Lazy Dog Restaurant Mt Laurel Heads to Planning. Don Pablos To Be Demolished

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First reported in February, a new Lazy Dog Restaurant and Bar for planned Mount Laurel heads to the Planning Board tonight August 8^th.

This is an all new construction building, which if approved will see the demolition of the existing Don Pablo’s building. The former Tex-Mex themed restaurant has been closed for several years.

The large new restaurant building for Lazy Dog will be approximately 9,354 square feet, including a covered patio area with large firepit.

Lazy Dog Restaurant Mt Laurel (Mt Laurel Planning)

The building will be developed in the same general space as the former Don Pablo’s building, and looking at the site plans it appears they’re not making significant changes to the parking configuration except immediately in front of the building.

The property for the upcoming restaurant is directly next to the Moorestown Mall… but actually is within Mount Laurel. The public Planning Board meeting is set for August 8th at 6:00 PM and it’s accessible via Zoom.

The former Don Pablos building in Mt Laurel will be demolished to make room for Lazy Dog Restaurant

42Freeway first wrote about plans for this new Lazy Dog restaurant for Mount Laurel back in February. The plans were first discovered by popular Burlington County Facebook page “A View from Evesham”. (Facebook)

Lazy Dog is an upscale casual dining brand started in California, but with a Rocky Mountain theme which is based on the founder’s love for fresh clean air and lifestyle of that region.

As a kid, I treasured my time spent enjoying the Rocky Mountains and now, more than ever, I cherish the time I get to spend there with my family. I’ve always wanted to find a way to share that small mountain town vibe. Inspired by unplanned adventures, an enduring love of food and fireside conversations, Lazy Dog was created to do just that
Chris Simms – Founder and CEO of Lazy Dog

While Lazy Dog is growing into a national brand of over 50 restaurant locations, they pride themselves on offering an innovative scratch-made menu where everything is made fresh daily in each restaurant.

One really cool idea is they have economical to go meals which are packaged like classic 1970s TV dinners!

Lazy Dog Colorado. Show for style understanding (Image: Google Maps)

Browsing their imagery online, both the restaurant interiors and the food they serve… are all upscale “instagrammable” moments.

Lazy Dog is new to the Philadelphia area, and a location was previously approved for King of Prussia. KOP is officially listed on their location page as Coming Soon, but it is not open yet.

We have sourced ingredients from places and farmers we love and respect. Each ingredient we use is carefully picked and prepared. We make every meal by hand each day, including all of our sauces, marinades and dressings.
Chris Simms – Founder and CEO of Lazy Dog

Lazy Dog – Mount Laurel

Here are some observations in reviewing the site plans and architectural work which were submitted to Mount Laurel for the proposed new Lazy Dog restaurant.

To set orientation, facing what is today the Don Pablo’s building, the new Lazy Dog building will have the entrance off to the left front corner slightly extended tower that is a dedicated indoor waiting area.

Interestingly the front entrance doors will actually be on the side of the building (from the parking lot). This is likely so that Lazy Dog can have space for a casual (additional) outdoor waiting area which will be landscaped and feature stone benches.

The Rocky Mountain theme is carried throughout the restaurant so it appears there will be extensive landscaping in the outdoor customer areas such as the entranceway and around the patio area, to further enhance the fresh outdoor experience.

Dining is split into multiple areas… the applicant identifies them as 5 spaces.

When you enter into the main restaurant it there is a dining area along the front of the building featuring booths and several tables.

Behind that (going towards the back of the building) is the bar dining area which features a 16 seat bar, and is surrounded by additional seating options including booths along the walls and several tables.

Lazy Dog Restaurant Mt Laurel (Mt Laurel Planning, Image overly 42Freeway)

The square bar has counter seating on three sides. The fourth side has the patio space behind it, and there is no bar seating in the patio.

Still inside the building and off to the right of the bar area, is another dining space which seems more private from the bar dining area.

The patio space is in the back left of the restaurant building, immediately behind the bar. The curve of Nixon Road is in this area, but there appears to be enough undeveloped buffer for trees and shrubs.

A distinctive aspect of the Lazy Dog patio is a large fire pit in the center of the space, which has an overhead hood to direct the smoke outside.