10 Great Dog-Friendly Restaurant Chains in the US (2024 Update)
By Misty Layne
Updated on
You want to bring your favorite canine companion everywhere you go, but unfortunately, you can’t always do that. However, plenty of public spaces allow pets, such as dogs; you just have to find those spaces. When it comes to restaurant chains in the U.S., you might think there are none that are particularly dog-friendly, but it turns out there are quite a few!
If you’ve been searching for the perfect dog-friendly restaurant in your area, then take a look at our reviews of the best dog-friendly restaurant chains in the U.S. below. You’ll have to sit outside at all these (because no matter how well-behaved your pup is, health inspectors will still frown on it being inside). But you’re bound to find something that serves food you’ll enjoy on this list, and we’ll tell you more about just how friendly each chain is. So, keep reading!
A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites
Rating | Image | Product | Details | |
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Best Overall | Shake Shack |
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Visit their website | |
Best Value | Sonic |
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Visit their website | |
Premium Choice | Olive Garden |
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Visit their website | |
In-N-Out Burger |
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Visit their website | ||
Panera Bread |
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Visit their website |
The Top 10 Dog-Friendly Restaurant Chains in the U.S.
1. Shake Shack – Best Overall
Regions: | Mostly New York, California, Florida, Texas |
Food Type: | American |
Pet Policy: | Outside areas only |
If you’re looking for the best overall dog-friendly restaurant chain in the United States, look no further than Shake Shack! This restaurant is known for being exceptionally dog-friendly—they even have a doggie menu!—and is more than happy to welcome well-behaved doggos into their patio area. Though probably best known for their burgers and shakes, Shake Shack also offers a variety of chicken and hot dog options, along with fries and frozen custard.
The biggest downfall with Shake Shack is that there might not be one in your area. While this restaurant chain used to be exclusive to the New York area, it has branched out, but not to a great extent.
- Very dog-friendly
- Has a doggie menu
- Good variety of menu options for people
- Not located extensively throughout the U.S.
2. Sonic – Best Value
Regions: | 46 states |
Food Type: | American |
Pet Policy: | In car or patio area |
Looking for the best dog-friendly restaurant chain for the money? Then Sonic is likely your best bet! The Sonic chain of restaurants is drive-in, so they’re automatically dog-friendly (and some will allow dogs in the patio areas, but you’ll need to check with your local Sonic for their rules). Plus, some Sonics have dog-friendly treats upon request. And the human food at Sonic is extremely affordable since it’s fast food (and the restaurant has an app that offers huge discounts on certain days).
Sonic serves typical American fare, such as burgers, hot dogs, and fries, along with tons of slushes. Because the chain has 3,547 restaurants in 46 states, you can most likely find one near you. But this may not be the best option if you aren’t a fan of eating in your car, as some Sonics might not have patio seating.
- Best value
- Some locations have dog-friendly treats
- Located in almost every state
- Not the best for those who don’t enjoy eating in the car
- Dogs allowed in patio area vary by location
3. Olive Garden – Premium Choice
Regions: | All 50 states, with California, Florida, and Texas having the most |
Food Type: | Italian |
Pet Policy: | Varies by location |
Sometimes you just don’t want fast food and would rather have a sit-down meal with your pup. You’re in luck because Olive Garden allows dogs into their outdoor seating areas—or some do anyway. Whether dogs are permitted in the patio area varies by Olive Garden location, so you’ll need to call your local restaurant before bringing your pet. And though Olive Garden doesn’t have a menu or treats for pups, you can certainly sneak your pet a bite or two of bread.
Olive Garden is famous for its Italian fare and endless soup, breadsticks, and salad, so you know exactly what you’re getting with this restaurant. And though it’s pricier a place to eat than, say, Sonic, you’ll almost definitely be leaving with a doggie bag of your own.
- Plenty of Olive Gardens in the U.S.
- Will definitely have leftovers
- Not all locations will be dog-friendly, so you’ll need to call ahead
- A bit pricier than other dog-friendly chains
4. In-N-Out Burger
Regions: | Mostly California & Southwest |
Food Type: | American |
Pet Policy: | Outdoors only |
You might have started noticing a theme in dog-friendly restaurant chains—many of them are burger joints! So, it makes sense that In-N-Out Burger would also be welcoming to dogs hanging out at their outdoor locations. The biggest issue with In-N-Out is that this restaurant chain is a West Coast one, so you’ll be out of luck if you live anywhere other than there. If you are lucky enough to be near one of these fast-food restaurants, you can enjoy burgers, fries, and shakes at a fairly reasonable price. Plus, some locations offer dog-friendly menu items, such as unseasoned burgers for your four-legged friend!
