Spotted Dog Restaurant & Bar

07/09/2008 Posted by gritcamel

I went for the first time two or so years ago, and it didn't take long to become my favourite place. Seriously, you can get anything you're craving at this place. The wait staff are incredibly knowledgable about everything they serve, and they're always more than happy to guide you along. Sometimes I let them pick for me, and I'm never disappointed. It's one of the few places I believe them when they say that everything is homemade and secret recipes. The bartenders are awesome and the servers are generally pretty fun. So the service is good, and the ambiance is just right, and the space is really interesting, but the food. The food is just so good. The menu is primarily vegetarian and vegan, and even though I am neither, I still can find anything I need and leave satisfied. The portions are just the right size, and the price is really very reasonable for the quality and amount of food. They have everything from organic salads to fantastic turkey burgers to crab cakes to amazing pastas. Soup of the Day is always off-beat yet very tasty. But don't forget to save room for dessert! They have the best restaurant coffee I've ever had, and the desserts are amazing. When I said they have it all, I meant it, because they have a bakery, too. (The Bread Pudding and the Tortes are my favourites). Every town in America would be lucky to have a restaurant like the Spotted Dog.

11/02/2007 Posted by jusandjak10

The food is good. The staff is sarcastic, rude, and inattentive. They are stingy with their cranberry juice, and get this, it is the stuff that comes in little cans. I once asked for cranberry juic e with no ice and the waitress said she could only fill the glass half way! I asked her why and she replied If I fill it to the top I would be giving you more juice than I give everyone else! As many times as I was in there I never saw any reason to leave a large tip, or any for that matter. They all seem like they are very unhappy to be working where they are. No smiles. No conversation. Nothihg you go out to eat for. I forgot to mention they are often out of menu items, and more than occasionally their hood breaks down. With so many choices in the Chapel Hill Carrboro area, don't bother with this place.

Cons: waitstaff borders on hateful!

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08/31/2007 Posted by veggiegirl1975

This place is great for their veggie BBQ sandwiches and "Buffalo Wings", both of which are vegan. Lots of other vegetarian/vegan options and across from the Weaver Street Market which sells many natural/veggie products.

Pros: Vegan/Vegetarian Options

02/16/2007 Posted by roxie27510

The Spotted Dog in Carrboro is definately one of the best spots in the area. The menu offers interesting twists on more traditional dishes...there are plenty of options for vegetarians and "carnivores" alike. And always ask for the desert menu, it changes fairly frequently but always offers something delicious. The beer is awesome...they have both the "standby" selection for the less adventuresome, but also a great selection of microbrews to enjoy. Check out their "mystery microbrew" night(just one of their great specials)...you tell the bartender what kind of brew you're in the mood for and she picks out a microbrew for you...at a buck off the already great price. It's a great way to try one of their many "doggie" themed beers, or just to try something a little of the beaten path. In reading the other reviews I have noticed a few complaints about the service, but I stop for a beer and a bite to eat there regularly, and I have never had anything but a great experience. The staff is small and so the faces quickly become familiar...the bartenders in particular are very nice and friendly, and are very knowledgable about the food and the beer selection and will take the time to answer your questions, and even allow you to sample the drafts. Yes, it is a small place, in a funky shaped building, but that only adds to it's charm. Yes, if you come with a large party, or during the dinner hour on a busy night you can expect to wait, but that is simply a characteristic of a restaurant that size...they do a wonderful job. So try the Spotted Dog for dinner and a brew, dessert and a glass of wine, or go for lunch and a Bloody Mary on a Sunday afternoon...enjoy the great atmosphere, fun and friendly staff, and delicious food and drink...you'll love it too!

Pros: Ambience, Service, Beer List

12/17/2006 Posted by bobby502

I wanted to comment on a few of the reviews. 1st of all: we have quiet cozy seating. Yes we are a small establishment! The building used to be a post office and is shaped in a triangular pattern. This does'nt leave enough room for a lot of big tables. 2nd... We are very conscientious about our customers needs and diet concerns. We have great food and it is made to order. Last month we received a health rating of 100.5! This month went even higher with a wopping health score of 101.5! We get very busy, and if that means you have to wait an extra few minutes just know that we are aware and trying to serve your table the best as humanly possible! I as a server have had a great positive responce from my tables and working at the dog has made me many new friends! Also I wanted to say.... you will love the experience and the food at The Spotted Dog! ----------Robert---------------

Pros: Great food

Cons: ?

