by Kirby Laney, posted 24 April 2018
If you haven’t been to Norm’s Eatery & Ale House lately, now is a great time to re-visit Fremont’s favorite restaurant – one for Fremonsters of all ages, shapes and persuasions, and best known for letting the dogs in.
“We decided to go over the top for dogs,” explained owner Peter Glick, “We’re the leading dog bar in the city!” Glick purchased Norm’s last August from Steve Habecker, who started it in 2003, and quickly established the restaurant and bar as a haven for customers seeking good food, drinks and a chance to watch a game or gather with friends, while also hanging with canine companions.
Norm’s allows customers to bring their dogs in, as long as they stay on the floor, and behave. While out walking the dog, neighborhood folk stop for refreshment. Those who enjoy the company of man’s best friend but, may not have one of their own, can admire those of other’s during a meal. And those with service dogs can eat and drink without any question of their animal being allowed.
The new ownership has actually strengthened Habecker’s original mission, reinforcing the atmosphere and orientation of the establishment as a place for dog lovers. “My goal was, ‘why don’t we go all out for the dogs,’” Glick explained.
Glick has had three popular eateries in Fremont, and over a dozen elsewhere in Seattle and New York. Taking over operations at Norm’s has given Glick, and his General Manager Jayson Cottam, convenience of movement. Glick established and owns Roxy’s Diner and The Backdoor, located in the same building.
For ‘All Kinds Of Stuff’
Since acquiring Norm’s, Glick and Cottam have done some remodeling, and sprucing, of the restaurant, including bringing in Scott Bradley, the designer who created the look of the elegant interior of The Backdoor and the kitsch style of Roxy’s.
“We transformed the back into a party room,” Glick explained, “for up to 40 people,” and their doggie friends. They’ve also created a dog run, where dogs can be allowed to play and frolic, off-leash. “It’s for doggie events,” he said, “and all kinds of stuff.”
Already, Norm’s has hosted a number of events, including a Valentine’s Party for PAWS and a fundraiser for the Seattle Humane Society, in partnership with Alaskan Brewing. Glick, and Cottam, have kept with Thursday Trivia nights, and added Wednesday Bingo plus other sporting events.
Overall, Norm’s has become more of what it has always been, although Glick acknowledged a few changes to the menu. “Our chef stripped it down to burgers, and has now added Belgian waffles, all day, and meatloaf,” Glick explained. They changed the fries, to the ones served at Roxy’s, and added tater tots. Now the menu is larger than before, with Creole grits, poutine, pork shoulder hoagies and vegetarian gnocchi.
Roxy’s has become a dependable go-to for delivery service, providing different kinds of cuisine through the one restaurant. For now, though, Norm’s is not doing delivery service. Instead, this is a restaurant for visiting in person, for you and your best friend – or someone else’s.
‘Be Good At It’
Glick has been 30 years in the business of operating restaurants, here and in New York, and he acknowledged that, “they haven’t all been total successes.” The Fremont Fire Pit was popular with many neighborhood folk, but it didn’t catch on generally – and Glick closed it before he and his partners suffered serious losses.
For a success, Glick observed, “it has to be a concept that is filling a need,” like the dog bar at Norm’s. “You identify a niche,” he said, “be good at it, and be consistent.” Glick said that high quality is extremely important, “and not forgetting that you are here for the customer.”
Cottam observed that while quality is a key ingredient to all three of Glick’s establishments in Fremont, “all three have very distinctive menus.” The style and atmosphere created at each restaurant, and each one provides a very specific setting for the customer.
Responsible Owners; Well-Behaved Pooches
At Norm’s, dogs have a place, but they still do not trump the safety and comfort of the human customers. There are rules in place.
“The Health Department has been here,” Glick observed, “and we have gotten good ratings.” The dining room and kitchen are kept clean and sanitized, and the staff take precautions to maintain the restaurant and bar, for the good hygiene of all customers.
“The dogs have to be well-behaved,” Glick explained, “if you cannot bring your dog to a dog park, it won’t be here.” Dogs must stay on the floor, and on leash, and they cannot climb onto the table or the seats. They cannot roam about, from table to table.
Ultimately, veteran restauranteur Glick explained, “It’s no different from running a bar, if someone comes in drunk, you must enforce the rules and ask them to leave.”
“You should be able to look after your dog,” Cottam observed, “responsible owners can have a place,” to have a meal, have a drink and enjoy eating out, with their furry friends. “For so many people that come in,” he explained, Norm’s offers a place they can go to, without having to consider what they will do with their canine companion.
Norm’s is an all ages restaurant, with a small bar area, showing sporting events on the t.v.s. Glick and Cottam enjoy the families that like to come in, for a delicious meal, without having to leave a beloved member of their family at home.
Stop By, & See What The Dog Drags In
“Come see the changes,” Glick invited, “Come check out the new stuff.” Visit the Norm’s webpage to see the doggie rules, and to learn about upcoming events and offers – along with the many new menu options. Of course, the best way to learn more is to stop by Norm’s, for a drink or a Po Boy, and see the space, and pet the dogs, in person!
Related Articles
- Dog Behavior, Explained
- by Kirby Lindsay, October 28, 2013
- What Fremont Employers Want (with Peter Glick, Michelle Conley & Craig Wilson)
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- Jayson Cottam Mixes It Up At The Backdoor
- by Kirby Lindsay, July 23, 2012
- Norm’s Offers Random Knowledge, Of Trivia, Every Thursday
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- First And Foremost, For Five Years, It’s the Backdoor
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©2018 Kirby S. Laney. This column is protected by intellectual property laws, including U.S. copyright laws. Reproduction, adaptation or distribution without permission is prohibited.