The Cottage Adds Dog-Friendly Dining Area

CRYSTAL LAKE, IL — Paul Leech, owner of The Cottage in downtown Crystal Lake, says local dog owners have been asking for an outdoor space where they could dine and drink while their pups lounged nearby.

And so after the restaurant's indoor area reopened, and with the back deck regularly packed again, Leech said a dog-friendly garden has been added to a fenced-in grassy area on on the front side of the business. The area is approved by the city as a space meant for extra outdoor dining amid COVID restrictions through the end of the summer.

"We decided to do add the dog-friendly garden because people kept asking for it," Leech said.

The local restaurant, at 6 E. Crystal Lake Road, has tables with umbrellas set up in the area as well bowls of water and bags available for dog owners to pick up their pup's waste. He said right now, the dog-friendly garden has been pretty quiet.

"Not a lot of people know about it, yet," he said.

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Those stopping out with their pup can check in with the main hostess on the opposite side of the building. A doggie menu could also be coming soon, Leech said. Staff is waiting for more people to begin utilizing the area before introducing dog friendly food options.

Leech said he hopes local dog owners will appreciate the new space. Some area restaurants designate special nights when pups can join their owners on their patio while others allow people to bring their dogs on their main deck.

Leech said he does not know many restaurants that have designated a specific space, as the Cottage has, for pups.

The Cottage is open from 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. Sunday through Thursday and from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. on Friday and Saturday. Reservations are required for dinner times on Friday and Saturday, but otherwise, walk-ins are welcome.

More via The Cottage website and Facebook page