GALLOWAY TOWNSHIP – When Roger and Alexis Bradford bought Paioli’s and started planning the building renovations and the menu for Bulldogs Bar & Grill, they knew enough not to change at least one thing: It was a place where you could always get a good stromboli.

The owners have continued the tradition of offering stromboli and sandwiches while incorporating their own preferences and a lot of personality into the mix.

“Paioli’s was known for their strombolis, so many people come in expecting to get a good one,” Alexis Bradford said.

The Bulldogs version comes in just one size – and it’s about 2 feet long. More than half a dozen versions are offered, but many customers prefer to customize their stromboli through the make-your-own feature.

The Bradfords bought the property in October 2005, but it wasn’t until October 2006 that they were able to open their doors.

They completely remodeled the building, including turning the onetime three-bedroom apartment upstairs into storage space and offices.

“We kept the outside the same for historical reasons, but had to get all new wiring and plumbing,” Alexis Bradford said. “It took us over a full year to renovate the place.”

The husband and wife are no strangers to the restaurant business. Both went to school for restaurant management. Roger works in the kitchen, and visitors generally find Alexis out with the customers and bartending.

The two owned Bradford’s Grill and Tavern in Stamford, Conn. They moved to the area when a close friend, whom Alexis was helping to raise her son, moved to Northfield.

“We looked at a bunch of places around, but this is a great location,” said Alexis Bradford. The establishment has been a bar as far back as 1890, when it was Bob White’s Lodge.

“We have lots of regulars already,” she said. “People like it because the place is cozy and we have a great staff.”

From the outside, the building looks pretty much the same as it has, but inside it is a new place entirely.

Each booth has a flat-screen television, and there are more in the bar area. Seating is also available on the porch.

The restaurant is true to its name – there are bulldog statues and wall hangings, and the booths are upholstered with a dog-themed pattern.

In the eight months it has been open, customers have also been adding to the collection, bringing in stuffed animals and décor items in keeping with the theme.

But perhaps the biggest salute to canines are the desserts – novelty confections with enough calories to put diners in the doghouse, all served in dog dishes.

The name Bulldogs comes from their love for the animal.

“We have an American bulldog named Dakota,” said Alexis Bradford.

She said she was talking to her husband about names for the restaurant and she suggested Dakota, but he thought it sounded like the cuisine would be American Southwestern. When they hit on Bulldogs, they knew immediately that it would be a perfect fit.

Now the Bradfords have two dogs, having picked up Dallas, a pit-bull, from a local shelter. Alexis Bradford said that Dakota and Dallas will sometimes make an occasional appearance.

“We will bring them in once in a while,” she said.  “Customers’ kids are always asking, ‘Where is the puppy?’”