San Francisco restaurants hope holiday meal kits will keep them from closing on Christmas

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- Holiday meal kits are the new business strategy many restaurant owners are implementing during this Christmas season in hopes to survive.

We're five days from Christmas and what's cooking in this kitchen is a gift for the holidays.

A short rib kit for two going for $110.

"It's braised bone- short rib, Golai Hagon Suni, coconut creamed spinach with lemon and turmeric," described Shawn Camacho, co-owner of Prubechu's.

Prubechu is the only Chamorros or Guamanian restaurant in San Francisco. Camacho says the innovative meal kit came out of necessity.

WATCH: 'I am still here': Oakland restaurant owner explains how he survived a rough 2020

"I think if you stop, if you've already got boards up, you die. You don't stay alive," Shakewell owner Tim Nugent told us early on in the pandemic. Since then, the restaurant has been doing everything they can to keep the lights on. Here's how he survived a rough 2020.

"We laid off more than half our staff and went down to the skeleton crew of just management and the guys who helped us open. Without these kits and without the support of the community, restaurants we are in a dire place right now," said Camacho.

Camacho, like many restaurant owners, has lost count of how many times they've pivoted this year.

Nightbird was solely a Californian testing menu restaurant. The owner Kim Alter says they've used the pandemic to help those in need and stay afloat.

"We cook for homeless, churches and now for the last four months, we've been part of the FEMA program cooking for seniors. We started a pop-up night burger and got best burger by the chronicle," said Alter.

RELATED: 'Not worth it to stay open': Bay Area restaurants concerned about COVID-19 reopening rollbacks

Recently Nightbird pivoted again and started selling $90 holiday meals.

"Now we are doing holiday meals. For Christmas Eve we're doing a special kind of tasting menu and cinnamon rolls for the next day and a really beautiful vegetables from the market," said Alter.

The same goes for Francis and Dian Ang. Their pop-up Filipino restaurant, Pinoy Hertiage is also embracing the moment and offering holiday meals for "$60 per head plus tax and tip."

"We've created a kit where it comes in a half sheet cake box 14 by 19 box and there is a lot of food in there," said Francis Ang, Pinoy Heritage co-owner.

MORE:: 'Feastin' revolutionizes food delivery service to keep Bay Area restaurants in business

Just days from Christmas, Pinoy Heritage's holiday meals are almost sold out.

"We are trying to hit 300 people and right now we are 281 already," said Dian Ang, Pinoy Heritage co-owner.

Many finding comforts in knowing that these meal kits are keeping their doors open but also bringing joy to families in the middle of the pandemic

"It's pretty cool that they have our food in their little bubble," said Shawn Naputi, Chef/partner at Prubechu SF.

The meal kits range in price $60 to $110.

If you have a question or comment about the coronavirus pandemic, submit yours via the form below or here.

Get the latest news, information and videos about the novel coronavirus pandemic here

RELATED STORIES & VIDEOS:

• From COVID-19 to Black Lives Matter, these 13 people defined the Bay Area in 2020
• Map: CA counties that can, can't reopen under new rules
• CALCULATOR: Find out how many people may get a COVID-19 vaccine before you
• VIDEO: When will I get the COVID-19 vaccine? We explain who goes 1st
• COVID-19 risk calculator: The safest and most dangerous things to do this holiday season
• Want to get a COVID-19 test in time for the holidays? Here's what you need to know
• Updated number of COVID-19 deaths, cases in Bay Area
• Map shows everywhere you can get a COVID-19 test in the Bay Area
• COVID-19 Diaries: Personal stories of Bay Area residents during pandemic
• California EDD: The most commonly asked questions we get about unemployment and PUA
• Health experts urge flu shots in effort to avoid 'twindemic'
• How to tell the difference between seasonal allergies and coronavirus symptoms
• Here's which mask is better to protect from COVID-19
• First COVID-19 vaccine volunteers in US describe experience as Bay Area launches vaccine trials
• Coronavirus origin: Where did COVID-19 come from?
• What is a COVID-19 genetic, antigen and antibody test?
• What will it take to get a COVID-19 vaccine and how will it be made?
• What does COVID-19 do to your body and why does it spread so easily?
• Here's how shelter in place, stay at home orders can slow spread of COVID-19
• Coronavirus Timeline: Tracking major moments of COVID-19 pandemic in San Francisco Bay Area
• Coronavirus Doctor's Note: Dr. Alok Patel gives his insight into COVID-19 pandemic