August is National Dog Month. If you happen to be a dog lover the way I am, you already know that there is a plethora of pooch-related endeavors to consider throughout the Mid-Atlantic region (and beyond). In fact, pup-related pleasantries are at a universal all-time high. From specialized dog parks and beaches to canine competitions, such as Keystone Dockdog events and charitable pup plunges, there are so many options to consider! You’ll even find select “take-your-dog” engagements held regularly at many local stadiums, swim clubs, and even dining establishments.
On that latter note, dog-friendly dining in general is on the rise. More regional venues than ever before now offer outdoor seating equipped with dog-friendly patios and decks. Some even provide a customized canine menu comparable to human quality standards! So, it’s safe to say doggie date possibilities are plentiful!
Folks throughout Downtown York, Pennsylvania, are particularly proud of their pooches, and not ashamed to admit it. That’s how one local favorite establishment, long popular with human diners, has now become a canine quintessential, especially for Sunday Brunch!
Taking place every week, now through the end of October, York’s fan-favorite Handsome Cab Restaurant and Wine Bar is serving up Bark Brunches. These brunches, held at their own signature Sidewalk Café, provide the perfect opportunity for diners to share a scrumptious meal with their most faithful companions.
Four-legged foodies are even treated to their own canine-customized menu with pick-and-choose options. These include such doggie delights as Scrambled Eggs and Cheese ($8), the Bark Burger ($8), Doggie Cheesy Bacon Ice Cream ($4), and Doggie Peanut Butter Cheese Ice Cream ($4).
Bark Brunches at Handsome Cab’s Sidewalk Café have been ongoing since the early 2020s, having first gotten started as “Dog Day Afternoons.” An undeniable success, their dog-human dining format remains a seasonal staple, held in conjunction with Sundays in the City by Downtown Inc. “We also do Dining in the Street on Saturdays,” owner Robert Godfrey explained. “Our sidewalk cafe is open all week, and we can provide this for our furry friends until the end of October.”
Time slots for the 2026 Bark Brunch are available from May 10 to October 18 between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. All events are weather-permitting. Reservations can be made here.
Take note also of another popular pup-related event to be hosted by neighboring Gift Horse Brewing Company. It’s the return of their annual Ales for Tails fundraising event. Now in its fourth year, this scaled-back micro-brew edition continues to support local rescues. All proceeds go directly toward Short Noses Only Rescue Team (SNORT).
Ales for Tails will run between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. on Saturday, August 8, at Gift Horse. Learn more about the event by visiting the website.
All information about the Handsome Cab’s Bark Brunches, along with all other additional restaurant facts, can be found at www.thehandsomecab.com.