Being a year-round resident of New Buffalo, I've had the opportunity to see the best and worst of this restaurant. Don't get me wrong, it is certainly one of the best local places to dine and have a good drink. It just depends on what season it is.
In the winter, most of the restaurants in Harbor Country close. The Stray Dog is one of the few that remains open. However, the few staff members who remain to serve the slow trickle of locals get lazy, and could care less if your food is overdone, underdone, made wrong or simply awful tasting.
Summertime transforms this restaurant into a well-oiled machine. Service is accurate and quick. The food, while not gourmet by any means, is excellent and fresh. This restaurant is constantly packed all summer, so expect to wait. Sit at their spacious bar and enjoy a wide variety of beers on tap and snack on well seasoned and sauced chicken wings. Skip the fish tacos -- they never seem to get the batter quite crisp.
Pros: Excellent during tourist season
Cons: Cooks get lazy in the fall and winter
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