A good sense of humor works wonders when we’re facing life’s challenges, or even just to help bring a smile to the people around us.
The staff at El Arroyo, a restaurant in Austin, Texas understand the power of words and how to make their guests (and passersby) laugh. They change their marquee daily to feature a different quippy, funny message.
Their Instagram page doesn’t feature photos of their drink specials, menu items, or inviting patio pics. Nope, it’s all photos of their sign of the day! They like to keep their messages current, and what’s more topical than COVID-19? Their hilarious bite sized commentary is just what we all need right now. the restaurant’s co-owner, Paige Winstanley spoke to My Modern Met about how it got started.
“In these times when much is unknown, El Arroyo finds our comfort in bringing smiles and laughter to our community on a daily basis.”
1) The sacrifice is real
Yes, I know, I know. Flattening the curve is important, we all have to make sacrifices. But being stuck at home alone with the fridge all day is sacrificing my poor figure! But at least we’re all in this together. I’m happy the people at El Arroyo feel me.
2) There’s always a silver lining
I personally am a big fan of having hand sanitizer everywhere I go, but my hands have not yet adapted. They’re dry all the time – what about yours? But at least there’s this upside El Arroyo has figured out, free toilet cleaner!
3) This slogan for Cinco de Mayo 2020
Who doesn’t love a good pun? Cinco de Mayo is usually a day to get a little wild, and have one too many margaritas while gorging on tacos. But this year, COVID kept us at home making DIY tacos and margaritas. And let’s be honest… it just wasn’t the same.
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4) Spreading generosity
Heck, I think they’d even be willing to take their generosity a step further and give you free tacos if you could prove your name was Arc Angel (or however X AE A-12 is pronounced).
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5) I think they’ve found the source of our suffering
You know what… now that they mention it… when was the last time everything felt alright? Was it before May 2019? Can you even remember what life was like that before then? Me neither.
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6) Then it’s really gone
We have literally all been certain something is lost forever when somehow, our mother manages to find it in a situation where she couldn’t have known where to look. But a mother always knows.
7) Slow clap for everyone in scrubs
I’d way rather be helped than someone with an education in health and medicine, than someone in a spider web suit.
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8) *Sings in 1776*
When they put something so wonderful (and expensive) on TV for free, of course we’re going to be listening to it on repeat! There’s no shame in knowing all the words to Hamilton. Maybe when the kids go back to school you can offer to direct this year’s production.
View this post on InstagramNo one: Absolutely not a single soul: Me performing for my dog: I AM NOT THROWING AWAY MY SHOT
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9) All in favor say “I”
I don’t know who needs to see this, but please pass this on to every grocery store floor plan designer. This is the way of the future. No more standing awkwardly or trying to whip around through another aisle to get to the shelf you need.
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10) What is this “Twos Day” you speak of?
Didn’t anyone tell them? Days of the week are cancelled. We don’t do those anymore.
View this post on Instagram10/10 would buy again. . #ElArroyoATX #ElArroyoSign
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11) Words to live by
Queso does not need moderation. There is no such thing when it comes to that sweet sweet cheesy concoction. Do we know what’s in queso? What the science behind it being permanently liquid is? Absolutely not. But some things are better left unknown.
View this post on InstagramWords to live by… . #ElArroyoATX #ElArroyoSign
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12) Cut to the chase
It’s 2020 and we don’t have time for small talk. You need a partner who has the same interests as you… or at least worries about all the same stuff.
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13) An impressive façade
Being able to hide squirrel level stress under cucumber-like demeanor is deserving of an award.
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14) The new normal
We can all agree this pandemic sucks. But that’s not to say we can’t learn a thing or two from these newly implemented social rules. For example, keeping six feet of distance from our haters is here to stay.
View this post on InstagramPlease maintain 6ft away from me forevermore.
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15) We’ll call it: Bark Mobile
Are any scientists currently working on this? Because I would pay a lot of money for a phone that allowed a puppy’s thoughts to be translated to English.
16) If Lizzo’s lyrics were honest
We can all pretend to be *that bitch* but unfortunately, we can’t all be Lizzo. This wee adaptation is much more suited to how most of us are feeling these days. Am I right?
View this post on Instagram🎶I got a bottle of tequila I’ve been savin for you🎶
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17) A match made in heaven
Is this what dating is looking like in 2020? Matching up different illnesses? I guess as long as we’re all still drinking tequila, things can’t be that bad.
View this post on InstagramCall (512)474-1222 for inquiries. (And margaritas!)
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18) What about neutral people?
Realistically you should still be avoiding negative people. Both in the “six feet of distance”, and the “not chill to be around” sense of the term.
19) Text back quicc
The new, more modern “u up?” text. Would you stay home or go over?
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20) The best job in the world
“I do this for the money.” – said no teacher ever.
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21) “Nothing could have prepared them for what was to come”
If he’s busy you can also send David Attenborough, Bill Nighy, Ron Howard, or Idris Elba. I’m not picky.
22) Don’t forget to thank your essential workers
Can I get an “amen”? Nurses are the backbone of society right now. Hopefully this put a smile on some of their faces as they went past.
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23) We need updates on the murder hornets
Oh don’t worry, they’ll be back in a later season. There’s just so much going on right now they didn’t have time to cover them in the plot. But if the rest of the year is anything like what we’ve already seen… I feel confident those murder hornets will be coming back with a vengeance.
24) Take your pick
Tea? Mild, pleasant, palatable.
Tequila? Wild, dangerous, always guarantees a good time.
