News

Is dog food the next menu trend?

The menu of one Washington D.C. Metro-area restaurant, Art and Soul, boasts some unusual items – Bowser Beer and a steak "good enough for a human."

July 24, 2015

The menu of Washington D.C. Metro-area restaurant, Art and Soul, boasts some unusual items — Bowser Beer and a steak "good enough for a human" — and they're unusual because both items are intended for patrons' dogs, according to one Washington Post report.

Not only does Art and Soul allow dogs a seat on its patio, the restaurant caters to their tastes with Bowser Beer, a nonalcoholic beverage made of chicken broth, and a steak perhaps not of its menu's caliber, but one which suits its canine-identified guests just fine. Both items are available on Art and Soul's Pooch Patio menu, which contains a selection of five dishes catering to the palate of the "pampered dog," according to the Post.

Dog owners who order from the menu will find a server will bring it directly to their pet, and maybe even throw in a pat on the head (for the dog, not the human).

Restaurants that cater to canine's are increasingly popular, and have developed promotions such as "yappy" hour, specialized menus and designated seating areas, Postreported.

Though the D.C area has seen growth in furry-friend eateries, restaurant owners remain skeptical of the possible ramifications this could present, with the exception of service dogs, including the D.C. Department of Health's ban on dogs from establishments serving food. Some area counties are more lenient on these rules, but restaurant owners and operators still face the risk of a patron's dog misbehaving, according to the article.

If a brand is considering jumping on this latest trend, they can outline specific guidelines for guests dining with their furry friends. Dog owners can take steps as well to prevent unwanted behaviors by bringing snacks, a blanket and keeping their pet on short leash, the Postreported.