From Lemon Soufflé Pancakes to Panned Chicken Caprese: A deep dive into the new ‘Good Dog/Bad Dog’ menu items where healthy meets indulgent.”
We are happily revisiting the Blue Dog Bistro to tell you about some of the new menu items. If you don’t already know, the bistro in both Ocean Springs and Gulfport are set in a relaxing atmosphere with a theme of the portraits of the blue dog paintings, portraying the owners’ love for his dogs and a classy-chic sprinkling of modern décor. Both places have a long coffee bar for those on the quick fix while all shades of blue pillows line the long bench tables, and there is regular table and chair seatings as well. The Gulfport location has outdoor and veranda seating over looking the beautiful Gulfport Lake. Both offer the same, consistently delectable menu items that offer a Good Dog/Bad Dog selection. Josh Lord, the owner of Blue Dog Bistro, faced limited options of dining out with family members health issues or diet plans and came up with a keto, paleo, vegan, or gluten-free option, as well as a bad dog option for us who are able to enjoy it all. Josh began this brilliant concept years ago – and has a staff that is happy with the 7am to 3pm schedule, closed on Mondays, and allowing his staff the opportunity to thrive in their element while still being able to join in their children’s school and extracurricular activities, as well as dinner with their loved ones.
All forms of coffee and specialty coffees are served to your preference as well as beers and champagnes. Cheli began with a delicious iced caramel latte while I splurged on my favorite, hibiscus mimosa. I eventually experimented with the pomegranate mimosa and find I now have a new favorite, ha! We began with a side of Cochon Pork Hash – red potatoes, sliced and filled with pulled pork, topped with cheddar and green onion. This twist was very flavorful, I loved the different choice of meat, and, was glad to finally enjoy it! (Okay, this is not new, they’ve just been sold out it’s that popular!) We then had the Avocado Toast – sourdough bread, toasted and topped with avocado mash, watermelon radish and sesame seeds, a perfectly healthy breakfast that I find myself eating often, with a side of thick cut bacon. We also are completely infatuated with the Praline Pecan Bacon – with maple syrup and pecans that surpasses all other candied bacons! We’ve also been huge fans of the Banana Oat Cakes, the French Toast Sticks, the Cinnamon Roll Skillet, and the Banana Foster French Toast. A new addition we are in love with, the Lemon Souffle Pancakes – with fresh lemon zest, fresh blueberries and fresh whipped cream that tasted ricotta based, with maple syrup. They were extra light and fluffy, the whipped cream blending so perfectly, I loved them! We also had the Spinach and Oyster Mushroom Fritatta, made with free range eggs, baked with American cheese and served in a hot skillet. They have several breakfast options to meet your needs such as Blue Dog Steak and Eggs and Crab Cake Benedict. All offerings, rather Good Dog or Bad Dog, or Small Plates are unique, some really healthy, All, fabulous!
From the lunch menu we’ve savored the Tuna and Avocado Stack many times. This is a keto and gluten free option that sells-out quickly as well. Yellow fin tuna, avocado, unagi, sriracha, with sesame seeds and fresh wonton chips and a lump crab meat upgrade. This is one of the best tuna stacks ever! We tried the Lettuce Leaf Tacos, keto and gluten free, – hydro bibb lettuce encasing grilled shrimp and jicama slaw with a side of avocado and cilantro lime aioli, served with sweet potato chips. This is the first thing I delved into the next day, the fusion of flavors was so deserving of a re-visit, I loved it! I believe we have enjoyed most of the Small Plates as well. Smoked Cochon Pork Nacho – corn tortillas (gluten free), homemade cheese sauce, pork, homemade bbq sauce, pico de gallo, avocado, sour cream and jalapenos, yummm. Fried Green Tomato Stack – battered and fried green tomatoes, Boursin cheese, and red pepper coulis, different than the norm, absolutely fab! The Burrata Caprese Salad – gluten and keto options, burrata cheese, herb roasted, heirloom tomatoes, basil ribbons and a balsamic reduction, a filling Italian salad, mild and simple, I love the refreshing combination! The Housemade Crab Cakes are always a superb treat with the lemon beurre blanc, and the Pimento Cheese Skillet – a cheddar, Monterey jack and cream cheese mixture with pimentos and herbs, a parmesan topping, green onions, served with crostini. I loved their pimento cheese so much that I now make my own version!
Bad Dog Lunch offers a mean Blue Dog Burger, Grits and Shrimp, a Smoked Salmon BLT, and my favorite, the Panned Chicken Caprese – (keto and gluten free options) Joyce Farms free range chicken, Parmesan crust, Herb roasted tomatoes, Burrata cheese, Basil ribbons, Balsamic reduction, and a side of mashed cauliflower. This is one superb entrée that is mostly healthy! The newest options include the Hangover Burger – a huge smokey ground beef patty seasoned perfectly topped with a sunny-side-up fried egg, bacon, cheddar cheese, a fried onion ring, jalapenos, and a side of homemade bbq sauce on a huge, soft and sweet sourdough bun, with a side of sweet potato chips that are topped with brown sugar. Yes siree, designed to coat that tummy and load your palate with so many temptations! Not to be outdone by anyone else, the most frequently requested meal from the new folks is a Southern Fried Shrimp Po-Boy – fried Gulf shrimp in a perfectly seasoned batter, with bibb lettuce and heirloom tomato on Gendusa po-boy bread with a side of sweet potato chips. This was a fabulous shrimp po-boy! The shrimp were a good size, with a nice batter and the bread was soft and delicious with the upgraded lettuce and tomato making it a definite competitor for the best shrimp po-boy category!
While we were enjoying so many dishes with a side the GM Chris substituted a few and we savored some cheddar cheese grits and herb roasted heirloom tomatoes along with the pork hash. We saved the Lemon Souffle Pancakes for last as our dessert. I have enjoyed myself and my meal on numerous occasions, and I suggest y’all get on over there! Woof!
