Good Dog Hires Its First New Chef in 14 Years

First, Good Dog, the always busy Center City gastropub known for its cheese-stuffed burger, closed for a couple of months to renovate, and now the owners are bringing in a new chef. Dave Garry and Heather Gleason, husband and wife, just hired Carolynn Angle to run the kitchen. She replaces Jessica O’Donnell, who has been with Good Dog (224 S. 15th Street) since it opened almost 15 years ago. Look for new daily specials now and new lunch and dinner menus in the fall. The bar’s namesake burger — a thick patty stuffed with Roquefort and topped with caramelized onions on a challah roll — will remain.

Angle brings plenty of gastropub experience to Good Dog. She spent 16 years at the pioneering Standard Tap in Northern Liberties, which has been buying local for its oft-changing chalkboard menus since before local sourcing was the trend. Good Dog’s Garry worked with her there. After Standard Tap, Angle went to urban farm Greensgrow to run events and catering.

As for chef O’Donnell, she left Good Dog to have more time with her family. “Her cooking style helped solidify our reputation as a place for everyone,” Gleason said in a release. “Jess wanted to spend more time with her family, and while we’re sad to see her go, we’re excited to welcome Carolynn.” When Angle left Standard Tap, it was for similar reasons.

Good Dog, on 15th Street between Walnut and Locust, is set in a 100-year-old building that, according to the owners, has housed a bar since Prohibition. Last year’s renovation saw the whole first floor reconstructed. The second-floor dining room got a new bar and new floors. There are still dog photos covering the walls.

Brad Eeles