Almost Home keeps offering comfort in a world of take-out

This is another in a series of articles on how local businesses are currently coping with the coronavirus and its related issues.

Almost Home has built a business and a tradition on offering comfort food, and at a time in which everyone could use a little comforting, Almost Home is still managing to do just that.

A Greencastle staple for 30 years, the restaurant at 17 W. Franklin St. is offering both lunch and dinner options for customers under its “Grab and Go” banner.

Customers can just call (653-5788) and order and pick up their meal at the curb.

Hours are 11 a.m.-2 p.m. for lunch and 5-8 p.m. for dinner with a variety of entrees available (see almosthomerestaurant.com for specifics).

“We’re staying positive about things,” co-owner and chef Gail Smith told the Banner Graphic Monday.

Adding to that positivity was an unexpected visit from a customer.

“We had a customer come in and drop off $2,000 in gas and Kroger cards,” Smith said in amazement.

She and Almost Home General Manager Dave Neeley passed the gift cards out to their staff, most of whom had to be laid off because of the existing conditions in which restaurants and bars are closed to traditional sit-down customers.

“We’re just trying to stay above water,” Smith said. “This is our 30th year. Who would have thought we’d be dealing with something like this.”

In addition to the meals, the Grab and Go section at the front of the store will have salads and other items for easy carry out.

And Smith is getting ready to add perhaps the comfort food of all comfort foods.

“Personally I’m going to make up some mac and cheese that people can bake,” she said. ”I noticed at the grocery that all the mac and cheese was gone.”

How comforting can you get?