Looking for a great place to eat that also welcomes your furry best friend? Check out these best bets that blend fantastic food with comfy, spacious outdoor seating for you and your canine pal. From ethnic restaurants to pub fare to coffee houses, these local, pet-friendly eateries are spot-on. Bone appetit!
by Lisa A. Beach
Katy Trail Ice House
3127 Routh St., Dallas
Voted as one of the “best beer patios in Texas” by D Magazine, this casual, communal beer garden features picnic-table-style eating on a large outdoor patio that backs up to the Katy Trail. Hang out with your family and four-legged, furry friends outside while you chow down on their brisket tacos, jalapeno jack burgers, grilled Shiner beer brats, venison chili, or outstanding slow-smoked Texas barbecue sandwiches and plates.
Bavarian Grill
221 W. Parker Rd., Plano
If you’re looking for a great place to get authentic Bavarian cuisine, head over to the award-winning Bavarian Grill in Plano. With live German music as a nightly backdrop, Bavarian Grill gives diners an authentic ethnic experience with its schnitzel, bratwurst, goulash soup, sauerbraten, spätzle, and other classic dishes.
Lazy Dog
5100 Belt Line Rd. Suite 500, Addison
With great outdoor seating and a comfy atmosphere, this dog-friendly place regularly draws a big crowd. Lazy Dog offers a huge menu selection of pastas, flatbreads, burgers, and lots of tasty pub fare, plus a nice selection of craft beers, and a popular sangria sampler. Soak up the friendly ambiance while you nosh on loaded potato hush puppies or a Black and Bleu brick oven pizza, and then finish off with their most-buzzed-about butter cake for dessert.
Chuy’s
With nine locations in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area, this national chain features made-from-scratch Tex-Mex fare, with a menu inspired by recipes “from across New Mexico, Mexican border towns, the Rio Grande Valley, deep South Texas, and beyond.” Using the freshest ingredients, Chuy’s draws rave reviews for its hand-rolled tortillas, Salsa Fresca, 10 signature sauces, and famous “Big As Yo’ Face” burritos.
Snug on the Square
109 N Kentucky St., McKinney and
1001 Windsong Pkwy. S., Prosper
This quaint, cozy coffee house and café offers both breakfast and lunch, often featuring local artists and musicians in their inviting eclectic shop. With comfortable seating on the outdoor patio, Snug on the Square serves up big portions, whether it’s a made-to-order omelet in the morning or a delicious Turkey Almond Jack Snug Melt at lunchtime.
The Dream Café
5100 Belt Line Rd., Addison
2800 Routh St., Dallas
6465 E. Mockingbird Ln., Dallas
This long-established “Austin-style” eatery has been offering a plethora of vegetarian and healthy choices for those who are gluten-, lactose- and carb-conscious long before it was the norm. Here, they serve three stellar meals a day, but breakfast is still the most popular. (Don’t miss the Cloud Cakes!) Be sure to ask about live music nights and half price bottles of wine.