Dune Dog Cafe Steps Back from Jupiter’s Carlin Park Lease
A well-known eatery in northern Palm Beach County, Dune Dog Cafe, has decided to pull out of an agreement to lease the long-closed restaurant space at Jupiter’s Carlin Park. This decision comes after the establishment and the Palm Beach County Parks and Recreation Department mutually agreed to part ways. According to a parks spokesperson, Chris Korbelak, the move was made with both parties’ understanding.
Dune Dog had previously announced plans to renovate the space that was once home to Duke’s Lazy Loggerhead Cafe, aiming to open its new location in early 2024. However, unexpected construction delays pushed the opening date back to 2025 and beyond. Attempts to reach Ricky Berrios, the director of operations for Dune Dog, for further comments were not immediately successful.
In a March 2025 interview, Berrios shared with The Palm Beach Post that Dune Dog staff discovered additional repairs needed in the building, including work on the piping and wiring systems.
The Legacy of the Lazy Loggerhead
The Lazy Loggerhead, which operated for 25 years, closed its doors in August 2022. It was a beloved spot for locals who enjoyed waffles, pancakes, burgers, and BLTs at Carlin Park. The restaurant was particularly popular among those living between the Jupiter Inlet and the Juno Beach Pier.
The original Dune Dog opened in 1994 on Alternate A1A in Jupiter. Today, it also operates locations in Stuart and Cocoa Beach. Known for its combo platters, fish sandwiches, seafood dinners, and hot dogs, the menu includes a best-selling item: the foot-long “Junkyard Dog,” topped with chili, cheese, diced onions, and tomato sauce.
A New Concept for Carlin Park
The Carlin Park location was planned to be called Dune Dog’s “Beach Shack,” offering breakfast and lunch options and closing at sunset. However, with the current situation, the Parks and Recreation Department is allowing food trucks to serve patrons at Carlin Park until a permanent concession vendor is chosen.
Korbelak mentioned that the county is expected to seek new applicants in the coming months. Any interested companies are encouraged to sign up for the mailing list through the County’s Property and Real Estate Management Division.
Looking Ahead
As the community awaits the next chapter for Carlin Park, the focus remains on finding a suitable replacement for the former Dune Dog space. The park continues to provide temporary solutions while working towards a more permanent plan.
Julius Whigham II covers northern Palm Beach County and public safety for The Palm Beach Post. You can reach him at [email protected] and follow him on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, at @JuliusWhigham. Help support our work by subscribing today.
