Dining with Your Dog Made Easier at Local Spots
Daisy: “Hey, where are you going?”
Dog Mom: “Out to dinner, why?”
Daisy: “May I tag along? Please, please, please?”
Dog Mom: “Sure! Maybe you can even order something from the menu!”
These “conversations” are becoming more frequent between dogs and their parents, as dogs are hearing rumors that many Pittsburgh establishments are welcoming four-legged pals.
While Allegheny County and Butler County health codes do not allow dogs other than support or guide dogs inside establishments where food is being prepared, many restaurants and breweries have dedicated outdoor spaces for dogs to enjoy. Union Brothers Brewing in Harmony, for example, has a large outdoor lawn area where it is common to see many dogs chilling by their owners’ sides. “I know a lot of people view pets as kids and go everywhere with them,” said General Manager Josh Marshall.
Union Brothers is one of the few establishments to have a dog-specific menu: These items include a dog patty (cut-up beef), a dog sweet potato, and dog nuggets (chicken). “It’s a limited dog menu, but we have a little bit of something for everybody’s friend,” said Marshall. And all of the food comes in disposable containers, making it easy for the dogs to eat directly from them. Union Brothers also has an area with dog bowls and the ability to fill them with cold water.
“Serving” dogs is a perk of the job for Union Brothers’ staffers, as they love to see the dogs come in, and Marshall firmly believes that the restaurant is busier because of the dog-friendly policies.
Other breweries in the region that are welcoming to dogs in outdoor spaces include Grist House Craft Brewery in Millvale and Southern Tier Brewery on the North Shore, which has a beer garden and covered patio. Allegheny City Brewing on the North Side offers chicken jerky treats for canine customers, and even features a dog wall displaying photos of doggie customers.
The Leaning Cask Brewing Company in Springdale also loves dogs. In fact, clues that the Leaning Cask is dog-friendly are the names of the beers, which include Zoomies, Strawberry Wiggle Butt, Cheeky Doodle, Pardon My Frenchie and Chiwowow. Leaning Cask even has an indoor “bathroom” for dogs that features artificial turf. “We even make a specific beer for dogs called the Pupper Pint, which is unfermented beer containing no yeast and no hops,” said Josh Lipke, owner and head brewer. “We opened our doors to dogs because they are family, and we believe a pub should be a community space that everyone can enjoy, including our four-legged friends,” he added.
The Harmony Inn in Harmony also caters to dogs, allowing them to dine on the patio with their human parents. “We’ve always been a very community-focused business, and dogs are such a big part of people’s families, so it just made sense to us to welcome them,” said Terrilynn Halbleib, director of operations.
The Harmony Inn features a dog menu called Run with Your Wolves. “It gives the dogs their own little treat while their owners are enjoying their food and drinks. We also donate 10% of the sales from the dog menu to a local animal shelter, which is something we really enjoy being able to do. It makes our dog-friendly program about more than just allowing dogs — it gives us a way to give back to animals in our community, too,” said Halbleib. The most popular menu items that dogs seem to enjoy are the Doggie Burger and Doggie Steak, though humans often share their meals with their pets, with French fries seeming to be a universal favorite among the canine set.
“We keep a jar of treats on hand for our servers to give to our furry guests, and every pup gets their own water bowl when they arrive,” she added.
But perhaps the premier dog-friendly spot in Pittsburgh is one where humans take a back seat to dogs, and that is the Dog Penn in the Strip District. Founded by Seattle native Travis May and his wife, they realized that Pittsburgh was lacking a dog-first establishment. Today, the Dog Penn is a combination off-leash dog park, bar and event space. The dog section contains 4,000 square feet of turfed outdoor dog run, which is double-fenced for dogs’ safety. As the dogs play and socialize, their humans hang out in the large covered area to grab a drink or some food.
“We do operate as a private dog park, but you are required to stay with your pup. We have a dedicated dog handler out there as well,” said May. “We have our own app — customers are required to upload vaccinations and give us information about their dog and their vet so we make sure dogs are up to date on immunizations.”
Unsurprisingly, the names of the cocktails pay homage to dogs, such as Banana Bow Wow, It’s Basil Bitch, Zoomies on Ice, Ruff Day and Hot Honey Pawgarita. Currently, patrons can order dog beers (aka bone broth) for their four-legged friends.
May said that while it still has a way to go, Pittsburgh is headed in the direction of becoming a more dog-friendly city.
There are some coffeehouses in the area that cater to dogs, too. Starbucks is famous for giving dogs a pup cup while they are on a drive-through run with their humans. Big Dog Coffee on the South Side, for example, is also very dog-friendly, welcoming dogs on its outdoor patio and offering water bowls and treats for canine customers.
There is no reason why you can’t bring your best buddy when your sweet tooth strikes. Dog-friendly ice cream establishments include Bruster’s and Handel’s; both ice cream shops offer dedicated dog ice cream cups. Bruster’s of Ingomar offers complimentary vanilla ice cream with cone chips; Handel’s menu in McCandless Crossing lists frozen “Dogsters,” branded as an ice cream-style treat for dogs.
Tips for Restaurant Dining With Your Dog
Confirm the restaurant’s current pet policy before visiting, since outdoor seating rules and seasonal availability can change.
Make sure your dog’s vaccinations are up to date.
If your dog does not like other dogs or people, it is best not to bring him or her along.
Keep dogs leashed at all times.
Bring something for your dog to lie on, especially if the dog-friendly space is on hot pavement.
Avoid bringing your dog on a swelteringly hot day, as most of the Fido-friendly spaces are outdoors.
Never leave your dog unattended.
Bring water, even if bowls are provided.
Don’t assume every dog wants to socialize.
Keep pets under the table and/or out of walking paths.
Visit during slower hours if your dog is new to a restaurant setting.
Know your dog’s limits.
Bring pouches of treats.
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