Barks Gourmet Dog Deli to open in Basalt

A new culinary venture in Basalt is preparing to serve a clientele of the four-legged variety.

Barks Gourmet Dog Deli, a locally-owned eatery offering fresh, chef-prepared meals for dogs, will open its doors on Wednesday, June 19, at 10 Park Ave., Unit 300. The grand opening celebration begins at 1 p.m. and will continue until supplies run out.

The deli is the latest endeavor from Lisa Angelo, founder of the locally-made dog treat company Barks. Angelo brings a broad range of experience to the business, having spent four years working at RJ Paddywacks, a well-known pet supply store in Carbondale.

“I know all sides of the dog food industry,” she said. “Everything I serve is made from locally-sourced, high-quality ingredients.”

The deli’s opening day menu includes beef vegetable stew, a pork-apple-cabbage medley, lamb with collard greens and blueberries, and a variety of house-made bone broths and jerkies. Bone broth popsicles will also be available, offering a cooling treat for dogs in the summer heat.

Angelo sources her meats from Potter Farms and 7X Beef, both recognized for their high-quality, locally-raised products. She credits her background as a certified nutritionist and dog trainer, along with having been married to a prominent chef in the Roaring Fork Valley, as foundational to the vision for the deli.

“This is an idea that I have had for a few years now, and I said if I can just find a spot with a storefront, then I was going to do my doggy deli idea,” she said. “It just kind of fell into my lap two months ago.”

To mark the opening, the Caribou Club in Aspen will cater the event, adding a fine-dining element for both human guests and their pets. Angelo has also collaborated with local animal welfare organizations, including the Aspen Animal Shelter and Lucky Day, strengthening her connection with the broader pet community.

“I marked the opening day to coincide with the Food & Wine crowd, and we will be open on the 19th, from one to six, or until the food runs out,” she said.

She said the inspiration for both Barks and the deli stems from her late wolf-hybrids, especially one named Homer.

“This is a legacy to my wolf-hybrids, one who was named Homer, who was picky with food. We developed a treat that he finally responded to,” Angelo said. “We took the treats with us to a dog park, and everyone started asking where they could get the treats; that kind of put everything into motion.”

With its focus on locally-sourced ingredients, holistic nutrition, and culinary care, Barks Gourmet Dog Deli aims to set a new standard in canine cuisine across the Roaring Fork Valley.