EHT Vagabond Kitchen & Tap House — Restaurant in Egg Harbor Township

We visited this restaurant from out of town and intentionally picked one with a patio so we could bring our dog. He has separation anxiety and we could not leave him to bark in a hotel. It was raining when we arrived at 7 pm, so we called the restaurant again to ask if dogs were only allowed on the patio. We were told by the hostess who picked up our call that we were not allowed to bring our dog in and the outdoor patio was closed due to rain and we would not be served outside. (They can confirm that their call records had a number that ends in 9142 call them twice about the matter, one at 2:03p and the other at 7:14p) So we made sure to keep our dog comfortable. We closed the windows because of the rain, it was 75 degrees but because of rain it felt like 70 (law considers 85+F to be illegal to leave a dog in the car). Due to his separation anxiety, we checked on him every 15 minutes, the blonde front door hostess could attest that she saw my partner leave the restaurant several times.

The EHT police officers were very receptive and understanding of our circumstances, and said there were no issues with how we left our dog in the car especially because it was not hot (though since the rain stopped they recommended we roll down the windows then). The officers agreed that our dog seemed fine overall and that the staff was being overreactive. The staff who called them in, told the officers that their establishment allowed dogs, but clearly didn’t know that whoever manned the phones did not give us the same info.

What was completely inappropriate was the overall actions of staff from the restaurant: our waitress was the first one to alert us to the issue and the police arriving. She used rude language and made us believe that our dog had been hurt and “was in really bad shape.” This obviously terrified us, and was out of line to say because our dog was completely fine. This same waitress went on to be extremely unprofessional and went around the restaurant telling guests that we had left our dog in the car, without providing any context or considering the cool weather. Our friends who had nothing to do with the situation and didn’t know what was happening felt uncomfortable, felt that all eyes were on them, and heard insults about them from other guests.

Another staff member of the restaurant who was waiting by our car said “if you want to find a new owner for the dog I’ll gladly take him” which was completely inappropriate and offensive. My partner asked if she wanted to have a conversation but she walked away heatedly. We would never have left our dog in the car when it’s known to be a dog friendly place unless we had no other option. The officer told her and another worker to leave because they were being disruptive to the conversation. After the brief talk with the officers who went on their way, I stayed in the car with our dog who was not panting from the heat but from barking due to separation.

The bartender pointed over at our group while saying demonizing things about my partner. Our group tried to laugh it all off as best as they could before leaving. It was completely unprofessional for the staff to single us out despite not knowing the full story and that their own coworker was the reason we left our dog in the car. They spread uninformed rumors throughout the restaurant which caused our friends who had nothing to do with the issue feel incredibly unwelcome and ostracized.

There was certainly a misunderstanding between staff about dog rules and miscommunication regarding not allowing us to eat at the outdoor patio. We always appreciate a bystander and police officers who want to keep dogs in danger safe. We appreciate concern with conversation, but we did not receive any consideration. Your staff workers need to understand professionalism and learn how to hear others out/get the facts straight before calling police to waste their time. It was YOUR coworker who said the restaurant wouldn’t accommodate a dog. Food 6/10, staff 0/10. Maybe would’ve rated food higher if we weren’t stared at...

I dined here yesterday. The food was delicious and the service was great, as usual. The only thing that I have a complaint about is a group of people left their poor dog in the car, with the windows rolled completely up! The staff were very concerned for this pup and someone called the police. I don’t think the police did anything about it, but once they left, a girl kept going in and out to the car, to “check” on her dog. Before that, she never got up to check on it. Why would anyone leave their dog in their car in the SUMMER with the windows rolled up? There is absolutely no excuse. There are drive through establishments they could’ve eaten at to make sure the dog was safe. I don’t blame the staff for being overly concerned. How selfish are you to leave a living creature in your car on a hot day? I was concerned as well. They actually stayed there and finished their food!!! I felt like I was in another dimension or something. Number one, don’t leave anything breathing in a hot car because it could die, number two, you stay there to finish your food and act like you don’t care about the dog and then get mad at the staff for caring about your poor dog??? Unbelievable. They do not deserve to have an animal. If they do this to it and still finish their meal, I’m sure it goes through worse. I should’ve called animal control but I thought the cops were going to help the poor thing. What a selfish, disgusting thing to do. I will be back for sure, I just hope no one decides to leave their animal in the car while they...

Get one thing right, 4 stars is simply for the food! The Buffalo cauliflower is amazing, the tequila shrimp bangers also out of this world good! We both got the 3 way & again superb flavor, big sandwich, as a Triple D selection it lived up to being a featured item. The selection of beers is good as well & wish I could have tried a couple others. Now onto the not so good stuff. It took a good 10 min. To be greeted & our drink order taken. We got our beers & after drinking about 1/4 of the draft noticed lipstick on the glass (not mine, don't wear it). Another 10 min. To flag down our waitress. She laughed when told about the lipstick & said oh, thats not good. No apology, no free drink! Apps arrive & our beers emptied. Had to wait again for refills while apps are getting cold (spicey so definitely need cold drink). Food arrives & finally refill order taken. Never checked on again until we were completely finished eating & probably had empty glasses half way through main course. I would go back for the food or maybe try other location in AC. I dont remember the waitresses name but I would know her & refuse to sit in her area. I also believe the owner was there & stopped to speak to every table in our area except ours. If you are going to do that dont skip anyone. Really made us feel like reporting the lipstick lowered our...