Arizona Restaurant Delivers Free Meals To First Responders And Health Providers As ‘Thank You’

As many restaurants have shut their dining rooms and have started delivery via apps to keep feeding their faithful patrons, some are going the extra mile to provide free meals to health providers and first responders in appreciation for their service to the country during these turbulent times.

Mexican restaurant Someburros, in Arizona was started in 1986 by the Vasquez’s, and has joined this latest trend.

Every dish on the menu tells the unique story of the Vasquez Family and their first restaurant Poncho’s, which opened in South Phoenix in 1972, showcasing the family’s signature, time-tested recipes for authentic Sonoran-style Mexican Food, said the restaurant’s “About” page on Facebook.

As the coronavirus panic continues to spread, a long time employee of the restaurant came up with an idea of blessing deserving people with platters of delicious food.

It was a great idea and the Gilbert location decided to take platters to Mercy Gilbert Medical Center on Saturday and to Gilbert Fire Station One on Monday. “It’s the only thing I can do,” Gilbert counter manager Jessica Hunyada said, “When I brought the food, they were kind of in shock. They were so grateful.”

Soon nine other locations pledged to donate between two and four platters of food to health care professionals and first responders. Twenty platters have been delivered so far, feeding over 200 dedicated doctors, nurses and firefighters. “They have been working around the clock and they might not have time to eat,” president and co-owner Tim Vasquez said. “We just wanted to bring them a good meal.”

Photos of the deliveries were shared on Facebook, and fans of the restaurant flooded the post with heartwarming comments.

“Our AMAZING staff took a break from the chaos today to surprise Emergency Room nurses and doctors all over the valley with Free Fiesta Platters!” Someburros shared on Saturday. “Much [love] from all of us at Someburros. Thank you for all you have done and continue to do!”

Someburros’ owners, the Vasquez’s also shared an emotional post about the outpouring of love and support the community has shown them. “Last night, as I finally laid down to go to sleep, I got a little emotional thinking about the incredible outpouring of support from our community.”

“Amy and I have received messages and calls from friends, family, my kids’ teachers, their school Principal, and countless others letting me know that they stopped in to Someburros to grab a take out order or pick up some frozen burros and taquitos for home. They are doing everything they can to support us during this difficult time and we could not be any more grateful. Our family truly appreciates it.”

“However … I want to introduce you to two men. Chava, on the left, has been working with Someburros for 32 years and Bartolo on the right has been working with us for 34 years. Both of these men support their families and they are just 2 of our 350+ Someburros Familia Members.

“THEY are who we are fighting like crazy for. Our mission is to remain open so that people like Chava and Bartolo and the many others can continue to work and support their families during this crisis. The community support is working!”

“Thank you so much for supporting us and know that you are not just supporting the Vasquez family, but you are supporting countless other hardworking men and women in our family business. Mil Gracias!”