Lee Harvey's

www.leeharveys.com

Oh, Lee Harvey's, will you marry me?

Yeah, I just proposed to a bar and grill and yes, it's that great. Well, let me back up. It's absolutely frightening, but completely worth it. Ok, first of all, how creepy is it that it is named after the man that assasinated one of our most loved presidents?

So, when you're driving to Lee Harvey's, you'll be thinking 'Oh, TomTom must be wrong; this is a neighborhood'. Uh, huh. Shame on you for not trusting TomTom. That was your first mistake. Lee Harvey's IS in a neighborhood; in fact, it is in an old house! I can see you now, exchanging glances, shaking your heads. Just trust me! I haven't steered you wrong, yet, right?

There isn't much to the interior; it is a typical dive bar. Not a lot of room. Outdoors is where the party is at. They have somewhere around 80 picnic tables outside in the backyard. It isn't as scary as it sounds, I promise. They have firepits that they light up during the winter and bands come and play on the outdoor stage throughout the week. They have a few different food and drink specials throughout the week, ie. $1 tacos.

The food is great. The only appetizer that I have had, so far, are the onion rings. Let me tell you, those onion rings are enough to make me want to return again and again! Perfectly battered and fried- they are probably the best onion rings I've ever had. The kicker is that they have this spankin' aioli sauce to dunk them in. It is spicy and sweet. Definitely a win, but not for the faint of heart. The burgers are phenomenal; if you find yourself craving a home-cooked style burger, this is the answer to your prayers. It tastes like your dad just took it off the grill! I could almost hear him hollering at me that dinner was ready. The giant burger comes with an order of equally great fries. Perfect! The burger come with all the fixin's, including thickly sliced, sent from heaven, bread and butter pickles. Let me say, I abhor bread and butter pickles, but these have been kissed by God. The fish tacos are also incredible; the fish is grilled to perfection and they have the same spankin' aioli sauce that the onion rings come with and a jalapeno relish. They are spicy! Start slow. I don't know what is with me and fish tacos, lately! Ever since I started doing this site, I find myself eating them all the time. It is weird! They used to revolt me. These are good enough to convert the biggest unbeliever. They also come with baracho beans that taste like smokey leather. Take that as you will.

All in all, one of my new favorite dives! The food rocks, the drinks are cold (full bar), and live local music is a win for me!

No Bones About It (Lennon's Take On It!)

O.M.G.
Mommy didn't tell you the single best thing about Lee Harvey's! They love their doggys! On Sundays, they even close the gates and dogs are allowed off the leash. It allows Mommys and Daddys time and freedom to socialize, as well as gives me a chance to make new friends. There is plenty of room for us to run around in and big buckets of water for us. There is even a little cooling pool.

Mommy met the owner, Seth, and he gave me a lot of loving! I'm definitely giving Lee Harvey's 5 Paws Up!

J & J Oyster Bar

http://www.jjbluesbar.com/menu.htm

Since I'm a coastal girl, I miss being able to have fresh seafood whenever it strikes my fancy, but I just found the cure! J & J Oyster Bar in Fort Worth serves fantastic, reasonably priced, fresh-tasting seafood.

It's a small dive restaurant, but they have a nice patio and really friendly waitstaff. I highly recommend their jalapeno hushpuppies for a starter. They are $3.25 for about 12 cigarette-style hushpuppies. They rock! They aren't dry, nor too spicy.

The combo platter is a great deal; I've had the scallops and stuffed crab. It was absolutely fantastic. I'm really funny about my seafood and this was one of the best stuffed crabs I've ever had. For 11 bucks, you get around 8 fried scallops, a stuffed crab, and you choose a side. The side options are cole slaw, fries, rice, or steamed veggies. Supposedly the cole slaw is incredible, but I'm not really a cole slaw aficionado. It all just tastes like sweet mush to me, so I can't comment. The amount of fries they give you is absolutely ungodly. They literally fill an entire dinner plate. I'm not a fan of them, but if you like Mooyah's fries, you should like these!

The fish tacos there are also decent; they have too much stuffing for the tortilla, but the stuffing is great! Tons of pico and almost a whole avocado top them. $8.50 for three and your choice of a side isn't a bad deal.

I'm pretty excited about the Po'boys and that's definitely what I'll be trying next time.

