POCATELLO — Dog-friendly restaurants are becoming more popular. With cozy patios, special dog menus, free dog treats, and more, these locations make dining fun for dogs and their humans.
In addition to outdoor dining, Off the Rails Brewing in Old Town Pocatello has taken its business model a step further by welcoming and petting dogs at the front of the building, offering an indoor seating area .
Husband and wife team Peyton Kiggins and Justin Arias and partners Greg and Crystal Mead took over the business at 228 S. Main Street in 2022. A variety of beers made on-site, specialty burgers, pizza, salads, and live music.
As for making the restaurant dog-friendly, Kiggins said the decision was easy.
“So many people brought their dogs and claimed they were service dogs, and we can’t ask any questions,” Kiggins said. “We love fur babies. They add extra value to your life. We’d rather welcome them than chase them away.”
Service dogs have been required in restaurants for decades, but it wasn’t until the mid-2000s that many states, including Idaho, passed laws allowing dogs in outdoor dining spaces. It is. In Idaho, dogs are generally not allowed in areas where food is prepared.
However, bars, breweries, and wineries that don’t prepare food have more flexibility. Off The Rails Brewing is positioned to provide a designated dog area in the rear area of the bar at the front of the building, far enough away from the kitchen in the restaurant area to meet health inspection standards.
Kiggins said they strive to provide a balanced service for guests with dogs and those without dogs, adding: “People with dogs must enter through the front of the building. Dogs are not allowed inside the restaurant. Dogs must be friendly, leashed and well behaved.
“We’ve only had one bad incident. Most of the dogs that come in are very well-behaved and allergy-prone breeds,” Mr Kiggins added.
Kiggins said people traveling to the city are discovering it online as a place to enjoy good food, beer and entertainment with their pets.
“We get a lot of calls asking if we allow dogs. In general, breweries tend to offer dog-friendly options. It’s a trend that’s happening across the country,” Kiggins added. “We also offer dog beer with soup.”
What’s behind this trend? Millennials and Gen Z are driving the proliferation of dog-friendly bars and restaurants. According to research from the American Pet Products Association (APPA), 67% of Millennials and 63% of Gen Z consider themselves pet owners, reporting that their most popular choice is a dog. .
With a pet-centric lifestyle, this generation is increasingly looking for places where they can enjoy food and drinks with their furry friends.
This trend has led facilities to create special seating, dog menus, and events such as “Yappy Hour” that cater to both pet owners and their dogs.
Many other businesses in Pocatello and eastern Idaho are embracing this trend. Dog-friendly establishments include Sandpiper, The Office Bar & Grill, Portneuf Valley Brewing, Blue House, and Star Root Brewery.
Drive-thru businesses like Freddy’s, Double Shot Coffee, Sonic Drive-In, and Java Express offer complimentary dog treats such as puppy cups with vanilla ice cream, peanut butter, and whipped cream, or dog bones. I am.
“We always try to look to the future. It’s a sign of the times. Our pets are part of the family, and eating out with them has become the new normal,” Kiggins says. said.
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