Fremont Restaurant Week Kicks Off

This year marks the fourth installment of the annual event, which runs from March 6th to the 15th. The event was initially launched in 2023 to help local eateries recover from the impacts of the pandemic and has since become a yearly tradition. The City of Fremont's Economic Development Department, in partnership with the Fremont Chamber of Commerce and Yelp, organizes the 10-day event. Fremont Mayor Raj Salwan has expressed his hope that the event will prevent the city's diverse dining scene from being the "best-kept secret." Past restaurant weeks have shown a significant positive impact on participating businesses. Following the inaugural event, a survey revealed that a majority of restaurants saw at least a 25% increase in revenue, with 92% reporting new customers and 75% experiencing increased foot traffic. Diners can expect a wide range of deals, including prix-fixe menus, special combos, and exclusive menu items. For example, Federico's Grill is offering a three-course dinner for $35, while El Patio has several $10 specials. Long-time Fremont establishments like Massimo's and Papillon are among the participants. To encourage exploration, a "Restaurant Week Passport" program returns, with a prize drawing sponsored by Fremont Bank, DoorDash, and the Fremont Chamber of Commerce totaling $5,000. In 2024, over 3,000 passports were submitted for the raffle. This year introduces a new technological partner in DoorDash's autonomous delivery robot, "Dot." Manufactured in Fremont, the all-electric robot will make its inaugural delivery at the Restaurant Week kickoff event on March 5th. The initial rollout of the delivery robots will include up to three devices, primarily for community engagement and testing in the Downtown, Centerville, and Irvington areas. The robots are designed to travel at low speeds on sidewalks and in bike lanes.