This Retro Quebec Restaurant Will Now Serve You Burgers & Poutine Right To Your Car Window
'50s trends are coming back for the summer of 2020. As Quebec restaurants, event organizers, and cities try to figure out how to reopen while following public health rules, they're looking back in time for ideas to move forward. The latest example: "new" car window food service at the Buffet Royal in Quebec City.
The drive-up service is actually more of a reintroduction. Until the '80s, the restaurant staff brought food directly to drivers waiting in their cars.
"In these times of social distancing, we have decided to go back to basics and bring you back to the drive-in experience," the restaurant wrote in a widely-shared Facebook post.
"Many customers tell us about their fond memories of our 1960s classic. Others would like to live this experience as a family."
Buffet Royal even brought out its retro trays from storage.
Here's how it works.
Customers have to call the restaurant once they arrive in the parking lot. The menu is available online.
They just need to let staff know the make and colour of their car and that's it! A classic meal will be delivered right to them when it's ready.
Diners can also preorder online and leave a comment with the details of their car.
The window service began on May 20 and the Buffet Royal told MTL Blog that customers have been enthusiastic about its revival.
"They love to live or relive the experience."
The retro-style service is available from 11:00 a.m. to 7 p.m.
The window trays aren't the only mid-century trend to be making a comeback in Quebec, either.
At least two new drive-in theatres are coming to the Montreal area for the summer of 2020.
The largest of which, the planned Royalmount Drive-In Theatre in Montreal, will be able to fit 250 cars and adapt to host a variety of events, including movie nights, concerts, and comedy shows.
Organizers are already "looking to include programming from Cineplex, evenko, Just for Laughs, and many other of the [city's] top promoters."
Guests will even be able to tailgate outside their vehicles in "predetermined safe zones."
We can't wait to see what other retro summer styles come back this year.
More summer programming in and around Montreal is coming soon, so fingers crossed.