In this week’s edition of The Emerald Toast, Elizabeth and I visit a Pensacola institution known for selling hot dogs and discover there’s so much more on the menu.
Nathan Holler’s Pensacola roots run deep. You only need to spend a few minutes with him to see the pride he has in his family’s fast-causal 44-year-old restaurant, The Dog House, located Downtown on Palafox Street.
Moving Forward
While Nathan appreciates the history of the place and the classics that put the restaurant on the map, like the fried mullet basket and hot dogs, he’s going full-steam ahead, putting his creative spin on expanding both the food and cocktail menus.
He came up with these Pork Belly and Watermelon bites.You probably wouldn’t expect these flavors to play well together, but after combining a forkful of the smoked pork belly and a cool watermelon ball you’ll see that they indeed do get along.
Cereal on a Hot Dog?
Ever try a hot dog overflowing with breakfast cereal? My mouth did a happy dance when I bit into the Rubble Rage, a hot dog with mayo, mustard, ketchup, chili, sour cream, sriracha and Fruity Pebbles. A crunchy explosion of sweet and savory!
Their Chicago Dog is full of crunch and flavor, loaded with the good stuff — onions, sweet relish, tomatoes, cucumber, dill pickle spear, mustard, celery seed and sport peppers.
Po’boys and Burgers
Their hamburgers are just as innovative. Nathan came up with the Palafox Double because he wanted the flavor of a grilled burger using the restaurant’s flat top. He succeeded by infusing smoked bacon into his beef blend.
Several po’boys are on the menu too. The fried shrimp po’boy is full of shrimp, crispy and tender at the same time, served on authentic French bread from Gambino’s in New Orleans.
Breakfast and Brunch
Did we mention that The Dog House serves breakfast and a Saturday brunch with endless Mimosas? You’ll find several breakfast burritos, Smoked Pork Belly and Sausage Gravy Biscuits and French Toast Bites on the menu.
Nathan extends his crafty take on food to cocktails. He’s concocted some tasty, refreshing, adult beverages!
The Secret Garden muddles arugula, mint, bell pepper with gin and elderflower. Nathan calls the botanical drink a ‘kitchen in a cocktail’. After a day of walking and shopping on Palafox Street, the Spicy Pineapple Margarita and the Watermelon Thyme Slushy will cool you right off!
There are plans to expand the restaurant into the alley way out back to open an Oyster Bar and a Rum Bar to honor Pensacola’s rich rum history and culture.
Elizabeth’s Take
“Doghouse seems like the place to be! This is a casual, friendly place with a fancy palate. The culinary creations of Chef Nathan’s kitchen and bar are some of the tastiest I’ve had on Palafox.”
Ali’s Take
“I expected a menu filled with endless hot dog combinations. I was pleasantly surprised to find such creativity and flavor profiles in one place. The Dog House is moving ahead and I’m all in! I love their drink selections. The prices are some of the best I’ve seen in Pensacola for craft cocktails.”
What Makes The Dog House Special
Each week we ask our restaurateurs to tell us what makes their place so special.
Nathan says The Dog House is all about authenticity. It’s the oldest family-owned restaurant in Pensacola. “My parents launched the restaurant the same month and year as McGuire’s Pub opened.We’re honoring the past but expanding the menu and hours moving forward.”
Good to Know
The Dog House is located at:
30 S Palafox St.
Pensacola, FL 32502
850-432-3104
- Hours Open: 8am – 3pm Tues-Wed Open: 8:00am-9:00pm Thursday-Saturday Closed: Sunday
- There’s sidewalk seating
- Pets are welcome outside
- They serve DeLuna Coffee
- The atmosphere is industrial chic.
- The wood you see around the place is reclaimed from the original building built in the 1800s. The wood floors have been repurposed into the counter tops and the beams are now the back of the booths.
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