A call for a smokeless Dot’s Back Inn in Style Weekly
Over at Style Weekly, one of Deveron Timberlake’s readers issues a call for the new owners of Dot’s Back Inn to think about another change in their business:
A reader responds to our recent item that “wise diners predicted weeks ago that Dot’s Back Inn would jump on the brunch bandwagon.”
T.F. writes: “Now, if Dot’s would just jump on the nonsmoking bandwagon. I live about two blocks from it and I can’t remember the last time I ate there. Oh, yes I do! I smelled like I’d smoked two packs of cigarettes when I left; I vowed, along with my dining companions, never to return! You’d think the new owner would see from the long lines and filled bars and booths at the new nonsmoking eateries in the neighborhood (thank you Kitchen 64 and Northside Grille!) that Dot’s might actually gain clientele by going smokeless.”
I am all for it, being an ex-smoker and all, but the locals that have been frequenting Dot’s Back for years may see it a different way. But just as the regulars from Lakeside pool hall setup camp @ Side Pocket, the locals @ Dot’s would find a new place to puff.
[...] ran across a post on North Richmond News this evening that got me thinking about smoking policies in public establishments. So here’s [...]
I am 100% for this. I would consider making Dot’s a weekly staple if they were smokeless.
I ate lunch at Dots the other day and didn’t really notice any cigarette smoke in the air. However, I did notice, after only being in there for an hour, that I smelled like “restaurant” when I left. For those of you that have worked in a restaurant, you know what that smell is. Particles of oil, grease and various other items that float into the air when you cook, waiting to stick to something. My theory is if they work on their ventilation they could probably take care of any cigarette smoke issues as well as their ambient restaurant smell.
I live in Bellevue and haven’t been in Dot’s in quite some time (well before the new owner) for that very reason. These days I’m allergic to cigarette smoke and I despise smelling it when I eat so I rarely go into smoke-filled places these days. I’d definitely go to Dot’s regularly if they changed to non-smoking. As one who used to be a “social smoker,” I can empathize with smokers, but more and more they are losing the privledge of smoking indoors so I would think they see the writing on the wall on this issue. When I vacationed recently in OR and WA where they had passed no-smoking laws in resteraunts and clubs, it was wonderful to know we could go to any eating establishment and not have indoor smoke to deal with wich made it a very pleasant dining experience.
My wife and I avoid Dot’s like the plague…we’ll barely even drive by for fear of asphyxiation. We’d love to have another neighborhood eatery, so if you own Dot’s and are reading this: Please Dump The Smoke.
The last time I was there, someone lit up a cigar. I left and have never been back.
Yes I agree with the above comments. And it is just stale in there. At 10 am having breakfast, someone at the bar maybe 15 feet away smoking shouldn’t be as intrusive as it was. It felt like he was right next to us, blowing it in our faces.
I agree that they need a better ventilation system. We have not been to Dot’s since last November when we ended up waiting an hour for our order. During a busy time that is understandable, but there were only two other tables. At lunch, it should not take anyone an hour to make four sandwiches. Hopefully, the new owner is working on that issue.
I have enjoyed Dot’s in the past, but can not tolerate the cigarette. It’s been years since my husband and I set foot in the place. I would return if they went smoke-free.
i can remember in my younger days everyone saying “if the music is too loud, you are too old”. modern ventilation systems can remove the smoke, most of the objection is cultural, most notable from the “reformed” smoker that needs to look down their nose at someone else to sooth their ego. but the loud noise, there is no way to turn back the clock. i quit going there due to the noise years ago. i remember that they had new “smoke eaters” then and smoke was not an issue.
Most things we do in our adult, social lives involve choices. If you choose to not patronize a restaurant because it allows smoking, fine, stay away. Go spend your money elsewhere. Since most restaurants are smoke free nowadays, you’ll have plenty to choose from. As a smoker, I’ll take my wad of tobacco-stained cash right over to Dot’s and enjoy blueberry pancakes, coffee and a cigarette in the company of my fellow smokers.
T.F., Do you go to Northside Grille and Kitchen 64 because they’re smokeless? Heck, save yourself some money and go to Taco Bell. They’re smokeless too. I go to NSG and K64 because they serve great food and spirits in a hip neighborhood environment–and because I choose to.
I agree and would likewise frequent more often evenings, if smokefree
and that’s why i’m at northside grill!
I’ve been to Dot’s since the new owners took it over. I enjoy the new specials they have added and like they do Sunday brunches now. I love to support neighborhood businesses. What I don’t like is having my food taste like cigar smoke!! The last two times we have gone there was a man (same one)sitting there smoking a cigar. No smokeater can extract that filth! It’s unfortunate and I think that Dot’s needs to take hard look on their smoking policy.
I have enjoyed the debate about smoke-free versus smoking, but I think there are some better stories to cover in Northside!
Doesn’t anyone have any concerns or comments on the recent shooting of the school bus? Northside is one of the high crime areas in the city, where are the stories on that?
Dot’s no longer allows cigars before 10pm. I heard this from a person who works there while talking about this issue.
I think it is wonderful to have choices. A few years ago our neighborhood did not have the commerce that is now seen in the area.
It is important for me to remember that Dot’s was there when we had nothing. These other “choices” would not be here if Dot’s was not creating a buzz years ago. Just some food for thought.
The food and service GREAT, but the smell in your clothes after you leave the place is unbearable, I have to throw mine away after eating there. It is obvious the place needs a good cleaning and air condition fixed. It is not the smoke it the food and/or dirty kitchen, grease traps that smells, will not return until it’s cleaned up.
You threw your clothes away? Well, I do not have such money, I would have washed them. I am surprised you would have patronized such a “dive” with the disposal income you must have.
I, for one, love Dot’s.
However uncomfortable (hot) and seemingly unhealthy the environment can be at Dot’s the crowds keep on coming. Additionally, do in large part to the recent re-airing of the Diners, Drive-ins and Dives segment, the place is jammed. The staff, service, music, food and atmosphere at Dot’s are unique and often mask the shortcomings. Improved ventilation in both the kitchen and dining area would probably reduce the smoky-greasy smell and quell the calls for an outright smoking ban. Until then count me in for a cold beer in the warm, smoky confines of Dot’s with a smile on my face.
I myself am a reformed smoker. I choose to go to Dot’s because Jimmy and his staff are great folks and when it gets to cloudy I leave. That’s whats great about owning your own restaurant. You can have smoking or non-smoking and your customers can either come or go. A upgrade to the smoke eater would be awesome but this place has been around a long time and with the crowd and media I say if it ain’t broke don’t fix it.
I am a non-smoker and after reading these posts, I will say that I will choose not to visit Dot’s, choose being the operative word here. If you don’t smoke and don’t want to eat around smokers, then don’t go – go somewhere else.
I want to thank all of the patrons of Dots for being such great and loyal customers. The show has been a great success for us. Working with Guy and his staff was great. He is just like on TV super cool, lots of fun and not fake at all. Worked on the hood system here and it seems to have help. Yes, the smoke eaters are cleaned.. every 30 days and I just changed that to 15. This is a battle because of being such a small space and its somthing I’m trying to make better. Untill next time folks thanks for your support and keep going local not chains…and if i did your wedding you better come to the kitchen and see me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!I have lost contact with alot of my customers and patrons from Barrister’s Cafe and Southern Culture, brides and grooms from the John Marshall Hotel and would love to see you again.