It is already It is common for pets to be allowed into many restaurants, but less so for them to be served separate meals. This need, driven by societal change, is increasingly being addressed in the hospitality industry - the question is how far we will go.
Some people are bothered - some love it
When we think of the dog as a companion, there are two almost completely contradictory schools of thought. Some think that dogs are there to guard the house, not to cross its threshold, while others see them as full members of the family. The latter group will go anywhere with their pet, including restaurants. The question arises: is it worth it for restaurants to cater for the needs of owners and dogs and to prepare dog food?
Why did this need arise?
The answer lies in socialisation, historical, political and social background. An age group has emerged for whom the most important goal is not to become a party or to start a family. For them, the dog is a companion and an important factor in their daily lives. The pandemic the adoption of dogs increased as stressed and anxious people found comfort in isolation. These societal changes require lengthy discussion, but clearly affect hospitality and gastronomy. To live with a dog, to travel with a dog, is to provide it with the basic conditions. This also includes culinary experiences. It is logical that owners want to feed them food that is not only healthy but also tasty to the human eye. There is no doubt that there are many sides to the coin, but there is a growing trend towards the presence of „pets” in restaurants.
Feeding dogs changes
Over the past century, Americans' attitudes to feeding dogs have changed significantly. In the 1910s, it was fine to get a can of canned horse meat, but today the humanisation of pet food is a serious market and many companies are involved. Dog food production is a $50 billion industry in 2021 in the US alone. Pet owners are now spending more than double what they did in 2010 on their pets, so it has grown into a hugely diversified industry. The next step is integration into the hospitality industry.
In America, dog food is now completely natural
One of San Francisco's newest tasting menus, the Dogue in a pastry shop, follows a strange-sounding trend. Exclusively on Sundays, they offer a seven-course menu for dogs, prepared by chefs with a strong professional background. The menu includes organic beef chuck steak, which is made raw, with fermented carrots and dehydrated carrot powder. For dessert, pastel cake balls and rose-shaped cakes are made from ingredients such as antelope heart and ground bone.
Rahmi Massarweh, a Chef-owner of Dogue said: „To be honest, I don't know who enjoys it more: the dogs, their owners or me, watching them while they eat. The Bone Appétit tasting menu costs $75. Owners know that their pets need proper nutrition and they treat them like family, so they want the best quality in this area too.”
Another example is the Salty Paws a dog ice cream franchise that started four years ago in Delaware and has since grown to 22 units. Even big chains like Shake Shack and Starbucks offer doggie treats so that customers can treat their best friend. Looking at the trends, the number of so-called dog-friendly restaurants has been steadily increasing since around 2014, but it's no surprise to see a restaurant with a dog in mind. Jamie Hardaway, who opened in May. Hops & Hounds bar in San Antonio, serves about 1600 people and dogs a day. A Three Dog Bakery, which has 46 franchises in the US and three in Hong Kong, serves seasonal cookies, muffins and sells unique birthday cakes exclusively for dogs. A Chateau le Woof café, which opened seven years ago in New York's Astoria neighborhood in Queens, offers breakfast favorites like poached eggs, un-cured bacon with pumpkin puree, or peanut butter and banana pancakes alongside coffee.
Dog-friendly restaurants
Ten years ago, pets were rarely allowed in restaurants, but now it is almost completely accepted. It is also fair to say that many people now only visit such places. In the past, they were given bowls of water, but nowadays they are even offered food. Nowadays, more and more cafés and restaurants are advertising themselves as dog-friendly, and you can find plenty of them by searching on the internet. What better way to show the rise of this trend than to include a special menu for dogs at Gundel, one of the oldest, most prestigious restaurants in our country. Nowadays, it's no surprise that there are dog-friendly bakeries, with menus and drinks specially prepared for dogs.
So taking dogs to restaurants has become a trend. However, when we will reach the point in our country where restaurants are open only to them is a good question. Maybe there is a demand, maybe not. What we can be sure of is that economic and social changes will encourage the emergence of this type of restaurant. Could it be that in a few years' time, dog food will be a separate profession?
Source: https://www.bonappetit.com/story/dog-friendly-restaurant-trend
