This is David Regan at Mullaney's Harp and Fiddle in the Strip. I read your article ["Bone appetit: More eateries let you bring in your dog," Food & Flavor, Aug. 26 and post-gazette.com/food], and I am so sorry that I did not know you were looking into the dog-friendly aspect of the market.

We have been running a "Dog Days of Summer" promo on our back deck for the past four years, and the response has been tremendous. We have doggy bowls and doggy treats that we give to all of the dogs when they arrive. We emphasize these nights most on Wednesday and Thursday evenings, but dogs are welcome on the deck at most any time. As I see that you have found, all of the pet owners truly appreciate the opportunity to bring their best friends with them on a casual night out.

DAVID REGAN
Strip District

Editor's note: We heard from several other places that cater to dogs in some way: Jerome Bettis' Grill 36 and Atria's Restaurant on the North Shore and Redfin Blues on Washington's Landing permit well-behaved dogs on their outdoor areas.

They enjoyed cafeteria fare

I read your article on cafeteria comfort food ["Dine Quixote" by Larry Roberts, Aug. 26 and post-gazette.com/food]. I am a long-time fan of Mehlman's and, in fact, just had lunch there with a friend. I lived for a while in the Steubenville area, and Mehlman's was one of our favorite stops - especially when we combined it with shopping at Stone and Thomas (no longer there).

I have done a lot of traveling and have eaten at many of the finest, expensive restaurants around Pittsburgh and everywhere else, but every chance I get, I go to Mehlman's. I have always said that if I lived closer, I would dine there almost every day!

Thanks for the article - It justifies my opinion.

LOIS STEWART
McCandless

Just finished reading your article on Mehlman's. I enjoyed it very much and wanted to thank you for reviving a few memories of my own. I was born in Dayton. Roth High School, class of 1965. University of Dayton, 1968. University of Cincinnati Medical School, 1972. So a lot of time in Dayton. I loved the macaroni at Virginia Cafeteria.

P.S. How do I get to Mehlman's? Do they have macaroni?

STEPHEN R. DeLONG, M.D.
Monroeville

My brother and his family lived in St. Clairsville for a number of years, and we ate at Mehlman's a number of times. Your article brought back some good memories, and I sent the link to him and his family who all live in Texas now!

When I was a newlywed, living in Wilkinsburg

, my husband and I used to visit a cafeteria in East Hills Shopping Center. I can't remember the name of it now, but the food was so good. "Those were the days . . ." The Pittsburgh area needs a few good cafeterias like that where people can get comfort food at a decent price. It was always so pleasant to go to the bank on Friday after work and then head for the cafeteria before starting our weekend!

SUZANNE UTTS
Harrison City

Breaking the fast

I gladly read "Tent opens at Pitt for Ramadan fast breaks" [by Bob Batz Jr., Aug. 26 and post-gazette.com/food] and would like to thank you for this lovely article. I think that the Iftar Tent means a lot to Pittsburgh community, and it is great to see that some people, including you, are promoting inter-cultural dialogue. I hope to meet you and your readers in the tent and in other Turkish Cultural Center Pittsburgh activities.

SALIH DEMIR
Squirrel Hill

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