The Black Sheep Pub & Restaurant — Restaurant in Philadelphia

An open letter to Black Sheep Pub (aka, when I'm hungry, I don't play):

October 6, 2017

James Stephens, Owner Black Sheep Pub 247 South 17th Street Philadelphia, PA 19103

Re: Black Sheep Pub’s Service Dog Policy

Dear Mr. Stephens,

On October 5, 2017, around 6 pm, I was refused entry and service at your pub because I brought my service dog in training, Muppet, “without papers.” Refusal of admittance under these terms is illegal under the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act Section 3. I have enclosed a copy of the law for your convenience.

I was further told that fully trained service dogs were not permitted in your establishment without paperwork, and that I should “please just go find another place to eat.” I was flabbergasted. This is a flagrant disregard for the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which allows persons with service dogs entrance into any public accommodation. Under the ADA, you are only permitted to ask two questions:

Is the dog a service animal required because of a disability? What work or task has the dog been trained to perform?

You are not permitted to request any documentation for the dog, require that the dog demonstrate its task, or inquire about the nature of the person’s disability.

Mr. Stephens, service dogs of any breed (and they come in all shapes and sizes) are crucial to the health of their handlers. They interrupt unwanted and destructive behaviors. They predict seizures and diabetic comas. They prevent heart attacks. They act as ears for the deaf, eyes for the blind, and motion for individuals who are motor impaired. Service dogs save lives every day, and their handlers simply cannot leave them elsewhere. Denying a person with disabilities their dog is tantamount to excluding that person from your establishment – discrimination at its finest and grounds for a lawsuit.

Anyone can go online and order a copy of “service dog identification papers.” These documents do not convey any rights under the ADA. The Department of Justice does not recognize such papers as official, and you shouldn’t be fooled by them either. Real training takes years of work to accomplish, and the only valid qualifier a business entity has to remove a service dog is when the animal is disruptive.

I trust that, as a business owner of integrity, you will change your policy on service dogs and service dogs in training. Unless I hear from you in writing about said change, I will return to your establishment on or after November 6, and I expect to receive service just like any other paying customer. If I do not, I will unfortunately have to consider other legal recourses to secure my civil rights.

Sincerely,

Maisha Elonai Service Dog in Training Handler

Encl. Pennsylvania Human Relations Act, Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission Frequently Asked Questions about Service Animals and the ADA, U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division, Disability Rights Section

cc. Philadelphia Commission on Human...

Experience and Atmosphere: So I came to Black Sheep Pub & Restaurant a less than a week ago at the start of Philadelphia Sips (an all summer event featuring discount foods/alcohol at certain restaurants throughout center city of Philadelphia). My first impression at this bar was pretty good; it reminded me of the quaint bars in college. It's a pub so it gave a very "let's drink and chill" kind of feeling, but it also made me feel as though it's not too clean. The atmosphere was very friendly, and a hostess asked us right away whether we'd like a table or sit by the bar. We asked for a table and were taken by a server rather quickly. We were given a menu and a special menu for Philadelphia Sips. We spent over an hour here, and we had a great time.

Food: Since it was Philly Sips, we ordered only appetizers since they were half off. We ordered four: their Mac&Cheese, quesadilla, fries, and cheesesteak spring rolls. The food was good and very filling. I loved the m&c and the quesadilla; I was only content with the other two. Everything was actually a little too oily, but other than that, the taste was pretty good. Water was given to us in plastic cups. A piece of black debris went into one of mine, but the server got me another. As for their beer selection, it was decent. I didn't really look over them this time around, but I will definitely do it next time!

Service: Service was great! The hostess was really friendly and got us a great seat. Our server came back just enough to check up on us; she wasn't too frequent or too infrequent. She even gave us a second cup of water because she said she might not be back enough to give us some. Another staff member came to ask us if we were doing good as well.

Pros: Service, Environment of People Cons: Dirty...

My esteemed clients and I were out to a bespoke corporate dinner when we were rudely interrupted by a young gentleman in a b*ndana whom strictly enforced a rule that we were not to season our beverages with the salt and pepper that was readily available to us at our bespoke table. We were disgusted by they/them actions. Our table has a refined palate that unfortunately calls for more seasoned cocktails. However, the chicken tenders were Devine. Some of the best Donovan has ever experienced. Cheers. Cheers Donovan

EDIT*

The Black Sheep, the chicken tenders stole the show with their divine taste, leaving a lasting impression. Unfortunately, a somber note was added to the evening as a colleague experienced an unexpected health issue, possibly related to a lack of pepper seasoning available for beverages. This unexpected turn highlighted a peculiar aspect of the restaurant—its reluctance to allow patrons to season their drinks. While the chicken tenders exceeded expectations, the absence of a seasoning option for beverages created an unexpected challenge. The desire for a bespoke dining experience clashed with the limitations imposed by the establishment. Despite the unique flavors on the plate, the overall atmosphere fell short of the bespoke environment anticipated by discerning diners. In reflection, The Black Sheep left a memorable mark with its culinary delights, but the incident with the beverage seasoning revealed a discrepancy between expectations and reality. Balancing the exquisite flavors with a more accommodating approach to personal preferences could elevate The Black Sheep's dining experience for patrons seeking a truly bespoke environment.

DUNOVAN “The...