Kenny,
If it was reality, you would have seen it two years ago.
Or definitely last year.
Subjectively, I'm not seeing it at all.
As I noted, before the ordinance, any place that allowed dogs was violating the health code.
They did it at their own risk.
Now, they can do it and not violate the code.
If you feel strongly, talk to the business owners. They may not believe that there is a market.

DML wrote:Kenny,
If it was reality, you would have seen it two years ago.
Or definitely last year.

I did. Just didn't post about it then, hoping that people were just adjusting to the new law. The reality is that I used to eat outside with my dog regularly at Sola, Volo, Que Rico, Frasca and just about anywhere else that had a front patio. It has now become either impossible (absolutely prohibited) or virtually impossible (have to place your dog somewhere ridiculously uncomfortable for both you and him) at all four of those places, and surely others.

Don't buy their excuses.
Getting the license is easy.
Fear of the health code? Ridiculous. They were in violation before, With the license they could do it and be in compliance.
They just don't want your business.

I have a dog too. None of the places that I used to take my dog have changed in any way.

It doesn't really matter whether I "buy their excuses" and I don't care if they "want my business" or not. The bottom line is still the bottom line: since this law passed it has become significantly harder to dine out with my dog. I'm sure you're right that it has also become easier for places to become legally compliant. Unfortunately, that has zero positive impact on my life.

Kennyz wrote:This summer, restaurants that used to be wonderful places for my dog and I to dine together are now off limits because management fears fines and citations.

Any dog that looked at me with this face would get whatever he or she wanted off my plate.

My husband and I sometimes laugh about our dog having better table manners than my father-in-law. She chews with her mouth closed, for one.

Several years ago, I remember a fundraising event for an area animal shelter, where you could dine with your dog at a number of upscale Chicago restaurants. The dogs actually sat at the inside tables with their owners. It was held on special nights, and would take over the whole restaurant. Special tasting menus were served (one for animals and one for humans). I don't remember the name of the organization sponsoring the events, or if they still do it. I do remember that it was once held at Zinfandel (it was quite a while ago). I will try to contact some friends who participated in these events, to find out if it still goes on, and who sponsors it. My friend brought her 150 lb. Malamute, which could have easily mistaken a chihuahua for an appetizer.

I don't know if anybody has posted a link yet, but chicagocanine.com has a list of dog friendly eateries.

http://www.chicagocanine.com/dining.html

d4v3 wrote:I don't know if anybody has posted a link yet, but chicagocanine.com has a list of dog friendly eateries.

http://www.chicagocanine.com/dining.html

In case that page isn't frequently updated, when restaurants acquire their dog-friendly licenses, Everyblock lists them here.

Ronna

REB wrote:

d4v3 wrote:I don't know if anybody has posted a link yet, but chicagocanine.com has a list of dog friendly eateries.
http://www.chicagocanine.com/dining.html

In case that page isn't frequently updated, when restaurants acquire their dog-friendly licenses, Everyblock lists them here.

Thanks for the link Ronna. It appears that the everyblock.com list is of restaurants that have already acquired the proper licenses, so it is probably a better list to use.
A few things the Chicago Canine site mentions about the new ordinance are a) the owner must carry proof of vaccinations and the dog must have current city tags. b) employees must never touch the animals. c) animals must not be fed at the restaurant.

That last one is stupid. Surrounding a bunch of dogs with food being consumed, then not giving them any, is a sure way to make (even the best behaved) dogs act aggressively. They will be lunging at, and competing for, every morsel that is dropped on the ground. Sooner or later, a dog will challenge a smaller child for a plate of food with unpleasant results. The dog will surely be blamed, although it will only be guilty of acting like a dog, and having a stupid Alderman.

If the City really won't allow dogs to eat at the restaurants, I won't risk bringing my dog with me. She is always well behaved, but under those circumstances, she might act unpredictably, especially if another dog challenges her. On the other hand, if I could give her some food to nibble on, she would become completely oblivious to the outside world. Besides, I would just be tormenting her by making her sit there watching people eat while she had none.

I used to eat outside with my dog regularly at Sola, Volo, Que Rico, Frasca

To be the glass is half-full guy - at least maybe your trips to Frasca are over now.

StudioKitchen, a blog I've subscribed to for a long time and rather enjoy, just posted an item about dogs in restaurant patios from the perspective of a restaurant owner in the middle of opening up his new place. Not saying I agree with him, just thought it was an interesting perspective to add to the conversation.

StudioKitchen wrote:Restaurants are not doggy day care centers and frankly servers have a ton of work to do besides getting bowls of water for dogs. The issue of proximity between pets also creates a disruptive atmosphere for some diners. Pet dander and allergies are also a serious issue for lots of people.
...
Frankly in my opinion all it does is create conflict where there should not be one if consideration is taken into account. While it may be great to take your cat or dog out to dinner with you, I think to insist that one has a right to seems somewhat selfish. It should be based on the ambition of the operation and those policies should be strictly at the operator's discretion.

My beagle, Andy, would spend the entire time hunting around for crumbs and obsessively licking the sidewalk where a drop of something once landed, which I find distracting, so I choose not to bring him to restaurants.

-Dan

I completely agree with studiokitchen, whatever that is, that it should be up to the restaurant owner. I respect whatever decisions they make about opening up their patio to dogs. I just wish that they did not have to consider licenses and city fines for non compliance as a main factor in that decision.

Ronna - thanks so much for posting that link. I recently contacted one restaurant on that list whose rep said they don't allow dogs, but evidently they do have a current license.

Kennyz - as does Frasca FWIW

d4v3 - the other site is not quite correct about what's required.

Here's the City of Chicago Dog Friendly Dining Area Fact Sheet.

It's still best to try to confirm with someone at the restaurant who actually knows their current policy.

I strongly suggest feeding your dogs before taking them to a restaurant. Also, if you'll be seated for a long time, take them for occasional breaks and give them snacks then.

Prairie Fire has now put out the water bowls and is welcoming pets on its street-side seating area.

And don’t forget the best place to get drunk with your dog.

Kennyz wrote: I just wish that they did not have to consider licenses and city fines for non compliance as a main factor in that decision.

I don't think they are. As noted, one of the places told you no dogs actually has the license.