112-plus restaurants requiring staff to wear face masks in Fort Myers, Naples, Cape Coral
To mask, or not to mask, that is the question.
Florida restaurant workers aren't required to wear face masks.
"Executive Order 20-112 does not mandate the use of masks," Karen Smith, director of communications for the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation, said via email.
"However," she noted, "customers, employees and employers are encouraged to consult CDC guidance."
Locally, diners seem to be doing just that. Our inboxes have been flooded with readers demanding masked servers. Over the last 10 days, dozens of emails and messages have poured in, asking which local restaurants require their staff to wear face masks while interacting with customers.
To accommodate those readers, we have compiled the below list.
More:As Southwest Florida restaurants rebuild, creating trust is top priority
And:A running list of permanent restaurant closures around SWFL
Masks, we understand, are not perfect. However, guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control, as well as study after study — from the Cleveland Clinic, the New England Journal of Medicine, the Mayo Clinic — show masks, even homemade cloth ones, are effective at reducing the number of viral particles spread through the air.
To double-down on that effectiveness, diners should wear masks, too.
Sound crazy? It doesn't have to be.
All that's needed is a face mask and a plastic or paper baggie.
Wear the mask into the restaurant, keeping it over your mouth and nose. When drinks or food arrive, remove the mask by touching only its ear loops or head bands. Place the mask into the baggie and leave it open to allow for airflow. When you've finished the food or drink, replace your mask.
“Keep it on as long as you are not eating,” Sally Alrabaa, an associate professor of medicine in the Department of Infectious Diseases at the University of South Florida told the Tampa Bay Times in May.
More:Restaurant news: Sprouts sets opening for Estero, Chocology debuts
If you forget a baggie, a briefcase or purse will suffice. In a pinch, you can place the mask in your lap and cover it with your napkin. Before putting your mask back on, experts advise to wash or sanitize your hands. As always, avoid touching your face, mouth, nose or eyes while in public.
Readers have asked about kitchen staff wearing masks. Like servers, restaurant cooks are not mandated to wear masks by the state. Unlike servers, who engage in a lot of face-to-face contact with guests, most restaurant cooks are in their own kitchen worlds. There is no evidence the novel coronavirus can be transmitted through food, meaning in a worst-case-scenario, if a sick or asymptomatic cook prepared your meal and shed virus onto it, there is no evidence eating that food would make you sick.
In addition to masks, all restaurants must adhere to the state's guidelines for sanitation and social distancing. Dining rooms can currently operate at 50% indoor capacity. Tables inside or out must be spaced at least 6 feet apart. Parties must be no larger than 10 people. If you see a restaurant violating these measures, you can file a complaint with the Department of Business & Professional Regulation.
More:Florida restaurant reopenings spark complaints, pushback, precautions
The following Southwest Florida restaurants say they are requiring their servers to wear masks. If masks are a must for you, be sure to call ahead to make sure these policies are still in effect.
This is not a complete list. If your favorite restaurant isn't on here and its servers wear masks, please email details to atometich@news-press.com with #masks in the subject line.