Be, and surround yourself with people who are more like tequila.
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25) Masks aren’t all bad
For anyone who’s been accused of looking angry or mean when they were just minding their own business – now is your time. The mystery behind the mask does wonders. No creepy strangers can tell you to smile now. No one will assume you hate them. It’s definitely a silver lining!
26) Definitely both
Since we can’t possibly predict how this school year is going to go… it’s best to stock up on both. Just to be safe.
View this post on InstagramThe alcohol is for… Chemistry class
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27) One party to rule them all
I don’t want to sound like a buzzkill, but if we’re being realistic we’ll probably have to add Thanksgiving, Labor Day, Halloween, and maybe even Christmas to the list. We basically have to have one giant party, and then forget that 2020 ever happened.
View this post on InstagramHave a safe holiday weekend, folks!
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28) Come on, Netflix
Surely all the streaming services know that we all sit here watching episode after episode without a break. We definitely don’t need to be reminded of what we watched 30 seconds ago. And the passive aggressive “are you still watching?” pop up message? Rude. You know darn well I am!
There are statistics for these things. Netflix even called that one guy out a couple years ago after he watched Bee Movie 357 in one year.
View this post on InstagramRiverdale starts to feel like a fever dream after hour 5
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29) PSA: it’s not that hard
Say it again, louder for those in the back. Being kind costs you nothing, and is easy to do. Remember that.
30) Please check on your married friends
Hmmm it’s true. Couples have been awfully silent lately. It’s almost as if being stuck inside with the same person for days, weeks, months at a time is not as easy as we would have all hoped.
View this post on InstagramWhere’d the “he’s my everything” posts go
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31) Clever and true
Who doesn’t love a little word play? And when it’s giving you the green light to have a margarita… you should always do as the sign says.
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32) Remember the road rules
We should all have to go in for a post-COVID driving license because it seems we’ve all lost our damn minds. When the car in front of you isn’t indicating, you can probably conclude they haven’t been anywhere in a while.
View this post on InstagramMe: Show kindness to someone today <3 Also me: Nice turn signal a**hat
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33) Who did this? Amazing.
If women had a quarter for every time they heard those words, they’d probably be closing the gap towards equal pay.
34) I’ve been thinking about this all day
I hope the staff at El Arroyo in charge of putting these signs together gets a raise. They’re so clever!
35) A mystery science can’t explain
They only become fully functional once they’ve grown up and moved out. Or, when you’re talking about doing something they’re interested in. Otherwise? Completely just for show.
View this post on InstagramKids’ ears only hear the specific frequency of YouTube videos.
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36) Hard to be Mr. Brightside
Especially not after coming out of the COVID “cage”. None of us are doing just fine. Why would The Killers lie to us like this?
37) Send this to your gym-obsessed friends
Unless you’ve pulled a Taylor Swift in her Apple Music commercial, I don’t need to see any photos or videos of you at the gym on Instagram. The gym is not fun – and that’s a fact.
38) Where can I make a return?
Thank you all so much for the opportunity, but I’ve decided adulthood isn’t for me.
39) My bet is pretty low
I imagine the limbo stick being somewhere really cool and covert that would require the thief to do some cool limbo moves just to access it.
40) It’s honestly the worst
Especially these days! I just want to go do my grocery shopping and get some fresh air but apparently everyone’s had the same idea so here we are… trying to awkwardly squeeze past each other while simultaneously social distancing. Everyone else should stay home… I should be allowed to roam free. Don’t you agree?
41) 0% on Rotten Tomatoes
I would not recommend watching seasons 1-7, so just skip ahead. 8 seems okay so far. Really not sure if I can handle 9-12.
View this post on Instagram“No I promise if you can get through the first, like, 4 episodes you’ll love it”
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42) Does anybody?
Wait. I thought we were all just out here winging it. Is it that just me?
43) Servers are out here risking their lives to serve you a burger
Thanks for trying but I’m not sure if you’ve noticed, the numbers are still going up. If you feel like you must go out for a meal… make sure you’re tipping your servers extra well!
View this post on InstagramTag your restaurant or favorite local spot, and share!
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44) There’s no Margaritas on Mars
As if we’re all just going to hop on Elon’s rocket ship to Mars and be blessed with margarita ingredients on arrival. We must protect this tequila, lime, and salt-producing planet at all costs.
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45) The correct usage of the term
For the intellectuals out there:
All y’all is used in the Southern United States when a speaker wishes to include everyone being addressed. Y’all may refer to an indefinite set of members of a group, but all y’all definitively includes everyone in the group.
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46) Pros and cons to the mask
If you think about it, masks are kind of like Instagram filters for the face. No need for makeup from the bridge of the nose down – pretty ideal.
47) The horror!
Phew – dodged that bullet, didn’t ya? Makes regular old quarantine seem pretty luxurious by comparison.
48) Wild and free
No one tells you what to do! Not even the sign outside El Arroyo.
49) It’s like a self-critique
Teacher: you’re doing great, sweetie
Parent: omg are you sure? I’ll just keep winging it then thank you so much. *drinks another glass of wine.*
50) And then this very important reminder
We can all agree that things seem pretty grim right now. But it’s important remember that it’s not all bad! Repeat this mantra when you’re feeling low. “Good things happen. Love is real. We will be okay.”
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A lot of things feel uncertain right now, so a little goes a long way. These hilariously clever signs are spreading joy around El Arroyo’s local Austin community and now across the internet too! We could all use a good laugh, so it’s refreshing to see people doing their best to keep spirits high!
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