TULSA, Okla. — As Oklahoma enters week three of coronavirus restrictions with restaurants closed for dine-in, many local ones are doing what they can to stay afloat.
Kai Burmese Cuisine in Tulsa is one of them. It is a refugee-owned restaurant that opened its doors three years ago and depends on foot traffic.
However, the dining area is currently shut down to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
"Since the coronavirus start, the business is very slow," says Vung Cing, owner of Kai Burmese.
She says they had to lay off one part-time employee in order to keep operating. They are currently taking phone orders for curbside pick-up.
Cing's restaurant focuses on traditional Burmese dishes to offer a taste of her home country, such as fish-based items and their popular fried samosas filled with vegetables.
"Most of our customers is from Burma, but we have some local people too," says Cing.
She arrived in Tulsa in 2010 after fleeing religious persecution in Myanmar, formerly known as Burma. She says it was a rough start coming to a different country, and then becoming a small business owner has also had its challenges.
"Everything is new for us... even the speaking. We have to learn a lot, a lot of things. It’s not so easy, but by the grace of God, we survived," shares Cing.
Now, she and her husband, co-owner of the restaurant, are trying to survive the pandemic. Cing says they will continue to serve their customers as long as they can. They are currently exploring the option of partnering with an online delivery app to expand their services.
Cing says any healthcare worker will receive a 10% discount on their carryout order to support those working on the frontlines of COVID-19.
You can find Kai Burmese Cuisine on Facebook and place orders for curbside pick-up. It is located on 6912 S. Lewis Ave. in the Spectrum Shopping Center in Tulsa. Other local shops open in the same area are Moe's Diner, Zogam Cafe, Scooter's Coffee and OK Asian Market.
Kai's hours of operation are Monday and Tuesday from 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., Thursday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Sunday from noon to 6 p.m. and closed on Wednesday.
The restaurant is one of several local small businesses we continue to highlight in our "We're Open Green Country" series.
Visit our website, for a full list of businesses. You may also fill out a submission form for a small business that is still operating and offering essential services.
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