More than three months ago, Kayla B. emailed Unleashed and asked for a list of pet-friendly eateries in the Capital City. Several communiqués with the Louisiana Restaurant Association’s Baton Rouge chapter yielded no information. But dogged determination paid off. After some research, Unleashed is proud to present its own list.
Best of show in this category definitely goes to Lucy’s Retired Surfers Bar & Restaurant and The Bulldog.
At its locations in New Orleans, Baton Rouge and Austin, Lucy’s offers dog-friendly dining on its patios. In fact, it is the only local restaurant with its own canine cuisine.
The menu includes the hot diggity dog and rover easy among others. According to Baton Rouge’s front house manager Laura Jackson, the restaurant will soon offer a Puppy Happy Hour with half-price specials.
“Even on Sundays when we do crawfish boils,” she says, “we try to reserve the shack on the patio for people to dine with their dogs. It’s just one of those things that goes with surfing. Because we love animals, we’ve always been dog friendly.”
Since it was established in New Orleans in 1994, The Bulldog has been canine conscious from its logo down to the leash-hooks on the tables. Just last Thursday, the tavern launched its inaugural Yappy Hour. During the first Thursday of the every month, pups who bring their people to the patio will not only enjoy some quality time but the opportunity to help homeless hounds. Fifteen percent of all sales from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. will be donated to the charity of the month. In May, those proceeds will benefit APAWS. And, if patrons return 10 Wednesday logo pint glasses, the restaurant will donate an additional $5 to the charity of the month and bestow a t-shirt upon the patron identifying that individual as a supporter of the noble cause.
“The dogs we see coming to The Bulldog are well adjusted and well loved,” says General Manager Remi DeMatteo. “We’d like to see every animal find a home and lead a happy life.”
Even if they don’t specifically cater to canines, many establishments recognize that pets are part of the family and welcome them in areas that don’t violate health codes. Quite a few eateries with outdoor dining areas offer leash hooks, treats and water bowls for well-behaved, leashed, friendly dogs—and maybe even a few of their feline friends.
Celton Hayden, general manager of retail sales for CC’s Community Coffee House, explains the approach many restaurateurs take toward patrons and their pets. “Inside CC’s Coffee House locations, we only allow service animals,” he says. “ But outside our stores and on our patios CC’s welcomes all pets, and our staff often provide water bowls or treats. We only ask that our human friends be responsible for their pets and be courteous to everyone around them.”
So, remember: Etiquette is everything for canines and their companions. Avoiding beastly behavior that makes others diners uncomfortable is key to keeping patrons and their pups in the coffee house and out of the doghouse.
Thanks again to Kayla B. for the story idea.
If you know of any other pet-friendly places or an issue for Unleashed to address, please email [email protected].
Dog-Friendly Dining and Drinks
(listed alphabetically)
Bistro Byronz
5412 Government St. (near Foster Dr.)
218-1433
Brew Ha-ha
711 Jefferson Hwy # 2A
923-1923
The Bulldog Baton Rouge
4385 Perkins Rd. (in Southdowns Shopping Center)
303-9400
CC’s Coffee House
Airline
10330 Airline Hwy. (at Bluebonnet Blvd.)
291-6692
Bluebonnet
9757 Perkins Rd., Suite A
767-6406
Burbank
3930 Burbank Dr., Suite M (near LSU)
767-6203
Coursey
13759 Coursey Blvd. (near Hickory Ridge Rd.)
752-7170
Jefferson
7960 Jefferson Highway (near Corporate Dr.)
926-2511
North Boulevard
327 North Blvd. (Downtown)
389-0511
Perkins
4161 Perkins Rd. (near Balis Dr.)
381-8187
Siegen
6971 Siegen Ln., Suite A (near I-10)
292-6622
The Fat Cow Burgers & Salads
4350 Highland Rd. Suite B. (near LSU)
761-9272
Garden District Coffee
2008 Perkins Rd. (near Zeeland St.)
338-5333
Hello Sushi
3930 Burbank Dr. (near LSU)
768-8808
Highland Road Coffees
3350 Highland Rd. (near LSU)
336-9773
Izzo’s Illegal Burrito
Burbank
4250 Burbank Dr. (near LSU)
214-0870
Bluebonnet
4245 Bluebonnet Blvd. (near Jefferson Hwy.)
706-ROLL (7655)
Citiplace
6220 Corporate Blvd.
615-8254
Jason’s Deli
2531 Citiplace Ct. (off Corporate Blvd.)
926-7788
La Carreta
Mid-City
4065 Government St. (near Acadian Thruway)
334-9940
Bluebonnet
9828 Bluebonnet Blvd. (near Burbank Dr.)
303-9899
La Madeline
Perkins Rowe
7707 Bluebonnet Blvd., Suite 190
766-1875
Bocage
7615 Jefferson Hwy.
927-6072
Latte e Miele Gelato
17650 Highland Rd. (near I-10)
751-4555
The Londoner Pub
4215 S. Sherwood Forest Blvd. (near Coursey Blvd.)
292-9291
Lucy’s Retired Surfers Bar and Restaurant
151 3rd St. (near Convention St.)
361-0372
Mellow Mushroom
4250 Burbank Dr. # 101 (near LSU)
490-6355
Monjunis
711 Jefferson Hwy. (near Claycut Ave.)
231-1595
Qdoba Mexican Grill
7415 Corporate Blvd., Suite 940 (in Towne Center)
248-6386
Red Zeppelin Pizza
4395 Perkins Rd. (in Southdowns Shopping Center)
302-7153
Starbucks
Perkins Rowe
7777 Bluebonnet Blvd.
766-2784
College Drive
3009 College Dr.
216-7880
Tropical Smoothie Café
13200 Airline Hwy. (near Airline Hwy. and Pecue Ln.)
