The Barking Dog Alehouse

Great selection of micro brews and fun. The food is ok but a bit expensive. Like that they do have some healthy items like Hummus... more

I have tried the Barking Dog several times, and the experience has been consistently disappointing. I have several friends that rave about the place, which is why I went. There are some good things. The food is edible, and the menu has something for everyone. The beer selection is above average, but that should be expected from an ""alehouse"". That said I would likely avoid another experience at the Barking Dog. The staff has really rubbed me the wrong way on a couple of occasions, and at best seem like they just don't care. I realize everyone has off days, but why spend my money where people don't seem to care? Pros: Beer Selection, Location Cons: Staff more

This place has a decent beer selection. I've gone a few times, wanting to try different ones. The servers know nothing about beer. Nothing. And they are S-L-O-W and not very friendly. I've eaten there once or twice. But if I go to meet friends, I eat before I go. One word..lousy...and not cheap. Pros: Good Beer Selection, Nice neighbohood feel more

Went here for dinner for the first time last night. My friends and I all got some kind of sandwich/burger, and we all rather enjoyed them. Kinda messy, but still good. The waffle fries are fabulous. Great selection of beers on tap, and apparently Monday nights are $10 pitcher nights. What a deal! Service was friendly and prompt, and we had no problems getting our waiter's attention. more

I had not been to the Barking Dog in a couple of years and not sure what came over me to try it again. I think I was craving the waffle fries which while good, could not overcome what a terrible dining experience this was. You have to really wonder about a restaurant that can embarrass themselves on the salad they served me. I also recall this being a kid-friendly restaurant the last time I was in and even my son wouldn't touch his food this time. To top it off, this service was lousy with attitude. Save your money and enjoy one of the real restaurants in Ballard. Cons: Lousy Service, disappointing food more

This place has gone downhill. Gone are the days of unique menu items, now you get a barely warm piece of premarinated chicken slapped on some wilted lettuce. New ownership took over a while back and things have never been the same. The service was never spectacular, but now you have to actually jump up and down or go up to the bar yourself to get someone to help you out. This place had such potential and now I hope I never have to go back again. Pros: Neighborhood Cons: Food, Service more

The Barking Dog is a wonderful little neighborhood pub/cafe. It is open, with nice light, and usually the sound of happy children and families. The food is traditional pub fair but the variety of beers, local and foreign is inspired. Mostly, it's just a wonderful place to sit, relax, and enjoy life. It reminds me of Hemingway's A Clean, Well Lighted Place. more

We had been huge fans of the Barking Dog for many reasons; The food was always great, the service used to be excellent and the location is fabulous. Now, we have decided that we will not return. We ate there last Sunday afternoon for the last time. For some reason they have ""temporarily"" stopped making pizza's, which used to be great. We arrived at about 1 and there was one other party in our waitressess section. Despite that, it took her about 10 minutes to come over and bring us water, menus's etc. The funny thing was there were about 3 other employees sitting around just watching people. When we finally got our order of Nachos and a Southwestern Salad with Chicken we were VERY disappointed. Neither dish had a trace of cheese on it and the black beans were literally spooned out the can and onto a pile of lettuce/stale chips. We also had requested some salsa and napkins and finally my husband had to walk up to the bar and get the supplies. Not once did the waitress return to ask if we needed anything or how the food was (she probably already knows it's bad). I know ownership changed a year or two ago, but now I think that the inmates are running the asylum. Too bad for a place that was and could still be very cool. Pros: great location and parking Cons: indifferent service and not good food more

I used to love this local hangout. Great food, great beer, even great wine. My biggest complaint however is the service. What happened? Please get it together. more

This place has an awesome beer selection, along with a fantastic fish & chips basket. The seasoning they use on their fish & fries is very tasty. They also have a very good portabello mushroom burger. Cool atmosphere as well. Pros: Atmosphere, fish & chips more

We've been going to Barking Dog since it first opened and boy has this place gone downhill. I miss the old menu with items like the Vietnamese Sandwich, wraps and creative salads. Now each time I order I get the same horrible pre-marinated chicken slapped on some lackluster lettuce and called a salad. more