Fort Myers area restaurants where servers wear masks
Azure: 15301 McGregor Blvd. No. 1, south Fort Myers; 239-288-4296; azurefortmyers.com
Bahama Breeze: 14701 South Tamiami Trail, Fort Myers; 239-454-9234; bahamabreeze.com
Bentofu: 3398 Forum Blvd. No. 105, Fort Myers; 239-208-2612; bentofusushi.com
Bimini Bait Shack: 17501 Harbour Pointe Drive, south Fort Myers; 239-360-2248; biminibaitshack.com
Bob Evans: 8940 Colonial Center Drive, Fort Myers; 239-936-4552; 7071 Cypress Lake Drive, south Fort Myers; 239-433-1663; bobevans.com
Bonefish Grill: 1421 South Tamiami Trail, Fort Myers; 239-489-1240; bonefishgrill.com
Bruno's of Brooklyn: 2112 Second St., Fort Myers; 239-278-0211; brunosofbrooklyn.com
Buffalo Wings & Rings: 11751 S. Cleveland Ave., Fort Myers; 239-204-3100; buffalowingsandrings.com
Capone’s Coal Fired Pizza: 2225 First Street, Fort Myers; 239-337-2625; caponescoalfiredpizza.com
Carrabba’s Italian Grill: 10075 Gulf Center, San Carlos Park; 239-690-2426 and 12990 S. Cleveland Ave., south Fort Myers; 239-433-0877; carrabbas.com
Chef Brooke's Natural Cafe (reopened June 1 for no-contact takeout only): 1850 Boy Scout Drive No. A106, Fort Myers; 239-332-2433; chefbrookeonline.com
Cibo: 12901 McGregor Blvd. No. 16, south Fort Myers; 239-454-3700; cibofortmyers.com
The Clam Bake: 16520 S. Tamiami Trail, south Fort Myers; 239-482-1930; clambakefortmyers.com
Connors Steak & Seafood: Gulf Coast Town Center, 10076 Gulf Center Drive, San Carlos Park; 239-267-2677; connorsrestaurant.com
Courtney's Continental Cuisine: 20351 Summerlin Road No. 111, south Fort Myers; 239-466-4646; courtneyscontinentalcuisine.com
Culver's: All locations require masks for staff; culvers.com
Deep Lagoon Seafood: 14040 McGregor Blvd., south Fort Myers; 239-689-5474; deeplagoon.com
Downtown Social House: 1406 Hendry St., Fort Myers; 239-337-7646; downtownsoho.com
El Gaucho Inca: 4383 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers; 239-275-7504; elgauchoinca.com
Firestone: 2224 Bay Street, Fort Myers; 239-334-3473; firestonefl.com
First Watch: The recently reopened breakfast-lunch chain require servers to wear face masks; firstwatch.com
Golden Rind Cheese & Wine: 13251 McGregor Blvd. No. 108, south Fort Myers; 239-313-6001; facebook.com/goldenrindcheeseandwine
Grimaldi's Pizzeria: Bell Tower Shops; 13499 S. Cleveland Ave. No. 201, south Fort Myers; 239-432-9767; grimaldispizzeria.com
Harold's: 15250 S. Tamiami Trail, south Fort Myers; 239-849-0622; haroldscuisine.com
Izzy’s: 2283 First Street, Fort Myers; 239-337-4999; izzysftmyers.com
Jason's Deli: All locations require staff to wear masks; jasonsdeli.com
Jonesez BBQ: Its three food trucks roam Lee and Hendry counties; jonesezbbq.com
Keke's Breakfast Cafe: 6891 Daniels Parkway No. 155, south Fort Myers; 239-225-2249; kekes.com
LaMotta’s Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria: 15660-225 San Carlos Blvd., south Fort Myers; 239-482-5505; lamottasitalian.com
Lynq: 16230 Summerlin Road Suite No. 223, Fort Myers; 239-204-9345; lynq.life
The Lodge: 2278 First Street, Fort Myers; 239-433-2739; thelodgefl.com
McDonald's: All locations require servers to wear face masks; mcdonalds.com
McGregor Cafe: 4305 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers; 239-936-1771; mcgregorcafe.com
Mellow Mushroom: All locations require servers to wear face masks; mellowmushroom.com
Mel's Diner: All locations require servers to wear face masks; melsdiners.com
Millennial Brewing Co.: 1811 Royal Palm Ave., Fort Myers; 239-271-2255; millennialbrewing.com
