New Yorkers face the ultimate dilemma with the arrival of Winter Storm Juno. A buffalo chicken pizza delivered to your door sounds like the ideal start to the beginning of what may be this year’s snowmageddon. But how will your conscience fare after forcing some poor soul out into inches of snow that will soon turn into feet.
We spoke to a smattering of delivery spots to find out if they’re making runs tonight, and to ask if their customers are (or should be) tipping extra.
Veselka (East Village)
Deliveryman Joseph Mendoza has made over 25 trips by bike so far today. Only half of those customers have shelled out a few extra bucks. Mendoza typically receives 10 to 15 percent, but on days like this appreciates when “experienced tippers give 18 percent,” he says.
DuMont Burger (Williamsburg)
This eatery called it a day around 5 p.m. General manager Andrew Robinson said he was starting to fear for the safety of the restaurant’s delivery workers, all of whom use bicycles to make their rounds. He said he doesn’t expect people to tip more in the bad weather, but they generally do. He said 30 percent was probably fair during a snowstorm. “I always tip like I would a server, but I have an insider’s point of view,” he said.
Best Pizza (Williamsburg)
Owner Frank Pinello plans to “push it as far as we can” tonight. Staff safety is a first priority, especially for those on bikes. That’s right, bikes. If you decide to expose a complete stranger to frostbite tonight, deliveries usually run until 11pm. But with a travel ban in effect then, that will probably be cut short so that the delivery staff can get home.
GreenStreets Salads (Bushwick)
If you want delivery without a side of guilt, these guys will come to you in a four-wheel drive until their usual cutoff of 10pm. Owner Patrick Lamke expects about 60 deliveries for the dinner rush tonight. Remember to tip well: “Unfortunately, people tip more when it is nice out and less when it is gross out,” says Lamke.
Motorino (East Village)
Depending on the extent of the snow, Motorino is hoping for a lot of business tonight from lazy and hungry home dwellers. Bikes are the pizzeria’s only way to dish out orders, so it has shrunk its delivery zone by at least half. It’s now within Broadway, Houston Street, and 23rd Street.
M Noodle Shop (Williamsburg)
This establishment’s delivery personnel will be lucky enough to be inside cars tonight. The person we spoke to apologized in advance for any delays or interruptions in service — probably far more polite than the customers they’ll encounter tonight.
East Village Wines (East Village)
In these blizzard-like conditions, many will desire the warmth that only alcohol can provide. First, the bad news: this store closed at 6pm today. “Happy snow day!” it tweeted on its way out.
Alphabet City Beer Co. (East Village)
Now the good news: the delivery folk at Alphabet City Beer Co. will expose themselves to the elements while transporting your bottles. Owner Zach Mack says that when it gets dark, bike delivery will stop and continue on foot. Mack says they will still play it by ear, staff safety being the top priority.
Additional reporting by Irina Vukosavic and Jaime Cone
