Dr. Dawg Opening Soon; Patio Approved for Spring

Most dogs like being outside.

Even Dr. Dawg.

Davis Ross, owner of the Chicago-style hot dog and Italian beef restaurant set to open soon in the former Hooters building, 7700 W. Layton Ave., received approval to build a fenced-in, uncovered patio on the south side of the building.

Ross, who told Greenfield Patch he hopes to open the new restaurant by Feb. 1, got the OK from the City of Greenfield’s Common Council on Tuesday to build the patio between the sidewalk on 76th Street and the front of the building. He did, however, have to scale back the original scope of the patio, which was initially 1,440-square-feet and could have held nine four-person tables as well as a few benches.

The new patio is expected to accommodate as many as six tables, and customers will be able to have alcoholic beverages on it.

In addition to the patio concessions, Ross also had to bend on his desire to erect a 19-foot high sign that would have featured a giant hot dog and fork. Instead, the city approved a tamer 13-foot sign that does not include the hot dog and fork.

“There was a split at the Planning Commission,” Mayor Michael Neitzke said. Some thought it was too high, some thought it was artistic. I liked the fork and the hot dog. It looks kind of cool, but … I had concerns with the next business that came along and wanted to put a big muffler up there.”

Ross also told council members that plans to add a drive-thru might be ditched for a proposal to add curbside service instead. That special use request would have to come back to the Common Council at a later date.