Parking is a little sketchy; I think if it was prime dining hours, it would be a bit rough finding a spot. I want to say that the beer is $3 a pint and $9 for a pitcher. Something like that.

The only problem that I've had is that they're a little slow bringing out refills... But they are really friendly waitresses!

We'll definitely be returning!

No Bones About It! (Lennon's Take On It!)

I really dig J & J Oyster Bar. The waitresses gave me a lot of attention! What kind of dog doesn't like attention from pretty girls?! Not this one... They brought out fresh water for me without Mommy having to ask AND brought out a glass with ice in it for refills. Mommy was a little irritated that I was able to get refills without asking and she wasn't, but it is part of being a cute puppy. :)

Like I said, super pooch friendly! Water without asking and lots of attention = a win to me. Plus, the scallops make my tail wag!

J & J Oyster Bar gets 4 Paws Up from me!

The Dallas Farmer's Market

www.dallasfarmersmarket.org

One of the places that I regularly visit with my pooch is the Dallas Farmer's Market. We go about once a week to stock up on fresh fruits, veggies, and grass-fed beef. The market consists of 4 different sheds.

Shed '1' features all locally grown or raised products. There is a plethora of local, farm-grown fruits and vegetables. Also in Shed '1' are fresh herbs to plant in your garden! There is also a vendor that sells locally raised, grass-fed beef. We stop by weekly to load up on his thick, meaty beef bones. Since Lennon is teething, he loves chewing on a half-thawed meat bones. It is our best secret on how to keep him occupied for about 3 hours.

Shed '4' is full of commercially grown produce. That is the shed to visit if you are looking for a deal. The reason that Shed '4' is preferrable over a grocery store is that you can sample anything you like. This means that you don't have to worry if the mangoes are sweet or not; the vendors will gladly slice you off a piece. Don't settle on the selection at the first stall you come to - walk around for a bit and check the pricing and flavor of the different competitors.

Shed '2' is indoors, so it has air conditioning, but since there are restaurants inside, you can't bring in your pup. Shed 2' is full of fudge, pies, cakes, pasta vendors, and more. There are some really neat shops with imported gifts from Africa and Central America that you should really check out when you have a dog sitter.

One of the best parts of the Dallas Farmer's Market is that they exhibit local outdoor artisans on the weekends. One of the hardest things about being a dog mommy is not being able to buy gifts without getting a dog sitter.

The DFM has outdoor vendors on the weekends that sell jewelry, soap, artwork, yard art, and, of course, Wild Herbs All-Natural Flea Powder. They also provide cooking demonstrations using fresh fruits and vegetables, ice cream contests, live music, etc. There is something happening every weekend! There is usually a street performer that plays the guitar, tambourine, and harmonica. Every time he plays, a puppy cries. I'm not sure whether it is with joy or pain.

No Bones About It! (Lennon's take on it!)

I love the Dallas Farmer's Market! There are so many yummy things to taste! I like going to Paul's Sweet Roasted Corn stand. Mommy buys me a roasted ear of corn without butter. I love chowing down on it.

Mommy loves the steak, bean, and cheese gorditas at La Marketa Cafe, but the red chili sauce is TOO much for me! There are tons of dogs on the weekends for me to meet. If your pup needs to go potty, Mommy always takes me to the small grassy area by the offices. I get to try at all kinds of fruits and veggies so that Mommy knows what I like and what to feed me!

The Dallas Farmer's Market gets Five Paws Up from me!

The Pooch Patio

www.thepoochpatio.com

The Pooch Patio is a pretty rad concept. I'm confused as to why there aren't more places like this! They serve coffee, wine, tea, and frozen coffee drinks! They have free WiFi and a covered patio with dog bowls filled with fresh water. Pretty sweet, right? As a business owner, anywhere with free WiFi that loves dogs in a blessing!

The drink prices are around the same as Starbucks. They're really nice there; they have no problem starting you a tab. Just be careful- it racks up, fast! My only problem with The Pooch Patio was that none of the outdoor electrical outlets were working (for my laptop!). I did speak with the owner about this and she said that she would take care of it. I haven't gone back, yet, to see if it has been resolved, but even with that, I definitely would go back! They are also a doggie daycare; I haven't taken Lennon there, but none of the dogs I saw being dropped off looked scared or sad. They don't sell food, but they have no problem with you getting something delivered or bringing it with you!

