On the menu at Scruffy Pups in Cardiff, you can find peanut butter doughnuts, mini cheesecakes and banana pancakes - but it's hands off for the humans, because these treats are all for the dogs.
Despite sounding and looking good enough to eat, they are handmade with natural ingredients for our four-legged friends.
The converted gym in Llanrumney, Cardiff, became a dog café, groomers and agility area in lockdown, after friends, Jamal Romeh, 41, and Joanna Sims, 38, from Rumney, decided to open an independent dog business together.
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Combining their two favourite passions - food and dogs - Jamal and Joanna created Scruffy Pups, with the help of their own dogs, boxer Elphie and French bulldogs, Kenza and Frankie.
has been nominated by 24 people for TeamDogs - in partnership with PocketVet - and is currently ranking as the top best new dog-friendly business in Britain with 323 votes.
You can nominate your best new dog-friendly business on
One TeamDogs user described Scruffy Pups as: “The most amazing place for dogs and hoomans! From the dog grooming, to doggy doughnuts to agility and play area to the tastiest food for hoomans. I would highly recommend Scruffy pups and our dog Trixie loves it too!”
Another said: “They restored a very run-down part of the community and created the most wonderful dog-friendly café we have ever visited.”
To hear more about what's on the menu at Scruffy Pups, TeamDogs spoke to owner Jamal.
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“Joanna and I officially opened Scruffy Pups as a groomer and café in August 2020,” he said.
“We wanted a community place for local dog walkers to wash their dogs quickly and enjoy a bite to eat.
“Of course, the dogs had to be involved in the food too.”
Over a year later, Scruffy Pups is loved by furry clients and owners alike.
“We know a great deal of our customers, and if we don’t, we get to know them through their dogs,” Jamal said.
“All of our staff love dogs and have their own pets.
“It’s a really nice crowd of people, and many travel far to visit.”
Don’t miss
Their best-selling doughnut is available in two flavours, peanut butter, banana and carrot or chicken and carrot, and is their most popular item for dogs.
You can also find chicken mousse cheesecake, bacon and cheese bone omelette and banana pancakes with dog carob on the menu. Plus all their doggy treats are made from natural ingredients.
“Our customers visit for all different reasons. Some come purley for the good food and others like to use the private agility area,” Jamal said.
“We even have a few dogs that lead their humans inside.
“One black labrador Sam is a favourite regular, and his owner Steve is often chasing him through the door.”
Scruffy Pups is located by Rhymney River which has become a dog walking hot spot.
After a muddy swim in the river, dogs can stop at Scruffy Pups for an express wash before heading home clean and dry.
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Speaking about his favourite part of the job, Jamal said: “I get to see and hug dogs every single day.”
As well as feeding the mouths of our best friends, Scruffy Pups only cooks the finest for us humans. You can dig into southern fried chicken sandwiches, birria tacos, smashed burgers and burritos while your dog is completely distracted by their own plate.
According to one TeamDogs user: “They have the best food in Cardiff and the service to match!”
Their signature reuben sandwich has salt beef, Swiss cheese and pickles stuffed between soft toasted white bread.
The Welsh beef is brined for seven to 10 days in a mix of 18 different spices, then cooked in a water bath for 24 hours.
The reuben sandwich was inspired by Jamal’s New York travels to Katzu’s Deli and London’s salt beef bagel shop on Brick Lane.
If your taste buds are tingling just thinking about that reuben sandwich, head to Scruffy Pups at Ball Ln, Llanrumney, Cardiff, CF3 4JS - and don’t forget to bring your dog.
You can find Scruffy Pups on their and vote for them in TeamDogs .
Don’t forget to nominate your best new dog-friendly business on .