The shelves at Pili's Party Deli are stocked with staples, spices and treats from mexico, and items used in the preparation of their dishes. (Kayte Young/WFIU)
Pilar Gonzales of Pili's Party Taco has made some changes in response to COVID-19 restrictions, and remains open in Downtown Bloomington.
They have their taco truck parked outside of their recently opened storefront on South Walnut. Their storefront offers groceries, so customers are allowed to enter the store to shop for food, since grocery stores are considered essential. To keep things contact free, they have a new touchless payment system. They are also wiping everything down constantly, providing hand sanitizer and pre-packaging all orders, including the salsas.
The food is prepared in the kitchen on the truck and at One World Kitchen Share. They are still waiting on final permits for their own kitchen. You can stop by their spot at 109-111 S.Walnut to place your taco order, and while you're there, you can pick up some spices and other ingredients for Mexican cuisine or choose from a selection of Mexican breads and pastries from Indianapolis. They are also taking orders over the phone.
Pili's doesn't offer delivery at this time, and they don't use a third-party delivery service. Pilar says she doesn't want to have to charge more for deliveries, or use a delivery service where her customers would have to pay more. She knows that a lot of people are short on cash right now, and she wants her food to remain affordable.
Business has been slower than usual, but steady. They would normally be entering the busy season for food trucks, as the weather warms and outdoor events are planned
Pilar had recently done some hiring and training for upcoming events, but she had to let them go since everything has been cancelled.
In recent weeks a couple of apartment complexes in town have invited them to bring their food truck to the parking lot to serve residents for lunch. This has worked out well, with everyone observing the social distancing and getting a break from working in their home offices.
The store front, Pili's Party Deli, had only been open for about 3 months when the COVID-19 restrictions went into place, and they were beginning an expansion of the space into the room next door.
They wanted a place for people to sit, across from each other at tables (the current space only offers bar seating in the front window).
Ironic that they were in the midst of making a space for people to gather and sit together while enjoying their tacos, when a pandemic hit--shutting down that possibility before they had even placed the chairs and tables.
