration of the previous COVID-19 relief measures looming, restaurants were delivered a fresh serving of stimulus money through the Restaurant Relief Fund (RRF) section of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, signed on March 11. 

Whether you’re building out a brand new restaurant kitchen or looking to remodel and upgrade, it’s crucial to consider all of your options when it comes to the heavy duty equipment that makes up the foundation of your business. 

We’re so close to being 100 percent back to normal, we can taste it!

Venues eager to fully begin restocking supplies and planning for weddings and other catered events now have a better idea of what spring and summer guest lists will look like, thanks to a recent announcement from New York State officials.

Let’s travel back a couple years, when the only viral concern in the restaurant industry was the potential to cash in on “going viral” with any internet fad.

Sam Tell isn't just the one-stop shop for all the foodservice supplies and equipment a restaurant needs. It's also your source for insights into the restaurant industry. 

Every month, we shine the spotlight on a handful of Sam Tell clients to celebrate their success and share what makes them special in our seasonal roundup. Take a look at this season's selections below: 

With the news that Valentine’s Day weekend (starting Friday, Feb. 12) will mark the return to indoor dining at 25 percent capacity, lovebirds across New York are scrambling to swiftly change plans from sitting on the couch surrounded by chocolate wrappers and empty bottles of wine to actually visiting the outside world and sitting down inside a restaurant.

In another sign that we could soon see a shred of normalcy in the restaurant industry, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced this week that restaurant workers are eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccination.

If you didn’t hear it directly from the governor, we’ve got real heart emoji material for you.