Famous Food

Larry Flynt's Hustler Club in Vegas is still serving customers during the 30-day "stay home" order -- but strictly from its kitchen.

Yes, the only people coming to the stage at the strip joint will be the chefs, according to its honchos ... who tell us the kitchen will be open for those in need of food assistance in the Las Vegas valley.

Nevada governor Steve Sisolak announced a statewide closure earlier this week of all non-essential businesses, urging residents to stay inside to avoid contracting the virus. Businesses that serve food and provide delivery, drive-thru, pick-up or curbside service can stay open.

We're told the Hustler Club's looking out for seniors, too -- they'll deliver the free food to people who are at least 60 years old, while curbside pickup is available for everyone else.

The free meal service is being offered daily from noon to 6 PM while supplies last.

America and junk food are getting back together after years apart ... and it only took a global pandemic to kick start the reunion.

According to a new Bloomberg report, a massive and noticeable trend is starting to emerge in the buying pattern of panicked U.S.-based shoppers these past few weeks ... who've been flocking to their local grocery stores and grabbing the essentials off the shelves en masse.

Long story short ... the country's giving up kale, and they're going back to Oreos. In other words, keeping up with the health kick is over, people. We're going back to what we know.

There's a number of possible reasons for this outlined in the report, but the biggest seems to be basic shelf life and expiration dates. A lot of the junk food shoppers are pivoting to is simply going to last longer than pretty much any of super/health foods they've gravitated towards of late. Plus, a lot of the old-school snacks are sold in bulk, and are easier to grab and go in these scary times. Another explanation ... we're creatures of habit.

The numbers are there to back up the theory too -- sales for companies like General Mills, Tyson Foods, Campbell Soup, Kraft and Heinz are going through the roof of late. The company behind Spam is also blowing up with a 37% spike, and Oreo maker Mondelez Int'l is also peaking.

Katy Perry and Orlando Bloom are on the hunt for supermarket supplies -- just like most of us adjusting to life in a pandemic -- but the expectant parents look super comfy doing it.

Orlando and his pregnant, pop singer fiancee hit up a Whole Foods in L.A. Wednesday along with Katy's sister, Angela, and another male friend.

It looks like all 4 remained pretty chill amid the coronavirus panic-shopping many are still doing -- and they walked out with fresh produce, frozen veggies, boxes of bottled water and a plant-based protein powder called Vega.

One thing not visible in their haul -- toilet paper. Let's hope they've already stocked up.

We're told Katy and co. shopped for about 30 minutes and practiced good social distancing. She went to the car about 10 minutes before Orlando. Of course, KP -- whose baby bump is more prevalent these days -- could've just needed to get off her feet.

As we reported ... Katy revealed her pregnancy earlier this month in her new "Never Worn White" music video, referring to it as the hardest secret she's had to keep.

She and Orlando recently returned to the U.S. just before the new reality of self-isolating at home to limit the COVID-19 outbreak really set in. They're reportedly postponing their summer wedding in Japan due to the global crisis.

At least they've got plenty of water and protein to get through.

Costco's been packed to the gills lately -- and to get folks the hell out of their warehouses ASAP ... certain locations aren't even giving you the option to park it anymore for a bite.

Check out these photos TMZ got of the Costco location out in Arlington, VA -- just a stone's throw from D.C. -- where they've got their act together down to a tee ... especially in the food court area, where they've yanked all the dining room tables that are normally there.

As you can see ... the area in front of the pick-up window -- which is usually designated for seating -- has been completely cleared. Heck, even most of the food options are limited ... looks like their hot dog and soda special is one of the few things you can grab to go (emphasis on go).

When it comes to the other survival staples members have been clamoring for these past few days -- it appears the Arlington location lets you know from the jump what's available ... and what isn't. They got signs out front indicating which products are in stock.

It's certainly efficient, and right on brand with Costco as a whole. With lines wrapping around the building, it looks like the honchos figured out easy ways to save people time and headaches -- especially when it comes to post-spree meals people might wanna indulge in.

Measures like pulling the dining tables are happening at several different locations across the country -- and pretty soon ... most of them might very well be doing this.

So, don't consider Costco a place to casually shop and nosh -- it's turned into In-N-Out these days. Hop to it now!

Celeb chef Jose Andres is doing everything in his power to be part of the solution when it comes to the coronavirus ... and it starts with feeding America, practically for free.