No Bones About It (Lennon's Take On It!)

The Pooch Patio gets an 'A' in my book! It's my favorite place for mommy to go work, because I can be off my leash and play with other dogs. They put out several bowls of fresh water and change them often. They even have a nice little faux grass area in case I need to, well, you know.

The Pooch Patio gets Four Paws Up!!

I do it all for my fans,

Lennon

White Rock Dog Park

www.whiterockdogpark.org

White Rock Dog Park was THE biggest disappointment in our dog fun-search. It was disgusting. I was really looking forward to taking Lennon there. It's in a nice part of town; I thought it was going to be nice and well-taken care of. The only positive is that it is right beside the lake.

I had heard such great things about it, but I'll let Lennon tell you about it.

No Bones About It (Lennon's Take On It!)

Ew. Icky. Gross. Those are my thoughts about the dog park. For real. Where should I start? This place was FULL of aggressive dogs. I'm no wuss, but these dogs were growling and jumping on each other! If I had acted like that, Mommy would never had stood for it.

Ok, so you know those handy little poop bag stations that many dog parks have? This one also had them; they were all over the place. Apparently none of the dog owners got that memo because there was doggy doodoo all over the place! It was disgusting. I don't want to step in another dog's poop while I'm playing. Yuck. What do you think I am- an animal?

There was only a little section where the grass hadn't been trampled and destroyed- and that's where all the dogs decided to poop! Yuck. Most of the rest of the park was dirt. It made me nice and muddy for Mommy and Daddy.

I'm giving White Rock Lake Dog Park One Paw Down! I might go back again just to see if it has changed, but I don't have high hopes for it!

XOXO,

Lennon

Canine Commissary

www.caninecommissary.net

Hmm. I have mixed feelings about the Canine Commissary. It is a big store with a bit of everything 'dog' in it; it has a warehouse-y feel about it. Like anywhere, they have great deals about some things and jack the prices up on others. They have a huge selection of specialty leashes and collars, which places like Petsmart do not have. They also have a huge selection of organic, holistic and specialty foods there. Most of them, I didn't even recognize, so if you're looking for something obscure and specific, I'd definitely look there! They also have ridiculously good prices on real bones; they're about half than you'd pay elsewhere!

The only drawback is that the staff was a little standoffish. They did not greet us when we came in; instead, they texted on their phones and chatted with each other. I will say, though, that as we were checking out, they did become much nicer.

No Bones About It (Lennon's Take On It!)

I really like Canine Commissary. Part of the reason, though, is that there are ripped open food bags everywhere and the aisles are covered in food kernels! It was like an appetizer buffet!

Food God: Lennon, my son, would you like a plethora of everything?
Lennon: Why, yes. I believe I would.

Also, they had a massive bone selection- win! Like Mommy and Daddy can say no to me!! The employees completely snubbed me until the very end, but then they gave me a treat. :) I like treats, if you can't tell.

Oh! Also, they have Saint Bernard paraphernalia!It's hard to find Saint stuff in Texas, so Mommy was excited.

I'll give Canine Commissary Four Paws Up!

Forever in your heart,

Lennon

Mooyah Burgers & Fries

www.mooyah.com

Mooyah is a really casual burger joint. They have pretty great burgers there. You pick up a card when you walk in the door and place a check mark beside everything you want. You order your burger (and any toppings you want on it), fries, drinks, or a shake. They have a lot of really good toppings. They have the usual stuff- pickles, lettuce, tomatoes, etc. but they also have mushrooms, grilled onions and jalapenos, avocado, and swiss/cheddar cheeses.

They hype up their fries WAY too much. Frankly, they suck. I thought it was just a one time flop, but it's been that way everytime. They have a burnt texture. The plus is that they cut the fries fresh there, the downside is that they taste like butt. Their shakes definitely rock, though.

No Bones About It (Lennon's Take On It!)

I like Mooyah. Again, they don't have a covered patio, but they have tables with umbrellas outside. The downside is that Mommy and Daddy have to take turns going in to order. Not a good place to go by yourself with your puppy!

