TULSA, Okla. — Today marks three weeks since restaurants were ordered to shut down their dining areas to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Many local ones are fighting to stay open offering only to-go orders and curbside pickup.
"I’m lucky if I get me four, five customers," shares Morad Sepahvand, owner of Moe's Diner in Tulsa.
He says business is slow due to the coronavirus restrictions, but ever since he opened less than seven months ago, it has always been a struggle. At one point he even had several staff at the restaurant.
"I kept them for three or four months to see maybe hopefully it’d pick up, but it never did, and I don’t know why," says Sepahvand.
Now, it is just himself cooking in the kitchen and taking orders. He says the recipes of both American and Mediterranean dishes are his own, and the portions are generous. The problem is not enough customers.
"I just come myself in the morning at this time just go turn the equipment on and wait to see if somebody is going to call in or not," says Sepahvand.
Moe's Diner offers carryout and curbside pick-up, as well as delivery on several online apps, such as DoorDash and Grubhub.
Sepahvand is trying to remain optimistic but is already thinking of next steps if the restrictions last any longer.
"Otherwise you know I have to just close it or find somebody maybe hopefully buy it from me,” says Sepahvand.
You can find Moe's Diner on Facebook for their full menu. It is located on 6934 S. Lewis Ave. in the Spectrum Shopping Center in Tulsa. Other local shops open in the same area are Kai Burmese Cuisine, Zogam Cafe, Scooter's Coffee and OK Asian Market.
Moe's Diner is open Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., closed on Sunday.
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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