I understand that public facilities are required to allow service animals and their owners to enter. Tonight, my wife and I decided to try Lupe Tortilla, not having eaten there before. While waiting for our meal, a woman left with a dog on a leash - no indication that this was a service animal (blue jacket, service animal coat, etc.) walking from the rear of the dining room out the front door.
I went to the hostess desk and asked if animals were allowed inside. The young lady said "we assume that it was a service dog and are not allowed to ask". I complained, telling her that I don't eat with dogs, and asked that she pass my complaint to the management.
Shortly, a polite gentleman in a chef's coat came to our table and explained that the restaurant MUST allow people to bring in their comfort animals. I explained what the hostess had told me and that the dog had no ID showing it to be anything other than a pet.
Later, as we were leaving, the manager stopped by and discussed it with us. I again repeated that I don't eat with dogs and that I understood that he had a choice - either serve such inconsiderate people in the dining room or lose my business. We had a civil discussion and my wife and I left, totally disappointed in our experience.
The health department will downgrade a restaurant for minor offenses like "slime in the ice machine" or a cracked cooking utensil, but totally disregard a dirty animal in a public dining area. Is there ANY logic in that? If dogs must be allowed, can't they be segregated from those of us who are allergic or simply chose not to share our meal with dogs. How about a separate room for people with dogs and call it something cute like "the Kennel" or "the Farm". I'd even settle for a separate room for people only, labeled "old people yelling at clouds".
I went to the hostess desk and asked if animals were allowed inside. The young lady said "we assume that it was a service dog and are not allowed to ask". I complained, telling her that I don't eat with dogs, and asked that she pass my complaint to the management.
Shortly, a polite gentleman in a chef's coat came to our table and explained that the restaurant MUST allow people to bring in their comfort animals. I explained what the hostess had told me and that the dog had no ID showing it to be anything other than a pet.
Later, as we were leaving, the manager stopped by and discussed it with us. I again repeated that I don't eat with dogs and that I understood that he had a choice - either serve such inconsiderate people in the dining room or lose my business. We had a civil discussion and my wife and I left, totally disappointed in our experience.
The health department will downgrade a restaurant for minor offenses like "slime in the ice machine" or a cracked cooking utensil, but totally disregard a dirty animal in a public dining area. Is there ANY logic in that? If dogs must be allowed, can't they be segregated from those of us who are allergic or simply chose not to share our meal with dogs. How about a separate room for people with dogs and call it something cute like "the Kennel" or "the Farm". I'd even settle for a separate room for people only, labeled "old people yelling at clouds".