There’s nothing like barbecue during the summertime, and Calgary is chock-full of restaurants offering a sumptuous take on the art of grilled and smoked meats. From smoked Southern style to fire-roasted Brazilian and Korean, there’s a barbecue place for all tastes and every occasion.
Calgary Classics
Big T’s BBQ
With five locations across Calgary and dishes memorable enough to be featured on Food Networks’ You Gotta Eat Here, Big T’s is a Calgary staple. On top of the brisket, Big T’s also serves up in-house-made smoked chicken wings, fried dill pickles, and some of the best sauces in the city.
What to eat? “Our brisket, our pulled pork, our ribs and our burgers — you cannot go wrong with those,” says operations manager Andrew Spears. “I’m proud of how dialled in we try to get the salting process.”
Multiple Calgary locations (plus Airdrie), bigtsbbq.com, @bigtsbbq
Comery Block
This 17th Avenue hotspot offers classic southern barbecue with a unique Tennessee twist, which differentiates it from sister locations Hayden Block and South Block. Enjoy favourites like pulled pork and ribs with a view of the Dome down the street.
What to eat? Nashville-style hot chicken is what sets Comery Block apart. It’s available in spice levels ranging from mild for the sensible types all the way up to XXX for the heat heads.
638 17 Ave. S.W., 403-453-7636, comeryblock.com, @comeryblock
Cowtown Beef Shack
Whether at its Calgary or Red Deer location, Cowtown Beef Shack is a must-visit for those craving a fusion of local and Southern-style flavours. Instead of brisket, which takes much longer to cook, Cowtown smokes other tender cuts of AAA Alberta beef for various sandwiches.
What to eat? Cowtown’s staple dishes are beef dip and cheesesteak sandwiches, all tailored to your taste with toppings like cranberry aioli and jalapeños.
640, 26 McKenzie Towne Gate S.E. (plus Red Deer), 403-720-2121, cowtownbeefshack.ca, @cowtownbeefshackyyc
Hayden Block
Meat and whiskey go together hand-in-hand. The good folks at Hayden Block understand this well, so they’ve paired genuine southern-style smoked meats with more than 100 different aged whiskeys for your dining pleasure.
What to eat? Your best move is to build a meat platter and sides like baked beans or macaroni. We recommend including a hot link, a smoked sausage with a zesty flavour.
1136 Kensington Rd. N.W., 403-283-3021, haydenblockyyc.com, @haydenblockyyc
Palomino Smokehouse
This classic Downtown watering hole offers in-house smoked barbecue and boasts a reputation as one of the top music venues in the city. With two stages and a lively patio, it’s the perfect spot to grab lunch during work or wind down the evening.
What to eat? The sausage (sourced from Spolumbos) at the Palomino is to die for, as are funky items like pulled pork spring rolls and garlic fries. Just bring a mint to clear your breath up afterward.
109 7 Ave. S.W., 403-532-1911, thepalomino.ca, @palominosmokehouse
Enjoy With a Drink
Big Sky BBQ
Once upon a time, you had to go all the way to Okotoks to experience Big Sky BBQ’s authentic Texas barbecue… but no longer. The Big Rock Brewery location now serves heaping platters of brisket, pork, or chicken that are perfect for large groups or hungry individuals.
What to eat? The St. Louis ribs are infused with smokey flavours, and the Jalapeño biscuits are flakey, melt-in-your-mouth delicious.
5555 76 Ave. S.E. (inside Big Rock Brewing), 403-720-3239, bigskybbq.ca, @big_sky_bbq
Jane Bond BBQ
Avenue readers chose Jane Bond as the best BBQ joint in Calgary this year, and with good reason. Smoked brisket and coconut cornbread are just the beginnings of Jane’s offerings, and with their own Jane’s Island Sweet Tea to wash it all down, you’ll be in
barbecue heaven.
What to eat? “Crawfish is one of the most exciting things on our menu,” says Jane Bond founder Jenny Burthwright. “Being able to crush a crawfish in our secret crawfish butter is an experience.”
