La Hacienda de los Barrios deck, ice pops from Davio’s Northern Italian Steakhouse, ice cream at David Burke’s pop up shop at Primehouse, Mr. An at his Teppan Steak & Sushi restuarant.
The brutal summer heat can drive some people to stay inside, for fear of getting drenched with sweat within minutes of stepping outdoors. So to make things easier and much more comfortable, some restaurants take it upon themselves to help their customers beat the heat.
Many eateries offer beautiful outdoor patios, but when the temperature starts to skyrocket the thought of dining alfresco can be extremely unappealing. The restaurants on this list have come up with some inventive ways for their customers to cool down. Mr. An’s Teppan Steak & Sushi in Tucson, Ariz., cools diners off with its refreshing and soothing mister system, which offers guests a light mist of water as they dine on the restaurant’s outdoor patio, and Smithfield’s in Ashland, Ore., takes things a step further by offering a 30-foot slip and slide to overheated customers.
Whether you’d prefer to dine in a climate-controlled patio or cool-off with a booze-filled ice pop (offered only on days when the temperature climbs above 100 degrees), these weather-conscious restaurants are there to help.
Mr. An's Teppan Steak & Sushi — Tucson, Ariz.
This restaurant offers guests Japanese fare. For those adventurous enough to venture out into the dry Arizona heat, Mr. An's has a mister system set up on the patio that gently cools guests as they dine.
Smithfield’s — Ashland, Ore.
This meat-centric restaurant offers upscale barbecue, including 12-hour smoked brisket, ribs, chicken, and hot links. To cool down after a satisfying feast of barbecue, Smithfield’s has a 30-foot slip and slide available for adventurous diners.
Tobacco Road — Miami
This Miami standby will celebrate its 100th anniversary this year. In addition to offering live music and classic comfort foods, Tobacco Road also offers Oasis Happy Hours during the summer, which include a 30-foot dual track slip and slide.
La Hacienda de los Barrios — San Antonio
Diners can enjoy authentic Mexican food while escaping the summer heat, thanks to La Hacienda's expansive outdoor dining area shaded by oak trees and hanging fans to encourage a breeze.
III Forks — Dallas
Offering a fine dining experience in Dallas, III Forks serves up upscale steakhouse fare. The restaurant has 25,000 square feet and a variety of dining rooms, including an enclosed courtyard, which is climate-controlled to offer diners a view of the grounds while maintaining shelter from the heat and humidity.
Davio’s Northern Italian Steakhouse — Philadelphia
To help diners beat the sweltering heat in Philadelphia, this trendy Italian restaurant has been known to offer booze-filled ice pops on days when the temperature reaches higher than 100 degrees.
Ice Cream Shop at David Burke’s Primehouse — Chicago
Throughout the summer, chef and restaurateur David Burke offers scoops and cones of premium ice cream every Friday from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. (or until the ice cream runs out). The pop-up ice cream shop opened in May to help Chicagoans stay cool throughout the balmy season.
Tundra Las Olas — Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
Diners don’t have to bundle up to enjoy this ice-themed restaurant, but they will certainly have the opportunity to cool down. Chilled seafood dishes and cocktails are served on icy platters and the dining room is decorated with elaborate ice sculptures.
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