Month: April 2017

Not So Appetizing: Hefner, the Awkward Pooper

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Before Hefner, Charlie, and I moved from Mississippi to Savannah, the dogs didn’t travel with me locally very often because there were few places in our small town for them to go. I took them to the vet, or for a walk, and sometimes to visit my parents in Alabama, but they never went with me anywhere just to hang out for a few hours.

That’s why I was happy to move to a dog-friendly city like Savannah. Now, the dogs can come with me to eat, shop, and just hang out around town. I don’t have to leave them at home while I have all the fun. Not that it’s fun all the time.

Charlie and Hefner

Hefner and Charlie aren’t always the easiest dogs to walk together, because their noses have a habit of leading them in opposite directions, attempting to pull me apart like Mel Gibson at the end of Braveheart. But the dogs seem to enjoy walking around town and receiving rubs from new people, who are as happy to see them as the dogs are to see whatever scraps I might give them from our dining adventures.

However, this new freedom has caused me to face a reality I’ve been sure of for a long time: Hefner is an awkward pooper. I say that because he will poop anywhere, anytime, without warning.

Hefner

My little sister was actually the first person to make the observation. While visiting family in Alabama years ago, my sister took Hefner for a walk. Later, when she returned, she declared, “Your dog is an awkward pooper!” She then relayed the story to me of how Hefner had done his business in the middle of the road, with no regard for traffic, vehicular or otherwise.

The dogs and I were recently walking down Congress Street on the way to another of our dog-friendly adventures, and, without sniffing or circling or any other warning signs most dogs give, Hefner squatted in the middle of the sidewalk and went. He had no concern for anyone walking around us, especially the guy behind me who had to come to sudden stop to avoid stepping in the pile. Hefner has no sense of shame when it comes to public bathroom stops.

Hefner

Oh, so you say I should walk him for a while at home before I leave? I do that; it doesn’t help. Hefner apparently keeps a few poo bullets in the chamber for public dispersal. We will walk from one end of our apartment complex to the other, and he will go once or sometimes even twice, and I think we’re safe. But sure enough, after several blocks of downtown walking, there he goes. In the middle of the sidewalk. In the middle of traffic. In front of God and everyone.

Hefner has always been a lazy dog, as pugs can be. He would prefer napping on my bed to any other activity. So maybe it’s the large amount of walking that gets to him. Perhaps he’s protesting the unwelcome exercise that comes along with these new excursions. Maybe he’s clearing space in the hopes I’ll let him clean my plate.

Hefner and I

Whatever the reason, a long walk with Hefner is always an adventure (for the record, Charlie doesn’t seem to have this exhibitionist pooping habit). Something that I’ve learned through this project is to never underestimate the number of plastic bags one dogs can demand.

Vinnie Van Go-Go’s: Giant Pizza on a Little Table

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Vinnie Van Go-Go’s

317 West Bryan Street, Savannah

912-233-6394

Vinnie Van Go-go's

The dogs and I decided to go to Vinnie Van Go-Go’s for a very important reason. If you ever need to get Hefner and Charlie’s attention, maybe to get them to come to you or to perk up their ears for a photo (my most common usage), there are several effective words you can use:

  • “Cheese”
  • “Treat”
  • “Bedtime”
  • “Go outside”

The most powerful attention-grabber, however, has to be “pizza.” I just have to mention the food to get the dogs salivating for the crusts, which I give them in a misguided attempt to save carbs. I had sampled Vinnie Van Go-Go’s pizza before and was quite impressed, and I was pretty sure the dogs would be, too.

Vinnie Van Go-go's

Vinnie Van Go-Go’s is at the corner of City Market

 

Vinnie Van Go-Go’s is located at the corner of City Market in downtown Savannah, a two-block stretch of restaurants, bars, and shops that is usually full of tourists. Often, there is live music or some other event going on in the area to keep customers occupied while they wait for a table. Also, for the dogs, there’s a branch of Woofgang Bakery, the perfect place to find unique treats and accessories.

Vinnie Van Go-go's

The pups enjoyed the cool brick on a hot day!

I have to say, though, after this visit, Vinnie Van Go-Go’s can only really be considered dog-friendly because they have an outside area for eating, and they allow dogs to stay there. However, actually eating with the dogs is a little difficult.

