Dining Out With DOGS is just a “Fluff” story of my adventure out taking my dogs out to eat. This kind of started when I found out when my dog Louie (who has passed) was diagnosed with aggressive cancer. I thought I’d take him out to eat as much as possible because he enjoyed it. Instead of the three month – six months diagnosed doctors gave him he made it 19 months longer due to his strong urge to live and good medical advise. We usually go to very casual local restaurants with patios. Most restaurants in Arizona do have patios but not all patios are dog friendly. It’s always best to call a restaurant before dropping in with your furry friend because you never know if the restaurant patio is booked or suddenly went to not allowing dogs. It’s always best to visit at off times to avoid other people and dogs. Many other people don’t share your love for dogs and might complain. Also other people’s dogs might not get along with your furry buddy and maybe all the dogs will start barking and everyone with dogs might get asked to leave……Avoid problems call first and dine at off times. There are a few rules for dining with dogs. You must keep your dog by your side at all times. Dogs are not to sit on restaurant furniture and are not allowed to eat off restaurant plates. Much of the food and drink you consume is not safe for your dog and some of it is TOXIC to your dog. You MUST consult your Veterinarian for a Dog Friendly Food List and or a List of Foods to avoid. For the most part usually you are the safest if you feed your dog lean sauceless plain lean meats. Now that we got all that out of the way it looks like you are ready to Dine Out with Dogs!

Our first stop this month is at Humble Pie in Glendale AZ (I don’t believe this is techniquely Glendale anymore but it’s close (the territories and zip codes here have changed three times so far…..so…) Anyways- Humble Pie is a small local group of restaurants in mostly in Metro Phoenix (one is located in Tucson). They serve Neapolitan Style Pizzas with house made cheese, a few appetizers, soups salads and sandwiches. They offer a very comfortable patio that is well stocked with heaters for the few days it’s cold here and many fans for the many days of high heat we have here. I have to say the $10.99 two course express lunch special is hard to beat.

I usually get a Strawberry Gorgonzola salad and a pizza. The salad is really pretty good as far as salads go.

 

Today was a very rare cold for Phoenix day so I got Butternut Squash Soup and a Margherita Pizza.

My husband got the Minestrone Soup and a Humble Pie Signature Sausage Pizza with roasted fennel. The sausage is a special Humble Pie Recipe.

Both dogs enjoyed trying a little taste of Butternut Squash Soup but they were more excited about the pizzas……especially the sausage pizza. I note not all dogs can digest cheese so you probably already know if your dog can digest cheese. I only give them small amounts of cheese but they enjoy it.

www.HumblePieUSA.com

Culver’s is a Nation Fast Food Chain from Wisconsin. They are well known for Butter Burgers, Frozen Custard and maybe Hand Batter made to order Fried Fish. Culver’s claim is that they differ from other fast food restaurants because they say that their food is restaurant quality. I tried the Battered Walleye Special and I have to say it was better than what some restaurants serve and much cheaper too. We wanted to try the Walleye again before it’s gone.

Look at my cup…It says Fresh never frozen……..That is pretty hard to believe…..maybe just the hamburgers I think……….

“The food smells pretty good to us…..Give us some please”

This is an enormous amount of food that we shared. The fish is really great. Seems fresh tasting. it’s mild a meaty in a shattering crisp crust that seems oil free. I don’t know why but I don’t like the green beans. Onion rings are ok. Not too into the Wisconsin Cheese Curds but the Dogs think they’re yummy.

The Dogs said, “We love everything we tried”

I saved some room to try my first Culver’s Custard. I tried vanilla with peanut butter and Reese’s Cups and my husband tried Chocolate with Brownies.

Wow this is too much of a good thing…….this is enough for three people….It’s really good….I should have stopped sooner……. (I ate a little more than half…)

“We have more room for the leftover cheese curds”

www.Culvers.com

Bahn Mi Bistro Vietnamese Eatery in Phoenix AZ is a Pho Free Vietnamese Eatery that offers many of your usual Vietnamese favorites except for Pho. This eatery specializes in the Banh Mi Sandwich. They use Vietnamese Style Rice and Wheat Baguettes that seem lighter than a regular baguette with a crunchy exterior and a soft center. You have your choice of around a dozen fillings. the sandwich also contains pickled radish, carrot salad, jalapeños, fresh cilantro and house made aioli. They also offer rice plates, noodle bowls and much more!

Today I got one of my favorites……..The Vietnamese Style Chicken Curry…..

With Rice instead of the baguette option.

The Curry is delicious with tender white meat chicken, some carrots, onions and red potatoes in an aromatic sauce. It seems lighter than other curries I tried….

