Dog Friendly Restaurants

Are there any in CHicago?

Snark wrote:Are there any in CHicago?

They are illegal in Chicago (except for service animals), although in the summer time, a few places put out doggie water bowls near their sidewalk cafe tables.

In Oak Park, I've seen people with dogs at Papaspiros and Poor Phil's, both of which have outdoor dining areas. The dogs are not technically "in" the dining area, but they're with their owners, separated only by a fence and, of course, the entirely unfair and arbitrary species distinction that Oak Park's Village Board is working tirelessly to abolish.

Hammond

I can tell you that I have seen small dogs in at least one restaurant in Chicago. I hate to say the name, for fear they would be shut down. I have no idea if this is a regular practice, or if it is occasional, or was a one time thing.

leek wrote:I can tell you that I have seen small dogs in at least one restaurant in Chicago. I hate to say the name, for fear they would be shut down. I have no idea if this is a regular practice, or if it is occasional, or was a one time thing.

Was it a dog in a purse?

If so, they are not characterized as dogs, per Chicago ordinance.

They are an accessory

If i can get through a meal without a smoke,a dog owner can do the same imo.

I'm blanking on the name of the restaurant now, but a couple of years ago we went on one of those architectural boat tours which allowed dogs, and afterwards they arranged so that you could go to a nearby cafe with outdoor seating by the river for lunch with your dog. This took place every Sunday in the summer, apparently. They actually had special doggie meals. My Boston Terrier enjoyed a dish made out of ostrich and rice. I had coq au vin which was pretty good although not like any version I'd ever seen before; it had turnips and stuff in it. My SO ordered beef bourguignon and got stuck with a hamburger. (The server spoke French; he doesn't; I could see it coming.)

I wish I could remember the name of the place. I don't think I would go there just for the food but we had a blast on that trip. The dogs were hilarious. My dog was so excited by the experience that she passed out for the rest of the day.

You might want to consider picking up the book "Doggone Chicago" which, according to amazon.com, has a chapter on restaurants.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/de ... 8?v=glance

I can't vouch for the usefulness of this chapter.

Best,
Michael

A quick google search listed this site. All the restaurants listed are outdoor - guess you'll have to wait for the weather to warm up.

dog friendly restaurants in Chicago

House of Blues seems to have regular doggy dinner events. I don't know how they get around the ordinance but they are usually publicized on the news that evening.
Paulette

I've been told I can order drinks/some food at the W hotels - in their Living Room/lobby lounge areas. They're pet-friendly. Have not done so yet - will do and let you know.

grant wrote:If i can get through a meal without a smoke,a dog owner can do the same imo.

Well of course we can get through a meal without a smoke, silly, Dogs don't smoke (unless they are french)

Dogs don't smoke (unless they are french)

. . . in which case they will behave themselves very well in restaurants, as do French children (both of which species seem to be genetically disposed toward sociable restaurant/cafe comportment).

bibi rose wrote:I'm blanking on the name of the restaurant now, but a couple of years ago we went on one of those architectural boat tours which allowed dogs, and afterwards they arranged so that you could go to a nearby cafe with outdoor seating by the river for lunch with your dog. This took place every Sunday in the summer, apparently. They actually had special doggie meals.

It was Cyrano's ...during the summer they had a restaraunt set up next to the river. Cyrano's owner (Didier something or other) was bitching that the city charges $250,000/year to have the permit in order to have a dock-side restaraunt.... so he wasn't doing it anymore.. (this was 2 years ago now...so i assume nothing has changed)

I am very familiar with the whole "dog-friendly" idea. I have a Germ. Shep. and I have found a few places where we can dine outdoors. The two best are Brasserie Jo and Wave. Both do a great job with dogs, offering water bowls. Brasserie Jo goes farther and offers steak tartare and a dessert, while Wave at times will offer dessert. The staff at both are wonderful with dogs (and mine looks a bit intimidating, so that says something).
As a bit of a digression, a lot of the non-restaurant businesses in Streeterville are dog friendly, including Nordstrom's and the Bloomingdales Home Center on Ohio. Orvis is absolutely the best, and they also have a great selection of dog beds and toys.

Here's a link to a list of "dog bars" - from WGN's Pet Central with Steve Dale. He mentions he lists more in his book "DogGone Chicago: Best Places to Sniff Out Taking Your Best Friend".

http://www.wgnradio.com/shows/pet/dogbars.htm

This just kills me. Why is it OK to drink with your dog but not eat with your dog?

BTW Saks, Barney's, and Anthropologie are also very pet-friendly nationwide.

Because you might share food with your dog, but each of you would have your own beer?

"DogGone Chicago: Best Places to Sniff Out Taking Your Best Friend".

this is so misleading. The book makes it seem like Chi is so dog friendly. Is everyone aware of the CPD (chicago park district, not chicago police dept) and its recent proposal to initiate a DFA (dog friendly area) permit process?

If not, read the ludicrous rules here

Yeah, seeing dogs in restaurants was quite a shock in Paris, but they were indeed very well behaved. Not at all what my (recently late) Generic Black Dog would have done: she'd have leapt up to sniff the food, eaten anything not watched carefully, and generally stay underfoot of the help.

I have seen dogs, in more casual environments, such as the occasional lapdog in an ice cream parlor snarfing some vanilla.

Scooter's is about to close for the season now, I believe, but when they are open in the summer you can walk up to their take-out window on the side and get a free vanilla custard doggie-sized cone for your pooch (while getting your own delectable treat, of course). I used to love doing that when I lived in the neighborhood.

Scooter's Frozen Custard
1658 W. Belmont Ave.
773-244-6415

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 is only fair to note that the ridiculous dog park rules are a mandate from the Cook County Animal Control Department and apply to all of Cook County. Mark Brown's column in the Sun Times on November 9 noted the impact on Oak Park.

MikeG - somewhat true - I'm not a big eater - but a big taster - so I'll usually share my food with her - she's the best dining companion on those huge tasting menus. But she's not a beer drinker at all - someone's got to know the way home.

TonyC - another funny thing is that Chicago was voted the most dog-friendly city in North America by dogfriendly.com this year - http://www.dogfriendly.com/server/newsl ... 2005.shtml

JoelF - so sorry for your loss. Generic Black Dog - what a great name. It's all just a matter of socialization - lock anyone away from good food in social settings and see what happens when let loose.

I strongly agree with Louisa. Ever since our GSD was 8 weeks old he has dined out with us. Now he is used to dining at outdoor restaurants. He also knows to ignore most of what is going on. Suburban dogs tend not to have that same experience.
Overall, I would far prefer dining at a restaurant with dogs than with small children. The dogs tend to be cleaner and better behaved.
Maybe our County Board can do something about that.

Naperville tapas bar Meson Sabika has opened a doggie dining patio with a special canine menu.
Will you read the menu to your pet?

Details.

This is the first time I've seen this thread, so I am not familiar with the usual problems surrounding this topic, and I am neither pro nor con doggy/customer dining in restaurants. But, if I were a restaurant owner I think I would be concerned about a dog biting a customer, and me ending up with a hefty legal bill or settlement to pay off. Is this not a salient issue?

D&J bistro in Lake Zurich has a menu for dogs. Here it is:



Pamplemousse chose the chicken with mashed potato.

Hi,

Curious minds want to know: how much did you spend to feed the dog?

Regards,

Pamplemousse! Great name!

I'm not sure what would be worse. Dog in the place I'm trying to enjoy a meal at or screaming kids that aren't squelched.

I personally have bunches of both.