Hefner really perks up when the pizza shows up
Charlie tries to look adorable when he’s begging for food

The tables and chairs are very lightweight plastic or metal, and they are crammed together on the sidewalk patio outside the small inside dining area. Therefore, there is no good place to tie the leashes and keep my pizza-hungry canines out of other customer’s laps. We had to resort to holding the leashes with one hand and eating with the other. Since the tables are small, and the pizzas quite large, it was a bit of a balancing act.

Vinnie Van Go-go's

Sometimes Hefner takes up way more space than is necessary

Though we tried our best to keep our tails out of the way of restaurant traffic, the hostess came to us shortly after we were seated and asked us to move the dogs out of the way, though that meant placing them out of the shade. Though it was conveyed in a fairly unfriendly way, she seemed to just be having trouble with people in her way that day; a few minutes later, I saw a customer unwittingly walk in front of her, and she rolled her eyes and then closed them for a few seconds, as if praying for the strength not to kill someone.

Vinnie Van Go-go's

Pizzas in picture may be larger than they appear

The pizza at Vinnie Van Go-Go’s is made on a Neapolitan crust, which is fairly thin in the middle with thick, fluffy edges around the perimeter of the pie. Build-your-own pizzas can be bought whole or by the slice, where customers choose their base and then add toppings by the up-charge. The pieces, either as part of a whole pizza or individually, are huge, so you won’t leave hungry. The menu also has spinach salads and calzones, the latter of which can be built by-the-topping like the pizzas.

Vinnie Van Go-go's

Even one piece fills up the whole plate

We chose one of the “white” pizzas on our visit, which has no sauce but is covered with ricotta, mozzarella, and parmesan cheeses. We added spinach and roasted red peppers to the whole pie, and I accented my half with feta cheese and mushrooms. The pizza was very cheesy (a positive, in this case), and the crust around the edges was just as chewy as I wanted it to be. Hefner and Charlie thought it was pretty tasty, too.

Vinnie Van Go-go's

We chose a pitcher of Bud Light (for the record, there were two of us drinking this)

Vinnie Van Go-Go’s doesn’t have an extensive drink menu, but they offer a couple of wines and some bottled beers. They also have a couple of beers on draft that you can get by the glass or pitcher. Those unable or unwilling to consume alcohol can choose from bottled water and a few other non-alcoholic choices.

Vinnie Van Go-go's

Customers should know that Vinnie Van Go-Go’s is cash only, so a trip to the ATM beforehand is a must. Also, the restaurant doesn’t take reservations, so a long wait for a table in the cramped dining area is always a possibility. Vinnie Van Go-Go’s offers pizza to go, though, for customers who are in a hurry to continue their tour of downtown Savannah. There are also some other “rules” on their website that customers should heed.

Vinnie Van Go-go's

Pizza is always a good choice for a hot day, right?

 

For unique and custom pizza, Vinnie Van Go-Go’s is a must go-go to. However, it might be easier to leave the dogs at home for this one and just bring home some leftover crusts for them.

Congress Street Social Club: I’m Gonna Drunk You “Gently”

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Congress Street Social Club

411 W Congress Street, Savannah

912-238-1985

The sign out front
Live music/DJ stage

I’ve visited the Congress Street Social Club several times before, usually during a weekend tour of bars downtown, but I had never brought the dogs with me before. The establishment allows dogs on their patio until 9:00 p.m., but Hefner, Charlie, and I visited Social Club in the early afternoon, giving us plenty of time to enjoy the dog-friendly atmosphere.

Congress Street Social Club

One of the bars inside

Social Club offers a variety of activities on its two levels, including billiards, darts, live music, DJs, and trivia nights, with three different bars at which to procure your alcohol.

Congress Street Social Club

Social Club’s outdoor patio and bar

We were able to secure a table near the fence (a perfect place to tie the leashes). Social Club’s patio is mostly shaded by a large tree rooted in the center, which was only a problem when leaves would occasionally blow into our drinks/food. There are other covered areas, including the outdoor bar, to escape the hot Savannah sun. The staff allowed us to set ourselves up and then brought us food and drink menus. Though our waitress was aware of the dogs, we had to ask for a bowl of water for them.

