Quick Friday lunch with a friend in between meetings. Needed to be close to one of the next meeting locations. So I went in search of something at Worldgate Center. First off, I called EVERY restaurant listed for WorldGate.
Turcuisine, which is listed on bringfido as dog friendly, sounded good to me but not my lunch date. Knowing how picky *I* am, I am not bothered in the least by other people’s preferences. So that goes on the “later” list.
TGIFriday’s, always a safe if bland bet, will allow dogs outside but they can’t be on the patio. I was unwilling to tie Honor up outside the patio fence.
I seriously considered giving up and not bringing him. But, on a whim I gave one more try. This time my call to McAlister’s Deli was answered. Outside seating? Sure. Dog allowed? Absolutely.
Feeling like it was a win on every count I headed over with Honor and tow. My friend arrived a few minutes before us and waited so we could walk in together. McAlister’s is a counter ordered, table delivered establishment so Honor and I dutifully waited outside while he went in. A moment later he came back and said “they said to bring him on in to order, the restaurant is not full.
“Win – McAlister’s.
I ordered a muffaleta, the one item of food I fell in love with when we lived in New Orleans and for which I am on a continuous search to find locally (don’t anyone recommend the Italian Store in Arlington – as delicious as they are, they are not authentic and I’m always disappointed.) I was balancing dog, purse, and large soda in my hands and one of the folks at McAlister’s noticed and helped us navigate the wiggly puppy obstacle course AND carried out the water and water bowl.
Win 2 – McAlister’s.
We sat down and tried to relax. Honor was at high energy (for him) so he wiggled around like a 2-year old, dumped over his water and tried to eat the bowl. Fortunately, plentiful parking meant I could hop over to my car to grab Honor’s “doggy bag” while my friend graciously kept Honor with him AND managed to avoid getting white dog hair all over his dress pants.
Today’s dog logistics were too much for me to manage a camera – although I was wishing I had one on the way back from my car. Honor was sitting quietly next to my lunch companion and, for once, not getting in trouble. It was one of those classic “man’s best friend” scenes.
The muffaletta was good. Our meal finished we visited for a few minutes while Honor took every one of his toys out of the bag and then stuck his nose in the treat bag. I didn’t notice that right off.
It was a quiet location and the day was nice. It was one of those lunches where you don’t talk much and nothing about McAlister’s makes you feel guilty about the comfortable silence.
Honorarium: Not a bad place for people watching. No room under the tables but that was okay. I got to go inside and I love that. Also, lots of pats from the staff and a few passersby.
Verdict: Perfect for a quick, easy, and reasonably priced lunch.
The Wandering Pup 