Lewes Agave plans 1,000 burrito giveaway May 4

Looking to support a community that’s supported the business through unprecedented times, Agave Mexican Restaurant in Lewes will give away 1,000 free burritos, Monday, May 4.

“It’s something small that we can do,” said Agave co-owner Mike Firetti, during an interview April 27.

“We’ve had to make a big transition to takeout, but we’ve been able to keep our heads above water. We’ve been blessed, and this is our way of saying, ‘Thank you.’”

The giveaway is open to everyone from 2 to 7 p.m., while supplies last, said Agave founder and co-owner Chris McKeown. Three varieties will be offered – beef, chicken and vegetable – with no substitutions, he said.

Estimating a 20-second turnaround from start to finish, Chris said people will be getting hot, fresh burritos.

“Like getting a Krispy Kreme donut hot off the line,” said Chris. Under the current restrictions, he said, Agave is serving about 50 burritos a night. “It’s going to be challenging. And 1,000 burritos is a lot, but we’re glad to be doing it.”

Burrito ingredients include rice, beans, cheese, lettuce, meat and chipotle mayonnaise on a flour tortilla.

“These things must weigh two pounds,” said Firetti.

Chris’ wife Jocelyn McKeown, restaurant operations and creative director, said there will be one burrito per person, and there will be no call-ahead orders. It’s first-come, first-served, she said.

There will be no sales, and no normal takeout that day, she said.

Expecting to be busy, Jocelyn said the restaurant will enforce social distancing, with cones set up 6 feet apart, down Second Street. Staff, who are being paid, will be appropriately masked, and customers should be too, she said.

“It’s going to be a walking drive-thru,” she said, urging patience from customers.

There will also be a donation bucket at the restaurant that day. Firetti said 100 percent of the donations will go to local food pantries.

“It’s an all-good event,” he said.

For more information on the burrito give-away, go to Agave’s Facebook or Instagram pages.