Need your feedback-would you go back to this restaurant?
 

Ok-this is a little long but I want to be sure you have the right context. There is a neighborhood restaurant that we go to frequently and have spent tons of money at over the last 15 years. A few years ago, they opened up an outdoor area. Before our previous yorkie got too sick to go, we took her to eat out there a couple times with no problem. Last year we waited to the end of the summer to bring our new yorkie, Jamie, since we wanted to be sure she was grown up enough. We knew that we were in for trouble when we walked out there and a couple was fighting with each other. The woman gave me a look that could kill. I knew she wasn't happy about the dog. I went to sit as far away as possible from them. Jamie was an absolute angel througout the dinner. You would never have known she was there if not for a few people who came to admire her and pet her. When we went to pay, our waitress told us that the couple had written really nasty things about the dog on the comment card. She also said that they were the nastiest people, never had been to this restaurant before and were not happy when they came in. She told me that she already had spoken to the owner about them and how great Jamie was and not to worry. On the way out of the restaurant, I checked in with the owner and he reassured me that all was ok and to bring Jamie back.

Fast forward to this year. We spoke to a couple of the senior waiters and let them knew we would be bringing Jamie when the weather got nice and we said we would eat early so the outdoor area would not be crowded. They were very enthusiatic about it. My DH called for reservations for 5pm on a Saturday night and told them we would be bringing the dog and wanted to eat outside. An hour later we got a call back from the manager who said that we couldn't bring the dog because the owner said there were a couple of complaints and he couldn't take a chance. I argued briefly with the manager and said that as far as I knew there was only one complaint from that nasty couple and the owner had welcomed us back. He then asked me if we were keeping the reservation without the dog and I said no.

I really don't plan to go back to this restaurant. It is not only the fact that they chose some unknown cranky customers over us, who could have eaten inside if they were that perturbed, it is also that the owner himself did not call us. What does everybody think?

I would contact the owner to be absolutely sure that this is his policy before making my decision.

No I wouldn't go back. Also, I would write the manager a letter explaining basically what you said here. You have been a good customer all these years and they apparently valued the other customers business over yours so they needn't be worried they won't have you or your dog back.:mad::mad:

I refuse to eat at any restaurant that readily would let me in.

I would talk to the owner personally first. If he does not want the dog there, then I would not return.
Good luck.

My husband suggested writing a review card yourself about the restaurant. A couple fighting, ruining decks atmosphere, being rude and complaining about loyal patrons, and then rest. staff is rude to loyal patron instead of aplogizing for poor dining exp due to couple fighting/ruining atmosphere.

I would not go back. But that is just me. I would call the owner and even above him just to find out what the policy is for the restaurant. Many around here will allow dogs if there is an outside area. But I am funny about things. So, nope I would not return at all.

I agree with LadyJane check with the owner first. If it is his policy, ask why he changed, remind him you have been a loyal patron for 15 years...then make your decision.

It would be easy for me....NOPE not going back.:mad: Sorry, that's just me.

:eyetearss Only you would say this!!! :D

OH yeah, this is a really good idea;)

I'd take my biz elsewhere.

In Wisconsin only service dogs are allowed in public (restaurants, stores, public transportation, etc.)


I wish I could bring Molly with me.

Wow, what jerks. I would call the owner and explain how you don't appreciate being told one thing, and then being disrespected the next time. Especially mention how you find it comical that you allow animals in the resurant (i.e. the rude couple) and not polite dinner guests (your furbaby).

I would double check with the owner and take it from there. There are nasty people everywhere. I'm sorry this happened to you.

Thanks for the feedback everyone. I might contact the owner in the future but I am really too angry right now. He knows who we are and should have called us himself instead of delegating the manager to do it. In NYC, restaurants with outdoor areas can allow dogs. In Manhattan every other restaurant has an outdoor area and most allow dogs. In Staten island, there are only a few restaurants with outdoor areas and a few that welcome dogs. I think we will be going to those restaurants.

I did not think you knew for a fact that it was his decision.

I would definitely not go back if this were his decision.

:thumbup::thumbup:

Sorry I was not clearer. I know the manager and he would not take it upon himself to make this decision. He was definitely speaking on behalf of the owner. I would, at some point, want to ask the owner why he changed his mind about the policy. Perhaps there were other incidents with other dogs or maybe his memory is just bad but again he should have called himself. And with hindsight, I probably should have asked the manager to have the owner call us.

I would write to the owner & thank him for the many years of previous service and let him know why you will no longer be able to patronize his establishment. I would also let him know that you will be letting your dog owning friends about his change of heart and encouraging them to take their business elsewhere, too.

I have nothing new to add but agree with everyone else, that you should contact the owner, and I would do it via a registered letter. Also, you might want to contact the editor of your newspaper...

Yes, this is an excellent way to go. Definitely write this letter verbatim...it's great!:thumbup:

:yeahthat:

I agree with LadyJane, speak with the owner just for clarification. It could have been just a miscommunication between the owner and management. I hope you get to go back with Jamie.

He said there were a "couple" of complaints. I wonder if there were other dogs as well. Maybe yours was not the only one with a complaint, and the owner had to change policy. We have one place that allows dogs one night a week, and we took Sophie to the outdoor patio at Bass Pro, but typically, dogs are not welcome here either. I would still go if I like the place. I like to go out and don't take my dog everywhere I go.

I would not go back personally, they cant seem to make up their mind about anything, a small dog that is no problem or a bunch of nasty people, I would take the dog any day

Yeah, that's what I was thinking. This really sucks, I mean, if they had told you originally there was a problem that would be one thing, but to act like your dog is fine and well behaved, and then change their mind seems so twofaced. I would make sure they hadn’t gotten my dog confused, and I agree with those that say, spread the word about them. This country needs to be more pro-dog not less.

In the current economy I think you should be sure to stress that the owner is dissolving his relationship with long time customers and all of your friends.
If his decision stands, your decision is made either continue to be customers without your baby or say good bye and find another place that will welcome all of you.

I totally agree with this! If they don't want your dog, they don't want your business :)

I am sorry that you had this experience. I think a conversation with the owner,reminding him that he already said that your baby was welcome. You are not the only ones that have babies in that area and it can effect their business. You seem to have other places to choose from,you are very lucky. Here in FtWorth there are not many places at all that will allow dogs in unless they are service animals.
My dog goes to the pet store and JoAnns fabrics with me,they happen to be next door to each other. There is only one restaurant that I have been able to take my baby into.

i wouldn't go back either. IMO anyplace that has a patio to sit at should be for dog owners to use if they would like to. esp. little dogs like yorkies that cannot possibly interupt anyone unless they are barking nonstop but you said she was an angel so what on earth could they possibly complain about.

something about patios that upset me is that often with the smoking ban in KCMO they have made the patios for smokers to use. that's not fair to those of us that like the sunshine and fresh air WITHOUT having to be subjected to the smokers. i personally feel that there really is no good place in public for smoking. it's not a problem that people feel the need to smoke, but why should anyone else suffer health hazzards from it? that would be like allowing everyone who wants to eat toxic waste forcing everyone else who doesn't to eat it too. NOT RIGHT.

anyways back to dogs. i don't see why being outside with your pup would cause a scene or issue. i'd just find more dog friendly places to eat.