Pismo’s in Fresno ends dine-in after COVID-19 rules dispute. Here’s what it’s doing now
About two weeks after Pismo’s Coastal Grill landed in the spotlight for keeping its dining room open after orders to halt indoor dining, the restaurant has stopped seating people inside.
The North Blackstone Avenue restaurant was doing only takeout Thursday.
It’s in the process of setting up a large, air-conditioned tent in the parking lot that is expected to be up and running Friday, an employee confirmed with The Bee.
Owner Dave Fansler kept the popular restaurant open after Gov. Gavin Newsom ordered a halt to indoor dining July 1 in certain counties to curb the spread of coronavirus, including Fresno, a directive that now applies to the entire state.
Fansler argued his large, garage-style roll-up windows on two sides of the building meant the restaurant should be considered outdoor dining or at least an “open-air” restaurant. He said he was being harassed and targeted by enforcement agencies.
Several agencies – including the head of Fresno County’s public health department – disagreed with Fansler’s definition of outdoor dining.
The restaurant received at least two citations from California’s Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control over the July 4 weekend, that could result in penalties including the loss of its liquor license. Six other bars and restaurants in Fresno and Tulare counties were cited that weekend too.
The City of Fresno’s code enforcement visited Pismo’s at least three times that weekend.
Pismo’s stayed open, even after an employee tested positive for COVID-19, The Bee reported last week.
It wasn’t clear what exactly spurred the closure of the dining room. Fansler did not return messages seeking comment.
On Instagram, Pismo’s was telling customers that dine-in was closed “for now.”
When asked if there had been any more recent actions against the restaurant, an ABC spokesman said Wednesday it was still reviewing information gathered statewide and whether to pursue disciplinary action against businesses violating the governor’s order.
Pismo’s has a small patio outside the restaurant where customers were eating Thursday.
Under an emergency order from the City of Fresno approved in late May, restaurants can expand their outdoor dining into common areas like sidewalks and parking lots through temporary permits.
Many restaurants in town have already taken advantage of the newly loosened rules, with The Annex Kitchen turning part of its parking lot into outdoor seating. Even Denny’s restaurants have added tents and tables on sidewalks and in parking lots outside their restaurants.
This story was originally published July 16, 2020 at 2:31 PM.
