Takeout is the new normal, and you don't want to miss out on these local restaurants
By Sophie Salem, Staff Writer
Restaurants are a Santa Monica necessity, and now as business slows, it is especially crucial that citizens do everything in their power to guarantee that they thrive. Restaurant life has become unpredictable, and owners can barely stay on their feet with this unstable economy. Heartbroken store managers have been left with no choice but to shut down their beloved restaurants and move on. Unfortunately, due to COVID-19, indoor seating has been greatly impacted and restaurants now bring in customers mostly from takeout. Here are some prized Santa Monica family-owned restaurants to support to ensure they stay open during these troubling times:
Snug Harbor
2323 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90403
Right in the heart of Santa Monica, the Snug Harbor diner has been running ever since World War II. At the peak of the war, a man by the name of Frank Leight wanted to create a place where civilians could relax with a good meal and a drink. After a lot of work, this place grew to be the friendly neighborhood diner, Snug Harbor. From scrambled eggs to burgers, Snug Harbor is the perfect place to eat at any time of day. Their extensive and elaborate menu makes it more than possible to find a meal of your liking.
Il Forno Trattoria
2901 Ocean Park Blvd #111, Santa Monica, CA 90405
There is nothing like an authentic Italian meal, and Il Forno Trattoria is just the place to grab one. Il Forno was founded back in 1985 by Joseph Suceveanu along with chef Domenico Salvatore. For over 30 years, Il Forno has served incredible dishes from northern and southern Italy. No one wants to miss out on a big bowl of rigatoni alla bolognese. With everything from unique appetizers to filling desserts, Il Forno is a great place to get takeout from so you can sit and eat in front of your TV while watching your favorite show!
Fromin’s
1832 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90403
Ever since 1978, Fromin’s Restaurant and Deli has been a Santa Monica staple. Dennis Fromin came to southern California from Cleveland in the 1960s as a fourth-generation deliman. His heart was set on opening a deli, which later became this famous Santa Monica landmark. Since it first opened, Fromin’s has been notorious for its relaxing environment.
“Fromin’s prides themselves on acknowledging and getting to know their customers in a comfortable, homey environment,” Blake Atwell, a Daily Press intern said in an article for the Santa Monica Daily Press.
Nonetheless, as business has tremendously slowed down, it is important to support this mom and pop restaurant by ordering takeout to ensure they are long-lasting.
Rae’s Restaurant
2901 Pico Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90405
Rae’s Restaurant is an old school American diner that has been serving all of your favorite classic American eats since 1958. In fact, this location has been used as a common shooting location for Hollywood projects, appearing in magazines and various films. In addition to many other stars, the boy band *NSYNC held a photoshoot where Rae’s diner was featured in their issue of Rolling Stone Magazine. From their traditional American breakfasts to their chicken-fried steaks, Rae’s is one of the most authentic American diners in Santa Monica! If you are looking for a real old-school 50s diner, Rae’s restaurant is the place for you.