Congress Street Social Club

Hefner and Charlie enjoyed the people-watching by the fence.

Since Social Club is more of a drinking environment (there were other dogs on the patio, but no children present), the alcohol menu was my main focus. The drink menu is extensive, with a large selection of beer, bourbon, ryes, and whiskeys, but we decided to sample the four signature mixed drinks.

Congress Street Social Club

Social Club has quite an extensive drink and food menu

Social Club also has a couple of signature shots, including a house-made lemon-infused vodka they keep on tap ($5). The other shot, called the “Wild Chipmunk” ($6), is a blend of Rumpleminze and Jägermeister the menu deems “gentle” (gentle as a chainsaw lobotomy, I’m sure). I decided not to try either of these, as I was afraid I would lose not only my dogs, but also my faculties and bladder control.

Congress Street Social Club

The Social Tea (left) and the frozen Jack and Coke

I’m always game for an ICEE, so the signature frozen alcohol drinks drew my liver’s attention first. Social Club has a frozen Jack and Coke and a frozen Red Bull and vodka (both $7.50). Both promise a brain freeze when you drink them and a brain pain when you wake up the next morning. If you’ve ever had either of these mixed classics, the frozen versions taste much as you would expect. Just don’t drink them too quickly.

Congress Street Social Club

The Red Mule (left) and the frozen Red Bull and vodka

The other two signature drinks on the menu are the Social Tea (sweet tea vodka, peach, lemon and mint – $6) and the Red Mule (Deep Eddy Ruby Red vodka, ginger beer, and lime – $8). Too many of the Social Teas will probably cause trouble, because it’s hard to taste the alcohol in that one. It reminds me of the peach iced tea from your grandmother’s house. The Red Mule was pretty good, similar to most any other Moscow mule from any bar, minus the copper mug.

Congress Street Social Club

The Famous Failure Bowl

Social Club offers food in an attempt to soak up some of that alcohol, including my favorite food groups, mac and cheese and nachos. Social Club gives you the option to build your own mac and cheese bowl, but I decided to order something called the “Famous Failure Bowl” ($9.50), which is homemade mac and cheese topped with fried chicken fingers, bacon, barbecue and buffalo sauce, and fresh scallions (which I don’t enjoy, so I asked they leave off). I didn’t notice a lot of sauce in there, but there was plenty of the meat to compliment the cheese and pasta. I’m not sure whether I would prefer it more to prevent or heal a hangover, but it was good.

Congress Street Social Club

Brisket nachos

We also tried the brisket nachos ($9.95), chips topped with smoked brisket, queso, pico, guacamole, sour cream, jalapenos, and cilantro. The chips were a little too saturated with cheese dip, which made it a somewhat hard to eat, but nachos are good even if you have to use a fork.

Congress Street Social Club

More people-watching

Social Club’s food menu also offers chicken fingers, grilled steak, sandwiches, salads, barbecue, tacos, quesadilla, wings, and various sides.

Dogs on the patio
This guy’s name was Chubby (I didn’t bother getting the human’s)

Social Club’s patio is definitely dog-friendly, and there were several other dogs that came and went while we were enjoying ourselves. As I mentioned earlier, there is a sign by the entrance that states the patio is dog-friendly until 9:00 p.m. I’ve heard from a witness that rule is enforced, and they will ask you and your dog to vacate the premises at that time.

Congress Street Social Club

Hefner and Charlie relaxing on the patio

On our visit, there were no canine evictions, as we were there well before the curfew. I doubt exposing your dogs to the drunken late-night atmosphere would be a good idea anyway. My dogs already give me judgmental looks when I come home from the bar in the early-morning hours; they don’t need to witness how I got into that state.

Blowin’ Smoke Southern Cantina: Two People, Two Dogs, and a Big Pile of Meat

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Blowin’ Smoke Southern Cantina

1611 Habersham Street, Savannah, GA

912-231-2385

Blowin' Smoke Southern Cantina

Blowin’ Smoke Southern Cantina

When you’re looking for establishments where you can dine with canines, a restaurant that serves huge platters of meat sounds like a good place to start, right?

