Come on down to the famous, Tex-Mex restaurant to try the food yourself.

For this project, we were tasked with creating a fictional press release about Paco’s Tacos. Choosing what to include and how to promote the restaurant was a challenge. It was interesting to write about a small business that is staying open during this time of crisis. I learned how to promote a business.

Contact: Hope Badanes 

Phone: 123-466-7888

Email: Hope7@gmail.com

Newport’s premier Tex-Mex restaurant, Paco’s Tacos, is offering free tacos to medical professionals and essential workers, helping the community with COVID-19. 

Beginning in May, Owner, Ivan “Paco” Schwartz, is starting to give out the free tacos every Tuesday and Thursday, at 11:00 A.M.

To qualify for your free taco, click “Essential Worker” on the online form. Don’t forget your work ID when picking up the order and call 401-909-TACO when you arrive. 

Schwartz began giving out the free tacos to support the Newport community due to their hard work to fight the pandemic. To talk about the community, Schwartz said this is his way to “pay it forward”.

As the pandemic worsened, Schwartz knew he had to help, and he did so by doing what he does best.

 “As this crisis developed, I knew I wanted to find some way to help my community. I thought, what can I do? Well, I make a mean taco. Good food makes people happy. So this is my little way of saying thanks.” Says Schwartz. 

 Schwartz opened the business in January of 2015 and won “Best Tex-Mex” in the Newport Daily News from 2016 to 2019. 

The business is also well-reviewed on Yelp, with a five-star average and hundreds of reviews.

Some of the restaurant’s popular dishes include the Baja Fish tacos and Carne Asada tacos. The menu also features the “Big Paco,” a three meat burrito with rice, avocado, and sautéed mushrooms.

Due to the social distancing rules, most employees had to not come to the restaurant. Schwartz says, “We miss our employees and can’t wait to welcome them back full time. But my top priority is keeping them and all of our customers healthy.

It has also been hard for small businesses to stay afloat during this hard time.

Schwartz says, “ It’s been tough for us being a take-out only business during this crisis, but it’s good to keep our employees and our customers safe.” 

Furloughed server, Pat Collins says, “ I’ve worked at Paco’s for about 2 years…Everybody who works here is just like family.” 

Collins also says, “I wasn’t at all surprised when Paco announced the free tacos for medical professionals. That’s exactly the sort of caring individual he is.”  

Due to the virus, nurses and doctors, worldwide have been working harder to help take care of millions of people. 

Sam Shirakawa, the Director of Public Outreach at Newport Hospital, thanked Schwartz for his contributions. 

Shirakawa says,  “On behalf of all the doctors, nurses, and support staff working around the clock, I thank Mr. Schwartz for extending this generous offer of free tacos.” 

Shirakawa also says, “We’ve been so heartened by the outpouring of support from our community… Once this crisis has passed, I hope we can enjoy a taco together.” 

Paco’s Tacos has helped support Newport in these times of hardship during the virus. You can help contribute as well by supporting your local business.