The Ruff Life – Dining With Dogs!

The Ruff Life – Dining with Dogs!

by Brian Buxton

Since last year there have been many restaurant openings and closings. I feel that an   update is due!   Please let me know if I have missed any restaurants as there have been so many open lately it’s hard to keep up!

I’m sure that everyone who knows me is aware of my love for dogs, and the fact that my Yorkshire Terrier, Brando, accompanies me pretty much everywhere. He is a regular visitor at Lowe’s, the BMV, many local retail stores and a large number of local restaurants.  A couple of years ago I was thinking of food related article ideas, and realized that I had never really seen much info regarding where one can bring their non-service animal with them while they enjoy a meal or a drink.  I Googled the subject and really didn’t find much.  Even in cities such as Indianapolis there were only 7 or so restaurants listed, and I couldn’t find anyone that had written an article about it, even in much larger cities. Since Spring (and patio season) is here, I felt that this was the perfect time to research the facts!

I began with a list of all of the restaurants in the local Evansville area, and called each one with a patio, in order to find out their official policy.  The results were very surprising, as we have many more dog friendly local restaurants than I had imagined!  I knew that some of my usual haunts were pet friendly, but the size of this list was an eye opener.

After my list was completed I thought it might be prudent to speak to the local Health Dept. about the issue.  I contacted Chris Borowiecki, the director for the Environmental Division of the Vanderburgh County Health Department.  A brief conversation with him revealed that there are no health concerns with dogs on restaurant patios, and there are no local laws prohibiting it.  Mr. Borowiecki related “the decision to allow or dis-allow a non-service dog on restaurant property is the discretion of each individual restaurant owner.  There is no local ordinance against it, and as long as the animals are outdoors and do not enter the restaurant our Department has no issues.”

A quick check of the Food and Drug Administrations website reveals the following: “Restaurant health laws, whether administrative or statute, originate at the state level.  There are no Federal laws that apply to the issue of dogs in restaurants with the exception of the American with Disabilities Act (ADA), which requires that restaurants allow service and guide dogs at indoor and outdoor dining areas … No food establishment can be fined or punished based on the FDA Food Code recommendation.  No Federal law makes it illegal to bring a pet animal to the outdoor or indoor areas of a restaurant.”

Now with that being understood, there are a few rules and courtesies that all  responsible pet owners should keep in mind.

1. Dogs should be reasonably well trained and well behaved.
2. Owners should be considerate and respectful!  Dogs should remain on-leash at all times and not allowed to roam, bark or otherwise disturb other patrons.  Your pet should always be monitored, maintained and controlled.  Keep them from socializing with other diners or employees, unless welcomed.
3. Remember to tie your dog to your chair and not a table.  A dog tied to a table can result in spilled food or drinks.
4. Your dog should be current on all shots and vaccinations.
5. Many restaurants will provide water for your dog, but it isn’t a bad idea to have some on hand, especially in the hotter summer weather.
6. Keep a plastic bag handy to clean up any “accidents.” – Better yet make sure the dog has relieved itself before going to any restaurant setting.

And now for the list – I hope this has proven to be interesting as well as informative!  Please feel free to SHARE this on your own pages!

Evansville:

Amy’s on Franklin (street level back patio)
Angelo’s Italian (downtown)
Arazu on Main
Azzip pizza
Backstage Bar & Grill
Baskin Robbins ice Cream
Bokeh Lounge (front and back patio)
Bru Burger
Bud’s Rockin’ Country Bar and Grille
The Granola Jar @ Café 111
Carson’s Brewery
Catfish Willy’s
Chipotle
Coldstone Creamery
Comfort by Cross Eyed Cricket
Dapper Pig (now Schymik’s Kitchen)
DiLegge’s
Dunkin Donuts (locations with patio)
El Patron in North Park
Fool Moon Grille and Bar
Franklin Street Pizza Factory
Franklin Street Tavern
Franco’s Tavola Calda
Gerst Haus
Great Harvest Bread co.
Hilltop Inn
Hornets Nest
Just Rennies
KC’s Marina Pointe
Lakes Metro Deli
Lamasco Bar & Grill
Lics Ice Cream
Lobo Lounge (formerly Talk of the Town Pizza)
Los Tres Caminos
Lucid Coffee House
Madeleine’s Fusion
Maidens Brew Pub
Milanos Italian
Milk and Sugar Ice Cream shop
Mission BBQ
Mod Pizza
Moe’s Southwest Grill
Mo’s House Cocktail Bar
Myriad Brewing
O’Charlies
Pangea Kitchen
Peephole Bar & Grill
Penny Lane Coffeehouse (downtown)
Planters Cafe and Coffee Bar
Pie Pan
Rafferty’s deck
Raffi’s Oasis Mediterranean Cafe
Read Street BBQ
River City Coffee & Goods
R’z Cafe (Fort Branch)
Schymik’s Kitchen (former Dapper Pig)
Smittys Italian Steakhouse
Sportsmans
Starbucks (locations with patio)
St. Joe Tavern
Stockwell Inn
The Rooftop (entry on exterior staircase)
Tiki Time (Inland Marina)
Qdoba (Burkhardt)
Waltons International Comfort Food
Wayback Burger East
Weinzapfels Tavern
Una Tu Pizza on Governor
Zesto

Newburgh:

Archie & Clyde’s
Azzip pizza
Ben & Pennys Ice Cream and Café
Bostons
Café Arazu
Cleo’s
Edgewater Grille
Lics Ice Cream
Primetime Pub and Grill (formerly Beef O’Brady’s)
Starbucks (locations with patio)
The Refinery
Tin Fish
Wings Etc.

Henderson:

Brown Bag Burgers
Coyote Mexican Restaurant
Farmer & Frenchman
Henderson Brewing Company
Medina’s in the Alondra Market
Mr. B’s Pizza and Wings
On Deck / Riverside Bar and Grill
Starbucks (locations with patio)
Tacoholics

Owensboro:

Burger Theory
CYO Brewery & Taproom
Famous Bistro
Feta pizza
Lure
Miller House
Starbucks (locations with patio)

If you’re not local to Evansville, IN or if you travel with your pet and want to know more about other locations where your dog would be welcome, below are some resources available to help you find pet-friendly accommodations – no matter where you are:

• PetFriendlyTravel.com
• BringFido.com
• GoPetFriendly.com
• PetsWelcome.com
• TakeYourPet.com
• DogTrekker.com
• PetHotelsofAmerica.com

Pet Friendly Travel on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Pet-Friendly-Travel/250855267439)

FOOTNOTE:  Posted by the City-County Observer without editing