Restaurants had to reinvent themselves during COVID, from patio dining and takeout surges to odd masking rules and contact-tracing check-ins. These illustrated stories capture the ways dining out changed during the pandemic and why people still talk about it.

Restaurants (10)

These illustrated stories are part of COVID Chronicles, a 237-page collection of pandemic memories that readers revisit for the humor, the disbelief, and the perspective.

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COVID Chronicles is more than a blog archive. It is a curated, coffee-table-ready collection of 101 illustrated pandemic memories that readers can flip through, gift, and revisit anytime.

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Attractive hostess working at hostess station taking down names wearing a face mask

Restaurants Recorded Contact Tracing Information at Check-in

Couple walking through a restaurant wearing face masks

Customers Were Required to Wear Masks While Walking to Table

Lady wearing a yellow dress wearing protective gloves and a face masks working her way through a buffet

Buffets Required Customers to Wear Gloves

Guy wearing a face mask grabs food at a Taco Bell drive-thru

Fast Food Restaurants Converted to Drive-thru Only

DoorDash driver making a delivery during pandemic wearing a face mask

UberEats, GrubHub, and DoorDash Sales Went Crazy

Two kitchen workers making pizzas with a big smile on their face

#SupportLocal Movement Kept Restaurants Afloat

Four delicious cocktails prepared to take out of restaurant

Restaurants Promoted Cocktails-To-Go Programs to Boost Sales

Bubble tent for outside seating on the sidewalk during COVID-19 protocols

Restaurants Got Creative with Special Seating Choices

Many picnic tables are spread out outside for patio seating socially distanced

Restaurants Moved Their Dining Rooms Outdoors

Three meal kits tins are opened with a holiday themed meal

Consumers Turned to Pre-prepared Food Meal Kits

What people are saying

Reviews from readers

"This book will make you laugh and feel ALL the feelings."

Five star rating

"One of the most delightful reads of this year! I highly recommend."

Five star rating

"A great coffee table book. Easy to pick up read."

Five star rating

"Great coffee table conversation starter."

Five star rating

"Funny and fun to read. What a fun way to put the pandemic in perspective."

Five star rating

Picture of author Anthony Faust

About the Author

My life as a husband and father transformed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Sent home from work in March 2020, I've yet to return to the office. Adapting to the new pandemic world proved challenging for us all.

However, we managed to find silver linings. Drive-by birthdays brought joy to my kids' friends. I'll never forget stumbling upon a heartfelt hand-painted rock during my jog, reminding us that we're all in this together. Regular Zoom happy hours with close friends created cherished memories.

While quality time with my family was a blessing, we also faced hurdles. Assisting my youngest daughter with frustrating math homework on a poorly designed iPad app tested our patience. Both girls struggled with wearing masks during sports and school.

Sadly, witnessing COVID-19 being politicized and witnessing the closure of small businesses while the wealthy thrived was disheartening.

I wrote this book to document our experiences, learning from them and striving for better decisions in the future. Join me on this rewarding journey of resilience and growth.


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