Locals and tourist head to Moss Landing during Easter weekend
The cooler weekend weather didn't stop a line from forming at a Moss Landing restaurant. People expressed excitement for coming back to enjoy a meal inside or outside.
"I just love the food", said Phil's Fish Market customer Gregory Pimentel.
"Just fresh seafood. It's the best it can be," said James Delisea, another Phil's Fish Market customer.
From the inside market of Phil's Fish Market in Moss Landing, to the 2,000 pounds of live crab they have in their kitchen, people are lining up more and more to chow down inside and outside at Phil's Fish Market.
"Our phones are just going off the walls," said Phil DiTirolamo, Phil's Fish Market owner.
For customers like James Dilesea, it's at least a twice a month trip to Phil's. He often meets at the restaurant with his son, who is working on fire damage restoration in the bay area.
"This is the first place we come on the weekends. Now bringing my grandchildren here. I can't …it's just great," Delisea said.
In Monterey County's current red tier status, restaurants can open indoors at 25% capacity. They also have to adhere to other COVID-19 protocols, such as social distancing, mask-wearing and frequent sanitizing.
At Phil's Fish Market everything is packaged to go. They do that for all customers whether they are eating inside or outside in their back picnic area.
"It's a different normal. I don't think it'll ever be normal again," DiTirolamo said. "I think what we are doing now really acceptable. We are quite happy with it," the owner said.
Customer Gregory Pimentel is especially excited. He said he hasn't been back in over 8 months.
"Terrific. It's great. I'm looking forward to the clam chowder and calamari," Pimentel said.