Outback Steakhouse: 12995 South Cleveland Avenue, Fort Myers; 239-936-1021; outback.com
Perkins: All locations require servers to wear face masks; perkinsrestaurants.com
P. F. Chang's China Bistro: All locations require servers to wear face masks; pfchangs.com
The Prawnbroker: 13451 McGregor Blvd Suite No. 16, Fort Myers; 239-489-2226; prawnbrokerfortmyers.com
Rib City: All locations require servers to wear face masks; ribcity.com
Shrimp Shack: 13361 Metro Parkway, south Fort Myers; 239-561-6817; shrimpshackusa.com
Skillets: All locations require servers to wear face masks; skilletsrestaurants.com
Skyline Chili: 5100-323 S. Cleveland Ave., Fort Myers; 239-278-3929; skylinechili.com
Square 1: 5031 S. Cleveland Ave., Fort Myers; 239-931-8111; square1burgers.com
The Standard: 1520 Broadway, Fort Myers; 239-219-6463; thestandardftmyers.com
Tacos y Ceviches: 7600 Alico Road No. 4, San Carlos Park; 239-887-3092; https://www.tacosyceviches.com/
Terra Nostra Ristorante: 15880 San Carlos Blvd., south Fort Myers; 239-590-8147; terranostradining.com
Two Meatballs in the Kitchen: 8880 Salrose Lane, south Fort Myers; 239-489-1111; 2meatballs.com
University Grill: 7790 Cypress Lake Drive, Fort Myers; 239-437-4377; universitygrill.net
The Veranda: 2122 Second St., Fort Myers; 239-332-2065; verandarestaurant.com
Naples area restaurants where servers wear masks
21 Spices: 4270 Tamiami Trail E. No. 21, Naples; 239-919-8830; 21spicesdining.com
Alberto's on Fifth: 868 Fifth Ave. S., Naples; 239-430-1060; albertosonfifth.com
Alexander's Restaurant: 4077 Tamiami Trail N. No. D101, Naples; 239-262-4999; alexandersnaples.com
Barbatella: 1290 Third St. S., Naples; 239-263-1955; barbatellanaples.com
Bar Tulia: 462 Fifth Ave. S., Naples; 239-228-7606; bartulia.com
The Bay House: 799 Walkerbilt Road, Naples; 239-591-3837; bayhousenaples.com
Bayside Seafood Grill & Bar: 4270 Gulf Shore Blvd. N., Naples; 239-649-5552; baysideseafoodgrillandbar.com
Bice Ristorante: 300 Fifth Ave. S., Naples; 239-262-4044; bice-naples.com
Bob Evans: 2570 Northbrook Plaza Drive, Naples; 239-598-5255; bobevans.com
Bonefish Grill: 1500 Fifth Avenue South, Naples; 239-417-1212; bonefishgrill.com
The Bowl: Two locations in Collier County; the-bowl.com
Brambles English Tearoom: 340 Fifth Ave. S., Naples; 239-262-7894; bramblestearoomnaples.com
The Cafe on 5th: 821 Fifth Ave. S., Naples; 239-430-6555; thecafeon5th.com
Caffe Milano: 800 Fifth Ave. S., Naples; 239-692-8480; caffemilano.com
Carrabba’s Italian Grill: 12631 Tamiami Trail E., Naples; 239-774-2965 and 4320 N. Tamiami Trail, Naples; 239-643-7727; carrabbas.com
CJ's on the Bay: 740 N. Collier Blvd. No. 105, Marco Island; 239-389-4511; cjsonthebay.com
Culver's: All locations require masks for staff; culvers.com
Deep Lagoon Seafood: 10395 Tamiami Trail N., Naples; 239-631-6266; deeplagoon.com
The Dock at Crayton Cove: 845 12th Ave. S., Naples; 239-263-9940; dockcraytoncove.com
Dorona: 2110 Tamiami Trail N., Naples; 239-529-2819; doronanaples.com
First Watch: The recently reopened breakfast-lunch chain require servers to wear face masks; firstwatch.com
The French Brasserie: 651 Fifth Ave. S., Naples; 239-315-4019; thefrenchnaples.com
Grappino: 90 Ninth St. N., Naples; 239-331-4325; grappinonaples.com
Jason's Deli: All locations require staff to wear masks; jasonsdeli.com
La Pescheria: 474 Fifth Ave. S., Naples; 239-316-7322; lapescherianaples.com
La Trattoria Restaurant: 878 Fifth Ave. S., Naples; 239-315-4571; latrattorianaples.com
The Local: 323 Airport-Pulling Road, Naples; 239-596-3276; thelocalnaples.com
