As many of you know, there was a small fire at Third Coast Spice Cafe in Chesterton. No one was hurt, but there was some smoke damage. And that means that the doors to Third Coast will be closed temporarily until everything is fixed and Chef David Wodrich and his wife Lisa are ready to welcome guests back into the restaurant.
Not to worry, though. Third Coast won't be closed for long! The ETA for reopening is the first week in August and that's right around the corner.
"Only smoke damage? Why stay closed a week to clean up smoke damage? It can't hurt a restaurant that much," one might assume.
False. Though a fire is the immediate concern, smoke and ash are long-term concerns that must be addressed after the fire is snuffed. Smoke damage can have lasting negative effects in a food establishment. Corrosion, discoloration, etching, food contamination, an awful smell...those are some of the things that smoke can leave in its wake after a fire.
The Wodrichs took all of this into consideration and they care way too much about their customers to allow anyone to eat in their establishments when they aren't in top shape. Third Coast Spice Cafe and Lemon Tree Mediterranean Grille are their livelihoods, after all, and they want the places they love to well-serve the community that they love.
So what is being done to clean up Third Coast?
First, all of the food in the restaurant must be thrown out and replaced with fresh ingredients. The smoke contaminated the food, making it unsafe for consumption. There's no way that the Wodrichs are going to risk serving tainted meals to guests.
Second, the interior of the restaurant and equipment must be cleaned. The smoke released by any type of fire -brush, structure, forest, tires, waste, crop,or wood burning- is a mixture of particles and chemicals. The material clings to the innards and on the surfaces of the environment in which the incident occurs. It must be removed and everything must be thoroughly cleaned for safety and appearance reasons.
The Wodrichs aware of this as well and are taking great measures to make sure everything is thoroughly cleaned, repairs are made, and the food is fresh and ready before they reopens Third Coast to the world.
While you all wait for Third Coast to reopen, the Wodrichs suggests getting baked goods, breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, and other treats from the great establishments that call Chesterton home like Lemon Tree Mediterranean Grill, Tonya's Patisserie, Red Cup, Sage, Peggy Sue's, Uncle Joe's, Bartlett's, and many more!
What a great member of the community to share the wealth with other restaurants and take such thorough measures to ensure the safety of the guests and staff of Third Coast Spice Cafe!
Check the Third Coast Spice Cafe Facebook page to see when they will be back in business!