There is nothing more classically Bend than going to a food truck beer garden on a sunny afternoon, lounging in the grass with a locally made IPA, a burger and your dog. But for Bryan Du Toit, something was still missing.

“We had just adopted our dog, and we were actually on our way here to On Tap to get a pizza. On the way out, my wife said, ‘I wish we could bring Romeo. I wish there was a food cart for dogs.’ We kind of laughed about it for a little while and then, all of a sudden, (we realized) that might actually work here,” Du Toit said.

One year later, Du Toit opened the Hungry Hound, a food truck exclusively for canines. If its grand opening Saturday as On Tap’s newest food truck is any indication, he was absolutely right.

Despite having never run a food truck before, Du Toit is no stranger to taking a chance. A serial entrepreneur, he has done everything from making hand sanitizer to founding Bend’s Creators Celebration.

Bend’s canines appeared to love Du Toit’s “Quarter Hounders with Cheese” and “Peanut Butter Woofles,” as food and dog lovers united at the food truck’s opening celebration, which Du Toit called Wooffest.

“I wanted to try some myself. They say it’s not for human consumption, but I want to test that,” said Jacob Long, who had ordered a meal for his dog Puma.

Long was sitting on the sidelines of the food truck with his wife Mandy and friend Lauren Henderson, who is also a dog trainer. For them, The Hungry Hound has become just another reason On Tap is a great place to bring their dogs.

“I think it’s a great idea for the community. It’s a good training opportunity for our dogs,” Henderson said. “I think it will be super successful.”

Du Toit was diligent when developing the menu for The Hungry Hound, focusing on good ingredients that looked tasty enough for any human to eat as well. All his meals are veterinarian approved, gluten-free, wheat free, sugar free and salt free. It’s a healthy option for your dog, Du Toit said, that’s more or less exactly what any person would order at a food truck.

“I’ve been getting nothing but thumbs up — paws up — at this point,” Du Toit said. “The owners say the dogs are really enjoying the meals, … and they appreciate that we aren’t deep frying anything or adding any additives, salts or sugars or anything. It’s all completely natural, so the reviews have definitely been very, very positive.”

Also at Wooffest on Saturday was Street Dog Hero, a local dog rescue organization. It was there showcasing adoptable dogs that had just come from an overcrowded shelter in Oklahoma. Becky McCoy, Street Dog Hero’s education and outreach coordinator, couldn’t be sure, but she had high hopes that more than one pup wouldn’t be going home with her.

“People have applied and we just have to go through the process, but there definitely were some love connections,” McCoy said.

The Humane Society of Central Oregon also had a front-row seat at The Hungry Hound’s opening day, providing education and tips for dog owners.

“The Hungry Hound asked us to be here, joining the festivities of Wooffest, and we were delighted. We always love getting out and meeting dog owners or pet owners of the community,” said Lynne Ouchida, director of community partnerships. “I think humans are enjoying it more than the dogs, but I love seeing that everyone is enjoying the opportunity to spoil their dogs, and what better way than this really fun treat.”