Dog-Friendly Restaurants: What Are Penny’s Favorites?

Hi, I’m Savanna! Read my introduction to learn more about me and my spunky Chihuahua mix, Penny.

You should know by now that we love to travel with Penny. So when we do, we are always looking for places we can take her, including dog-friendly restaurants. Not only are the number of restaurants that allow dogs increasing, but some of the restaurants even have menus just for dogs.

It’s always awesome to stumble across restaurants with secret dog menus, because Penny gets a yummy treat too instead of having to beg for our food. I’m going to talk about one of our favorite dog-friendly restaurants to eat at when we go on vacation, as well as some other restaurants where you can get special items just for your dog.

Keep in mind that unless a restaurant has a patio or outdoor dining space, they likely don’t allow dogs for health and safety reasons. Even if a restaurant has an outdoor dining space, you should always call ahead to make sure they allow dogs!

Shaggy’s Pensacola Beach – Our Favorite Dog-Friendly Restaurant

I mentioned in an earlier post that one of our top places to vacation is Pensacola Beach, Florida. Not only do they have two dog-friendly beaches, but several of the restaurants are dog-friendly as well.

Our favorite is Shaggy’s, because not only are they super dog-friendly, but they also have a menu just for dogs! You can choose from a beef hot dog, burger patty, or grilled chicken and steamed rice, and they also have dog-friendly ice cream! They also bring a water bowl for your dog to drink out of. The best part is that all the meals are served inside a Shaggy’s frisbee “plate”.

We order grilled chicken and steamed rice for Penny, and we get a lot of food for such a small dog! She doesn’t eat it all (but a big dog might), but needless to say she doesn’t bother us for our food one time. The frisbee is also much too big for her to play with, and she doesn’t play with frisbees anyway, but it’s still a cute touch. And we can play with it even if Penny can’t.

If you ever find yourself in Pensacola Beach with your dog, I highly recommend Shaggy’s. You can order the Beach Balls for yourself, which are fried balls of mashed potatoes stuffed with cheese and bacon with ranch and queso to dip them in. They’re easily one of the most delicious things I’ve ever eaten.

Shaggy’s also has locations in Biloxi, Gulfport, Pass Christian (Pass Harbor), and The Rez, all in Mississippi.

Dunkin’ Donuts Pup Cup

Of course all dog owners are familiar with the pup cup, which is another one of Penny’s favorite treats. But in case you don’t know, a pup cup is a small cup filled with just whipped cream (or in some cases, vanilla ice cream instead), and they’re usually free!

Our favorite place to get Penny a pup cup is Dunkin’ Donuts (whipped cream), but there are several other places you can get one for your dog, including:

• Chick-Fil-A – vanilla ice cream and a dog treat

• Culver’s – vanilla frozen custard, usually with a Milk Bone

• Dairy Queen – vanilla ice cream

• McDonald’s – whipped cream

• Shake Shack – vanilla custard, peanut butter, and a dog biscuit

• Sonic – whipped cream

• Starbucks Puppuccino – whipped cream

If you have a Pelican’s SnoBalls in your area, they also have a snow cone for dogs. It’s usually vanilla or peanut butter flavored with a dog treat on top. It’s not free, but it’s still really affordable, and sometimes we have to spend a little extra on our pups!

Other Restaurants with Menu Items for Dogs

If you’re looking for something with a little more sustenance than what a pup cup offers for your dog, there are plenty of other restaurants and eateries where you can get your dog a treat.

Penny hasn’t tried any of these personally, but we’re sure your dog will love them nonetheless! Just make sure you consult your vet first if your dog has any dietary restrictions.

• In-N-Out Pup Patty – unseasoned burger patty with no salt

• Johnny Rockets Dog Burger – a cut up burger patty

• Lazy Dog Rice Plate – cut up beef and rice

• Sprinkles Doggie Cupcake – a dog-safe cupcake with yogurt frosting

• Tim Hortons Timbits – sugar-free, dog-friendly donut holes

What’s Your Pup’s Favorite Treat?

Although Penny loves Shaggy’s, you may have your own dog-friendly restaurant your dog loves to eat at in your area. There are certainly plenty more places with secret dog menus that aren’t as well known. But if nothing else, you can at least spoil your dog with a free pup cup!