Dining out with dogs is just a “Fluff” story of taking my dogs out to eat. It all sort of started when my dog Louie came down with aggressive cancer. We were told that he only was expected to live 3 months and maybe up to 6. He already was older and couldn’t do a lot but he loved eating and going out to eat. I took him out as often as I could and he made it another 17 months. Today I take my current dogs out to eat when I can.
There are many things that you must know if you dine out with dogs. One is that not all patios are dog friendly. Some are certified with a sign. When you don’t see a sign you must call and ask if it’s ok to dine with your dog on the patio. Another thing is that I recommend from experience that it is BEST to avoid as many other people and other dogs as possible. Some people don’t share your love fore dogs and other people are allergic. It’s also best to avoid other dogs because dogs enjoy barking at each other and this can be a disturbance and you might be asked to leave.
You need to be aware that most food and drink that you consume can be harmful or even toxic to your dog. You must get a list of foods from your veterinarian to avoid. Usually a small lean plain piece of meat is a good choice. You should also bring a water bowl with you. Here in metro Phoenix you have to also be concerned about the temperature because your dog IS NOT AS HEAT TOLERANT as you are. They absorb heat up their paws and wear fur coats. 90 degrees might be comfortable for you but it is too hot for your dog. Leave your dog home if there is any doubt.
When you dine out with dog(s). your dog(s) must be by your side at all times. Dogs are NOT to eat off restaurant plates.
We went to Bottega Pizzeria Ristorante in Glendale/Arrowhead/#UpperWestSide.
They are an Italian Restaurant with a lovely patio with a park-like view.
The patio is very comfortable and is equipped with misters and shades for cooling and heaters for those few chilly days.
Our server is very nice and runs a bowl of water out for the dogs.
They always start us off with fresh baked breads.
Bread isn’t too good for dogs so I only give them a small taste that they enjoy.
We both got the DELICIOUS pollo alla cacciatora special.
OMG! It’s really great! It’s chicken legs that are falling off the bone tender and are infused with good flavors. The sauce is laced with Calabrian peppers that are so delicious. It’s served over cheesy polenta.
www.BottegaRistorante.com
We were planning on going to The Bourbon Cellar in North Scottsdale.
They serve hand ground in house various meat burgers and other things. (They don’t use commercial ground meat like most places) But to our surprises they changed their hours without posting the new hours anywhere on the day we showed up. So we left.
We drove back to home (23 miles) and drove threw our local Salad and Go.
Salad and Go is a local growing chain of fast food gourmet salads. They offer around nine styles of salads with protein choices of chicken, buffalo chicken, tofu and shrimp. Everything is organic and natural and most salads only cost $5.74. They also offer $2.99 breakfast burritos, beverages, smoothies, soup and a protein box. This is only a drive threw restaurant. They are without seating and no bathroom here….Just drive threw…That is why they are named……Salad and Go.
Behind our local Salad and Go is a hotel with an outside table just behind our Salad and Go so we took advantage of it.
Today I got the Thai Chicken Salad.
There is moist white meat chicken chunks, red cabbage, red bell peppers, shredded carrot, cucumbers, mixed greens and a pack of tasty slightly spicy peanut dressing.
My dogs always enjoy the chicken and shrimp here. (they discontinued the steak here some time back)
My husband had the chicken Greek Salad with added shrimp.
He was bummed that he wasn’t eating a burger.
www.SaladandGo.com
Banh Mi Vietnamese Eatery in North Phoenix has always been on our local rotation of restaurants. They serve around a dozen different Banh Mi Baguette sandwiches and many of your Vietnamese favorites except for pho. Portions here run very large and can be double for some people and prices are very low here. But the best thing of all is that the food is DELICIOUS TOO! and everything is cheap…It’s cheaper than fast food and is really good food.
Today my husband got one of his favorites…The grilled pork rice plate.
It’s around 8 ounces of tender delicious pork with a crispy pork egg roll, lots of rice and a pickled vegetable salad.
Today I got the curry chicken with rice.
It’s fragrant and tasty. It has crushed peanuts and fried shallots in hit with nice soft carrots and potatoes. There is also lots of chicken to share with the dogs.
We always enjoy Banh Mi Bistro Vietnamese Eatery.
www.BanhMiBistroAZ.com
We also went to The Twisted Italian. They offer most of your typical American Italian Foods but they also offer a few unusuals such as pierogi and an Italian chili relleno. They don’t have a patio but do have a couple tables outside for dining. They are listed on www.BringFido.com so they are dog friendly. They are always friendly to us when we bring the dogs. Today the nice waiter brought a water dish for the dogs.
My husband likes the lunch special called pick a pasta/ pick a salad for only $11.50.
He got the Italian salad and the house lasagna.
I got the salmon with grilled vegetables and angel hair pasta in lemon white wine caper sauce.
It’s bigger than it looks like in my photo and is a lot of food. The vegetables and salmon are enough for me. BTW I had some help with that.
Lunch is always A-OK at Twisted Italian in Peoria.
www.EatTwisted.com
That was Dining Out With Dogs in Metro Phoenix for December 2020. We wish for everyone good heath and happiness and a Happy New Year and we hope to see you next month.
