Houston’s chefs and restaurateurs spend their days feeding the city, but at home, there’s often another hungry customer waiting. For Bark Week, we asked some familiar faces in Houston’s food scene to introduce us to their four-legged family members—and dish on the foods their pups can’t resist.
As it turns out, these pups have opinions. Their favorites range from homemade tortillas and caldo de pollo to carrots, peanut butter, pup cups, and even the occasional shoe.
Meet the dogs of Houston’s culinary community and find out what keeps their tails wagging.
Michelle Wallace — B’tween Sandwich Co.
Chef Michelle Wallace of B’tween Sandwich Co. keeps things simple when it comes to Rocko, her German Shepherd mix. His favorites are chicken and carrots, proving you don’t need a complicated recipe to keep this pup happy.
Patrick Pham — Chef-Co-Owner, Duckstache Hospitality
Duckstache Hospitality chef Patrick Pham has a seafood lover at home. Lulu, his English Bulldog, counts salmon as her favorite food—an appropriately refined choice for the pup of a chef.
Winston Williams — Executive Pastry Chef, Four Season Hotel Houston
Four Seasons Hotel Houston executive pastry chef Winston Williams knows his way around sweets, but Draco, his French Bulldog, has a simpler favorite treat: peanut butter. No elaborate pastry required to win this pup over.
Brian Greene — President and CEO, Houston Food Bank
Houston Food Bank President and CEO Brian Greene has a food-motivated pup at home, but Polar, his Golden Retriever, isn’t after the usual dog treats. His favorite snack is the food meant for the family’s foster cats—a habit that requires keeping a strap on the kitten room door to prevent Polar from helping himself.
Captain Frederick McBride — Chef, Captain Mc’s
It seems only fitting that the dog belonging to Captain Frederick McBride of Captain Mc’s would have a taste for seafood. Jet, McBride’s Portuguese Water Dog, counts fish as his favorite food.
Nicole and Brad Bean — Chef-Owners, Pizaro’s Pizza
Pizza may be the family business for Nicole and Brad Bean of Pizaro’s Pizza, but Daisy has her sights set on something else. The couple’s Pit Bull is a devoted fan of Starbucks pup cups—because apparently even a pizza family’s dog needs a coffee run.
Chef Douglas Rodriguez — Chef, Exilio Latin Flair
Chef Douglas Rodriguez of Exilio Latin Flair doesn’t just cook for restaurant guests. His dogs, Tobby, a Merle Yorkie, and Gigi, a Schnauzer-Yorkie mix, eat home-cooked organic meals, with chicken and sweet potato ranking among their favorites. Rodriguez has taken that same idea to Exilio’s dog-friendly patio with an organic menu created specifically for canine guests. Pups can start with baby carrots before choosing ground chicken breast with sweet potatoes or salmon with peas, followed by a Puppy Pop topped with peanut butter whipped cream for dessert.
Tristan Simon — Managing Partner, Rebees
When Rebees managing partner Tristan Simon opens Lila’s at GreenStreet in Downtown Houston this fall, the restaurant will share a name with a very important member of his family: his French Bulldog, Lila. Her favorite food, however, comes from another Simon restaurant—she’s a fan of the Billy Burger from Billy Can Can in Dallas.
Benchawan and Graham Painter — Chef-Owners, Street to Kitchen and Jantra
Husband-and-wife team Benchawan and Graham Painter of Street to Kitchen and Jantra have their own discerning diner at home. Kitty, their Jack Russell-Italian Greyhound mix, loves chicken and rice—but apparently it tastes best when Mom and Dad are the ones doing the cooking.
Sophia Ortega — Communications Director, H-Town Restaurant Group
H-Town Restaurant Group Communications Director (and daughter of Hugo Ortega and Tracy Vaught), Sophia Ortega doesn’t have to work too hard to impress Georgie, her Pembroke Welsh Corgi. Georgie’s favorite food is, well, pretty much everything. Popcorn and chicken are fair game, but so are socks. “Edible or not, she’s not picky!”
Ryan Pera — Chef-Co-Owner, Coltivare
Mochi, the Lagotto Romagnolo belonging to Coltivare chef-owner, Ryan Pera, is apparently an equal-opportunity eater. “The better question is what is not Mochi’s favorite food!” his human says. If forced to choose just one, though, pork jerky gets top billing.
Chef Paula Gutierrez — Chef, Zaranda
Zaranda chef Paula Gutierrez has two pups with very different cravings. Mía, a small mixed breed, is obsessed with carrots—and has been known to steal them when the opportunity presents itself. Candy, a Labrador mix, prefers chicken, although she’s also reportedly harboring a secret love of French fries.
Elvis Espinoza — General Manager, Zaranda
At just five months old, Toby is already keeping Zaranda general manager Elvis Espinoza busy. The toy poodle happily eats his Puppy Chow, but his other favorite snack is considerably less conventional: Dad’s shoes.
Carla Briseño — Houston Private Chef
Houston-based private chef Carla Briseño’s pup Luna, a half Siberian Husky, half Alaskan Malamute, has a serious appetite—and discerning taste. Her absolute favorite snack is homemade tortillas made with Maseca corn flour, though she also loves Trader Joe’s dehydrated sardines. Even Luna’s everyday kibble gets an upgrade: Briseño tops it with everything from turmeric chicken and broth to ground beef with Greek yogurt and parsley.
Chef Patti Delgado — Chef, The Original Ninfa’s
Chef Patti Delgado of the Original Ninfa’s knows how to take care of her favorite four-legged regular. Nube, her Standard Poodle, is partial to Delgado’s homemade caldo de pollo. The chef prepares a special dog-friendly version just for her, leaving out garlic, onions, and spices that could be harmful to pups. “I make the caldo de pollo special for her,” Delgado says. “I make it dog-friendly!”
Brandon Holmes — Chef, Rainbow Lodge
Rainbow Lodge chef Brandon Holmes keeps things classic when it comes to feeding Roxy, his Dutch Shepherd. This pup is perfectly content with her favorites: Purina Pro Plan and Diamond Naturals dog food.
