What about dog-allergic customers on patios?

Also, I don't understand the need to take your pet with you to lunch/dinner. Aside from one crazy guy, I've never seen anyone bring a bird or a cat out with them. Can someone tell me the allure or reasoning for dog dining companions ?

The nice thing about the Meson Sabika dog patio is that it's open to canines and owners only, so folks who aren't fond of dogs aren't subjected to them.

For those that don't like dogs in restaurants, perhaps this thread can be used as a list of places to avoid and then we can be done with it.

Dogs and kids in restaurants - as long as they're well behaved and don't touch my food, it's all good.

I think it's just a matter of what you're accustomed to. I was surprised in Vienna to see how welcome dogs are in cafes and restaurants there. It's just part of the way of life there.

DML wrote:Another little place is Tutto Pronto on McClurg at Ontario. During the summer it has an outdoor seating area that is dog friendly. It is basically Italian home-cooked fast food. For a quick bite it is very nice.

It seems like this place is in the process of shutting down. They no longer have outdoor seating and they have no weekend hours. That's good though, since the place really seemed to decline over the past two years.

grace21 wrote:What about dog-allergic customers on patios?

Also, I don't understand the need to take your pet with you to lunch/dinner. Aside from one crazy guy, I've never seen anyone bring a bird or a cat out with them. Can someone tell me the allure or reasoning for dog dining companions ?

Some people are allergic to peanuts. Let's bar cooking with peanuts.
For me, trees do it. Can we just bar trees from being anwhere near dining establishments?

With regard to the questions posed:
Because we enjoy their company.
Because the dogs seem to enjoy it.
Because on a nice evening it is great to have a drink or food with friends and their dogs.
Because it is an effective way to keep away busy bodies who want to dictate their preferences to others.
Just tossing ideas out there.

But in all seriousess, nobody is forcing you to dine at places that allow dogs. If you don't like them, then go eat someplace else.
But leave it to the business owners to make that decision as to whether to allow them. Ultimately, that decision is for the business owner, in compliance with the city's ordinance. Because it is really none of your business.

One last note on this -- I enjoyed reading through this because it brought back some great memories. Before our children were born, we loved taking the German Shepherd out for dinner. Since the twins arrived, we no longer do so (too tough to watch both the twins and the dog, and also when the twins are around, the dog gets very concerned).
I do miss it though. Now I just have lunch with the dog at our place, which isn't quite the same.
If anybody is wondering, German Shepherd Dogs LOVE M Burgers, and they really like the fries from Hot Dougs.

[quote="grace21"]

Also, I don't understand the need to take your pet with you to lunch/dinner. Aside from one crazy guy, I've never seen anyone bring a bird or a cat out with them. Can someone tell me the allure or reasoning for dog dining companions ?[/quote

One doesn't see people walking birds or cats either...

Dogs are typically social creatures and enjoy the interaction (obviously there are exceptions to this) and they certainly need the exercise. So if you live in the city and have a canine companion, it's a nice combination of the two to be allowed to bring them along for a meal. Assuming they are well-behaved and can handle the environment. A big "if" (and I say that as a dog owner )

One update (since this is a very old thread):
In about 2008, Chicago passed an ordinance allowing outdoor cafes to allow dogs. Somewhere on this forum there is a lengthy discussion of that ordinance.

jesteinf wrote:Dogs and kids in restaurants - as long as they're well behaved and don't touch my food, it's all good.

It's the parents and dog owners who set the tone. If they are responsible and sensitive to others, it is great. If not, it can be unpleasant.

Regards,

Will Chicago dining go to the dogs under new rules? Dogs will be welcome at more Chicago patios if the City Council passes a new retail food ordinance next week. But while that would be progress in the eyes of some proprietors (and patrons), the action likely won't end the debate over what is allowed when guests brings their pooch to dinner or drinks.

http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/ ... z1u8vGn3Mi

Found out just last pm that Monday nites in the summer in the garden @ Chief O'neill's we are dog friendly. It turns into quite the weekly event I'm told (we were discussing upcoming staffing needs).

Jazzfood wrote: (we were discussing upcoming staffing needs).

Are you looking for four legged staffing? My dog works pretty cheap.

John Kass shared his opinion of dining with dogs in today's Tribune.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/columnists/ct-met-kass-0509-20120509,0,216074.column