Mommy and Daddy hated the fries, but I thought they were ok. They are about the same taste and consistency of Mommy's favorite shoes! If you like the taste of a nice stiletto, then you might love them.

Mooyah gets Three Paws Up from me!

Forever yours,

Lennon

Jason's Deli

www.jasonsdeli.com

We go to Jason's Deli regularly. They have a little bit of everything on the menu; you can choose from their glorious salad bar (my favorite), paninis, sandwiches, and a humongous baked potato full of barbecue! I'm sure there is more on the menu, but that's all we have ever ordered. They're a great place to go, especially if you have a vegetarian in the group. There is something for everyone! I actually prefer their salad bar over Sweet Tomato or Souper Salad.

No Bones About It (Lennon's Take On It!)

Oh, I love going to Jason's. They don't have a covered patio or any of that jazz, but the food is so good that I keep making Mommy and Daddy go back! They have outdoor seating (So I can come!) with umbrellas over the tables. Mommy and Daddy have to take turns going in to order, but the waiter always makes sure to find us on the patio to bring them their food.

I'm a total veg-head, so I love any cucumbers or zucchini that falls!

I'll give it Three Paws Up!

Truly,

Lennon

Dream Cafe

www.thedreamcafe.com

Hmm... I'm not really sure how to rate the Dream Cafe. Overpriced? Yes. The food? Decent. Nothing to write home to Momma about, but it was good. Nicely sized portions. The patio is what truly won me over. It is perfect; it's covered and has fans going in the summer time and heaters in the winter. That's a huge perk in Texas!

I orded some type of chicken pasta which was really good. The fiance ordered a chicken sandwich, which ended up being 2 entire chicken breasts! We'll go back, but not if we're on a budget. It's not that they're horribly expensive, but c'mon $10+ for a sandwich?

No Bones About It (Lennon's Take On It)

I loved Dream Cafe. Since I'm just a puppy, I don't have to think about money, so I was a fan! The fans kept me nice and cool. The fried zucchini was amazing. I think I ate more of that than Mommy and Daddy did! The waiter brought me iced water. Quite thoughtful.

I'll give it Four Paws Up!

Love to all my fans,

Lennon

Zio's Italian Restaurant

www.zios.com

One of the biggest struggles as a Dog Mommy is finding an Italian restaurant with a patio! We've finally found a good one.

Zio's Italian Restaurant in Arlington (they're everywhere, but I know this one has a patio; better call ahead to check if the location you have in mind has a patio!) is extremely dog-friendly. AND they're delicious and affordable.

For $29.99, you can enjoy their date night special. It includes 2 entrees, 2 glasses of wine, an appetizer, and a dessert. It's a great deal and totally worth it; you must get the mushrooms for appetizer- they rock! Oh, I forgot to mention, every meal comes with great bread with olive oil and herbs. Delish!

No Bones About It (Lennon's Take On It!)

I love Zio's! They're really dog-friendly. They brought me out a bowl of water and gave me some lovin'. I slept underneath Mommy's chair most of the meal, but I didn't sleep too long, so service must have been great! Mommy and Daddy loved the house wine and all of their food. I loved the piece of bread dipped in oil with herbs that fell on the ground!

All in all, it was a great experience for Mommy and Daddy and a pretty good experience for me. I'll give it a Four Paws Up!

Love to all the the haterz,

Lennon

Half-Priced Books

www.hpb.com

Hello Pupmates!

This one may be surprising to some of you. Did you know that ALL Half-Priced Bookstores are dog-friendly? The owners love dogs and wanted to create an environment where Dog Parents could relax and shop!

Every location is great; air conditioning, limitless books, and nice to dogs is a win in my book! BUT, my absolute favorite location is on Northwest Highway in Dallas. It's incredible. It's like the mega-store of bookstores. It even has a kick tail coffee shop! I could spend hours in there; I just wish they had wifi!

I'm guessing that it is an old bank building, because there is still an old-fashioned walk in safe! See pic below!

No Bones About It (Lennon's Take On It!)

I love Half-Priced Books! It's a quiet environment where Mommy and I can hang out together. The people there generally leave me alone to nap, but that isn't to say I don't get my fair share of petting!

Four Paws Up!

Paws and Love,

Lennon

Whole Earth Provision Company

www.wholeearthprovision.com

Oh my goodness, Oh my goodness.

