RESERVATIONS
Known for award-winning contemporary American Cuisine and friendly service with four neighborhood locations in Philadelphia and the Main Line.
Judy Wicks, social activist, and Founder opened White Dog Cafe in January of 1983. Located in three connecting Victorian brownstones in University City, White Dog quickly became a local favorite known for its environmental sustainability and community engagement. The majority of our ingredients are purchased from local farms, located no more than fifty miles from our restaurants. Our seasonal menus feature only the best ingredients from farms we trust; including pasture-fed animals, humanely treated livestock, and fish and seafood that is harvested through sustainable suppliers. We incorporate organic items as much as we can when available from farms using sustainable farming practices. Our wines are grown and produced from American vineyards, we serve local craft beer and use artisan distilled spirits in our beverages. All of our tea, coffee, and chocolate are Certified Organic and Fair Trade. The restaurants use renewable energy, and LED lighting and practice environmentally friendly and sustainable initiatives.
As a pioneer of the farm-to-table movement, Judy’s vision was about supporting the surrounding communities and growing the local economy including farmers, cheesemongers, fishermen, brewers, artisans, and bakers. Over the years these partners have grown along with White Dog Cafe. In 2009, Marty Grims bought White Dog Cafe to continue the legacy, adding culinary inspiration and service commitment; creating a new compelling restaurant model. A second location opened in Wayne in 2010, to support the needs of a growing Main Line, and in May of 2015, a third location opened in Haverford. In 2020, White Dog expanded to Glen Mills with a fourth location in the Shoppes of Brinton Lake. Each location's warmth and welcoming décor boosts a love of dogs that is both artistic and playful. Executive Chef Zach Grainda drives culinary creativity and sustainable business practices, while Tamas Szene oversees the service and daily operations. Together, the team is proud to provide our local neighborhoods and guests with a unique dining experience that is fresh and delicious served by professional staff in a warm and inviting setting.
We invite you to enjoy the harvests of the four seasons, and look forward to serving you!
Lending a Paw to the Community!
For over six years White Dog Cafe has committed to supporting and raising funds for Alpha Bravo Canine, ™ Philadelphia’s first and only 501(c)3 organization that donates service dogs to US veterans suffering from debilitating medical and psychological problems as a result of their active combat duty. Puppies are purchased by Alpha Bravo Canine Founder Jennifer Green and raised and trained with the help of volunteers. Puppy raisers attend weekly classes where the pups learn key skills, they will need to assist their veteran, and the puppy raisers then reinforce these lessons at home. Puppy raisers spend two years training with Green, and all of the pup’s needs from veterinarian visits to food and medical supplies are paid for by Alpha Bravo Canine – which also continues to pay for the pup’s needs once he/she is placed with their veteran. Alpha Bravo Canine relies solely on donations to fund the organization and the purchase and care of the pups.
In the heart of the dog days of summer - White Dog Cafe locations partner with WMMR’s Preston and Steve to host a day-long event that features puppy-kissing booths, raffle tickets, signature cocktails, unique menu offerings, and on-air personalities from on-air personalities from the Beasley Radio group! Over the past six years, the Dining Out for the Dogs events have raised over $150,000 enough to support multiple service dogs from pup to completed training. Right now, the funds raised from the 2022 and 2023 events are funding Ashton, a Labrador from a breeder in Southern New Jersey, who was born on January 11, 2023. She is part of a trio of pups that are in training with Alpha Bravo Canine which raises, trains, and donates trained service dogs to U.S. military veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), traumatic brain injury (TBI), and other combat-related disabilities.