L'Olivo Ristorante: 651 Fifth Ave. S., Naples; 239-302-6446; lolivoristorante.com
McDonald's: All restaurants require employees to wear face masks; mcdonalds.com
Mel's Diner: All locations require servers to wear face masks; melsdiners.com
Meridian Cafe: 3375 Pine Ridge Road No. 106, Naples; 239-280-5536; meridiancafenaples.com
Molto Trattoria: 368 Fifth Ave. S., Naples; 239-261-5853; moltonaples.com
M Waterfront Grille: The Village on Venetian Bay, 4300 Gulf Shore Blvd. N., Naples; 239-263-4421; mwaterfrontgrille.com
Oak & Stone: 2270 Logan Blvd. N., Naples; 239-384-6764; oakandstone.com
Ocean Prime: 699 Fifth Ave. S., Naples; 239-430-0404; ocean-prime.com
Osteria Tulia: 466 Fifth Ave. S., Naples; 239-213-2073; osteriatulia.com
Perkins: All locations require employees to wear face masks; perkinsrestaurants.com
P. F. Chang's China Bistro: All locations require servers to wear face masks; pfchangs.com
Rib City: All locations require servers to wear face masks; ribcity.com
Ridgway Bar & Grill: 1300 Third St. S., Naples; 239-262-5500; ridgwaybarandgrill.com
Sails Restaurant: 301 Fifth Ave. S., Naples; 239-360-2000; sailsrestaurants.com
Sea Salt: 1186 Third St. S., Naples; 239-434-7258; seasaltnaples.com
Skillets: All locations require servers to wear face masks; skilletsrestaurants.com
Spice and Tea Exchange: 800 Fifth Ave. S. No.102, Naples; 239-776-7730; spiceandtea.com/naples
Straight from New York Bagels: Locations in Bonita Springs and Naples; straightfromny.com
Thai Udon Cafe: Locations in Naples and Estero; thaiudoncafe.com
Tommy Bahama Restaurant: 1220 Third St. S., Naples; 239-643-6889; tommybahama.com
Truluck's: 698 Fourth Ave. S., Naples; 239-530-3131; trulucks.com
Turco Taco: 410 Ninth St. N., Naples; 239-331-4527; theturcotaco.com
Vergina: 700 Fifth Ave. S.; 239-659-7008; verginarestaurant.com
Yard House: 4251 Tamiami Trail N., Naples; 239-263-3773; yardhouse.com
Cape Coral restaurants where servers wear masks
Big Blue Brewing: 4721 SE 10th Place, Cape Coral; 239-471-2777; bigbluebrewing.com
Bob Evans: 1420 Southwest Pine Island Road, Cape Coral; 239-242-4315; bobevans.com
Bonefish Grill: 900 Southwest Pine Island Road, Cape Coral; 239-574-1018; bonefishgrill.com
Cafe YOU: 1423 SE 10th St. No. 1A, Cape Coral; 239-600-0966; cafeyou.com
Carrabba’s Italian Grill: 762 SW Pine Island Road, Cape Coral; 239-574-2797; carrabbas.com
Culver's: All locations require masks for staff; culvers.com
Fathoms: Servers will wear masks upon request; 5785 Cape Harbour Drive No. 106, Cape Coral; 239-542-0123; fathomsrestaurant.com
First Watch: The recently reopened breakfast-lunch chain require servers to wear face masks; firstwatch.com
Gather: Servers will wear masks upon request; 5971 Silver King Blvd. No. 116, Cape Coral; 239-673-9939; gathercape.com
Gusto Cucina Italiana: 229 Del Prado Blvd. N., Cape Coral; 239-458-5900; gustocucinaitaliana.com
Jason's Deli: All locations require staff to wear masks; jasonsdeli.com
Keke's Breakfast Cafe: 1847 NE Pine Island Road No. 610, Cape Coral; 239-242-0300; kekes.com
McDonald's: All restaurants require employees to wear face masks; mcdonalds.com
Mel's Diner: All locations require servers to wear face masks; melsdiners.com
Metro Diner: 1625 Cape Coral Parkway East, Cape Coral; 239-288-0057; metrodiner.com
Outback Steakhouse: 1642 Pine Island Road, Cape Coral; 239-772-5454; outback.com
Perkins: All locations require employees to wear face masks; perkinsrestaurants.com
Point 57: 3522 Del Prado Blvd., Cape Coral; 239-471-7785; point-57.com
