Where to Eat Chinese Food With Your Chow Hound on Christmas

Posted by Jessica Roberts

December 25th is the busiest day of the year for Chinese restaurants in America. Immortalized in "A Christmas Story," the tradition of taking the family out for Chinese food during the holiday actually dates back to the beginning of the last century. Jewish families would patronize Chinese businesses on Christmas, as they were the only places open. These days, it has become a beloved custom for many people, Jewish and not. So if your Yuletide memories include egg rolls and lo mein, here are six dog-friendly Chinese restaurants where your canine can join you to dine on the patio - as long as the weather outside isn’t too frightful, of course.

Fido, you win some, you lose some, and you dim sum.Photo by @worldofjaxonmorkie

1. Howard Wang's Uptown - Dallas, TX

Howard Wang’s Uptown is a relaxing, modern eatery that relies on Wang family recipes to create specialties like their famous rolls and beloved dumplings, which are prepared fresh every day. If the weather cooperates, Fido is welcome to join you at one of the pet-friendly outdoor tables, where you can enjoy a Christmas meal of Jade Vegetable Dumplings and dim sum or the signature Peking Duck. The restaurant will be open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Christmas Eve and on Christmas Day from 5 to 9 p.m.

Ten minutes by car from Howard Wang's is the uber-cool Main Street Garden Urban Dog Run, where you can work off your meal with your best bud. When you're both good and tired, walk two blocks to your room at the luxury pet-friendly hotel, The Joule Dallas, where Fido can snuggle up in the dog bed provided.

2. Christina Wan's - Fort Lauderdale, FL

The Wan family has been serving locals and visitors in South Florida since 1966, and third-generation restaurateur Christina Wan continues the tradition at her warm and welcoming restaurant. Christina Wan’s specializes in traditional Mandarin fare like roast pork bar-b-que, butterfly shrimp and her grandfather’s dumplings recipe. Special “Sunset Dinners” are available daily from 3 to 6 p.m. for around $14 and include your choice of meat, soup, rice and rolls. Pups are welcome on the front patio, and reservations for the holidays are recommended. Christina Wan's will be open on Christmas Day from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., but is closed on Christmas Eve.

If you’re spending time in Fort Lauderdale this holiday season, stay beachside at the pet-friendly Westin Beach Resort Fort Lauderdale. Be sure to bring your yowler to YOLO while you’re in the area to warm up at the pet-friendly outdoor fire pit.

Eat lo mein with your lil' man in Atlanta Chinatown's garden.Photo by Atlanta Chinatown

3. Atlanta Chinatown - Atlanta, GA

To get your hot pot in "Hotlanta" on December 25th, visit Atlanta Chinatown's food court. The six restaurants here serve authentic dishes from across China, as well as Taiwanese, Vietnamese, Laotian and Korean cuisines. Your "Moo Goo Gai Pug" is welcome to dine with you year-round at the courtyard tables by the koi pond in the artfully designed and charming garden area. Atlanta Chinatown will be open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

Stick around for the "howlidays" in the Northeast Atlanta Suburbs near Atlanta Chinatown at the pet-friendly Residence Inn by Marriott Atlanta Buckhead Lenox Park.

4. Tommy's Wok Chinese Cuisine - Sausalito, CA

Word around town is that the most popular Chinese restaurant in Sausalito is Tommy’s Wok Chinese Cuisine. A longtime favorite among locals, this cozy, upscale eatery is located at the northern edge of Sausalito. The well-maintained, pet-friendly patio holds only a few tables, so call ahead before coming to chow with your Chow Chow. Tommy's Wok Chinese Cuisine is open 4 to 9 p.m. on Christmas.

Work off the meal with a hike at Marin Headlands before you cozy up in your luxurious room at Cavallo Point Lodge, where the fire is so delightful and jingle pups are treated to bedding, a doggie towel and goodies.

Best Hawaiian "howliday" ever.Photo by Facebook.com/WardVillage

5. Panya - Honolulu, HI

“Mele Kalikimaka” is the thing to say on a bright, Hawaiian Christmas Day, and “xie xie ni” is the thing to say when your server brings you a delicious bowl of Oxtail Soup on the patio at Panya on Christmas Eve. The Asian-fusion fare here is delicious, but make sure to save room for some of their delicious pastries for dessert. The restaurant will be open on Christmas Eve from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.

After your Asian-fusion feast, retire to this Sanctuary by the Sea, a pet-friendly vacation rental where dogs of any size are welcome for no additional fee. Take your furry little mele on a real adventure with Ohana Surf Project, or simply soak up some late December sun together on a pet-friendly beach.

6. Dao's Tai Pan's - Tucson, AZ

Dao’s Tai Pan’s in the heart of Tucson attracts those searching for homestyle Vietnamese, Thai and Chinese cooking. Its renowned pho soup and spicy Chicken Lemongrass will have you reaching for your special house Bubble Tea with fruity boba pearls. Your pooch is welcome to join you at one of the four tables in the outdoor area of this hidden gem from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Christmas Eve.

Bed and Bagels of Tucson, a boutique property nestled between the mountains and the city, is the “pawfect” spot for you and your furry friend to stay if you’re spending the winter holiday thawing out in the Southwest.

For more ways to dine with your hound during the holidays, check out these 18 hotels with dog room service menus.

Will you be eating out on Christmas with your pup? Leave a comment or tweet us @BringFido!

Banner photo by Svetlana Gumerova.