A Plymouth Restaurant Just Launched a Menu Specifically for Dogs

PLYMOUTH (WBSM) — One Plymouth restaurant has gone to the dogs, as Mamma Mia’s in The Pinehills has introduced a menu just for canine companions.

Mamma Mia’s has launched its “A La Bark” menu designed exclusively for dogs dining alongside their owners at the restaurant’s outdoor patio space.

The menu only launched about three or four weeks ago, but it is already earning appaws – er, applause – from dogs and humans alike.

Inspiration Behind Mamma Mia's ‘A La Bark’ Menu

Jessica Hamill, Director of Operations for Viscariello Hospitality Group, said that Mamma Mia’s had been offering dogs a bowl of water, and if the owner asked, they’d provide them with something to eat – but there was nothing formally on the menu for them.

“We have so many people in the community in The Pinehills that have their dogs and they walk them around, and I have two dogs myself, so I said, ‘What would I want my dogs to eat if I was walking around and brought them out to a restaurant that has a patio?’” she said in an appearance on WBSM. “And that’s kind of where the idea came from.”

“I know personally there have been times I’ve taken my dog for a walk and we’ve wanted to stop and get something to eat, but forgot we don’t have a water bowl or a snack for the dog with us,” she said. “People are out walking the dog, want to stop and have something to eat, so why not something for their dogs as well?”

Designing a Doggie Menu They'll Actually Love

Hamill then went to work trying to draw up a menu that would be tasty and satisfying for dogs, while also good for them, but also utilizing pre-existing ingredients on the Mamma Mia’s menu.

“I wanted it to be normal human food but that is actually safe for dogs to eat. We’re not offering up a slice of pizza that will upset their stomach,” she said. “I really took the time to focus on what is safe for dogs to eat that they would like.”

Hamill said she looked to the ingredients of all-natural dog foods as inspiration.

“I think a lot of people are very cautious about what they feed their dogs when they pick up food at the grocery store or pet store, they're starting to look at the labels, they’re starting to see they don’t want to give their dog too much processed food,” she said. “We’re going in the direction of what people are already doing for their pets, and we’re just doing it with the ingredients that we have in-house.”

Courtesy Jeff Cohen

Which Mamma Mia’s Locations are Dog-Friendly?

The dog menu is only available at the Pinehills location since it is the only Mamma Mia's with a ground-level patio.

“Our sister restaurants ThreeV (patio only) and the fully outdoor, beach front Sand Bar – both in Cordage Park – are dog-friendly, but don't have pup menus,” Marketing Director Bonnie Owens said. “Please note that in all our restaurants, we adhere to state health codes, so only service dogs are allowed indoors, even if you're just doing a quick take-out order.”

Other Mamma Mia’s locations include the Plymouth waterfront (which also has a top deck), Marshfield, Hanover, Kingston, Carver, and another sister restaurant, Carmela’s, in Kingston.

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“The Pinehills neighborhood is a unique village to operate a restaurant in, with a true enclave feeling to it, meaning lots of ‘regular’ guests,” Owens said.

“The area itself is set up as a great place for pets. It's designed to be walkable, so many of our guests arrive on foot from their nearby homes," she said. "It's great when the patio opens up and we can provide our guests an alternative to the Mamma Mia's they experience the rest of the year.”

What’s on Mamma Mia’s ‘A La Bark’ Menu?

• Good Dog ($8): Cut up unseasoned burger patty topped with bacon bits
• Yappy Meal ($7): Sliced grilled chicken with steamed broccoli
• Veggie Delight ($5): Raw sliced bell peppers, carrots, and cucumbers
• Puppy Love ($10): Cut up unseasoned salmon filet
• Cheesy Bites ($7): Grilled cheese cut into small bites
• Fresh Fit: ($5): Medley of steamed unseasoned veggies
• Pupp-o Italiano ($4): Plain cooked ziti, with gluten-free pasta available

There are also pup cup ice creams ($3), duck jerky ($3) for dogs with sensitive stomachs or those just looking for a snack, or a dental stick chew ($3).

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Oh, and for those human diners concerned about eating off the same plate a dog may have used, not to worry. Anything from the “A La Bark” menu is served in a to-go container, which means dogs can dine in or take out their meals.