This place is amazing. It's like the one-stop shopping place. Shoes, clothing, camping/hiking gear, dog stuff, books-- it's incredible.

We go regularly. That's where I picked up my Vibram FiveFingers, which I adore.

No Bones About It (Lennon's Take On It!)

Whole Earth LOVES dogs! Every employee gives me so much loving and so many treats! One time, I was so embarrassed. I had an accident! I was still a puppy, but it was humiliating. :( Fortunately, the Whole Earth people were so nice. They told me it was ok and wouldn't even let Mommy help them clean it up. They told me that it was no big deal and they knew that accidents happened.

I give Whole Earth Provision Company Five Paws Up AND a Tail Wag!

Peace, Love, and Bones,

Lennon

ABC Coffee

3751 Matlock Rd # 103
Arlington, TX 76015-4342
(817) 557-3375

As a business owner AND dog mommy, one of my biggest problems is finding a place where I can work and my pup can tag along! I'm sure you've dealt with this, as well.

How perfect does this sound: Free WiFi, Dog Friendly, Good Music, Air Conditioning, Coffee, Tea, Pastries, Sandwiches?

Yeah, I thought so. I finally found all of those things in one place. America's Best Coffee (ABC Coffee) in Arlington and Mansfield.

Now that I've told you about the pros, let me tell you about the cons.

1.) Either they don't have a website or it's incredibly well-hidden. Either way, it's aggravating.
2.) They very rarely answer their phones.
3.) The dogs aren't allowed up to the counter to order. I know, health reasons, but it is frustrating when I'm there by myself. I literally have to come in, order, drop my stuff off at a couch or table, and then go out to the car and bring Lennon in.

All cons aside, this place is worth it. Especially when you need to get work done and you have to bear the Texas sun!

No Bones About It (Lennon's Take On It!)

Meh. I like the air conditioning. That's pretty much all I can say about this place. They have nice, cool tile where I can take a good nap. No one really bugs me there. I nap while Mommy works.

Sometimes they'll have doggy goodie bags that have things like a leash, treats, and a ball inside. Those are cool. They'll give me some water, but Mommy has to ask for it.

Sundays are their designated 'Doggie Days', but we've gone on a few Sundays and haven't seen any other pups. Guess it hasn't caught on, yet. Mommy asked the owner and dogs ARE allowed any other day, too.

Final verdict is: it's a great place to go if Mommy has work she needs done and I'm ready for a nap! The A/C rocks. Mommy is happy about free WiFi and coffee.

I'll give it Four Paws Up.

Love,

Lennon

Rusty Taco

www.therustytaco.com

Mmm. Rusty Taco is one of our favorite restaurants to go at night! Don't let the fact that it is a converted oil and lube place slow you down. They rock our socks off.

$2 Tacos, $1 Chips and Warm Salsa (with free chip refills!), $3 queso or guacamole, and $5 margaritas are sure to please. I recommend the fish tacos; they're incredibly spicy, really fresh and crip, and, well, just amazing. The fiance likes to try everything else. He especially loves the fajita tacos. This is a great place to go for cheap tacos, chips, and margaritas.

They make the margaritas with fresh lime juice and Patron. I promise that after one of these bad boys you're going to have a buzz... 2 or more and you are going to need someone to lean on! Everyone there is incredibly nice; every time we've been, the manager has come out and checked on us. They have a large patio and big fans to help cool the place down! Also, they have a really great mix of music playing. It really brightens the mood. I've read reviews on the place that have griped about the parking, but as long as you park in the back, you won't have a problem!

No Bones About It (Lennon's Take On It!)

How can I put this?

I. Freaking. Love. Rusty. Taco.

The management is so nice! He brings me out a bowl of water, every time! Everyone pets and adores me. The chips are great. The people are great. They play a lot of the Beatles; who doesn't love a place that plays my namesake's music?

Rusty Taco gets FOUR Paws Up and a yelp from me!

Yours Truly,

Lennon

Chipotle

www.chipotle.com

When you're desperate for some variety in your eating slump, you'll take anything! Sometimes we're in too much a hurry to go eat at a place that actually appreciates our pup and we're forced to eat at places that just tolerate him. The Chipotle patio is one of those places. If you're looking for a decent, fat burrito- it works. I'll let him take it from here.

