For the last five months, Happy Dog Lil Cafe has had a new owner
and regular customers have noticed.
For the last five months, Happy Dog Lil Cafe has had a new owner and regular customers have noticed.
Owner Katherine Branch has been listening to her customers – saving some old favorites, trying out new recipes and working hard to continue building a dining spot locals have enjoyed coming to for almost two decades.
“I kept some of the favorites,” Branch said. “I had to keep the taco salad. That’s been a favorite since the original owner, Tessie, was here. I make different soups daily. On Friday we always have clam chowder.
Of the sandwiches on the menu, Branch said the pork sandwich is becoming very popular.
“We use a grilled French roll, shredded pork and a barbecue sauce we get from back East,” she said. “It’s not the usual sweet barbecue sauce. It’s got more of a vinegar bite to it. So far, the guys that like really big lunches love it.”
A lot of customers also enjoy the hot Reuben sandwich, which Branch said is really a hot pastrami Reuben. Of the variety of hot dogs, the namesake Happy Dog is still the most popular, and there’s no extra charge for toppings.
“The kids that come in here like the Happy Dog best but they only want it with catsup. When they order I’ll say, ‘You want catsup, right?’ Every kid says yes and wonders how I know.”
One of the best changes Branch has made is keeping consistent hours. Customers have let her know they appreciate being able come during the days and hours that are posted, knowing someone will be there.
But Happy Dogs isn’t just about lunch. Open at 8 a.m., there’s a variety of breakfast items as well.
“We have a breakfast sandwich called Hungry Jack,” Branch said. “I’m not happy with the name, but it’s hard to change names and recipes when somebody else has perfected it. Our biscuits and gravy are really good; they’re on our new breakfast menu.”
Also for breakfast are bagels and cream cheese, and doughnuts in the morning.
“We have coffee that everybody raves about,” Branch said. “I don’t do specialty coffees, but the one we have seems to please people.”
Those wanting to round out their meal with a sweet will find oatmeal, sugar and chocolate chip cookies or candy bars to choose from. There are also fountain drinks and bottled drinks and juices.
“Eventually I want this to be a little hangout for kids during the summertime,” Branch said. “They’ll be able to get an ice-cream sandwich we’ll make from two cookies with chocolate or vanilla ice cream in the middle. Or if they want they can just order a good old-fashioned root beer float. They can sit inside or at the little patio.”
As the mother of two girls – one a student at Sacred Heart School and one attending Rancho San Justo Middle School – having a place for kids to hang out during the summer is close to Branch’s heart, as is her family. She notes that her mom and dad, Dolly and John Branch, are two of the reasons behind her success. Without the countless volunteer hours they’ve spent helping, the job would have been immeasurably harder.
“My parents have lived here for over 20 years,” Branch said. “They’re retired but have volunteered their time to help me with everything. My mom made the tablecloths from Coca-Cola material. My dad runs all over the place to get things I need.”
And Branch is doing something she’s always wanted to do.
“I’ve always loved to cook. I dreamed of one day opening my own small restaurant,” she said. “I heard about this place from a friend of a friend. It’s seemed that combining a hobby I loved and making money at it might be a healthy thing to do.”
Happy Dogs Lil Cafe is located at 441 San Benito Street. House are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursdays. Closed Sunday and Monday. To place a phone order for pick-up, call 637-3111.
