Restaurant Week helps local eateries; Stirring up new deals for this week

     Harford County Restaurant week is an opportunity for local restaurants to offer deals on certain meals. It is a chance to advertise and draw in new customers. 

     This year’s restaurant week occurred January 21-30. About 43 establishments are participating this year according to the Visit Harford website.

      The week is sponsored by the non-profit organization Visit Harford. This event has no charge to the restaurants that participate. Visit Harford sponsors events all around Harford County. This is one of their bigger events of the year according to Catherine Showalter, office manager at Visit Harford. 

     Many different establishments participate in the week including bakeries, bars, and more are able to participate. Flavor Cupcakery, Bonefish Grill, Bruno’s Land and Sea restaurant, Barrett’s on the Pike, and Backfin Blues: Creole de Graw are just a few places in Harford County  that participated this year.

     Visit Harford’s website says, “You’re invited to enjoy 10 days of delicious dining at participating restaurants. Check back often as our list of participating restaurants continues to grow.”

     These hotspots are able to advertise whatever food items that they see fit for the event. They have freedom to do whatever they want and offer any  deals they see fit.

     Visit Harford’s website, [harfordcountyresturantweek.com] has all of the information on restaurant week, the website has the location, phone number, email, the restaurants website, and  a short summary all under the events tab. 

     Junior Maddie Kingsley said, “I didn’t go anywhere this year but I heard about it and from what I’ve heard it’s been really helpful for restaurants. It just helps local restaurants in our community.”

     “The goal of this week is to draw new customers into local businesses. The week is designed to help the places that participate and increase customers during a slow time of the year,” according to Showalter

     Kingsley said, “I think it is a great experience for local restaurants. I know how hard it has been for places recently with both the rising Covid rates and all the snow we have been getting, so I think this is just a great opportunity.”

    Showalter said, “Harford County Restaurant Week is a great time to try new restaurants and visit some of your favorites.” 

     There was some controversy about whether restaurant week should happen this year due to Covid and the safety of going out. For most of the places that participated there were options to choose to carry out instead of dining in. 

     Showalter also said, “I definitely think that it helps out the restaurants, that is why we hold it in January. January is a slow time and this week-long event is helpful.”