Austin News

Hoover's Cooking has been in the Austin neighborhood for over two decades. Owned and operated by an Austin native and fifth-generation Texan, the restaurant offers a Tex-Mex-infused menu for dine-in, takeout and catering—under normal circumstances. 

Hoover's is one of many businesses slammed by the extended stay-in-place order that is intended to protect Texans from the novel coronavirus pandemic. Although the stay-in-place order does allow for patrons to order take-out, restaurant owner Hoover Alexander said the sales from takeout orders can't compare to those from normal operations. 

Additionally, Hoover's is running on a "skeleton of a schedule," a decision that didn't come lightly to Alexander. 

"The reality is that most employees live paycheck to check, and I've tried to provide at least some income particularly for those with families as they wait for stimulus and unemployment checks to arrive," Alexander said. "All employees have been reminded to come by and grab food to take home as needed."

Hoover's only brought in a 10th of its usual sales during the first week of the dine-in ban, Alexander said. Although the restaurant did manage to nudge that number up some over the past couple of weeks, Hoover's is still holding steady at only 20% of normal sales. 

Hoover's business comes from more than just Austin residents ordering takeout. Members of the community have prepaid for the restaurant to cater to those who are on the front lines of the COVID-19 battle, including first responders, the Austin fire and police departments, the Christopher House and St. David's Hospital. 

Alexander said that Michael Huff, a University of Texas (UT) alumnus and former athlete, donated funds for the restaurant to serve 200 people in need. 

"We've had others purchase gift cards that helped infuse some needed cash, most notably my fraternity brothers from my UT days, Alpha Phi Alpha, bought $6,000 in $20 increments," Alexander said, but the outpouring support for him and his business doesn't stop there. 

"My friend and landlord went beyond deferring my April rent and wrote me a check to support my efforts to keep afloat," he said.

Despite the impacts on the service industry and Alexander's livelihood, the restaurant owner will keep a positive outlook as he continues to find ways to serve the public safely and support his fellow small business owners. Hoover's has purchased honey, tamales, popcorn, loaves of bread, jams and cookies from local sources. 

"I wake up every morning grateful, hopeful and prayerful. Daily I'm encouraged by acts of kindness by friends, patrons and strangers who give us moral and financial support." Alexander said. "I want them to know they are having a positive triple effect by helping the business, helping to feed our Hoover's cooking family and their families, and helping us feed some of those doing the tough, often risky work of helping our fellow citizens during the tough season we're currently in."

Hoover's plans to reopen its dining room as soon as the bans are lifted, with the proper limitations, such as UV light sanitation and spaced seating. The restaurant is expanding its section called "Hoover's in a Hurry," which offers hot-held, grab-and-go style dining options.