No Bones About It (Lennon's Take On It!)

Chipotle isn’t my favorite restaurant, but Mom and Dad like it. They aren’t really doggy friendly, here, so Mom and Dad have to take turns going inside to order. The patio is nice, though. The tables all have umbrellas, but they don’t provide much shade.

Also, it gets really windy on the patio! Last time, Daddy’s guacamole fell right on my head!

Chipotle gets Three Paws Up up from me!

Sincerely,

Lennon

Old Bedford School Concerts

www.oldbedfordschool.com

Well, one of our favorite events is already over for the summer, but it will pick up next summer- so definitely check it out! It starts in early April and it is called Old Bedford School Twilight Thursdays.

No Bones About It (Lennon's Take On It!)

I love going to Twilight Thursdays! It's a COMPLETELY free concert series put on by the city of Bedford. It's a chance to see really cool, eclectic bands for free AND you don't have to leave your best friend at home! They aren't just lame-o bands, either; this year they featured Me and My Monkey. They're a really sweet Beatles cover band that I, for one, highly recommend. They even talked to me from the stage!

A lot of people brought their dogs; it was so much fun! There is a huge grassy area with trees and a few picnic table. Mommy and Daddy brought chairs and take-out Chinese. The Chinese sucked, but the concert kicked tail!

I'll give it Four Paws Up!

Peace,

Lennon

Check it out.

The Londoner - Uptown

www.londonerdallas.com

I thought it would be fitting to start the blog off with my favorite place to take our puppy! All three of us (Lennon, the fiance, and myself) absolutely love going to the Londoner. In fact, every Sunday we have an outstanding brunch date there.

The atmosphere there is great! It really has a kicked back, London-esque feel. There is usually a football (soccer) or rugby playing on one of the many tvs and plenty of fans- no matter the time of day! The patio is huge and if you go upstairs, it is covered. The best waiter we've had there is named Sean. He's great. Every time we go in, without fail, he comes over and pets Lennon. Then he'll bring him a giant jug of water.

Now, here is Lennon's review of the place!

No Bones About It (Lennon's Take On It!)

The Londoner is my favorite place to go! Mommy and Daddy take me almost every Sunday for brunch. The waiter there is really nice; he always brings me out a big pitcher of water for me and gives me a lot of attention!

Mommy and Daddy love the $2.50 mimosas. I’ve licked up a little that has spilled on the ground and I can attest that they are strong! Mommy also loves the $5 Bloody Marys. She says that they are spicy and strong.

Daddy loves the The Full Monty. It is a really traditional English breakfast- big and greasy! Two eggs, apple smoked bacon, English banger, potatoes, mushrooms & tomatoes, baked beans, and toast fills him up every time. Mommy always gets the fish and chips. She says they are crisp, but don’t have that really fishy taste. They always come with a lovely dipping sauce, but if you want vinegar, you have to ask.

Daddy always gripes about parking, but it isn’t too bad. You usually just need to walk a block or two. There is a really nice, grassy park with a lot of shade right around the corner for an after-brunch pee.

The Londoner - Uptown gets Four Paws Up And A Buck's Fizz from me!

Cheerio!

Lennon

The Pooch Party

Dog Lovers,

What is the most aggravating thing about taking your beloved pooch with you when you run errands? For me, it is the fact that you never know who is dog-friendly and who isn't! I scoured the web looking for an extensive (not to mention regularly updated!) list that tells me where I can take my dog and couldn't find exactly what I was looking for. I found a few, but they were really outdated and many of the rules had changed since then.

This blog is called 'The Pooch Picks' for a reason. We take our dog everywhere we go. This means that we had to adapt our lifestyle a bit, but we have met some fantastic business owners along the way!

This will be an easy to use list of restaurants, book stores, clothing stores, bars, shoe stores, etc. that will love your pup as much as you do! If you're looking for something specfic, just use the search bar! Type in 'shoes' and I'll help you find a shoe store, etc.

The best part about this blog? My Saint Bernard puppy, Lennon, will give his own review of every place we go!

Have a question on whether or not a place is dog-friendly, but don't see it on the list? Post it in the comments; chances are that we've been there and have forgotten!