Chubby Chops George Street, Hove, 07818 827666

A DOG-FRIENDLY cafe in Hove is getting tails wagging and mouths watering with their menus for pooches and their owners.

The café is dedicated to man’s best friend with a play area, beds to sleep in and toys for the dogs to play with. Dogs are free to roam around in the company of others, aiding canine socialisation.

While the pooches play, their owners can tuck into a menu including cream teas, gourmet coffee, paninis and cakes Chubby Chops began life in Brighton Square in June 2014 as a pop-up shop to see if the idea would take off before moving to George Street, Hove in December.

The decision to open a dog-friendly café was inspired by Bonnie, the French bulldog belonging to joint owners and managers 29-year-old Joel Ariaman and Alex Ziembinska, 25, both from Hove.

“When she was a puppy we really struggled to find cafés and restaurants where we could take her,” says Joel. “We were really limited in the amount of places we could go. Then we had a thought, let’s open our own doggy café and have it completely dog-friendly.”

For a real dog’s dinner and making the café stand out there is a menu exclusively for dogs, featuring pigs ears, chicken feet and salami, as well as treats including dog doughnuts, biscuits, popcorn and beer.

Both menus have food that is homemade from local produce.

“The dog treats are very popular here,” says Joel. “Brighton and Hove is a dog-friendly city. There are a lot of dogs here and parks nearby. People enjoy taking their dogs out and here they can go for something to eat and give their dogs a treat.”

They also have a pamper room with a bath and host dog birthday parties. Dog-friendly birthday cakes and cupcakes are homemade with chicken, tuna, carrot and/or banana.

The owners have been overwhelmed by the café’s popularity. The response from the public has been very positive, with the café receiving numerous emails from people asking them to open a Chubby Chops in their area.

While being dog-friendly, those without dogs are still welcome.

“We have a lot of people who come in for a doggy fix who do not own a dog,” says Joel. “It’s for dogs and dog lovers.”

The colourful doggy décor features dog wallpaper, cushions, paintings and clothing, as well as books and leaflets about canine care.

Plans for the future include expanding and ideally franchising the idea.

“We’d love to be like a doggy Starbucks,” says Joel. “We’d also like to go back to Brighton to open a bigger shop, as well as London, Essex and eventually nationwide.”

With its inclusive and relaxed atmosphere all are welcome – except cats!

SAMPLE MENU

For humans:

Food:

  • Chorizo, green pesto, rocket and mozzarella panini served with coleslaw and crisps – £5
  • Homemade soup – £4.50
  • Two sultana scones with clotted cream and strawberry jam, served with a pot of tea and a free dog snack – £7
  • Blueberry and almond cheesecake brownie – £2.80

Drinks:

  • Cappuccino – £2/£2.50
  • White chocolate mocha – £2.50/£2.70
  • Original frappe (iced coffee) – £2.50
  • Summer berry smoothie – £3

For dogs:

  • Doggy doughnuts or doggy jammie dodgers – £1
  • Pigs ears, chicken feet or dog salami - £1 each or three for £2

Essential info

Open Mon to Sat, 10am to 6pm. Follow the café on Twitter at @doggycaffe