Press Releases

Sports, Food, & Dogs Inspire Owners to Honor Favorite Passions of Carmel

CARMEL, CALIF. – April 17, 2007 – The Barnyard Shopping Village in Carmel, California, has announced the opening of Big Dog Sports Restaurant, the latest addition to the Barnyard's eclectic mix of full-service eateries and bars.

The name of the new restaurant pays homage to the dog-friendly community of Carmel and to the avid golfers who call their drivers "big dogs." Owners and operators Derek Larson and Arlin Tolbert welcome dogs on the patio and invite patrons to bring in a photo of themselves with their canine, big or small, to receive a free soda or pint of domestic beer.

Big Dog Sports Restaurant's menu features wraps, burgers, salads, and wings, departing from your average pub fare with specialties such as the Chicken and Shrimp Jambalaya Wrap. "We want to give the public exactly what they want," said Tolbert, acknowledging that the menu will be shaped, in the beginning, by customer feedback.

Originally from Minnesota, Larson was a special education teacher for 18 years. He shifted gears to become a general manager of Bully Sport's Bar in Reno, Nevada, and discovered his passion for the restaurant business. Tolbert was a longtime chef in Las Vegas who became a district manager for Bully's Sports Bar and later the Cheesecake Factory. Tolbert originally trained Larson as a general manager, but it would take a number of years for the two to realize their dream of opening a restaurant together and move their families to the Monterey Peninsula.

Larson and Tolbert envision softball and little league teams frequenting Big Dog for the family-friendly environment and kids' game room in the earlier hours, while adults enjoy the full-service bar and sports viewing into the night. Major sporting events will be broadcast free of charge on Big Dog's many televisions.

Big Dog Sports Restaurant is located at 3772 The Barnyard, upstairs in the Big Sur Barn (above Allegro Gourmet Pizzeria). The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner Sunday–Wednesday, 11 AM to 11 PM and Thursday–Saturday, 10 AM to Midnight. For more information please call Big Dog Sports Restaurant at 831-625-0340.

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About The Barnyard Shopping Village
The Barnyard Shopping Village, built in Carmel in 1976, is a landmark on the Monterey Peninsula, featuring 50 merchants ranging from boutique shops and restaurants to office spaces, salons, and art galleries. Owned by SIMA Barnyard, LLC, and managed by SIMA Corporation, the Barnyard hosts many open-air events in its courtyards and is a popular meeting place for the community. For more information about the Barnyard Shopping Village, please visit www.thebarnyard.com or call (831) 624-8886