I don’t know why it took me so long to notice that this new-ish bar and drill in Hillcrest was open. I think I mistook it for a doggie daycare agency for a while, since it seems like one of those is opening up in every neighborhood these days. But Sally and Henry’s Doghouse is not just a pooch-pampering puppy palace...I mean, it kind of is, since the menu has dog snacks on it and dogs are invited in to chill with their people on the cozy patio out back. It hasn’t been open all that long, but dog owners will be stoked about finding a place they can bring their pets without drawing stares from other patrons or being turned away at the door.
Sally and Henry’s is also a cool place for the dogless, which is me most of the time when I’m not watching my roommate’s thoroughly lovable, albeit irksome and co-dependent, wiener dog. The vibe is low-key and a cool halfway point between the faux-divey collegiate scene at somewhere like Nunu’s and the full-on bass hit bump and grind at Hillcrest’s clubs of note. It’s part sports bar, with the big TV tuned in to the footballs on the regular, but things seem more chill.
And the hotdog menu is sweet.
$5 gets a hotdog with four toppings and a side of chips. I stopped at three toppings because nacho cheese, bacon, and jalapenos needed no further enhancement. Spot on snack for late-night or anytime. The dog had a big slice of bacon on it, instead of crunchy little bits, and the hot, chewy bun help everything together in a marvelous way.
I also tried some “dog balls” ($6.25), which were poorly named shrimp wrapped in bacon and doused in an orange glaze. They were a bit ho-hum and somewhat overcooked. I would wager the beer and cheese dip or “extreme chili” would be more in keeping with the Doghouse kitchen’s culinary acumen. Also, "pups in blankets," i.e. sausages wrapped in puff pastry, are almost impossible to do wrong.
http://sandiegoreader.com/users/photos/2012/nov/01/34763/
Burgers, sandwiches, salads, and flatbreads (all $5-$10) rounded out the menu and, while nothing looked particularly innovative, it’s clear that if you cover anything with nacho cheese and bacon, or whatever else seems good from the list of toppings, it’s going to be satisfactory. There’s a $24 “to the pound” burger on the menu. If anyone can eat all 16 ounces of meat and the side of fries, he’s getting a free shirt.
Monday’s special is $1 brisket sliders with $4 pints of Levitation and the intriguing Wednesday special is a fried cornish hen dinner with mash, gravy, corn on the cob, and peach cobbler for $11.95. Could be really good.
The beer and wine menu has some local, craft stuff on tap (Stone, Ballast Point, etc.) and in bottles, but the list won’t make it a destination beer bar for anyone. I actually tried a glass of pinot grigio with my hotdog and it was weirdly appropriate. Go figure. It’s a full bar so cocktails, shots, eat spirits, and whatever else is always an option.
3515 Fifth Avenue
619-501-8638
Daily 10-11
I don’t know why it took me so long to notice that this new-ish bar and drill in Hillcrest was open. I think I mistook it for a doggie daycare agency for a while, since it seems like one of those is opening up in every neighborhood these days. But Sally and Henry’s Doghouse is not just a pooch-pampering puppy palace...I mean, it kind of is, since the menu has dog snacks on it and dogs are invited in to chill with their people on the cozy patio out back. It hasn’t been open all that long, but dog owners will be stoked about finding a place they can bring their pets without drawing stares from other patrons or being turned away at the door.
Sally and Henry’s is also a cool place for the dogless, which is me most of the time when I’m not watching my roommate’s thoroughly lovable, albeit irksome and co-dependent, wiener dog. The vibe is low-key and a cool halfway point between the faux-divey collegiate scene at somewhere like Nunu’s and the full-on bass hit bump and grind at Hillcrest’s clubs of note. It’s part sports bar, with the big TV tuned in to the footballs on the regular, but things seem more chill.
And the hotdog menu is sweet.
$5 gets a hotdog with four toppings and a side of chips. I stopped at three toppings because nacho cheese, bacon, and jalapenos needed no further enhancement. Spot on snack for late-night or anytime. The dog had a big slice of bacon on it, instead of crunchy little bits, and the hot, chewy bun help everything together in a marvelous way.
I also tried some “dog balls” ($6.25), which were poorly named shrimp wrapped in bacon and doused in an orange glaze. They were a bit ho-hum and somewhat overcooked. I would wager the beer and cheese dip or “extreme chili” would be more in keeping with the Doghouse kitchen’s culinary acumen. Also, "pups in blankets," i.e. sausages wrapped in puff pastry, are almost impossible to do wrong.
http://sandiegoreader.com/users/photos/2012/nov/01/34763/
Burgers, sandwiches, salads, and flatbreads (all $5-$10) rounded out the menu and, while nothing looked particularly innovative, it’s clear that if you cover anything with nacho cheese and bacon, or whatever else seems good from the list of toppings, it’s going to be satisfactory. There’s a $24 “to the pound” burger on the menu. If anyone can eat all 16 ounces of meat and the side of fries, he’s getting a free shirt.
Monday’s special is $1 brisket sliders with $4 pints of Levitation and the intriguing Wednesday special is a fried cornish hen dinner with mash, gravy, corn on the cob, and peach cobbler for $11.95. Could be really good.
The beer and wine menu has some local, craft stuff on tap (Stone, Ballast Point, etc.) and in bottles, but the list won’t make it a destination beer bar for anyone. I actually tried a glass of pinot grigio with my hotdog and it was weirdly appropriate. Go figure. It’s a full bar so cocktails, shots, eat spirits, and whatever else is always an option.
3515 Fifth Avenue
619-501-8638
Daily 10-11