Nomads Canteen
Restaurant · San Clemente ·
Ocean views, Mexican grub, poke bowls, tequila drinks
Ocean views, Mexican grub, poke bowls, tequila drinks
"An early mover during the reopening period, this neighborhood spot has formally reopened for in-person service after previously operating during closure orders." - Eater Staff
"Also cited among restaurants refusing to follow the statewide dining-room closure is Nomad’s Canteen in Orange County." - Farley Elliott
"In San Clemente, Nomads Canteen defied California's stay-at-home orders for a second time by reopening its dining area Thursday through Sunday after first opening last Saturday; owner Jeff Gourley says he will keep service going. Gourley tried to socially distance customers as they piled in, but the restaurant sold out of every food item and bottle of alcohol, and patrons formed a line and waited up to 45 minutes to get in. Some outlets have labeled it the leader of the “stay at home resistance,” and the restaurant has seen little pushback from local authorities, though the state Alcoholic Beverage Control warned that businesses flouting orders could lose their beer, wine, or liquor license; Gourley plans to continue service through the weekend." - Mona Holmes
"Located in Orange County, this restaurant resumed in-house dining in defiance of California’s dining-room closure that has been in place since March 19, violating roughly two-month-old orders; it announced intentions to remain open throughout the weekend. State officials have indicated that establishments that continue to flout the rules could face judicious enforcement as broader reopening guidelines for restaurants are finalized." - Mona Holmes
"Defying California’s statewide dining-room closure, I observed Nomads Canteen in San Clemente reopen last week to a throng of diners and imbibers at maximum capacity and later announced it would reopen again on May 7 in continued defiance. The restaurant has support from members of the Orange County Board of Supervisors, with county officials telling the Orange County Register that the county’s health agency would "promptly [rescind] all threats and will take no enforcement action against Nomads as long as it continues to comply with Orange County’s guidelines," even though the Orange County Health Care Agency issued a warning; Supervisor Don Wagner defended reopening by citing better hospital rates and urging residents it was time to "live their lives again." At the same time, California’s Alcohol Beverage Control has warned restaurants in other counties, asked businesses in Yuba and Sutter to close voluntarily, and threatened to suspend or revoke beer, wine, or liquor licenses for establishments that flout the statewide mandate—stressing that going against stay-at-home orders "endangers public health and safety" and noting that any suspended or revoked license would prevent a business from legally selling alcohol in California. The situation reflects a split among Orange County officials, with Supervisor Lisa Bartlett saying the board is not encouraging defiance but that businesses can prepare to reopen." - Matthew Kang