The restaurant world is a lot more pet-friendly than you'd think. We've seen a dedicated dog cafe pop up recently, making it so that you can dine in with a plethora of puppies around you, but you can also dine with your four-legged best friend at standard restaurants.
While some services are at the discretion of the restaurant's owner, plenty of well-known restaurants cater to your doggy with special menu items.
Of course, unless you have a service dog, you can't really eat indoors without the health department throwing a fit, but outdoor patios are a dog-lover's best friend.
Also, keep in mind that just as we hoomans can be allergic to certain things, your dog can be too. So check with a vet and always make sure you know that your dog can handle the food so you don't get unexpected gifts on your car rug.
From Starbucks to Shake Shack, a lot of our favorite chain restaurants put in a little extra effort to make sure your companion can share a little something with you while dining.
Check out the dog-friendly secret menu items that they offer:
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Puppuccino from Starbucks
The Puppuccino is a small cup filled with whipped cream for your canine companion. If you're taking Scooby for a walk and want to pop in to Starbucks for a Caramel Frappuccino, you don't have to painfully look into your dog's sad little eyes as he watches you drink away. Take a seat outside and enjoy Starbucks with Fido.
However, it could be a bit sketchy to order it consistently for your dog, considering Starbucks' whipped cream has so much sugar and fat, but it's a nice treat for them once in a great while.
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Dairy Queen Pup Cup
Everyone loves ice cream (except maybe our own Peter Pham). Chances are your dog will go nuts for this. With a little bit of vanilla soft serve, topped with a doggie treat, your dog will wag her tail nonstop.
*Note* We've heard milk could possibly be harmful for dogs, so definitely consult with your vet before trying this one.
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In-N-Out's Pup Patty
picthx Squirkee, Chubs the Frenchie
In-N-Out is a must whenever in California, even for your four-legged friend. If you're loving a Double Double in your car and your dog is giving you those sad puppy eyes, you can order him a Pup Patty. It's just a plain, unseasoned burger patty with no salt, just like Uncle Jim used to grill for Memorial Day.
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Doggie Cupcakes from Sprinkles
picthx baileyinthecity, Toyangxoxo
Sprinkles is another destination that must be visited when in California. Their famous cupcakes are also extended to doggies as one of their specialized cupcakes is made sugar-free and with yogurt frosting.
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Sonic Drive-In Doggie Treats
picthix Scottiemom
It makes sense that Sonic Drive-In would be pet-friendly since you never even step foot inside. They're set up so that you order and eat in your car, or pop out and eat at their outside dining area. If you have your pet with you, they'll often bring you a doggie treat so you won't eat alone.
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The Pooch-ini from Shake Shack
picthx beanthere_donethat, reubendebrow
An East Coast favorite that's filled with delicious burgers and milk shakes, of course, Shake Shack has the Pooch-ini for your doggie to enjoy. The Pooch-ini is a custom-made dessert consisting of dog biscuits, peanut butter sauce and vanilla custard. Your dog's going to wag her tail for days after enjoying this one.
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Johnny Rockets Dog Burger
picthx Charlene C.
At Johnny Rockets, if you sit in the outdoor patio areas, you can ask for a cut-up burger patty and water. The Johnny Rockets in Southern California's Victoria Gardens restaurant even teamed up with a local dog bakery to put together a 20-item menu for doggies that includes a Lickety Split Ice Cream and Pupcakes.
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Lazy Dog Rice Plate
picthx arachellybelly
No surprise here. Lazy Dog Cafe is known for its dog-loving inspiration. Here, patrons are encouraged to sit in the outside patio and share meals with their doggies and mingle with other doggies. As you can see above, a cut up piece of beef and a generous serving of rice are provided for Lassie.
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Tim Hortons' Sugar-Free Timbits
picthx Igor Pub Dog
If you're a follower of Barney Stinson from How I Met Your Mother, you'd be under the impression that Canada sucks, but what you should know is they're actually super friendly. Of course the Canadian superpower, Tim Hortons, offers its famous Timbits to doggies in a plain, dog-friendly form.
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Some Chick-Fil-As Give Dog Treats
There are always restaurants that cater to their demographic. So if they know the area consists of lots of dog lovers they might keep dog treats in-store to hand out. For example, Several Chick-Fil-As, such as the one in Upland, CA, and Fountain Way, MN, are known for providing treats for your pup via the drive-thru.
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Of course, we don't want to leave out the mom and pops who love dogs just as much as you do. So if you're on the road with your dog and need to find a spot to plop down and have a meal, some sites pinpoint which restaurants, big or small, are pet-friendly.
It's not exactly the mega stack of spaghetti they shared in Lady and the Tramp, but these places are pretty considerate to the pet community.
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So don't let your pup miss out on a treat, and if it's a hot day, make sure you couple these treats with some water.
