Feline-faced robot boosts staff at Don Tequila in Canton
When we think about robots and technology, job replacement comes to mind.
Feliciano Ramirez, owner of Don Tequila at 4123 Tuscarawas St. W in Canton, emphasizes new employee Bella is “not replacing jobs but is a delightful addition to the restaurant’s team.”
Bella's full name is BellaBot, and "she" is a feline-faced robot that greets and carries food to customers. It serves as a charming server, assisting the human staff in delivering food efficiently.
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Introduced at other Don Tequila locations earlier this year, Ramirez said he was delighted to add the robot to his location.
ToDo Robotics, which created the BellaBot, develops robots that specialize in delivery and cleaning for the hospitality and food service industries.
“Everyone loves Bella, from kids to construction workers," server Angel Ferrer, said. "They sing along with her as she carries food and drink to their table, and it makes my job just a little easier.”
During my visit, Bella greeted me with adorable eyes and a smiling cat face on the front-face black screen, delivering chips and salsa with a wink. The interactive experience continued as I tapped the screen to indicate I had received my food, prompting Bella to move on to assist others. “DON TEQUILA” scrolled across her back screen while a cheerful song was playing.
When my lunch was ready, Bella again arrived at my table and Ferrer came over to ensure the hot plates were positioned and I had everything I needed to enjoy my meal. While I was eating, I caught Bella catnapping.
Bella's two months at this Don Tequila location have been a hit, with the robot becoming integral to the restaurant's family.
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Ramirez began his restaurant career at the Amherst location as a dishwasher and worked his way up to owner of the Don Tequila Canton location. He’s welcoming and friendly, as is his staff, and it’s easy to see why the community has supported the restaurant since 2017.
Nina Romano-Cruz, 28, of Jackson Township was having lunch with two of her four children. "We enjoy eating here. With the specials and generous portions, it's an affordable option for me when I need a break from my job of being a full-time mom," Romano-Cruz said.
The extensive menu, diverse drink selections and popular specials, such as the Mexican pizza and Ohio State burrito, cater to a variety of tastes. During my visit, I chose the crispy and tasty chicken chimichanga, accompanied by rice and beans. Since it was lunch hour, I opted out of a drink, but I’ll have to return with a friend to share the piña-margarita, served in a whole fresh pineapple.
The restaurant also features a patio area popular in the summer, and server Alex Aguirre mentioned the bustling lunch hours on his way to assist another customer. Don Tequila's upcoming seven-year anniversary celebration on Jan. 26 will include a mariachi band, marking the restaurant's deep connection with the supportive community.
Reach Bev at bshaffer@gannett.com or 330-441-2706.
If you go
WHAT − Don Tequila
WHERE − 4123 Tuscarawas St. W, Canton
PHONE − 330.754.6755
HOURS − 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday; and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday.
MORE INFORMATION − orderdontequila.com
This article originally appeared on The Repository: Cat-faced robot named Bella joins team at Don Tequila in Canton