My husband got the Pork Rice Plate.

They offer many varieties of pork here for the sandwiches…but my husband thinks he likes this pork best. This Rice Plate comes with a dressed salad, broken rice, a crispy pork egg roll, fish sauce and chili sauce.

Both dogs are found of the pork.

Both dogs are found of the Chicken Curry.

Everyone is happy!

www.BanhMiBistroAZ.com

Salad and Go is a Gourmet Fast Food Drive Threw with a Patio. They offer around a dozen different kinds of salads that only cost $5.74 (**subject to change at this time March 2018) and to add a protein like organic chicken it’s only $1.44 extra. Salads can be made into wraps and they offer a few other things like breakfast, soups, smoothies and children’s meals. This is only a Drive Threw Restaurant with a Patio……You either drive threw and leave or eat on the patio. No restrooms so you are not going to travel far to come here. Salad and Go is a FAST GROWING local chain. But I have to admit it’s pretty darn great and quite a value if you eat salads. Beats any national fast food place for salads for sure.

Today I got the Asian Salad with added Chicken. My husband got the Greek Salad with added Chicken and Shrimp but I forgot to Photo his.

Mixed Greens, sugar snap peas, peanuts, carrots, oranges, cabbage..and Chicken….It’s a very large salad too.

Small male dog says, “I’m a big fan of the chicken but that snow pea I had to spit out.” Don’t worry,,,Big Woman next to me ate it so we wouldn’t leave the place dirty.”

The Aussie says, “Picky ones don’t last Forking long in the jungle little boy.”

Dogs say, “We enjoyed our meal at Salad and Go!”

www.SaladandGo.com

That was Dining Out With Dogs in Metro Phoenix for March 2018.

We hope to see you next month!

 

 

 

Dining out with dogs is just a fluff story about taking my dogs out to eat. I enjoy filling a page with some food from some local restaurants and I have an excuse to add pictures of my dogs. Me and the dogs make only a minimal reviews on the food. We usually (but not always) go to the same local casual restaurants with patios. You need to know that many restaurants in Metro Phoenix do indeed have patios but not all patios are dog friendly. It’s always best to call a restaurant and ask if it’s ok to dine with your dog that day because a restaurant can suddenly turn non-dog friendly (happened to me) or the patio can be booked for a party. I need to mention it’s always best to avoid problems so I suggest to dine at an off time to avoid as many people as possible. Some people don’t like to dine with dogs, or have allergies and they might complain and it’s a possibility that you might be asked to leave. It’s also best to avoid other people dining with dogs because it’s possible the dogs might start barking with each other and you might be asked to leave for that reason. Now that we got that down there are some rules to Dining Out with Dogs. You need to know Dogs must be by your side at all times. Dogs are not to sit on furniture or to eat off restaurant plates. Most food and drink that you consume can be harmful or toxic to your dog. You should consult you veterinarian for a food friendly and a foods to avoid list. Usually the safest food to feed your dog is lean plain meat without sauce. Now you are ready to Dine out with Dogs!

For our first stop this month we went to Salad and Go! This is a small Drive Threw Restaurant local growing restaurant chain that specializes in serving Natural, Organic, Everything Made in House, Low Priced Gourmet Salads. (salads run about $5.75 and chicken runs around $1.50…at this time) They offer around ten different choices plus seasonal specials. They also offer healthy breakfasts, smoothies, wraps, soups and a children’s menu. This place is a drive threw. No dining room or restrooms but they have a nice patio and except dogs. Depending on who’s working there they hand out dog biscuits to the doggie customers.

I got a Southwest Caesar Salad with added Chicken today with House made Poblano Dressing.

“This is a surprisingly large salad with a good amount of chicken to share” “A few of the other ingredients are picco, chickpeas, kale and radishes”.

 

“We are Forking ready for more chicken!” “And Shrimp.”

My husband had the Santa Fe Salad with added Chicken and Shrimp. He saved a little shrimp for the dogs….

“We scored a good amount of healthy grub at Salad and Go!”

www.SaladandGo.com

Cucina Tagliani serves American Italian Favorites and they offer many heath conscious alternatives like baked spaghetti squash, spaghetti squash substitutions for pasta, grilled chicken parmesan, whole grain pastas and a long menu of side vegetables.

Today I got one of my favorite’s for lunch, the Strawberry Goat Cheese Salad with House Made Dressing.

Dogs enjoy Goat Cheese and Chicken. Actually they’d eat the strawberries and Romaine too!

The Dogs are also very interested in the Chicken and Shrimp Rigatoni.