I wanted to title this ""(insert another word for becoming violently ill) dog"" but citysearch didn't like that... I loved this place when it first opened - the menu was fantastic, most of the sandwiches used Tall Grass breads, the beer selection was fantastic. Our last 2 visits, however (after not having been for several months, and evidently after a menu change) have been utterly disappointing. The last time I was there, I ordered a chicken sandwich and fries - pretty basic, right? I received a hamburger with cold fries - and a server who promptly disappeared for 5-10 minutes. I ended up eating the burger, which was mediocre at best. My wife, seeing the oyster special (fried oyster salad) requested if they could instead make an oyster Po' Boy, which the kitchen agreed to. She received a hot dog bun - a cheap hot dog bun - with 5 oysters in it. No sauce, no condiments, no thought - but she did get the cold fries as well! All this for the cheap, cheap price of $13. Until they get their act together again, and I hear the food has improved, I'll avoid this place like the plague. Twice burned... Pros: great beer list Cons: unbelievable decline in food quality since opening more

I love a good neighborhood bar, but this isn't it. The beer selection is good, but I have always found the service to be below average, as well as the food. The main downside is the service, I must be getting different waitstaff than the other reviewers but they are usually forgetful and not well put together... Cons: servers more

I have been to the barking dog several times now with my family since it reopened. I have experienced long wait times at the door, with a group of only four people. After finally sitting down we waited even longer for our food. The food was mediocre and a bit disappointing. I ordered a steak salad and got the tiniest piece of steak I have ever seen. My husbands fish was warm, but the chips were cold. My brother and sister in law were not terribly impressed with their dishes either. The service was decent. However, we were not impressed by the long waits, small portions, and half cold food. Pros: The beer selection is good, but expensive. Cons: The food is not worth waiting for. more

I love this place, there have been recent updates to the bar, decor, and menu and all are outstanding. We always enjoy having dinner and drinks and know that our food will always be delicous . This a great place to go any day of the week and we are usually able to find an open seat in the bar and if we can't know we will be offered a drink while we wait and enjoy great conversation with the staff, who go out of there way to be friendly and helpful. There is also a new big screen TV that can be enjoyed from just about every seat in the restaurant. Pros: food, drinks, service more

The new menu is fantastic! Love it. Love it! Love it! Pros: Great Food Cons: Parking can be a bit of a hassle. Car pool more

The Good: Pros: Great Beer Cons: The food used to be so good, but that has all changed. more

I really enjoy this place! One of the best beer selections in the city, intimate neighborhood atmosphere, and I dream about the nachos. I haven't seen the bad service everyone is talking about. Yes, the place can get a little packed, but go early (especially on Friday nights) and you won't have a problem. Pros: Great food, great beer Cons: Can get crowded/noisy more

I just don't understand how Barking Dog has gotten so many bad reviews. I have been going there since it opened, and I think 9/10 times I order the same thing. It's always consistently GOOD, too. I go with friends who are more daring than I, and they consistently love the food, too. The fries are fantastic, and the fish and chips are the best around. If you are in the market for greasy pub food, this is the place to go. If you want lighter fare, or gourmet food, then go somewhere else. Maybe I'm missing the attempt to get something out of Barking Dog that it isn't. It is a neighborhood pub, where you can go and drink with even the smallest of kids. It's a place to get a great plate of fish and chips (that you probably shouldn't finish all by yourself becuase it comes with a TON of fries), and a very unique beer. It's also a place to just hang out. Why does anyone really care if the waiter isn't the fastest or most efficient person in the world? Yes, I understand that they are supposed to provide you with service, and they will, at their own pace. ENJOY YOUR COMPANY and the fact that you are going out to eat. If you are really just too lazy to cook and want a burger for dinner, swing by McD's on the way home and don't take up the table space. If you are willing to cut the servers a little slack, enjoy the people you came with, and want to enjoy some greasy organic pub fare, then I'd recommend the Barking Dog. Pros: Fantastic Fish and Chips Cons: Can be crowded on weekend evenings more

I've been in the Barking Dog quite a few times as it is in my neighborhood. The food is good and the selection of beers are enjoyable. Good place to meet friends. more