When I say “Hidden Lake County,” I really mean it. If you want to find Howling Dog Cafe, you’ll have to look. First, you’ll have to find Lakeport, which shouldn’t be too hard if you live in Lake County. Then, you’ll need to get to the stoplight. You know, the only one in town. If you turn as if you’re going to Soda Bay Road, you’ll notice a car dealership, the Fastop convenience store, and Magic Interiors. If you found those, congratulations, because hidden behind all of them is the Howling Dog Cafe. And the upside is that once you’ve found it, you’ll certainly be able to find it again, because it’s definitely worth visiting more than once.
When you enter, the first thing you’re sure to notice is the dog paraphernalia. Lots and lots of dogs, to be exact. They’re everywhere. Photos of small dogs, big dogs, purebred dogs, and mutts line the walls. Statues of dogs rest in corners, while napkin-holder dogs rest on the tables. And if you didn’t catch the hint, they also serve hot dogs.
The place is bright, welcoming, airy, and full of good vibes. A selection of 70s and 80s pop plays in the background, inviting a quiet sing-along. It’s spacious, with wooden tables surrounded by metal chairs placed near the walls. Plus, there’s a covered outdoor seating area for pleasant mornings or afternoons. You’ll place your order at the counter to the right, then grab a spot and wait for the goodness to arrive.
Of course, Howling Dog has a healthy selection of hot dogs, all spectacular. Both the Good Dog and the Bad Dog are worth a try–the Good Dog is covered with bacon, cheese, avocado, and onion, and the Bad Dog is a bit edgier, with American cheese, grilled onions, crushed red peppers, and thousand island dressing.
Their salads and sandwiches are to die for as well. A personal favorite is the Power Salad, and they’re not exaggerating. It’s filled with mixed greens, avocado, quinoa, cucumber, tomatoes, slivered almonds, feta, cranberries, and still-warm grilled chicken, then topped with a vinaigrette dressing. It’s filling, earthy, bright, sweet and creamy. It’s as close to a perfect salad as you can get.
If you’re in the mood for a sandwich, you can’t go wrong here, either. Take the Grilled Pesto Sandwich, for example. It’s filled with turkey, provolone, spinach, onions, tomatoes, pesto, avocado, and mayo and served on grilled sourdough bread. It’s truly fantastic, balanced and creamy, with a nice crunch and bite of onions that will leave you full and satisfied.
But no matter what you order, you can’t leave the Howling Dog without getting a smoothie. A personal favorite is the berry. It’s not overly sweet but has more tartness, brought by the orange juice. The real magic, though, is the whole berries they use in every smoothie.
In addition, Howling Dog has a full breakfast menu and offers barbecue every Thursday from 4:00-7:00. It’s quite good, and something you’ll want to mark on your calendar.
Yes, it’s truly hidden, but that’s part of what makes the Howling Dog Cafe a gem and the reason why it’s thrived in Lake County for so many years. Be sure to take the time to discover it and enjoy all the options it has to offer.
2626 S Main St, Lakeport, CA 95453
(707) 263-2933