Redfish Point Garden Bar & Grill: 1520 Lafayette St., Cape Coral; 239-542-2224; redfishpointbarandgrill.com
Rib City: All locations require servers to wear face masks; ribcity.com
Twisted Lobster: 1341 Del Prado Blvd. S. No. 1, Cape Coral; 239-800-2879; twistedlobster.com
Bonita Springs and Estero restaurants where servers wear masks
Angelina's Ristorante: 24041 S. Tamiami Trail, Bonita Springs; 239-390-3187; angelinasofbonitasprings.com
Binto Thai: 28811 S. Tamiami Trail No. 4, Bonita Springs; 239-676-8683; bintothai.com
Bonefish Grill: 26381 South Tamiami Trail, Bonita Springs; 239-390-9208; bonefishgrill.com
Carrabba’s Italian Grill: 27220 Bay Landing Drive, Bonita Springs; 239-949-0981; carrabbas.com
Coconut Jack’s: 5370 Bonita Beach Road Southwest, Bonita Springs; 239-676-7777; coconutjacks.com
Culver's: All locations require masks for staff; culvers.com
DeRomo's Restaurant: 26811 S. Bay Drive, Bonita Springs; 239-325-3583; deromos.com
Divieto Ristorante: Coconut Point, 23161 Village Shops Way No. 101, Estero; 239-390-2977; divietoristorante.com/estero
First Watch: The recently reopened breakfast-lunch chain require servers to wear face masks; firstwatch.com
Ford’s Garage: 10801 Corkscrew Road Suite No. 519; 239-495-3673; fordsgarageusa.com
Harvest & Wisdom at Shangri-La Springs: 27750 Old 41 Road, Bonita Springs; 239-319-shangrilasprings.com/harvestandwisdom
Jason's Deli: All locations require staff to wear masks; jasonsdeli.com
McDonald's: All locations require employees to wear face masks; mcdonalds.com
Mellow Mushroom: All locations require employees to wear face masks; mellowmushroom.com
Mel's Diner: All locations require servers to wear face masks; melsdiners.com
Outback Steakhouse: 27239 Bay Landing Drive, Bonita Springs; 239-948-3575; outback.com
Perkins: All locations require employees to wear face masks; perkinsrestaurants.com
Rib City: All locations require servers to wear face masks; ribcity.com
Roy’s: 26831 South Bay Drive, Bonita Springs; 239-498-7697; roysrestaurant.com
Skillets: All locations require servers to wear face masks; skilletsrestaurants.com
Straight from New York Bagels: Locations in Bonita Springs and Naples; straightfromny.com
Thai Udon Cafe: Locations in Naples and Estero; thaiudoncafe.com
Fort Myers Beach, Sanibel, Captiva restaurants where servers wear masks
Bleu Rendez-Vous Bistro: 2430 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel; 239-565-1608; bleurendezvous.com
Cantina Captiva: 14970 Captiva Drive, Captiva; 239-472-0248; restaurantsoncaptiva.com
Charley's Boathouse Grill: 6241 Estero Blvd., Fort Myers Beach; 239-765-4700; boathousegrill.net
Cip's Place: 2055 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel; 239-472-0223; cipsplace.com
Gramma Dot’s: 634 N. Yachtsman Drive, Sanibel; 239-472-8138; sanibelmarina.com
Keylime Bistro: 11509 Andy Rosse Lane, Captiva; 239-395-4000; keylimebistrocaptiva.com
Latte Da Coffee & Ice Cream: 11508 Andy Rosse Lane No. 2, Captiva; 239-472-0234; restaurantsoncaptiva.com
Matzaluna: 1200 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel; 239-472-1998; matzaluna.net
The Mucky Duck: 11546 Andy Rosse Lane, Captiva; 239-472-3434; muckyduck.com
RC Otter's Island Eats: 11506 Andy Rosse Lane, Captiva; 239-395-1142; restaurantsoncaptiva.com
Sunshine Seafood Cafe & Wine Bar: 11508 Andy Rosse Lane, Captiva; 239-472-6200; restaurantsoncaptiva.com
Timbers: 703 Tarpon Bay Road, Sanibel; 239-472-3128; timbersofsanibel.com
Don't see your favorite mask-wearing restaurant on the list? Email details to atometich@news-press.com.