- Dogs allowed at outdoor locations
- Some locations offer dog-friendly options
- Reasonable prices
- Only on the West Coast
5. Panera Bread
Regions: | Lower 48 states |
Food Type: | Sandwiches, soups, breakfast |
Pet Policy: | Outdoors only |
Panera Bread is another restaurant chain that often offers outside patio areas, so many of them are welcoming to our four-legged friends (though you should check with your local Panera before bringing your dog, as a few may not be). And if it’s only you and your dog visiting, you should be able to order via the Panera Bread app and have the food delivered to you outside. There’s no menu for Fido at this restaurant chain, but your pup should enjoy hanging out and seeing the sights while you eat.
And you can eat pretty much any meal at Panera, as they offer a wide variety of breakfast foods, sandwiches, soups, and even some pasta options. This restaurant chain has 2172 restaurants in the United States, too, so you should be able to find one relatively nearby.
- Usually friendly to dogs in outdoor area
- Should be able to order via app if you’re dining alone with your pup to avoid going inside
- Can eat any meal here
- Some locations might not be friendly to dogs
6. Dairy Queen
Regions: | 49 states |
Food Type: | American |
Pet Policy: | Outdoors only |
Oh, look, another burger place! Though Dairy Queen does serve burgers (and chicken fingers and fries), they’re most well-known for their ice cream treats, like the Blizzard. Less well-known is that many locations are fine with dogs hanging with their owners outside, and a few Dairy Queens even offer free ice cream cones for pups! And with 4349 locations in almost every state, there’s sure to be one close by. Plus, Dairy Queen is one of the more affordable chains on this list.
However, not all locations may be okay with dogs (and not all will offer the free ice cream cones), so check ahead with your local Dairy Queen to find out where they stand.
- Prevalent in the U.S.
- Some offer free ice cream cones for dogs
- Affordable
- Not all locations may allow dogs
- Not all locations will have free ice cream cones
7. Outback Steakhouse
Regions: | 46 states |
Food Type: | Steakhouse |
Pet Policy: | Outdoors only |
While a good majority of dog-friendly restaurant chains are fast food, a couple of sit-down restaurants allow dogs in the patio seating, with Outback Steakhouse being one of them. You won’t find a menu for the pups at this restaurant chain, but you can probably sneak your pet a bite of steak when no one is watching. And because Outback Steakhouse is fairly common throughout the United States (with the most being in Florida, Texas, and California), there will hopefully be one near enough to you.
Famous for its Bloomin’ Onion, Outback Steakhouse also serves typical steakhouse fare (steaks, burgers, fries) with an Australian twist, so there’s sure to be something to please everyone at this restaurant chain! Of course, Outback will be pricier than a simple burger joint, but it makes a nice treat now and then.
- Dogs allowed outside
- Fairly common restaurant chain
- No dog menu
- Bit pricier than other chains
8. Lazy Dog Restaurant and Bar
Regions: | Mainly West Coast |
Food Type: | A little bit of everything |
Pet Policy: | Patio only |
It makes sense that a restaurant chain with the word “dog” in the name would be dog-friendly, and the Lazy Dog Restaurant and Bar absolutely is! Dogs are more than welcome on the patio areas at these restaurants, and Lazy Dog features a doggie menu (grilled burger patty with rice and veggies or chicken with rice and veggies). There are, of course, rules to dogs dining in the patio area, such as leashes remaining on at all times and pups not eating off your plate. But the Lazy Dog Restaurant and Bar seems to be one of the dog-friendlier restaurants out there.
Unfortunately, they are mainly on the West Coast (though they have been expanding and have a couple of locations in Georgia, Texas, and Florida), so if you live elsewhere, you’ll miss out on this one. The chain plans to expand further, though, so hopefully, one will show up near you sooner rather than later And as far as food goes, the Lazy Dog has a bit of everything (even TV dinners!).
- Absolutely dog-friendly
- Special doggie menu
- Bit of every kind of food
- Mostly on the West Coast
9. Johnny Rockets
Regions: | West Coast, Southwest, Northeast, Midwest |
Food Type: | American |
Pet Policy: | Outdoors only |
You might be familiar with this burger chain, particularly if you live on the West Coast, where there are more of them. If not, Johnny Rockets’ theme is that of a 1950s diner and serves burgers, fries, and shakes (along with a few other items). Not all Johnny Rockets will have outdoor seating areas, but those that do typically allow dogs onto them (though not all locations are okay with dogs). And a few restaurants in California even offer dog-friendly treats on the menu!