We got Jose outside his famed D.C. restaurant, Jaleo, on Tuesday where he was preparing to open the joint and serve to-go only meals for $7 to those who can afford it, and for free to those who can't.

Jaleo is just 1 of Jose's 8 restaurants in D.C. and NYC where he's doing this ... and his reasoning is simple -- it's practically a call of duty. The Michelin rated chef -- who's famously feuded with President Trump -- says what he's doing by turning his fancy joints into community soup kitchens, is what every well-off restaurant owner should be doing too.

Check out the video ... Jose's preparing for the worst, which would explain his much bigger ambition to have other restaurants take part in feeding the needy. As he put it, he does NOT want the lack of food to make the ongoing medical crisis any worse.

BTW ... Jose's kept the social distancing guideline of 10 people in mind. The sidewalk outside his restaurant is marked with "stand here" flyers to keep patrons spread out.

Giada De Laurentiis is taking a page out of Tupac's book of lyrics -- saying while we're all under quarantine ... it's time to change the way we eat and change the way we live.

The celebrity chef joined us Tuesday on "TMZ Live" and shared some food for thought, quite literally, about coronavirus isolation forcing us to simplify. With the run on grocery store supplies, Giada says we've gotta learn to make do with fewer options.

She says the future looks bright for canned goods and frozen foods, which will become more in vogue the longer quarantines last. Giada says gone are the days of whipping up 20-ingredient dishes. You might have the time, but good luck finding supplies.

We know what you're thinking, canned veggies taste like, well, canned ... but Giada's got tips to make 'em taste way better.

Kid Rock's Nashville honky tonk says it will NOT shut down over coronavirus ... despite the city's orders ... and Kid's joint ain't alone in taking this defiant stand.

Restaurateur Steve Smith -- who co-owns Kid Rock's Big Ass Honky Tonk & Steakhouse -- put out a blistering response Sunday to Nashville Mayor John Cooper's recent directive that all bars in town close up, and restaurants cut their capacity in half.

The move -- which several other cities across the country are starting to implement -- is in direct response to the coronavirus pandemic -- but even so, Smith is saying ... kick rocks to the government.

He says rather matter of factly, "We appreciate the efforts of Mayor Cooper to combat the COVID-19 virus, but unless there's a statewide mandate that directs all bars and restaurants to be closed, the request made by Mayor Cooper is unconstitutional as he is targeting a select group of businesses."

Smith adds, "[A] Tootsie's patron as immediate as last night, mentioned having lived through the polio epidemic and didn't recall such extreme measures being handed down in history." He continues, "In response, Tootsies Orchid Lounge, Rippy's, Honky Tonk Central, Kid Rock's Big Ass Honky Tonk & Steakhouse and The Diner will continue to remain open to serve the public until such statewide mandate is issued from the Governor of Tennessee."

Smith's snub of the Mayor comes after a viral video captured the scene this weekend inside a downtown Nashville bar -- the joint was packed with patrons, out and about without a care.

Interestingly enough, Kid Rock himself hasn't spoken on the issue of closing up yet -- even though he co-owns one of the bars threatening to stay open.

Heidi Klum's husband is rolling the dice ... because he decided to venture out into some busy public spaces while awaiting the results of his coronavirus test!!!

Heidi's hubby, Tom Kaulitz, went shopping for groceries Sunday with his brother, Bill Kaulitz, at the super-popular Los Angeles supermarket, Erewhon Market ... this after falling ill and getting tested for the deadly virus.

Tom and Bill wore face masks and gloves during their grocery run ... but masks and gloves aren't a steel curtain.

Heidi says ... "Like many of you, I also have been sick all week and, unfortunately, my husband who returned from his tour a couple of days ago is also feeling ill. To be safe, we are staying apart until we get the results of our coronavirus tests.”

Dave & Buster's is a place where kids and adults alike love to play -- which, by and large in Cali, has NOT closed its doors up to this point ... but that could change soon.

TMZ spoke to at least 9 different D&B locations up and down California, and they all pretty much told us the same thing ... they haven't closed up shop, but they are seeing way less traffic come through these past couple weeks -- part of which isn't even their own doing.

We're told a lot of these Dave & Buster's have been instructed by their local governments to reduce the number of people they let in the building down to just 100, including employees. That said, it sounds like it's just slow all around in the arcade/bar/restaurant these days.

Still, we're told those who are working shifts have changed their routines a bit. Some locations tell us certain staffers have been designated to just wiping and sterilizing the joint, from individual game stations and tables ... right down to the menus and ketchup packets.

