Go Big or Go Home: Against All Odds, This Restaurant Opened During the Pandemic
With many businesses closing amid the pandemic, Jean Dumago-Descallar risked it all and opened a fast and casual diner: Diner 55.
Maintaining a restaurant amid the pandemic can be just as hard. There's the upkeep, overhead expenses, and other costs that are slowly piling up. And there's just not enough money coming in. Plus, with the ever-changing quarantine restrictions on dine-in guests and the limited capacity that just won't pay the bills, many restaurant owners have opted to switch to online deliveries or just close down altogether.
With all these risks and more, starting a business during the pandemic can be tricky. But the brave ones power on. And Jean Dumago-Descallar—the owner of Diner 55—did just that with the help of restaurant consultant and chef RJ Ungco.
From Humble Beginnings
It all started in March 2021. Diner 55 was a concept that both Jean and Chef RJ came up with, in the hopes of being of service to the people.
"That time, I described to him the kind of restaurant that I wanted to start," Jean shares. "I told him that when I was young, my family could not afford delicious food—especially those served by restos because we weren’t fortunate enough. Growing up poor, it was heaven for me every time my parents treated me in a carinderia that served affordable local delicious, and comfort food. Until now, I still eat there every time I visit my hometown in Mindanao."
But the tables have turned, literally. Today, Jean shares that God has given her a chance to live comfortably. "Now, I get to enjoy eating in restaurants, both local and international. I [even] remember that during my first visit to the US, I discovered a place that served comfort food. It wasn’t a fast-food chain nor was it a typical restaurant, but it was a diner. This brought about my dream to be able to one day open a 'diner' too."
Diner 55: A Pandemic Passion Project
Chef RJ was very much on board with the idea. And so, we both decided on the name Diner 55—a fast and casual diner that offers comfort food. Not just any kind of comfort food, however. These needed to be big, tasty, and hearty—and at a good price, too!
But what's in a name? The number 55 represented more than just Jean's age. "I added 55, not only because of my age but also because it signifies that it’s the time in my life that I get to realize my dream of having a restaurant," she reveals. "Apart from serving 55 chosen recipes of comfort food and dishes all over the world, 55 also represents two hands [that are] ready to serve and help!"
Once the name was set, the location followed next. With the help of Chef RJ, Diner 55 was conveniently set in the heart of Quezon City—specifically in Jean's three-story house. "The pandemic has hindered our revenue stream from renting it out for movies and TV advertisements. With this idea [of using our own space for Diner 55], we were assured that at least venturing into a new business in our own building will require less capital," she explains.
The Whys and Hows of Operating a Restaurant
Starting a new business during the pandemic is already a challenge, but venturing into new, unchartered territory in that same pandemic is a whole new story. And that's exactly what happened with Diner 55. Jean reveals, "Operating a restaurant is not our expertise, but thanks to our consultant Chef RJ, we gained the confidence to start one."
But with patience, persistence, and Chef RJ's guidance, Jean's diner dreams have come to fruition. By adopting a pandemic-ready business model, she has equipped Diner 55 to be sustainable in these trying times. And yes, this includes everything about the restaurant—from the food to the service, delivery, and technology trends for the business to survive.
"Many of my friends are asking me why I ventured into the food business during the pandemic, and for me, now is the right time to open one," Jean shares. "I believe that the economy will be back to normal after a few years. Chef RJ also advised us that we should start now so that by the time the pandemic restrictions ease and the vaccinations allow businesses to operate regularly, we are ready to operate as well."
