Two restaurants got a little bit of good news last week.
Spencer’s for Steaks and Chops of Omaha, Neb., and Amboy Quality Meats & Delicious Burgers of Los Angeles, Calif., are the first two recipients of the Certified Angus Beef ® brand’s $2,500 tips as part of the campaign that’s working to support the struggling restaurant industry.
Nominated to earn the money by their customers through posts on social media, each was grateful for a dose of hope in a year that’s been so challenging.
Amboy Quality Meats & Delicious Burgers | Los Angeles, California
Named after the slang term for an American-born Filipino kid, Amboy Quality Meats & Delicious Burgers in Los Angeles opened in 2020 by Chef Alvin Cailan. Amboy serves unique fare that draws on the chef’s background, his culinary school training and French cuisine. One part restaurant, one part meat shop, customers can choose their steak and have it cooked on site or take it home. Chef Cailan’s famous burger creations can also be procured in the one-stop shop.
Local regulations have kept diners away and the Chinatown restaurant is just beginning to open patio seating for the first time since March of 2020. Today, Amboy has just 20 seats available for guests. Cailan says he looks forward to that number growing. Run by a total staff of six, each received about $400, making the tip meaningful for the team.
Cailan shares that the $2,500 tip for him and his staff couldn’t have come at a better time. “We are so grateful.”
Spencer’s for Steaks and Chops | Omaha, Nebraska
The Omaha steakhouse is finally back to 100% capacity but is only seeing 35% of the business they once had. Since 2010, Glenn Wheeler has been the executive chef at Spencer’s.
“I am just trying to keep the boat afloat around here,” Wheeler says. “Our doors would be closed if it weren’t for our sister steakhouse in Arizona being able to help carry us through these challenging times.”
Without travel and events drawing people to the Nebraska city, the restaurant’s small customer celebrations and weekend business are the only things keeping the doors open.
The $2,500 tip was split among the staff of 18 working to keep the 13-year-old restaurant alive.
Restaurants across America will continue to be chosen as part of the #RestaurantChallenge campaign based on nominations from patrons sharing their experiences on Facebook and Instagram. Visit Challenge.CertifiedAngusBeef.com to learn more about how you can nominate your favorite restaurant to win a big tip from the Certified Angus Beef ® brand.
