Six dog-friendly places to grab a bite to eat with the whole family, and what to know
No need to leave the furriest family member at home when dining out because there are a handful of options in or around Gardner that allow dogs in the restaurant's outdoor seating.
Most of these restaurants have dog policies that each customer with a pet needs to follow strictly. Some policies include but are not limited to having tags and vaccination displayed on the dog's collar, no more than one dog per customer, dogs cannot be fed the restaurant food on the property, no barking, no jumping, and no playing at the outdoor area.
If these restaurants aren't exactly what you're looking for, then grab a picnic (from home or takeout) and head to one of the many parks in Greater Gardner to include your dog into family dinners.
Local restaurants
A Massachusetts staple, Red Apple Farm in Phillipston has an outdoor area with picnic tables equipped with umbrellas outside of the Brew Barn for sunny days. The farm's Brew Barn offers locally sourced beer and also serves a full menu of food. Ribs, pulled pork, hot dogs, and mac and cheese are just a few of the items on the menu at the Brew Barn. They also have kids' sized meals. The Brew Barn is open Monday through Thursday from 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Kay's Dairy Bar in Westminster has outdoor seating. The dairy bar offers a variety of appetizers, hot dogs, burgers, seafood platters and sandwiches along with dozens of ice cream flavors for dessert. The menu also includes kids' meals and cone sizes. The dairy bar is open Monday and Tuesday from noon to 7 pm., Wednesday to Saturday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Another place in Westminster that allows dogs in the outdoor seating area is the Wachusett Brewing Company's Brew Yard. The brewery has a kitchen with BBQ platters for the whole family. The Brew Yard also offers flatbread pizza, chicken tenders and wings, and burgers. Kid-size meals are available too. The Brew Yard is open Monday to Thursday from noon to 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday from noon to 10 p.m., and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
If you're willing to drive
Make a trip to the historic downtown of Concord, where there are many historic sites that allow dog visitors too. When it's time for lunch or dinner, take the whole family to Main Street Cafe and Market, as its outdoor seating is dog friendly. The café has been serving the community for 125 years. The menu has a large range of items for all kinds of appetites, from vegetable risotto for the vegetarian to beef chili for the carnivore. Concord is approximately a 35-minute drive from Gardner.
A 35-minute drive, the whole family can dine out at Rapscallion Table and Tap in Acton, where there is a quaint patio area that allows dogs. The small, family-owned restaurant, bar, and micro-brewery focuses on creating meals and drinks from locally sourced ingredients. The Acton location is a restaurant in a small renovated historic farmhouse at 5 Strawberry Hill Road. The restaurant is open Monday to Saturday from noon to 10 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 8 p.m.
Chill Kitchen & Bar in Marlborough has a dinner, lunch, and weekend brunch menu which include kids' meals. The restaurant is a 45-minute drive from Gardner. The outdoor patio seating has enough space for the whole family including Buster. The patio is equipped with umbrellas when it's too sunny and heaters for the cold. Several menu items can be altered to be gluten free and vegetarian friendly. The kitchen is open Monday to Thursday and Sunday from noon to 9 p.m., Friday from noon to 10 p.m., and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
This article originally appeared on Gardner News: Dog-friendly dining, North Central Mass: Red Apple Farm, Kay's Dairy Bar
