I fully admit to having some apprehension about dining at a restaurant that caters to dogs, and I’m not talking about the kind that hang out in bars and ogle women (or men for that matter). No, the four-legged type. I’m not a dog hater—I just feel there are dog-appropriate spaces and non-doggie spaces, and restaurants fall into the latter. Therefore, when I stopped by Lazy Dog in Folsom, I was pleasantly surprised to find pups outside and people inside—as it should be. 

The interior is clean and reminiscent of mountain-style architecture with blonde, exposed wood beams and stacked slate stone columns; the waitstaff further enforces the lodge-like feel with their flannel shirts. 

And then there’s the food, which was also a pleasant surprise—a sizeable, eclectic menu with some gastropub-style entrées along with standard pub-grub offerings. I was also impressed by their “Scratch Kitchen” philosophy where they vow to slice, dice, chop, season and cook everything in-house. 

My first item was the Strawberry Field Salad, featuring blistered cherry tomatoes, carrots, pickled strawberries (yes, pickled—sweet, slightly tart and fantastic!), house-made trail mix croutons (another cheffy touch), a beautiful wedge of Humboldt Fog goat cheese and spring greens—all dressed in a light balsamic vinaigrette. Well-thought-out and executed, it was just the beginning of what was to come.

Next was a twisted take on one of Canada’s prized possessions—poutine. Lazy Dog’s version featured onion rings, a five-hour braised pot roast, French fries, house-made gravy (a prime example of their “Scratch Kitchen” philosophy), melted Havarti, a fried egg and roasted vegetables. If you’re a poutine purist, you might lament the subtraction of cheese curds, but the addition of Havarti worked for me, as I’m not a big fan of “the curds.” 

Just as the “seven-minute poutine rule” was expiring (the time it takes for all poutine to get cold), the waitress delivered their Asian-style variation of Berkshire pork shank. Slightly sweet from the tangerine braising liquid and packing a ginger punch, it was served over spicy kimchi fried rice and exemplified the restaurant’s ability to successfully make eclectic gastropub grub. 

I also sampled their pizza menu, settling on the sausage and chili oil variation. Though I was sold at “house-made fennel sausage,” the addition of pomodoro tomato sauce, mozzarella, thyme and chili oil resulted in pie perfection.

If you’re an avowed foodie like me, one trip here is not enough. I plan on making several visits with my two-legged friends; and if you’re a dog person, bring your four-legged foodie friends—there’s good stuff for all. 

Hours

9 a.m.-midnight (Saturday-Sunday), 11 a.m.-midnight (Monday-Friday)

Try This 

Bananas Foster French Toast, Buffalo Cauliflower, Onion Ring Poutine, Sausage and Chili Oil Pizza, Cajun Fries, Berkshire Pork Shank, BBQ Bison Meatloaf, Alaskan Halibut, Butter Cake

Alcohol
Full bar; beer, wine and cocktails 

Tab
$$ 

Heads-Up
Online ordering and family-style takeout available; dog menu includes items like a grilled hamburger patty and brown rice; kids’ brunch, lunch/dinner and dessert menus; weekend brunch served until 2 p.m.; Happy Hour (every day except Saturday; times vary) includes $3-$8 food and drink specials; sign up for their Email Club to receive a complimentary dessert or starter, plus birthday and anniversary surprises

Lazy Dog Restaurant and Bar, 300 Palladio Parkway, Folsom, 916-378-4660, lazydogrestaurants.com

by Lorn Randall