“We’re Back!”

“We enjoyed our meal at Cucina Tagliani.”

www.CucinaTagliani.com

Pita Kitchen serves casual Greek Mediterranean Food. My favorite meal here is the Greek Salad with a Chicken Kabob.

“The salad is good because the white meat chicken is usually juicy and tasty.”

“I’m a BIG fan of the chicken too!”

My husband likes to get the two meat platter.

Gyro Meat and Beef Shawarma with Greek Salad and Rice.

“I’m ready for more chicken please!”

www.PitaKitchen.net

Bottega Pizzeria Ristorante serves Italian Food. They specialize in Neapolitan Style Pizzas, They also serve appetizers, salads, in-house pasta and Italian made pasta. They also serve lunch, seasonal specials, wine dinners and brunch.

The dogs were so cute while they were waiting for our meals to arrive.

“I’m so Forking Happy I’m here!”

He looks up at me between my legs and says, “Where’s the food?”

Today I went for the Vegetariano Panini. (zucchini, eggplant, roasted red pepper, tomato and provolone cheese on seasoned house made bread with a simple mixed green salad, shaved parmesan)

The dogs got to eat slices of parmesan and grilled zucchini.

My husband had the Bottega Pizza. (sausage, pepperoni & fresh basil)

She has her eye on the pizza.

“We are waiting for our next bite.”

www.BottegaRistorante.com

Culver’s is a national chain Fast Food Restaurant that started in Wisconsin and is in around half the United States. The signature dishes at a Culver’s are Butter Burgers, Frozen Custard and maybe the made fresh to order- Hand Battered Fish.  Culver’s advertise that they differ from the other Fast Food Restaurants out there because they claim the food they serve is restaurant quality…..I’ve never been to a Culver’s Before……but they have a limited special on Walleye….(a really GOOD fish that’s hard to come by) so I thought we’d try Culver’s today!

My husband got me the three piece Walleye platter.

It came with a bun, crinkle cut fries, cole slaw, lots of tarter sauce and THREE BIG BATTERED pieces of fish.

“The fish is fresh tasting mild and flaky in a shattering crisp crust”………”I like it a lot”

“I agree the fish is Very Good for the price point and even if there wasn’t a price point….it’s still very good……… I hate to say this but I’d even say it’s better than from a few full service restaurants I had walleye from.” ……….. “I’m not the biggest fan of the crinkle fries but the cole slaw is surprisingly good.” The  Butter Burger made with Wisconsin Cheese and the Bun is buttered and grilled with Wisconsin Butter.”…………gets an OK.

“My folks wouldn’t let me finish up the leftovers so I get to have Walleye again for lunch soon!” ‘Woo Hoo!”  “We will be dining at Culver’s again!”

www.Culvers.com

That was Dining Out With Dogs in Metro Phoenix for February 2018. We hope to see you next month!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dining out with Dogs in Metro Phoenix is just a “Fluff” story about taking my dogs out to eat. These stories are not restaurant reviews. We usually go out to the same local casual places but once in a while we go out to another location. Many restaurants in Metro Phoenix have outdoor patios but not all patios are dog friendly. It’s always best to call a restaurant and ask if it’s ok to dine with your dog that day for several reasons. Sometimes restaurants suddenly stop accepting dogs. Other times the patio might be booked for a party. It’s also best to dine with your dog at off times to try to avoid other people and other dogs. Some people don’t feel the love you do for your dog and might complain. Some people are allergic to dogs and also complain. Sometimes when other dogs are on the patio all the dogs might start barking and you might be asked to leave so try to dine at off times. There are a few rules for dining out with dogs. Your dog(s) must stay by your side at all times. Dogs are NOT to sit on furniture or to eat off of restaurant plates. You also NEED TO BE AWARE that most food and drink you consume can be HARMFUL or TOXIC to your dog! You should consult your veterinarian for a list of safe foods and non-safe foods. A small amount of plain lean meat without sauce is usually a best bet for dogs.

We wanted to go a nicer place that’s dog friendly and were about to head out to Surprise AZ to Amuse Bouche but found out they changed their hours again and were closed today. We also found out that Rhythm and Wine in North Scottsdale changed their hours too and were also closed. So we went to Carvalho’s in North Scottsdale.

We went to the front patio that has a “PET FRIENDLY” sign on the gate. I’m sorry I couldn’t take a picture on how lovely the patio was. It’s very lush with flowers and flowing bushes that accent a small man made stream. They start us off with seasoned tasty plantain chips and a Big Bowl of Ice Water for my Dogs!

