Houston recently passed a city ordinance late in 2011 that allows pets to sit on patios at restaurants. Until then, it was impossible to have a pet-friendly restaurant in Houston. Since the ordinance passed, several restaurants around the city have opened their patios to pooches. Not all restaurants with patios cater to pets, because they must gain approval from the city of Houston to let pets on their patio, and some of the restaurants that are allowed to cater to pets differ in how they treat your furry friend. Check out the best restaurants in Houston that make pets and their owners feel the most welcome.

Christian’s Tailgate Bar & Grill
Midtown Location
2000 Bagby St. Suite 106
Houston, TX 77002
(713) 527-0261

Heights Location
2820 White Oak Drive
Houston, TX 77007
(713) 863-1207
www.christianstailgate.com

If you have a dog and love great burgers, visit any of the Christian’s locations and share a great meal together. Christian’s has been known for its laid-back atmosphere and stellar burgers for more than 70 years. When you bring your dogs to either the Midtown or Heights location, you can order for them from Christian’s “Mutt Menu.” This menu features dog-friendly versions of favorite people foods like “puptarts,” hamburgers, hot dogs, pup pizza, doggy beer, and doughnuts. Neither you nor your dog will leave the patio hungry. Now you only have to train your pooch to pick up the tab!

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Ziggy’s Bar and Grill
Downtown Location
702 Main St.
Houston, TX 77002
(713) 527-8588

Montrose Location
302 Fairview St.
Houston, TX 77006
(832) 519-0476
www.ziggysbarandgrill.com

Ziggy’s was the first restaurant in Houston to get its permit to allow dogs on the patio. When you bring your dog here on a leash, your pet gets a dish of water while you dine to keep him cool in the Houston heat. Best of  all, you can visit either of the two Ziggy’s locations for this same treatment. The downtown location is closed during dinner hours, so if you want to get some great eats off of Ziggy’s menu for supper, you’ll have to travel to Montrose.

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Barnaby’s Cafe
1701 S. Shepherd Drive
Houston, TX 77019
(713) 520-5131
www.barnabyscafe.com

It should come as no surprise that a restaurant named for the owner’s late sheepdog should be a dog-friendly spot. All of the Barnaby’s locations have pet-friendly patios. To keep their people guests and pets cool, a large fan is used on the patio, and visiting dogs get a chilly bowl of ice water to keep them cool. The staff at all the locations of Barnaby’s are exceptionally friendly, and the theme of the decor of these restaurants is a cartoon caricature of Barnaby the sheepdog.

Petite Sweets
2700 W. Alabama St.
Houston, TX 77098
(713) 520-7007
www.petitesweetshouston.com

It gets hot in Houston, even when it’s not during the middle of the summer, and one of the best ways to cool yourself off is with a frozen treat. Now you and your pet can visit Petite Sweets and indulge your needs for something chilly on a warm day. Humans can order cups of gelato or frozen custard to-go or for eating on the patio with your pet. Dogs can enjoy Petite Sweets’ house-made chicken “pupsicles” with a real chicken flavor and a bone for a stick. Visit the patio at Petite Sweets with your pooch today to try a frozen treats for both of you.

Crystal Hessong ia a freelance writer and a lifelong, fourth generation Houstonian. She is currently covering Home & Life. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.