Chicago Restaurant Law Allows Outdoor Doggie Dining
Description
By Serena Brahney
July 23, 2008
CHICAGO -- In Windy City eateries, doggie bags are a thing of the past ever since legislation passed last January that allows restaurants to welcome dogs to their establishments, provided they remain on the outdoor part of the premises.
Chicago’s dog dining law stipulates that pooches remain leashed, stay off the furniture and eat only pet-appropriate food.
The permit to allow the practice costs restaurants $250.
“We went out and bought it right away,” said Katelyn Lobascio, event coordinator at Joe’s, a Lincoln Park bar.
Some Chicago restaurants had allowed dog dining for years, but they risked a crackdown from the state Health Department. Since the new legislation, however, patrons like Jennifer Rodriguez are eating out with their pets.
“We love to bring him anywhere,” Rodriguez said, laughing, while seated in Joe’s outdoor café with her pooch. “Especially to socialize with other people and other dogs.”
Some eateries are going beyond just allowing pets, with Joe’s even encouraging their presence. They hold a doggy happy hour every Wednesday, specifically aimed at bringing people and pups together.
“That’s the instinct of the animal, to find the nearest dog and attach, and as the owners you have to follow the leash, so people mingle,” Lobascio said.
Dog owner Marice Greenberg moved to Chicago before the new dog-friendly legislation was passed. A transplanted New Yorker, Greenberg came from one of the nation’s pet-friendliest cities.
“I think it’s a great icebreaker if you want to meet someone new,” Greenberg said. “Because they’re not afraid,” she said, referring to the dogs. “They’re going to come right up and sniff and talk, and I think it’s fun.”
Greenberg says she became used to such pet-friendly access in the Big Apple.
“We took Stella, our dog, everywhere,” she said. “We walked -- of course everyone in New York walks -- and we took her pretty much with us all the time. So it’s great that we can bring her again. We can polish up her table manners and start bringing her out here in the city.
“Now that they can come in and actually sit under your feet and be a part of it. I think it will make a difference.”
There is no Federal law prohibiting pets being brought into restaurants, but it may be illegal in some states. In some states the law may vary by city. A number of American cities, including Austin, Texas and Alexandria, Virginia have both been granted variances to allowing pets in eateries.
In the most timely manner, Minneapolis has jumped on the bandwagon to make it Minnesota’s first city to take advantage of recent dog-friendly legislation authorizing cities to allow dogs at sidewalk cafes and other outdoor seating areas.
While hosting the 2008 Republican National Convention might have temporary perks, Minneapolis restaurants have the unanimous support of the city council to ask permission for allowing dogs at their eateries cost-free.
But, ultimately the final decision rests with each establishment, which can always deny entry of pets. Therefore it is best to ask a restaurant’s policy beforehand, to ensure you are not barking up the wrong tree.
“I think it’s becoming a really big adapting thing for bars and restaurants, to give people that are coming the opportunity to bring that pet,” Lobascio said.
The permit’s expense may discourage some restaurants, but not buying one could cost them more in the long run -- in lost business.
“We might skip a place even if it was something we’d really wanted to try if we couldn’t, in fact, sit down with the family,” Greenberg said.
Conversely, some may skip a restaurant that allows dogs, like people that fear them, or those with allergies.
Lobascio says she is just happy that Chicago provides such options.
“This is, like, the dog city to me,” she said.
Seconding that, Greenberg said, “I think Chicago has always been a big dog town. “But I think this adds kind of the cherry on top. Now everybody can go everywhere.”
July 23, 2008
CHICAGO -- In Windy City eateries, doggie bags are a thing of the past ever since legislation passed last January that allows restaurants to welcome dogs to their establishments, provided they remain on the outdoor part of the premises.
Chicago’s dog dining law stipulates that pooches remain leashed, stay off the furniture and eat only pet-appropriate food.
The permit to allow the practice costs restaurants $250.
“We went out and bought it right away,” said Katelyn Lobascio, event coordinator at Joe’s, a Lincoln Park bar.
Some Chicago restaurants had allowed dog dining for years, but they risked a crackdown from the state Health Department. Since the new legislation, however, patrons like Jennifer Rodriguez are eating out with their pets.
“We love to bring him anywhere,” Rodriguez said, laughing, while seated in Joe’s outdoor café with her pooch. “Especially to socialize with other people and other dogs.”
Some eateries are going beyond just allowing pets, with Joe’s even encouraging their presence. They hold a doggy happy hour every Wednesday, specifically aimed at bringing people and pups together.
“That’s the instinct of the animal, to find the nearest dog and attach, and as the owners you have to follow the leash, so people mingle,” Lobascio said.
Dog owner Marice Greenberg moved to Chicago before the new dog-friendly legislation was passed. A transplanted New Yorker, Greenberg came from one of the nation’s pet-friendliest cities.
“I think it’s a great icebreaker if you want to meet someone new,” Greenberg said. “Because they’re not afraid,” she said, referring to the dogs. “They’re going to come right up and sniff and talk, and I think it’s fun.”
Greenberg says she became used to such pet-friendly access in the Big Apple.
“We took Stella, our dog, everywhere,” she said. “We walked -- of course everyone in New York walks -- and we took her pretty much with us all the time. So it’s great that we can bring her again. We can polish up her table manners and start bringing her out here in the city.
“Now that they can come in and actually sit under your feet and be a part of it. I think it will make a difference.”
There is no Federal law prohibiting pets being brought into restaurants, but it may be illegal in some states. In some states the law may vary by city. A number of American cities, including Austin, Texas and Alexandria, Virginia have both been granted variances to allowing pets in eateries.
In the most timely manner, Minneapolis has jumped on the bandwagon to make it Minnesota’s first city to take advantage of recent dog-friendly legislation authorizing cities to allow dogs at sidewalk cafes and other outdoor seating areas.
While hosting the 2008 Republican National Convention might have temporary perks, Minneapolis restaurants have the unanimous support of the city council to ask permission for allowing dogs at their eateries cost-free.
But, ultimately the final decision rests with each establishment, which can always deny entry of pets. Therefore it is best to ask a restaurant’s policy beforehand, to ensure you are not barking up the wrong tree.
“I think it’s becoming a really big adapting thing for bars and restaurants, to give people that are coming the opportunity to bring that pet,” Lobascio said.
The permit’s expense may discourage some restaurants, but not buying one could cost them more in the long run -- in lost business.
“We might skip a place even if it was something we’d really wanted to try if we couldn’t, in fact, sit down with the family,” Greenberg said.
Conversely, some may skip a restaurant that allows dogs, like people that fear them, or those with allergies.
Lobascio says she is just happy that Chicago provides such options.
“This is, like, the dog city to me,” she said.
Seconding that, Greenberg said, “I think Chicago has always been a big dog town. “But I think this adds kind of the cherry on top. Now everybody can go everywhere.”
