The Dogs of Golden Gate Park

Golden Gate Park (Google Maps image)

John F. Kennedy drive traverses the entire length of Golden Gate Park. It had been closed to automobile traffic since the beginning of the pandemic, and this year the City decided to ban cars "in perpetuity."

As expected, animals, or at least representations of them, have begun returning.

JFK Drive, SF (Chron photo)

some San Francisco icons from the past have taken up residence — three Doggie Diner dog heads that once loomed over outlets of the long-defunct Bay Area fast food chain.

The 7-foot fiberglass doggie heads, each weighing 600 pounds and sporting a chef’s hat and a bowtie, are camped out on a stretch of car-free JFK between Conservatory Drive West and 6th Avenue. The dachshund heads with their long snouts, sit atop square podiums with a couple of Adirondack chairs in front — and are sometimes surrounded by curious, puzzled or adoring fans taking selfies or touching their noses.

The dog heads, named Manny, Moe and Jack, are hanging out for up to six months in Golden Gate Park...Doggie Diner opened its first branch in 1948 and closed its last in 1986, no longer able to compete with the likes of McDonald’s and Burger King.

I've lived in the Bay Area long enough to have gone to Doggie Diner. Its basic menu of burgers, chile, hot dogs, pastrami, and fries didn't resonate with the late 20th century trend toward low-fat, fresh ingredients. Now that dining tastes have gone back to comfort food, it's not surprising that there are efforts to bring back Doggie Diner.

When and if Doggie Diner returns, I'm definitely checking it out even if it means driving to Napa. Meanwhile, after a three-year absence it's time for another trip to Golden Gate Park to look at the Doggie heads up close and visit the Japanese Tea Garden with its restored pagoda.