Over the last three years, Long Beach Island has seen its outdoor dining options increase exponentially. Whether it’s a loosening of old traditional rules, our increasing desire to be outdoors or the realization that giving the public what they want will attract more visitors, the Island municipalities have been far more lenient about allowing restaurants to set up outdoor seating. And with the great weather on weekends this summer, it has been a hit.

It has also opened up a whole new aspect of dining, which is bringing pets out to eat.