Dogue on 'Shark Tank': Price and how to buy ready-to-eat fresh whole food for dogs
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA: In 'Shark Tank' Season 15, Alejandra Vasquez and Rahmi Massarweh seek a shark to bite on Dogue, their trendy dog eatery.
San Francisco is known for its love of dogs and Michelin-starred restaurants, so it's no surprise that one entrepreneur has decided to combine the two, opening what is said to be the first restaurant dedicated to man's best friend.
Your dog is usually served the same dishes every day; while your closest friend deserves the gourmet treatment, luxury restaurants seldom serve canine companions. That is, until now.
Enter Dogue in San Francisco, a restaurant that caters to your four-legged friend's refined tastes. You may be thinking, "My dog chewed up a dirty sock yesterday." Is her palette truly that refined? The solution, however, does not matter.
Dogue develops visually appealing, uncooked foods that are both delicious and healthy for dogs. Continue reading to discover more about Dogue's gourmet dog chow and how to bring excellent cuisine home for your pet without having to fly to San Francisco.
Do not blame us if your dog begins expecting her food on a silver platter.
What is Dogue?
The Dogue restaurant, a creative company formed by the dynamic husband and wife duo Rahmi and Alejanra, is a story of love, commitment, and a deep appreciation for nature's abundance.
"It all started with an idea—the planting of a seed that grew into something much greater than we ever expected," says Rahmi, a seasoned chef who studied Classical French Cuisine in the heart of San Francisco over two decades ago.
His experience in professional kitchens, and working alongside culinary experts, developed not just his abilities but also his passion for the seasons, both in the kitchen and out.
Joined by his wife, Alejandra, the couple's common passion for animals, particularly dogs, sparked the idea for what would become the Dogue restaurant. Their quest began when Grizzly, a 30-pound Old English Mastiff, entered their lives.
They set out to reinvent canine nutrition to provide him with the best life possible. Alejandra said, "We knew we wanted him to be the happiest dog, with the healthiest food, and the best life we could give him".
Dissatisfied with conventional pet food alternatives, Rahmi turned to his culinary talents to explore the world of fresh, seasonal, and natural foods for Grizzly.
The premise of Dogue is beautifully simple yet profoundly impactful. It gives dogs fresh, seasonal items that are similar to their natural diet.
Rahmi's culinary skills combine pasture-raised meats, organic veggies, and wild-caught gems into nutrient-dense meals designed to fulfill dogs' biological demands.
"Each species in nature has a biologically appropriate set of foods that they are meant to eat," describes Rahmi.
He added, "To honor the species, we need to feed food fit for an opportunistic carnivore, based on seasons, quality, and what dogs would naturally hunt for in the wild."
Grizzly, the idea for the Dogue restaurant, served as a catalyst for change, not just in their lives but also in the lives of other pets.
Since 2015, Rahmi and Alejandra have been handcrafting small-batch, artisanal cuisine, providing a gastronomic adventure that goes beyond the usual.
"Dogue translates to Mastiff in French, a homage to my roots in classical French cuisine and our first Mastiff, Grizzly," Rahmi explained. "Dogue is our mission to change the lives of as many dogs as we can, one meal at a time."
Dogue, pronounced "Vogue," is a beacon of excellence in the area of canine food, combining culinary expertise, a love of animals, and a dedication to holistic nutrition.
Rahmi and Alejandra have developed not just a restaurant, but also a legacy, demonstrating the transformational power of a simple concept cultivated with unwavering dedication.
Who are the founders of Dogue?
The co-owner, Rahmi was a skilled chef who trained in Classical French Cuisine in San Francisco approximately two decades ago. He spent his adolescence actively honing his skills alongside great culinary artists.
He describes these professionals as artists, culinary experts, and seasonal masters. Rahmi is a Le Cordon Bleu-trained chef.
Rahmi has spent most of his life in the culinary industry. He grew up in a family restaurant, and his father worked as an assistant general manager at Il Fornaio Italian restaurant in San Francisco's Levi's Plaza.
"My first job was working in family cafés and restaurants as a kid, long before I became a chef," Rahmi said in an interview.
For the time being, until Dogue hires more staff and a chef, Rahmi creates all the pastries himself. While Rahmi's wife Alejandra's professional career is not known at the moment.
What is the cost and how to buy Dogue?
Rahmi cooks with seasonal, human-grade foods. For example, there is a "cake" made with veggies, sardines, liver, and chicken. There's also steak tartar, chicken soup, and chicken skin waffles, as well as sweets made from salmon and chicken.
Every Sunday, Rahmi offers a $75 tasting menu with seasonal items such as chuck steak, chicken, carrots, and more.
Their website offers things for pick-up only. They are selling boxed items; however, are not currently shipping.
Customers left reviews about the French-inspired pet restaurant on Google. One customer said, "This is the best experience. It's relaxing, beautiful, fun, wholesome, and healthy. Don't be thrown off by the gorgeous setting, it's just the right amount of fancy. My dog feels special when we're there, and I really enjoy sharing this unique experience with him. I highly recommend a visit to Dogue SF."
While another said, "Really enjoyed stepping into Dogue! Yes, it's a little pricey but you're getting something you can't get elsewhere. These aren't just treats, they're works of art!"
The comment further added, "It was heartbreaking to see my dog eat it so quickly, but you could tell these are very high quality. Plus, the owner is super nice. I even got a bunch of recs and feedback for the area while I was looking at neighborhoods to move into!"
Another customer stated, "We were honestly amazed by the quality of the food. Our dog gulped it down and he’s usually a picky eater. So fun for his birthday and we got a bunch of cute photos. Would totally come again. The staff were so awesome too. Thank you!!!"
"The owner was patient and helpful in explaining what ingredients they use in each dog cake and what my dogs might like. And my two chihuahuas LOVE the super pretty antelope cake and dogguccino!", said another customer.
Where is Dogue now?
Dogue is not the first or fanciest restaurant in San Francisco's Mission District. A $125 pasta supper and a $275 seasonal tasting menu (for humans) are both within walking distance.
Nonetheless, the concept that dogs are pampered while people suffer sparked heated discussion online. The exquisite pastries and chef-level platings are intended for both humans and canines.
The pair will most likely seek assistance from a Shark to get that aspect of the business up and running.
Who will steal the deal?
Dogue may not get a deal in 'Shark Tank' Season 15. Their website simply does not scream, "I got a deal with a Shark!"
Their web store redirects to a Squarespace store; no Shark would let one of their entrepreneurs use anything other than Spotify. We also believe the Sharks will consider that some of their proposals are overvalued.
We anticipate that there will be no offers.
'Shark Tank' Season 15, Episode 15, airs on ABC on Friday, February 23, at 8 pm ET. Catch the latest episode featuring products like Coldest, Cup-a-Bug, Dogue, and Psyonic.
For those who miss the episode, it will be available on demand the following day and on Hulu. Additionally, viewers can explore past seasons and episodes on Amazon Prime Video and iTunes.