The Angus Barn

Or call (919) 781-2444 or email angusbarn@angusbarn.com for more information.

• Natalie
  Mar 15, 2020
  Amazing Restaurant, But Not For Dog owners!

  If I were to rate this just as a restaurant, it would definitely get 5 stars. It’s an amazing place with amazing food. But in terms of a dog-friendly place, it is not the place to go.

  I was an out-of-towner staying alone in a nearby hotel for a funeral. I had my pooch with me and he couldn’t be left alone in the room because he barks, so I checked out “BringFido” for somewhere nearby to grab a quick bite to eat. When I came across the Angus Barn on the app, it seemed to be a casual dog-friendly place. I was wrong on both accounts

  The restaurant was beautiful. It is huge, with expansive grounds and twinkling white lights everywhere. I have since learned that it is a famous venue in Raleigh. I parked and put my pooch on his leash and approached, hoping the dog-friendly area would be obvious to find. It was not. I found an outdoor bartender and asked him about the dog-friendly area and he knew nothing about it. He directed me to the main door and instructed me to go inside to ask. I hesitated and told him I didn’t want to bring my dog inside and he assured me it would be ok. I then walked past probably 75 well dressed patrons on the huge patio with their cocktails, several who seemed to look at me with disdain, as I walked up the steps to the main door. When I got to the door, I poked my head in and gestured to a hostess, (who looked just as confused as the outdoor bartender) and she hesitantly waved me inside. As I walked in with my tiny 11 pound dog, one female guest took the opportunity to sneer and loudly state “oh my God, she’s actually bringing it in here.”

  I got to the stand and told the still confused hostess that I’d made a mistake and would be leaving. At that moment, a male employee appeared and said to me matter-of-factly, that dogs are “always welcome at the Angus Barn” and to please follow him through the kitchen to the dog-seating area. I jokingly asked him if that was allowed by the health department (I was smiling and clearly kidding) and he responded humorlessly “if you prefer, we will walk around the building rather than through it,” and took off through the front door that I had just come through...

  We walked a long ways around the building and the man said nothing to me during this time. It was very awkward. We got to a back patio and he gestured to the seating area and took off - No one greeted me and so I sat myself and waited forever for waitstaff to acknowledge me. I was the only person with a dog.

  When I was finally greeted by my waiter, about twelve minutes later, he was wonderful and attentive. The food was among the best I’ve ever had. I have no complaints, only praise, for the chefs and the servers.

  Bottom line is, this is an amazingly beautiful place with exceptional food. It is one of those places you should go to celebrate a special moment in life, not to grab a meal with your dog. I really think they shouldn’t advertise on ‘bringfido.com’ at all, or if they’re going to, they should educate their staff on their so-called dog-friendly policy. I will admit, I am a bit thin-skinned to begin with, but my experience that night seemed unnecessarily humiliating.

We dug up a dog picture at The Angus Barn.

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