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#LGB
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The ‘Welcome’ sign chalked in the restaurant to greet guests. Guests without canines may access the patio from the restaurant.
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A sampling of beers offered at Tamm Avenue Grill.
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Beer decor along the back wall.
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The tasso French dip sandwich. The portions are huge.
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The regular door to the game room and arcade.
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Manager Steve Boulch behind the outdoor garage bar next to the game room.
The patio, the game room, the big screen projection during games at Tamm Avenue Grill – they’ve all gone to the dogs. “We want to be known as ‘The Neighborhood Joint’ for Dogtown people,” manager Steve Boulch says. “We also want people to know city-wide we have the most dog-friendly patio in town.”
Boulch and his cronies at Tamm Avenue haven’t missed a trick when it comes to canine comforts.
- Dogs and their companions enter through a very special private door at the side and back of the restaurant.
- Dog bowls full of cool water placed around the patio guarantees the dogs can match their humans drink for drink.
- There’s absolutely no glass allowed anywhere on the patio. Cans, plastic and metal – yes. Glass? Never. “We don’t want any cut-up dog paws,” Boulch says.
- The servers have dog treats.
- A private doggy potty patch is in the works, away from the main action, but close and comfortable for Fido or Fifi to do their businesses in peace. FYO: The potty patch is gender neutral.
- The rules for Yappy time at Tamm are written and posted in English, for the owners to digest, so dogs can be dogs and relax.
For the humans, Boulch, Bob Brazell and Ryan McDonald have created an excellent game-room-in-a-garage complete with:
- A roll-up door for when the weather’s nice.
- There’s a regular door, painted with game characters and symbols, for inclement weather.
- The wall mural painted depicts snarling animal heads and a coat of arms. Very chic.
- A plenty-fast shuffleboard game and a new pool table, not even scuffed.
- Games galore including one with a gun that shoots, a Golden Tee game, cabinet games and more.
- The game room welcomes both men and women, but the decor leans heavily to the man-cave side, right down to the cinder block walls and the low wooden couch with orange and brown floral patterned cushions. “That couch came right outta my basement,” Ryan McDonald says.
As is the above-mentioned amenities aren’t enough, add a big screen projector to the mix and watch the fans go crazy along with their dogs. Ditto for the live music program.
- The viewing area includes some mighty comfy couches and coffee tables in addition to the regular tables and high tops with bar stools.
- Catch live tunes every Saturday night and Sunday afternoons.
- Tommy Halloran’s Guerilla Swing looks like they could be the house band with shows booked for every other week on Sunday afternoons.
Bob Brazell, Steve Boulch, and Ryan McDonald
Tamm Avenue Grill serves liquor, beer, wine, soda, water and generous sandwiches, appetizers to share, sides that comfort and a simple dessert perfect for the patio – the ice cream drumstick. Bar food, yes, but upscale and a little twisted. The same minds that brought you the Mother Clucker chicken sandwich at Byrd & Barrel (Bob Brazell and Ryan McDonald) devised Tamm Avenue’s newest offerings, including:
- A tasso French dip sandwich, smoked pork nachos, trash wings, burnt ends, and a grilled chicken sandwich (below).
- Provel mac and cheese.
- Broccoli salad with raisins and sunflower seeds in a creamy dressing (below).
- Ryan McDonald concocted a super-hot sauce for the Inferno wing challenge at opening. “I used habaneros, scorpions, ghost peppers and napa vipers – all peppers high on the Scoville – made into a past and fermented seven days,” McDonald says.
We told you about the guest dogs, but Boulch tells me their commitment to canines goes beyond good times, cold brews, and hanging out with the humans.
- Tamm Avenue Grill will sponsor doggie adoption days one weekend a month. “We’re right between the APA (Animal Protective Association) and the Humane Society, so we’re looking to promote dog adoptions as well.
- Look for doggy contests, too, like ‘Cutest dog’ or ‘Ugliest Pooch.’
- The Westminster Dog Show might look pretty good on that big screen. Just sayin’.
Three parting shots from the fertile minds at Tamm Avenue:
- “There is no dog park in Dogtown,” McDonald says. “People need a place to take their dogs.”
- Look for Sunday Fundays, Happy Hour specials, and more on Facebook.
- “A lot of our staff has dogs,” Boulch says. “My dog, Brie Cheese & Crackers, even has her own Facebook page.” Boulch may be pulling our leg here — I couldn’t find her Facebook page to share.
Tamm Avenue Grill
1227 Tamm
Phone: 314-261-4902
Mon - Sat: 11 a.m. - 1:30 a.m.
Sun: 11 a.m. - Midnight