However, this restaurant chain isn’t as prevalent across the U.S. as some others on this list. While they’re located in 20 states, many states only have a single location. So, there may not be a Johnny Rockets near you.
- Typically dog-friendly
- Some restaurants offer dog-friendly options on menu
- Not every state will have this chain (and some states only have a single location)
- Every restaurant may not allow dogs on patio
10. Applebee’s
Regions: | 49 states (except Hawaii) |
Food Type: | Pub |
Pet Policy: | Patio only |
Applebee’s is almost everywhere (except Hawaii, apparently), so you’ve probably eaten here a time or two. But did you know that several Applebee locations allow dogs into the patio area? Though you’ll need to call ahead to check with your local restaurant to find out if they let pups in, chances are good they do! Plus, some locations even offer “Yappy Hours” for doggie parents.
Applebee’s serves typical pub fare, such as burgers, sandwiches, steaks, and salads (though no menu for the pups), so there should be something that appeals to everyone. Plus, for a sit-down restaurant, it’s incredibly affordable.
- Affordable
- Some locations offer “Yappy Hour”
- Not located in Hawaii
- Some locations might not allow dogs
Tips for Eating with Your Dog
Just because a restaurant chain is friendly to dogs doesn’t mean there isn’t etiquette to be followed for dining with your pup. After all, there are other patrons at the restaurant, and they might not love your fur baby as much as you. So, when eating out with your four-legged friend, follow these rules!
Leashed at All Times
It doesn’t matter how obedient your doggo is; it still needs to stay on its leash at all times when dining out. As we said, others around you might not be as big a fan of your pet as you are, so an unleashed dog could make them uncomfortable. Plus, even the most well-behaved pup can be tempted into bad behavior by a tasty treat on someone’s plate!
Leashed to You
It’s important to keep your dog’s leash attached to you while dining and not to the table. If a situation comes up where your dog decides to give chase, you could have a classic sitcom situation on your hands with your pet running around dragging a table along behind it!
Only Bring Well-Behaved Dogs
Your pup needs to be on its best behavior while in public spaces, so ensure your pet knows basic commands, like “Sit,” “Stay,” and “Leave it,” before you hit the restaurant. That also means your dog needs to understand it can’t bark or whine constantly while out.
Consider a Blanket
Outdoor patios usually have concrete floors, which can be uncomfy for your pet (particularly in the summer when the concrete heats up). So, consider bringing a blanket or something similar for your dog to lay on while you eat. A dog that’s comfortable will have an easier time being quiet and still than one that’s not, after all.
Walk and Feed Your Dog Beforehand
You’d be pretty upset if you got taken to a restaurant and weren’t allowed to eat anything or go to the bathroom, right? Well, your pup probably won’t be too happy in that scenario, either! So, always make sure you feed and walk your dog before going out (this also prevents any accidents from occurring at the restaurant!). And, if the place where you’re eating doesn’t have dog-friendly options on the menu, bring a few snacks for your pup to enjoy so it’s not left out.
Bring a Water Bowl
Some restaurant chains might offer your dog water from a bowl, but some will not. That means it’s vital to remember to bring your own water bowl for your pup so it doesn’t get too thirsty (especially on hot days!). You can find some excellent collapsible bowls that are easy to carry around.
Bring a Friend
You might need to leave your dog at some point during your outing, whether it’s so you can visit the restroom or go inside to pay. Bringing a friend along on your dinner date means you don’t have to leave your pet tied up somewhere outside on its own.
Avoid Letting Your Dog Use Your Plate
We get it; when you’re at home, you sometimes let your pet “pre-wash” the dishes by licking them clean. However, a restaurant’s employees (and likely other patrons) will frown on that sort of behavior as unsanitary. So, don’t let your dog lick your plate or utensils!
Pay Attention to Your Dog
Besides the fact that you don’t want to simply tie up your dog next to you and ignore it the entire meal, you need to keep an eye on your pup to avoid unwanted behaviors. As stated previously, not everyone is a dog lover, and those that aren’t can find certain dog behaviors unappetizing (take drooling, for example). So, stopping your dog if you see it engaging in behaviors others could deem a bit gross is vital.
Conclusion
Hopefully, you’ve found these short reviews of the best dog-friendly restaurant chains in the U.S. helpful! Just remember that if you want to try out the best overall restaurant chain, you’ll want to visit Shake Shack for its doggie menu and friendliness. But if you want the best value, Sonic is the way to go, as they offer tasty food at low prices. And if you want a nice sit-down meal with your pup, check and see if your local Olive Garden welcomes pets!
- See Also: Are Dog Cafés Ethical?