Headed out to grab a quick meal or your fave caffeinated pick-me-up? Want to take your best furry kid with you? Good news! More and more of your favorite restaurants and coffee shops are offering up fare perfect for four-legged diners. Some of them have dog-friendly options right on the menu. For others, doggie fare is more of an “open secret,” and you’ll have to specifically ask for the items.
Without further ado, here are the best drive-thru spots to hit with your hungry furbaby!
Sonic
Sonic is the ultimate drive-thru restaurant for humans. But did you know that many of their locations offer canine treats as well? If your favorite local Sonic doesn’t have a doggie menu, or your pup’s heart is set on people-food, you can order a plain burger or chicken sandwich, and ask the nice drive-thru folks to hold the bun.
In-N-Out Burger
When it opened in 1948, In-N-Out had the distinction of being California's first drive-thru burger joint. Of course, now it’s a famous chain of restaurants -- but many burger lovers claim it’s still the best around. In-N-Out doesn’t just please people palates -- their “Puppy Patty,” an unseasoned burger served in a trademark doggie bag, is a tantalizing doggie treat.
Chick-fil-A
People have gone wild over Chick-fil-A’s signature chicken sandwiches ever since the restaurant opened its doors in 1964. Of course, dogs love good chicken just as much as humans do. Next time you have a craving for a Deluxe Chicken Sandwich and that addictive Chick-fil-A sauce, order up some grilled chicken nuggets for your pooch, as well. And be sure to ask for a doggie treat -- some locations offer them for free.
Starbucks (a.k.a. Starbarks)
Starbucks lovers agree--nothing makes a day brighter than their favorite fancy caffeinated beverage. Next time you hit the drive-thru for a pick-me-up, bring your pooch along and treat him to a “Puppuccino”--a small cup of light whipped cream your dog will love down to the last lick.
Shake Shack
Shake Shack isn’t really a true drive-thru, but they do have an order-ahead service that makes grabbing a milkshake or a tasty burger quick and easy. Plus, their doggie menu is so much fun, we couldn’t leave them off the list. They offer two adorable and tasty options: “Bag O’Bones,” a doggie bag containing five ShackBurger dog biscuits made by Bocce’s Bakery, and “Pooch-ini,” a selection of ShackBurger dog biscuits filled with vanilla custard and topped with peanut butter sauce. Yum!
PDQ
PDQ proves every day that you don’t have to settle for less when you want fast food. In fact, the name stands for People Dedicated to Quality. The restaurant uses fresh, never-frozen chicken with no added hormones or steroids for all its chicken menu items, making the PDQ drive-thru a great place to pick-up some healthy grilled chicken tenders for your discerning canine diner.
Dunkin’ (a.k.a.) Dunkin Donuts
Once upon a time, Dunkin’ offered donuts, coffee, and . . . not much else. Today, however, you can get everything from a tasty breakfast sandwich to specialty coffees and blended frozen treats. You can even get your furkid a “Puppy Latte,” which is a serving of light whipped cream in a small cup.
Dairy Queen
Since 1940, Dairy Queen has catered to ice cream lovers looking for the best frozen desserts. While DQ doesn’t have a drive-thru, they do have a walk-up window, so your pup can come along as you order. DQ loves its furry customers just as much as its human ones, and offers pooches “Pup Cups,” which are small cups of soft-serve vanilla ice cream.
Mickey D’s, BK, and Wendy’s
McDonalds, Burger King, and Wendy’s, are some of the most popular drive-thrus around, and while they may not have specific doggie menus, you can always grab a plain burger or grilled chicken sandwich for your pup....or perhaps a small cup of soft-serve vanilla to satisfy his sweet tooth.
Keep in mind . . .
Occasional treats are fun, but too much of a good thing can lead to an upset fluffy tummy -- particularly when it comes to dairy products and greasy or fatty foods. If your dog’s stomach is sensitive, or you feel unsure about adding something new to his diet, check in with your veterinarian first.
The more time spent with our four-legged kids, the better. With so many puppy-pleasing options available, it will be easy to take your precious pup along the next time you run out for a quick bite
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