Each year, we ask Avenue readers to vote for their favourite restaurants in Calgary in our Best Restaurants readers’ choice ballot. These are some of their favourite places in the city.
Winner
Jane Bond BBQ
The next time you’re craving southern barbecue, head to Jane Bond BBQ. There, you can choose from delicious barbecue platters for up to 15 people, piled with southern comforts like smoked brisket, St. Louis ribs and the restaurant’s famous coconut cornbread. Grab a can of Jane’s Island Sweet Tea to wash it all down (also available in an alcoholic version made with Two Rivers Distillery bourbon).
723 46 Ave. S.E., 403-277-7064, janebondbbq.com, @janebondbbq
Runners-up
Hayden Block Smoke & Whiskey
Hayden Block serves up a taste of the south in the heart of Calgary. Smoked meats like brisket, ribs and chicken, as well as sides like a refreshing watermelon salad and bacon mac ’n’ cheese, are highlights here. Living up to its name, Hayden Block offers plenty of whiskey (and non-whiskey) cocktails, plus it has a huge list of more than 100 Canadian, American, Japanese, Irish and Scottish whiskies. Hayden Block also has a second-floor music hall where it hosts live music.
1136 Kensington Rd. N.W., 403-283-3021, haydenblockyyc.com, @haydenblockyyc
Tool Shed Beer & BBQ
This local brewery partners with Notorious P.I.G. to provide top-notch barbecue to its guests. The barbecue team has competed (and won) in multiple barbecue competitions, so you can expect some killer Memphis-style pork ribs, as well as innovative dishes like the banh mi made with in-house smoked pork belly.
801 30 St. N.E., 403-775-1749, toolshedbrewing.com, @toolshedbeer
Prairie Dog Brewing
If drinking locally brewed craft beer and eating delicious barbecue is your thing (and really, why wouldn’t it be), Prairie Dog Brewing has both. Grab a pint of one of the brewery’s many styles of beer fresh from the keg, and pair it with a snack like pork belly fries and jalapeno corn fritters. Or try something more substantial like smoked meat platters, sandwiches and more.
105D 58 Ave. S.E., 403-407-2448, prairiedog.bbq.beer, @prairiedogbeer
Big T’s BBQ
Four Calgary locations and one in Airdrie means it’s easy to get your barbecue fix from Big T’s BBQ (the Calgary Farmers’ Market, Mahogany and Airdrie locations are fast-casual restaurants, while the other two are full service restaurants). While famous for its platters, Big T’s also offers smoked chicken wings, fried dill pickles and several sandwiches and burgers filled with juicy meat. If you’re feeling brave, try the gigantic gutbuster sandwich, which was featured on Food Network’s You Gotta Eat Here.
Multiple locations, bigtsbbq.com, @bigtsbbq
The Palomino Smokehouse
The Palomino Smokehouse’s barbecue is smoked in-house and goes perfectly with its other claim to fame: being one of the best music venues in the city. Order the barbecue platter with ribs, beef brisket, smoked turkey and more, or try more smoky dishes like the smoked meatloaf, smoked pit beans or pulled pork spring rolls.
109 7 Ave. S.W., 43-532-1911, thepalomino.ca, @palominosmokehouse