Chicago Dogs co-owner and Scarborough resident Mike Shea wants his restaurant to be more than a simple eatery, he wants it to be an active participant in the community and a place where families can gather.
In conjunction with the Scarborough Police Department, Shea is rewarding youth for wearing helmets while bike riding with a free hot dog. Each police officer has coupons for the free food and gives them to deserving youths while on duty.
Chicago Dogs also rewards students who are involved in the DARE program. Participants receive a discount card on food purchased at the restaurant.
“We try to participate in as many community events as we can,” said Shea. “We want to give back.”
Shea, who is a part-time patrol officer with the Scarborough Police Department, said he works closely with police officers in the Scarborough Police Department to come-up with ideas to encourage good behavior, while at the same time continuing his goal of owning a family friendly restaurant. In addition, he said that he is open to other ideas that benefit community organizations.
For example, Chicago Dogs is now working with Scarborough High School to help raise money. Shea has given the school discount cards that will be sold as part of a fundraiser and presumably used at his restaurant.
“It helps us and it helps the community,” Shea said.
He also is working with Scarborough Community Services to organize children events on Tuesday and Thursday nights where there will be music, story tellers and other kid friendly performers.
Shea said he enjoys Scarborough and the way it is operated, especially the public safety and school departments. He also likes the town’s residents and the community as a whole.
“The town does a great job,” Shea said. “When you live in a community like that you want to give back.”
In trying to create an environment where children and parents can eat, Chicago Dogs offers an extensive menu and does not strictly focus on hotdogs. In fact Shea estimates that 60 percent of his sales are for items other than hot dogs such as chicken, salads and Italian sausages.
Chicago Dogs has been is business for about five years at its South Portland location at Clark’s Pond plaza. Last October Shea, along with his business partners Gary and Lisa Dittrich, opened the Scarborough location on Route 1.
“It’s very unique to this area,” he said.
Mike Shea, co-owner of Chicago Dogs, in front of the condiment area at his Scarborough restaurant.
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