12/01/2006 Posted by philadendrun

I want to like Spotted Dog, so I have tried it three times. The first two times, I had mediocre but not horrible service-- slow, not very helpful or polite, but not bad enough to walk out. The last time was bad enough I can't go back. While ordering, my mother-in-law asked the server a question about the rye bread. She answered, "I wouldn't know what it's like, I'm vegan and don't eat it." Just a bit odd, given that her job is to "serve" and sell the food. I ordered a salad, which was good (I love the dressing). We waited, and waited, and waited. Meanwhile my two-year-old ran out of water, and we couldn't get anyone to refill it. After 50 minutes of waiting (literally), unable to get our server to so much as look at us, we finally mentioned politely to another server that we were concerned with how long it had been since we'd seen our server. She brashly said, "I wouldn't worry about it." We waited another 10 minutes, and when no one came to so much as tell us that we hadn't actually been forgotten, we left money for our salad, and walked out, explaining to them why. Perhaps because we didn't order vegan, we weren't worthy of service? I can only guess. I'm sorry to have to write the first negative review of my life, but since this has been consistent in my experience there, I'm hoping someone addresses it, since there are some good qualities in the restaurant (great art, good food, other than one time my husband had a sandwich he thought was stale).

Pros: nice art, some good food

Cons: rude, slow service

11/07/2006 Posted by yalik

Im still so disgusted with my trip to the Spotted Dog in Chapel Hill that I just had to write this review. Sunday, I went to lunch with a couple friends and we went to the Spotted Dog because we wanted Bloody Mary's. Our food was okay except for the fact they charged my friend 1.00 for lettece and tomato and .50 for a slice of bread. The real problem was the Bloody Mary's .. they were small .. 4 gulps small, we had requested top shelf which is Kettle one vodka at this place and the board read "bloody mary special 3.00" when we inquired about the drinks we also expressed our concern about thier size and the fact that we couldnt taste any alcohol .. the glasses were tiny and stuffed with ice .. so how much kettle one could be in there?? When we were done drinking the drinks we took one of the glasses and poured water from a full glass of water into it, it only took 1/3 of a glass of water to fill it, leaving me with the belief i just got charged an xtra 1.00 for a 1/2 shot of alcohol and very little tomato juice .. no garnish and the waitress refused to complain to the bartender because he/she was also the manager. To top it all off they charged us 5.00 per Bloddy Mary plus an xtra dollar each for top shelf and refused to budge .. I dont pretend to be the best bartender ever but I do know a good bloody mary and these were terrible, on top of that our entire table felt cheated and for my friends it wasnt the first time being dissapointed at the Spotted Dog. I have to add that there was celery garnish and a ton of horseradish in the blody Mary, they tasted fishy!!! .... I would have sent it back if I had known I was getting a 5 dollar drink with and xtra dollar for top shelf (6.00 total) but I had a craving for bloody mary's and figured as the special board read these were 3 dollar drinks made small proportionally and another dollar for top shelf .. I will not dine there again. Yalik

Pros: Its convienient and has a nice name .. the hostess is Hot!

Cons: something always goes wrong at this place .. never a good experience

12/16/2005 Posted by pg4

The salad and veggie burger were great. The server was so personable. The ambience rocks. Great beer selection. Give it a try!

06/17/2005 Posted by n2fud

Enjoyed a Greek Sampler and a BLT sandwich with fries. Nice restaurant, good service, will go back.

07/05/2004 Posted by MonAccount

Inspired creations sure to satisfy everyone! We were greeted with a smile and seated promptly. Being vegetarians and unfamiliar with the restaurant, we had a lot of questions about the menu- the staff was knowledgeable, friendly and accommodating. The food was prepared and presented with attention to detail... and delicious! It was a pleasant experience I'm looking forward to enjoying again and again.

Pros: Service, Quality, Prices