These Southeast Michigan Restaurants Have Temporarily Closed for COVID-19 Sanitizing

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A running list of the establishments that are shutting down, testing their employees, and deep cleaning restaurant spaces

Over the past few months, a number of restaurants throughout Southeast Michigan have announced that they would close their door temporarily as workers at these establishments came in contact with or tested positive for COVID-19. It’s a tough decision for restaurant owners to close down in a year that’s already difficult for businesses. It’s also important to ensure that restaurant workers, who are most directly at risk of infection in a food service setting, are given the time necessary to properly self-isolate, get tested, and, if necessary, receive medical attention.

To be clear, announcing that an employee tested positive and shutting down is the right thing to do. It’s an important show of transparency, one that lets diners know that their favorite spots take this pandemic seriously. New cases are skyrocketing in Michigan and across the country. Any measures taken to inform the public of possible exposure are essential to help slow the spread. Michigan residents can also download the MI COVID Alert app and sign up for notifications related to possible exposure sites.

Eater plans to keep a running list of the restaurants that have made the decision to close temporarily after a positive COVID-19 test. If you know of a spot that’s not on this list, send us a tip at detroit@eater.com. We’ve also rounded up the restaurants that have already reopened after closing their doors to sanitize and test staff following a positive test in the restaurant in the last few weeks.

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Closed Now

• El Charro in Troy and Macomb Township — Two locations of the popular Tex-Mex chain closed on Tuesday, November 10, due to “multiple employees having come in contact with the virus, according to a Facebook post. The Fraser and St. Clair Shores locations remain open. No reopening date was provided.

Closed and Reopened

• Toast Birmingham — Per a Facebook post, the restaurant has undergone deep cleaning and all staff have been tested. As of Wednesday, November 11, the brunch spot is open.
• PJ’s Lager House — The pub reopened on Thursday, October 29, after being temporarily closed due to several positive COVID-19 cases.
• Whiskey Taco Foxtrot — The Clawson restaurant temporarily closed on Sunday, October 25, due to a COVID-19 exposure. Several staff members ended up testing positive but recovered and the restaurant reopened on Wednesday, November 4.
• The Brown Jug — The Brown Jug was listed by Washtenaw County as a possible exposure site on Thursday, October 1 and Saturday, October 3, and on Tuesday, October 6. The bar is currently open.
• Chapala Mexican Restaurant — Several cases from the Washtenaw County alert were also traced to Chapala Mexican Restaurant in Ann Arbor to Thursday, October 1. The restaurant closed for deep cleaning on Monday, October 12, and reopened on Wednesday, October 14.
• Knight’s Steakhouse — This Ann Arbor restaurant briefly closed on Saturday, October 24 after “a few” front-of-house employees tested positive for COVID-19. The restaurant has reopened as of Thursday, October 29.
• Sava’s Restaurant — This Ann Arbor establishment closed on Tuesday, October 27, after a staff member tested positive for COVID-19. Sava’s resumed service on Thursday, October 29.

• Tracking COVID-19 Outbreaks in Michigan’s Food Industry [ED]
• What Are Michigan’s COVID-19 Rules for Restaurants and Bars Right Now? [ED]