Nearly a year-and-a-half after all COVID restrictions were lifted in New Orleans, restaurants continue to battle staffing shortages.
According to the Louisiana Restaurant Association, restaurants in the New Orleans area still down about 80,000 workers from 2019 levels, or about 16 percent of the pre-pandemic workforce. That's forcing restaurants to change how they do business, especially as the summer festival season gets into full swing.
"You'll see restaurants not open as late, and you'll see more limited seating," Louisiana Restaurant Association president and CEO Stan Harris said.
According to Harris, New Orleans-area restaurants have recovered five to ten percent of their workforce since since pandemic restrictions were lifted, but he says there are still not enough workers to help run the area's restaurants.
Harris says customers can help their favorite restaurants provide them great service by doing some advanced planning.
Make your plans before you get here," Harris said. "Book those reservations via online or through the restaurant or any of the restaurant booking sites because you really want to make sure that you've got capacity and that you're going to be able to get to visit your favorite to enjoy your best meal and a great experience."
Harris also asks restaurant patrons to be patient while eating out and to return the hospitality that restaurant workers show them.
"Understand that the folks that are there want you to have a great experience," Harris said. "It helps us all to work better together, and there's no stronger elixir than a smile, a welcome, and a 'we're glad you're here.'"
Harris says restaurants will get a taste of the summer tourism and festival season crowds when restaurant week takes place from June 19 through June 25.