Paul鈥檚 on Fifth in Grandview is normally packed for lunch. Instead, waitresses in masks lean on the diner鈥檚 cash register in between serving a half dozen or so tables of customers.
Fran Freeman is a regular, and she glances through the paper before getting up to pay.
鈥淚 was so excited about it being open today,鈥� Freeman says. 鈥淓specially, their special on Thursday is my favorite, and I鈥檓 just glad it opened on a Thursday.鈥�
That special would be the liver and onions.
鈥淚t was delicious,鈥� she says with a chuckle.
Craig Dame loves Paul鈥檚 red sauce, and he says the chicken parmesan is his favorite. His wife Teresa says all the pastas are great, but she鈥檚 particularly fond of the wedding soup.
Teresa says they鈥檇 been looking forward to a lunch out and started planning yesterday.
鈥淲e did, he asked me鈥攈e鈥檚 still working鈥攂ut he says, 'Can I come get you tomorrow and we鈥檒l go to Paul鈥檚 for lunch,' and I said, 'Yes, please!'鈥�
Craig says they didn鈥檛 quite realize how much they looked forward to going out to eat.
鈥淲hether it鈥檚 here at Paul鈥檚 or some other place for dinner,鈥� he pauses, looking for the words, 鈥渨e鈥檝e really missed it a lot.鈥�
鈥淵ou don鈥檛 really know how much you take for granted until it鈥檚 gone," Teresa adds.
Another customer, Bill Goldthwaite is celebrating his 99th birthday. There鈥檚 silver happy birthday balloon and a cupcake on the table.
鈥淵es, it鈥檚 very nice,鈥� he says. 鈥淩ather than taking it home鈥攊t鈥檚 nice to be able to stay.鈥�
Many restaurants are sticking with carry-out, at least for the time being. According to the Ohio Restaurant Association鈥檚 most recent survey, 54% planned to open Thursday, with another 28% reopening soon.
