Green Dog Cafe is getting a new life as a pop-up in O'Bryonville. Chef and owner Mary Swortwood announced on Facebook that the health-conscious, fast-casual eatery, which opened in Columbia Tusculum in 2008 and closed in 2018, is returning and taking over the former Blackbird Eatery space in "mid to late February."
The pop-up — to be located at 3009 O'Bryon St. — will offer the same culinary ethos as the original, including fresh, plant-based and gluten-free menu options, with a focus on kids meals, old favorites and take-out.
A Facebook post reads: "Cincinnati still has room for fresh, innovative recipes to provide quality food for those who believe in plant-based, vegan and gluten-free menu options. While this is a targeted market, this is not our only identity. There is something for everyone...Green Dog bringing back some of those favorites such as 'Green Dog Stamps (our frequent diner card),' kids eat free on Saturday and Sunday, Chihuahua Bowl, Green Dog Fries, Salmon Wrap and Pesto Quesadilla. We will be open all day Wednesday through Saturday and Sunday Brunch. Take-out will be an emphasis with parking pick-up right at the front door. Of course liquor, wine and beer be served and carry-out wine and beer available."
Blackbird was the last venture by Swortwood, who closed Green Dog Café and its next-door Buz to focus on the project. (She was also the original owner of Blue Ash’s Brown Dog Café.)
"After our lease was up in Columbia Tusculum, we opened Blackbird next to Bonbonerie and after a year, sold the restaurant," she wrote on Facebook. "They didn't want to continue with their catering business and asked if we would take back the space. Its an awesome location with good parking and the space is SO CUTE!! i did the renovation 2 years ago and its great. we will have a bar area and liquor license. A pop-up means it could be temporary or longer term."
So if all goes well with this current Green Dog pop-up, we could be looking at a permanent restaurant resurrection.