The 2019-20 coronavirus outbreak resulted in the closing of many bars. New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo ruled in July 2020 that bars could open up for outdoor dining, but the bars had to also serve food. On July 16, 2020, Harvey’s Irish Pub in Saratoga Springs offered potato chips for sale, and called them “Cuomo chips.”
 
The New York State rules changed, however, and it was found that “Cuomo chips” were not substantial and did not qualify as a meal under the law.
 
“Drinktator” (drink + dictator) is a related term.
 
“If you leave an alcoholic drink for Santa this year, it must be accompanied by a substantial meal” is a related joke.
   
     
Wikipedia: Andrew Cuomo
Andrew Mark Cuomo (/ˈkwoʊmoʊ/ KWOH-moh; Italian: [ˈkwɔːmo]; born December 6, 1957) is an American politician, author, and lawyer serving since 2011 as the 56th governor of New York. A member of the Democratic Party, he was elected to the same position his father, Mario Cuomo, held for three terms.
             
Twitter
Two Buttons Deep
@TwoButtonsDeep
“A round of beers and an order of Cuomo chips, please.” 
@meetmeatharveys
5:37 PM · Jul 16, 2020·Twitter for iPhone
 
CBS6-WRGB (Albany NY) 
Restaurant unveils $1 “Cuomo Chips” after Governor announces alcohol regulations
by Stephen Maugeri Thursday, July 16th 2020
SARATOGA SPRINGS NY (WRGB) - You can no longer only buy alcohol at restaurants or bars in New York, Governor Cuomo announced Thursday. However, managers and owners look at this as just another hoop people have to jump through to go out.
 
Bars and restaurants learned of the new regulation only hours before the rush usually starts so they had to retrain staff and find creative ways to avoid turning away customers that aren’t hungry.
 
In Saratoga Springs, Harvey’s Irish Pub Owner Matthew Bagely decided to put “Cuomo chips” on everyone’s bill, so customers don’t have to buy a full meal.
 
New York (NY) Post
NY pub sells ‘Cuomo Chips’ to comply with governor’s regulations
By Carl Campanile July 17, 2020 | 12:48pm | Updated
All that and a bag of “Cuomo Chips.”
 
A New York pub has figured out a cheap and easy way to comply with Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s order that bars sales of alcoholic beverages without food: simply selling them a $1 bag of potato chips.
 
The governor’s new edict says patrons must be seated and order a food item in order to get drinks as part of an effort to curb large booze-fueled gatherings amid the coronavirus pandemic.
 
In upstate Saratoga Springs, Harvey’s Irish Pub Owner Matthew Bagely immediately put “Cuomo Chips” on customers’ tabs — so they don’t have to pay for a full meal.
           
Facebook
Harveys Restaurant and Bar
July 17, 2020 at 3:29 PM ·
Hey folks. We’ve received a lot of attention in the past…day. And we just want to clarify some things here moving forward.
At no point has this business been lacking in compliance. We feel very strongly here that we have an obligation to do our utmost to protect our guests, and our staff.
And if you’ve been here- there is no question as to our dedication to that effect.
In regards to our “Cuomo Chips”- there’s a constant rule in this industry…
Religion and politics have no place in a bar/ restaurant.
While the sudden regulations imposed on businesses are difficult to work with- it is our responsibility to work within the confines of these decisions. And if possible- with some levity. Please don’t assume we’re taking a political stance here. Our only concern- is the well being of our guests, and the livelihood of our staff.
In addition to the chips- we’re also offering fine flat breads with field greens, roasted beets, and goat cheese. Both for only $1.
#MeetMeAtHarveys
#CuomoChips
 
CBS6-WRGB (Albany NY) 
“Cuomo Chips” prove so popular, restaurant runs out—and subs in pretzel bites
by Steve Maugeri Sunday, July 19th 2020
(...)
The Cuomo Chips were such a hit, that Harvey’s ran out two days after CBS 6 first reported the story.
 
So for now instead of getting Cuomo Chips, you’ll get pretzel bites with the same name and the same price on the tag.”
 
Twitter 
Tiffany
@tiff_fb
These bars selling $1 Cuomo chips are just continuing what happened in the 1890s to get around the law banning alcohol sales on Sundays. #onenewyork
To Evade Pre-Prohibition Drinking Laws, New Yorkers Created the World’s Worst Sandwich
It was everywhere at the turn of the 20th century. It was also inedible.
atlasobscura.com
11:17 AM · Jul 20, 2020·TweetCaster for Android
 
Democrat & Chronicle (Rochester, NY)
Sorry, bars: ‘Cuomo Chips’ won’t satisfy New York’s food order
Jon Campbell
New York State Team
Published 2:33 p.m. ET July 22, 2020 Updated 6:22 a.m. ET July 23, 2020
ALBANY – Sorry, bars and restaurants: You can’t get around New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s food-with-alcohol order by offering a bag of chips or a few pieces of cheese.
 
The State Liquor Authority updated its guidance late Tuesday to provide more clarity on Cuomo’s order, which prevents bars and restaurants from serving alcoholic beverages to patrons who don’t order food first.
 
The order, issued last week, is meant to keep patrons in their seats and not congregating in groups around a bar or in an outdoor dining space. It came after Cuomo expressed frustration with viral images of crowded bars in New York City as the state tries to keep its COVID-19 infection rate down.
 
But restaurants across the state immediately tried to find ways around the order, with some offering $1 orders of “Cuomo Chips” or other various small plates, such as a handful of grapes or a single pretzel bite.
   
6sqft
Serving chips is not enough to comply with New York’s new booze rules
POSTED ON THU, JULY 23, 2020BY DANA SCHULZ
Ever since Governor Cuomo announced last week that restaurants and bars across the state could only serve alcohol if customers were seated and ordering food, the question has been, what exactly constitutes “food?” According to the State Liquor Authority’s updated COVID guidelines, “a bag of chips, bowl of nuts, or candy alone” are not enough; “food” is defined as that which is “similar in quality and substance to sandwiches and soups,” including “salads, wings, or hotdogs.” This basically makes it illegal for an establishment to serve a margarita if the customer only orders chips and salsa.
 
Twitter
Candice Giove
@candicegiove
If you’re wondering why #SmallBusinesses have to worry about if Cuomo chips & Buffalo wings are ‘substantial food,’ ask a Senate Democrat WHY they voted against a @nysenategop amendment to rescind @NYGovCuomo’s powers.
New York Senate Republicans’ bid to repeal Cuomo’s emergency powers denied by Democrats
(The Center Square) – Senate Democrats recently rejected calls to pull back expanded powers that were granted to New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic
thecentersquare.com
11:04 AM · Jul 28, 2020·Twitter Web App
 
Twitter
Jeffrey Russell
@Jeffrey04962125
Are Cuomo Chips The same as Cow Chips??
4:54 PM · Jul 28, 2020·Twitter for iPhone
     
New York (NY) Daily News
NYC bar owner starts petition against Cuomo’s COVID-19 eating requirement at watering holes
By NOAH GOLDBERG
NEW YORK DAILY NEWS |
JUL 28, 2020 AT 5:33 PM
New York bars struggling to stay afloat should not be required to serve food to drinkers, and instead customers should be banned from standing outside watering holes, a new petition created by a Lower East Side bar owner argues.
(...)
“It has been incredibly unclear what the regulation is. At first ‘Cuomo chips’ were okay. Now Cuomo says chips aren’t substantial food,” said Heather Rush, who owns The Pinebox Rockshop bar in Bushwick, which serves vegan empanadas.