MURRAY, Utah — Restaurant Morelia opened in 1989. Thirty years later, it’s considered a staple in the Murray community.
Unfortunately, since COVID-19 hit our state in March, things haven’t been easy, owner David Gonzalez said.
“Things have slowed down quite a bit because now we are competing with businesses that actually have dine-in,” he said.
Restaurant Morelia is only offering curbside pickup because of the restaurant's small space. The restaurant posted on Instagram last week about their struggles, and the community quickly stepped in. The post reads in part: “We need your help and your support now more than ever. We are currently barely staying afloat and with winter approaching we fear the worst may happen.”
On Friday, the phones began ringing off the hook with people calling in orders. On Saturday, there were so many orders they ran out of food, Gonzalez said.
“That was the beautiful thing about this restaurant. We have this group of people, loyal as can be, and this place was always full,” he said.
People like Maxine Jarmon shared the post online and helped bring people to the restaurant. On Monday, she and her husband pulled up to pick up their own order.
“I just love this restaurant. It is my absolute favorite,” she said.
Jarmon has been coming to this Mexican restaurant for 30 years and hopes others will help keep this place open.
“Without us, they are going to go under,” she said.
The outpouring of support from people all over Utah has been amazing, Gonzalez said. Opening a restaurant was always his dad’s dream, and in 1989, it was finally able to become a reality.
“We decided we were going to do it together. So, me, my dad and my wife decided we were going to open up our own place,” Gonzalez said.
Gonzalez’s dad is now 92 and retired, but the restaurant is still very much part of his life. Finally, being able to tell him business was good was incredible, Gonzalez said.
“I see my dad every day and the first question is: ‘Were you guys busy today?’ And so my answer lately has been: ‘It's been okay. Its been okay,’" Gonzalez said. "Friday, my answer was: ‘Today was really busy, Dad.’ Saturday, my answer was: ‘It's really busy, Dad.'”
For more information on Restaurant Morelia, click here.
