Pup-Friendly Eateries

ENJOY THE DOG DAYS OF

SUMMER

AT THESE PUP-FRIENDLY EATERIES

BY MARILYNN TURNERCARLA MCELROY PHOTOS

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It’s summertime in Connecticut, and there’s nothing better than spending time with your BFF - your four-pawed furry BFF, that is - at a relaxing summer eatery. There are quite a few dog-friendly eateries to be found around the state!

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TWO WRASSLIN CATS

EAST HADDAM

Despite its name, Two Wrasslin’ Cats at 374 Town Street in East Haddam will welcome your pooch with open paws. Resident cats Bruno and Larry - and ow Mark Thiede - find the outdoor deck is the perfect place for you to enjoy a me your favorite dog. You can even mosey around in the grass below, explore the garden or the small stream, and there’s a spigot with running water in case Fid parched from all that summer sun.

The menu offers an assortment of soups, sandwiches, salads or ice cream, and are even doggie cookies you can purchase for your furry pal.

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WHISTLE STOP CAFE

DEEP RIVER

Down the road a bit in Deep River you and your pooch can get cozy together inside the dining room at the Whistle Stop Café. Owner Hedy Watrous and her daughters Madeleine and Norma run this tiny eatery located at 108 Main Street.

A rare restaurant that allows dogs inside the dining room, the Whistle Stop Café is open from 7:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. every day, and while you savor your eggs Benedict with a side of home fries, your furry friend can enjoy a specially made meal with a brown rice base and other doggie-friendly and nutritious ingredients, made by Norma.

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At the Burger Bar and Bistro, 60 Main Street in Norwalk, there is an entire menu of pup-friendly treats. All dogs at the Burger Bar get a fresh bowl of ice water, a bone, and their meal is served in a special dish. Bonus: any leftovers are packed in a leak-proof doggie bag.

All canine patrons must be leashed, and are only allowed in the outdoor area of the restaurant. Jose Mandujano, a

SALEM VALLEY

SALEM

Sometimes all you want is a big, yumm at 20 Darling Road in Salem is a favo - and our canine companions. They se $2.95 topped with a doggie bone. Th space to play doggie Frisbee after en

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FARMS

y scoop of ice cream. Salem Valley Farms rite summertime ice cream spot for humans rve up a “pup cup” of vanilla ice cream for ere are picnic tables and lots of outdoor joying a cool treat.

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MUDDY WATERS CAFE

NEW LONDON

At Muddy Waters Café, 42 Bank Street in New London, you and your pooch can take in views of the Thames River as you relax on the deck and enjoy breakfast or lunch. Depending on the day, you might be greeted by the Muddy Waters’ mascot dog Murray, a four-month-old wired haired fox terrier, who meets his trainer at the restaurant on Tuesdays and Thursdays. bartender at the Burger Bar, said, “our dogs are

“I love dogs,” said owner Susan Devlin. “As part long of as the they’re family, well-behaved, and it’s a beautiful they’re thing to welcome here on the deck,” she added. have lunch with the family and the dog.”

“Today we had a visit from a very well-behaved He said French that popular Bulldog. menu A lot items of people include the travel with their pets, and they’re part of sweet our family; potato it’s fries, terrible hot when dogs, you and can’t vanilla ice bring them with you,” said Devlin. cream. He added that all dogs are welcome to dine at the outdoor patio as long as they are leashed and well-mannered.

Of course, service dogs are always welcome inside and out at the state’s hospitality establishments. Connecticut law requires public accommodations to permit people who are blind, deaf, or mobility impaired to use service dogs to help them.

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ALVARIUM BEER COMPANY

NEW BRITAIN

Dogs are welcome in the outdoor area at the Alvarium Beer Company in New Britain. The brewery located at 365 Downey Drive has dog portraits on the wall and even has a “Dogs of Alverium” Instagram page, according to Taproom Manager Kate Bugnacki. Alvarium considers itself to be both dog-friendly and family friendly.

“All pups that visit us need to be well-behaved, socialized, leashed, and use their inside voices,” said Bugnacki. “No barky, barky,” she added.

“We have a front area for bathroom breaks, that even has a doggie bag dispenser, and a patio for pups who want to express how excited they are to visit us,” she said. They’ve even added doggy beer (non-alcoholic, of course) to the menu that you can share a treat with your best friend.

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BURGER BAR & BISTRO

NORWALK

At the Burger Bar and Bistro, 60 Main Street in Norwalk, there is an entire menu of pup-friendly treats. All dogs at the Burger Bar get a fresh bowl of ice water, a bone, and their meal is served in a special dish. Bonus: any leftovers are packed in a leak-proof doggie bag.

All canine patrons must be leashed, and are only allowed in the outdoor area of the restaurant. Jose Mandujano, a bartender at the Burger Bar, said, “our dogs are part of the family, and it’s a beautiful thing to have lunch with the family and the dog.”

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He said that popular menu items include the sweet potato fries, hot dogs, and vanilla ice cream. He added that all dogs are welcome to dine at the outdoor patio as long as they are leashed and well-mannered.

Of course, service dogs are always welcome inside and out at the state’s hospitality establishments. Connecticut law requires public accommodations to permit people who are blind, deaf, or mobility impaired to use service dogs to help them.

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TIPS FOR TAK

OUTING: Consid with treats, water, doggie toy - and a cloth for wipin

Also, when taking your dog better for their safety and

Once you reach your desti your feet as you dine and there.

Do consider basic obedien Club’s Canine Good Citize dog can be mannerly in al

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ING YOUR DOG ON AN

er their comfort when away from home. Pack a bag bags, perhaps a favorite non-bouncy, non-squeaky g drool.

to a public place, don’t use a retractable leash. It’s yours.

nation, your dog should be able to remain quietly by not interrupt other diners or their pets that may be

ce training, and preparing for the American Kennel n test, which, once passed, demonstrates that your most any situation.

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