Thursday, March 28, 2024

Celebrate National Dog Day August 26 with Pet-Friendly Dining in Southlake

Grab some grub with your best furry friend in Southlake on Sunday, August 26, during National Dog Day. With more than two dozen pet-friendly patios in town, celebrate this pawesome occasion and dine out with your dog.

Hungry for fresh? You and Fido will find scratch food fast at Café Express. With recipes crafted by James Beard Award winning Chef Robert Del Grande, who was inspired by European café cuisine and his deep Southwest roots, savor freshly prepared salads, sandwiches, burgers, pastas and more. Outdoor seating and large table umbrellas offer an inviting atmosphere, complete with plenty of passersby around Southlake Town Square for a dog-watching good time.

Enjoy flavors from the coast at Rockfish Seafood Grill. The chef-driven, distinctive menu features guest favorites like Shrimp Baskets, Fish Tacos and Seasonal Wild Copper River Alaskan Salmon. Quench your thirst with a signature Rock-a-Rita margarita and ice cold beer—or a refreshing bowl of water, if you’re a dog. With nautical décor to match the seafood dishes and a fenced-in outdoor patio shaded by trees, this restaurant is a lucky catch for both people and pets.

Order some pizza with your pup at Mellow Mushroom. With groovy pizza names like Kosmic Karma, Funky Q. Chicken and Holy Shiitake Pie—and equally unique customizable toppings ranging from salami and sausage to tempeh and tofu—enjoy a psychedelic taste sensation with your dog on Mellow Mushroom’s covered, partially enclosed outdoor patio.

Take tu perro to Torchy’s Tacos for a south-of-the-border flavor fiesta. Founded by a former executive chef turned food trailer entrepreneur, Torchy’s Tacos now has several brick-and-mortar locations. Having garnered many awards and national praise for “tacos for every appetite,” patrons will find creative cuisine in hand-held form with fillings ranging from fried avocados and seared ahi tuna to Jamaican jerk chicken and beef brisket. Park yourself and your pup at one of the outdoor picnic tables, and don’t forget to save room for Lil’ Nookies (fried chocolate chip cookie dough dusted in powdered sugar and topped with cherries).

Drive thru with your dog. If you’re grabbing a cup of coffee for yourself, be sure to ask for a complimentary puppuccino for your pal at Starbucks or a puppy latte at Dunkin’ Donuts—a small cup filled with whipped cream. Chick-Fil-A and Sonic have also been known to give dog treats to pup passengers.

Visit the online Southlake Dining Guide to review all dog-friendly dining options as indicated by a paw print icon next to the name of the restaurant. For more information on all of the ways Southlake is pet-friendly, including parks, grooming, pet-friendly hotels, pet-focused retail shops and more, visit the Pet Friendly page on VisitSouthlakeTexas.com.