Of course, it appears D&B might be one of several different venues across the state that will be directed to close up shop -- whether it's locally here in Los Angeles or anywhere else. Governor Gavin Newsom on Sunday instructed bars and clubs to shut down.

And, when it comes to restaurants, he says they should start scaling back their capacity by at least 50%. Ditto for L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti -- so it looks D&B could be on a hiatus, along with many other bar/restaurant locales.

The funny thing is ... it feels like a lot of residents aren't heeding the directive of health officials, because L.A. was pretty poppin' this weekend. Same for Nashville, too, apparently ... viral video of a massive gathering at a bar there proves some folks aren't taking coronavirus all that seriously.

Starbucks customers are being tasked with a tall order -- to leave their reusable cups at home to help stem the spread of the coronavirus.

There are stores all over that have posted signs telling customers it has temporarily paused the use of reusable cups. The store added, "In addition to sanitizing procedures in all our stores, this is one more step we can all take to prevent the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19)."

And, get this ... we're told that at some Starbucks, stores have also pulled the communal milks, creams and sugars. Customers at those particular stores must ask baristas for the additives.

The coffee giant clearly feels minimizing contact between employees and customers -- less customer-to-employee cup exchange -- will help stop spreading germs. Same with the milks, stirrers and sugars ... no need for every customer to literally get their hands on them.

Ronda Rousey is not worried AT ALL about the coronavirus panic -- SHE'S GOT FOOD, WATER AND ENERGY FOR DAYS, SON!!!!

The UFC legend and current WWE superstar showed off her situation at Browsey Acres in Riverside, CA -- where she lives with her husband, Travis Browne.

They've got freezers full of frozen meat, coups filled with chickens, tons of livestock, fruits and veggies galore, clean water tanks ... and they're solar-powered by Tesla!

In other words, Ronda and Travis were built for this!!!!

"Our coronavirus panic shopping list is: Nonexistent," Ronda said. "It's no secret I've been a proud preppier for years -- but let's all learn from this pandemic panic and be a little more self sufficient and prepared in the future."

Ronda says if you want to follow in her footsteps ... she's got some advice -- start small and build up!!

As for those who ain't currently as prepared as Rousey ... good luck at the supermarkets -- have ya seen the Costco lines lately??

Buffet-goers in Vegas are outta luck because of coronavirus, but family-style feasters everywhere else in the good ol' U.S. of A. can still get their fix ... for now anyway.

Four of the biggest buffet restaurant chains in the country tell TMZ they have no plans to close up shop amid what is now a global pandemic -- but they're not blind to the concerns about COVID-19. Meaning, they're taking new precautions.

For instance, Golden Corral says it's installed multiple new hand sanitizer stations in most, if not all, of its 500 locations -- and workers are now on a different kinda clock.

A rep tells us GC employees have been instructed to wash their hands a minimum of every 20 minutes, or between tasks. They're also wiping down all guest touchpoint areas every half hour.

The ever-familiar HomeTown, Old Country and Ryan's buffet chains are also following that spic-and-span approach. A rep for Ovation Brands -- which owns and operates all 3 -- says they're going hog wild on the cleaning and sanitizing as well.

Interestingly, Ovation says the reason it's not panicking just yet is because most of their customers are homegrown in the U.S., and not from overseas. That theory seems flawed, though, since there's no telling where those customers have traveled recently.

We're told if things change over the next few weeks -- and it seems obvious they will -- Ovation says it'll reevaluate.

Congressman Matt Gaetz apparently made the rounds before he self-quarantined ... because we got this pic of him chowing down Friday at a West Palm Beach taco joint.

Gaetz hit up Rocco's Tacos and according to eyewitnesses, he was having a great time ... problem is, he had been exposed to someone diagnosed with coronavirus. Gaetz had been at a Conservative Political Action Conference in Maryland late last month and came in contact with someone who has been diagnosed with the virus.

The Congressman flew on Air Force One with President Trump Monday. Sources close to Gaetz tell TMZ ... the Congressman found out he had been exposed just after boarding the Presidential plane. We're told he then separated himself from others during the flight. Trump has not yet been tested for the virus.

We're told Gaetz is asymptomatic and was tested for the virus and he'll get his results later today. So far he's showing no signs of the virus.

Gaetz took heat for apparently clowning people on the House floor late last week by wearing a contraption over his face. Days later he was self-quarantined.