Patrons flock to Silver Dollar Pancake House in Corona for first sit-in meal in over 2 months

CORONA, Calif. (KABC) -- One day after Riverside County received state approval to begin reopening more businesses, some local restaurants opened their doors for guests eager to have their first sit-in meal in over two months.

Patrons on Saturday flocked to places like the Silver Dollar Pancake House in Corona, which resumed operations at 5 a.m. and saw a steady flow of customers throughout the day.

County Supervisor Karen Spiegel was among the patrons enjoying a meal with her family.

Before dine-guests were allowed back, the family-run establishment had been operating for take-out delivery orders only. Those who returned after the monthslong restrictions were lifted saw a handful of noticeable changes.



Limited seating indoors was implemented, with no more than 50 customers allowed in at a time, but plenty of outdoor seating was made available in order to avoid crowding. Tables are being cleaned and disinfected after each customer and paper menus are being used.

"I'm impressed....It's all set up with tables outside and everything. It's really neat," said John Negrete.

The restaurant's owner, Diana Hernandez, says she was able to bring back all her employees who were let go at the onset of the pandemic. Hernandez said she hopes the safety measures will help the customers feel at ease as they dine in.

"I feel relieved, a lot of anxiousness, but I'm happy about it," she said.

Orange and San Bernardino counties on Saturday became the latest in Southern California to receive the green light from Gov. Gavin Newsom to move into the second phase of a plan to ease coronavirus restrictions.