We decided to try the Bolinho De Bacalham – Salted Cod and Potato Croquettes

The server told us how to eat them. You cut the croquettes in half, then drizzle with olive oil and add a fresh squeeze of lime. The croquettes had a slightly stringy texture and were made with far less potato than I was expecting.

“The Croquettes have onions and garlic in them so we can’t eat them because that stuff is harmful and Toxic to us dogs.”

I went with a grilled chicken salad but they were 86th so I went with a Grilled Chicken Sandwich.

It was just a basic sandwich with fresh baguette and nicely seasoned chicken.

Both Dogs got to enjoy Chicken.

It seems that anything BEEF is the way to go at Carvalho’s. Here is the Beef Tenderloin Tip Sandwich. (sorry for the BAD picture…The sun was so bright I couldn’t see the screen)

The beef is flavorful, tender and buttery and is married with Grilled Red and Green Bell Peppers and covered in a blanket of cheese (he picked pepper jack).

Both dogs really REALLY enjoyed the beef.

“We did Forking Great at Carvalho’s!”

www.Carvalhos.co

Amuse Bouche is a very small bistro with patio. The owners are a married couple that met at and attended culinary school in France and are French Trained Chefs. Currently this restaurant is open for brunch and lunch (M-F). They currently run occasional cooking school classes and do some special event dinners. This restaurant is well known for serving a really great Quiche and amazing desserts. The dinners they used to serve here were among the best on the west side. I also liked that they were a B.Y.O.B. so I saved a good amount of money on my wine when I used to enjoy well crafted dinners here. I am saddened that Amuse Bouche is no longer a regular dinner option for me but I’m happy that they are still here.

Today I ordered the Kale & Quinoa Salad with added Chicken.

My salad came with a hot roll and butter. This time the seasonal fruit are strawberries. The salad also contains toasted almonds and creamy goat cheese. The chicken is moist and juicy. I have LOTS of chicken to share with the dogs.

The dogs are very happy with the chicken.

My Husband had the Cabernet Burger. He was really thrilled with this burger and thinks it’s the best burger you can get on the west side. This is one of the very few restaurant were you can actually get a Medium Rare Burger. The beef is also ground in house (seldom if at all found anywhere on west side) The rich roll is the correct size for the burger and had a bit of quality sea salt applied to the bun. The sandwich also contains a bacon jam, garlic aioli and really great fries that have a moist interior and a crisp exterior. My husband said that I should try a burger from here because he thinks these burgers are among the VERY best that you can get out….maybe I will try one of the  burgers next time……..

Sadly the dogs can’t eat any of the burger because of the wine added to the burger. (anything grape related is harmful to dogs)

www.AmuseBouche.biz

Banh Mi Bistro Vietnamese Eatery is a casual Pho Free Vietnamese Eatery. They specialize in the Banh Mi Sandwich.   We think the Banh Mi Sandwiches they serve here are the best we’ve tried anywhere. I am also a big fan of the Rice plate and the Vietnamese Chicken Curry from this eatery.

Today we both went with Banh Mi Sandwiches.

I went with the Chicken Banh Mi. The Baguette seems lighter than a regular baguette with a crunchy exterior and a moist interior made from wheat and rice flour. They brushed the roll with house made aioli. Inside is moist flavorful white meat chicken, sliced cucumbers, jalapeños, pickled radish and carrots and fresh cilantro. It is a delicious tasty sandwich and one of the best bargains around in this part of town. Only $6.00 and I usually make two meals out of it.

“I’m getting me some Banh Mi Today!”

“I’m also getting ME some Banh Mi today too!”

My husband got the pulled pork Banh Mi and the dogs enjoyed some pulled pork too!

www.BanhMiBistroAZ.com

Leo’s Island BBQ is among the few of the independently owned restaurants in the Arrowhead Mall area of Peoria. Leo’s Island BBQ specializes in the Hawaiian Plate Lunch. A Hawaiian Plate Lunch is a Big Styrofoam Container that’s filled with an enormous amount of meat, a double scoop of rice, heavy macaroni salad and some steamed vegetables. Leo’s Island BBQ offers about 30 choices of the Hawaiian Plate Lunch and most are priced at around $10.00.

My husband got the BBQ Chicken and Pulled Pork Combo.

I got the Maui Maui Grilled Fish with Brown Rice…..(they now offer egg fried rice as a choice…)

It’s a FORKING ENORMOUS Plate of food. My dogs helped me out with all that food and I took half home too.

www.LeosIslandBBQ.com

That was Dining Out with Dogs in Metro Phoenix for December 2017.

Take Care, Happy New Year and we hope to see you next month.