Menus

Blowin’ Smoke Southern Cantina

Blowin’ Smoke Southern Cantina is on the edge of Savannah’s historic district on a fairly quiet street, surrounded by mostly apartments and houses. The dining area feels like it is entirely outdoors, though the bar and part of the dining area are covered under a metal façade and open garage doors. There is a good bit of foot traffic past the patio, which makes for good people- (and dog-) watching.

Hefner and Charlie

Hefner and Charlie, secure on the umbrella base and enjoying their ice water

I called ahead to make sure that dogs were welcome on the patio, and the people on the phone were very nice. That pleasant attitude continued once the dogs , my human companion, and I arrived at the restaurant. The patio at Blowin’ Smoke is not particularly shady, but there are some trees near the corners and movable cement-based patio umbrellas, good for securing the dogs’ leashes (fact: sturdy leash security is vital to human restaurant enjoyment). Our waitress quickly brought Hefner and Charlie a bowl of ice water (and a couple of glasses for the humans as well).

Dog on the patio

We weren’t the only dogs on the patio!

The menu at Blowin’ Smoke offers a wide variety of drinks and meat-centric food options, including tacos, soups, salads, dips, barbecue platters, and an assortment of side dishes. The drink menu includes both bottled/canned domestic and craft beers, along with a couple of draft selections, and a decent selection of signature mixed drinks and wine, sangria, and margaritas. On my visit, I tried a few of the signature cocktails (I included their menu descriptions).

Hibiscus Mule
1611 Bloody Mary
Don Draper Old Fashioned
  • Hibiscus Mule: Tito’s vodka, hibiscus spirits, freshly squeezed lime juice, topped with ginger beer ($8). It was served in the typical copper mug, and it was very refreshing. This was definitely my favorite of the drinks I tried.
  • 1611 Bloody Mary: Referent Horseradish infused vodka, celery bitters, Blowin’ Smoke’s signature BBQ sauce, and garlic-infused Worcestershire sauce ($8). You can also add a pork belly skewer for an extra dollar, but after the huge amount of meat I consumed, I didn’t want any more pig in my face. They did a good job of not making my Bloody Mary too spicy, though there was a lot of pepper and sediment in the bottom of the glass that wasn’t pleasant to drink.
  • Don Draper Old Fashioned: Bulleit bourbon, blood orange liquor, cherry bark bitters, freshly muddled orange, and maraschino cherries ($8). The menu also mentions that it doesn’t come with a cigarette, but since it tasted kind of like melted bubblegum, I wasn’t really feeling the Mad Men vibe anyway.

Blowin’ Smoke has several appetizers to choose from, including something called the “$5 Holla,” a dish that apparently changes day-to-day. On this visit, it was a plate of fries covered in barbecue brisket and blue cheese crumbles. While I’m always a fan of strong cheese, the dish really needed some sort of sauce to make the toppings stick to the potatoes.

$5 Holla (for that day)

$5 Holla (for that day)

Since Blowin’ Smoke is a barbecue restaurant, we decided to go all-in and order the Holy Smoke Platter ($28, with a $5 up-charge for splitting, which we did). The platter includes a single (huge) beef rib, 4 ounces of pulled pork, 4 ounces of chopped brisket, and 2 sides (we chose the southwest mac and cheese and the Parmesan-crusted pickle spears).

Holy Smoke Platter

Holy Smoke Platter

Even though there were two humans eating, with dogs tagging in pretty regularly, we were only able to finish about half of it. The meat was cooked perfectly, charred on the outside and falling apart easily when I poked it with a fork. In fact, I wanted to hold up the gigantic rib bone, beef intact, to take a picture, but the meat dropped right off (which is a good thing, for those of you who don’t know).

With the beef bone

The meat made me smile (and pose with a huge bone)

As expected, Hefner and Charlie were fans of this place. They were able to eat most everything we ordered, and they had a shady place to lie down. There were several other dogs on the patio enjoying table scraps and the occasional rib bone. I gave the bone to Hefner and Charlie to see what they would do with it, but as my understanding is that cooked bones are bad for dogs, I retrieved it from them before they were able to splinter it.

Hefner and his rib bone

Hefner didn’t want to give the rib bone back…

At the end of the afternoon, the dogs and I left Blowin’ Smoke with smiles on our muzzles (and some leftover meat in our teeth).