321, 723 46 Ave. S.E. 403-277-7064; and 101, 230 11 Ave. S.E. (catering), 403-300-2663, janebondbbq.com, @janebondbbq
Prairie Dog Brewing
Beer and barbecue — does it get any better? It turns out that it does when you add a local touch like Prairie Dog does with smoked Alberta meats and its locally created craft beer. Grab a sandwich, admire the brewing equipment, and relax at Prairie Dog.
What to eat? Start with some pork belly fries, get a Brewers Brisket Sandwich, and pair it with something refreshing like the Gopher Lite beer. Thank The Scene later.
105D 58 Ave. S.E., 403-407-2448, prairiedogbrewing.ca, @prairiedogbeer
South Block Barbecue & Brew Co.
Like its sister restaurants, Comery Block and Hayden Block, this Mission spot offers authentic Southern-style barbecue. However, South Block focuses mainly on the pork-heavy, vinegary flavours of North Carolina barbecue and features a brewery right inside.
What to eat? The apricot pork belly washed down with the Big Lick lager is a sumptuous meal fit for royalty, or just a really hungry Calgarian.
2437 4 St. S.W., 403-764-4227, southblockbbq.com, @southblockbbq
Tool Shed Brewing
Not content to rest on its laurels, Tool Shed Brewing now serves Memphis-style barbecue alongside its beer offerings. Founder Graham Sherman has spent years leading the award-winning Notorious P.I.G. BBQ team, and the experience shows on the mouthwatering menu.
What to eat? Sherman suggests starting with the pork belly bites, which are freshly prepared over a charcoal fire. As he puts it, “Nothing pairs better with beer than badass barbecue.”
9, 801 30 St. N.E., 403 775 1749, toolshedbrewing.com, @toolshedbeer
Trolley 5
Traditional pub grub like burgers and pizza are on the menu at Trolley 5, but you can also enjoy a selection of barbecue favourites that are smoked in-house for up to 14 hours. It’s hard to beat smoked meat and good beer in one of 17th Avenue’s staple brewpubs.
What to eat? The Alberta Bound sandwich features slow-smoked beef brisket, Memphis slaw, and BBQ sauce on a brioche bun. Editor tip: pair this with Turntable Lager for best results.
728 17 Ave. S.W., 403-454-3731, trolley5.com, @trolley_5
International BBQ
Amihan Grill + Bake Shop
Pronounced “Ah/MEE/han,” this northeast eatery offers a fresh Filipino-Canadian hybrid of barbecue flavours rooted in the Phili-
-ppines’ street food traditions. They also bake pastries and Filipino bread, a bit sweeter than Euro-centric styles.
What to eat? BBQ Liempo is a must-try. It’s a savoury marinated grilled pork belly served with barbecue sauce and rice, which goes amazingly with the Pan De Coco buns.
208, 3132 26 St. N.E, 403-455-6050; and 100, 1011 1 St. S.W., 825-540-1211, amihan.ca, @amihan.grill.bakeshop
Bolero
This churrascaria offers an all-you-can-eat Brazilian barbecue experience, featuring meats grilled on large skewers (that totally look like swords) and carved at your table. The intimate brown-leather interior and open kitchen make this a great spot for a date night.
What to eat? The “full rodizio” all-you-can-eat offers the chance to try picanha steak and Brazilian sausage. The charred pineapple, however, is the real star of the show.
6920 Macleod Trail S.E., 403-259-3119, bolerocalgary.com, @boleroyyc
Gyu-Kaku
Situated just off the train line downtown, Gyu Kaku delivers an upscale experience based around well-seasoned meats served alongside Japanese staples like dumplings. The on-table grills await you and your friends to char some meats, crush some sake, and savour the summer.
What to eat? We recommend fasting for the day to properly enjoy one of Gyu Kaku’s BBQ courses, which include marinated beef, spicy chicken, and pork belly.
100, 638 6 Ave. S.W., 587-538-6601, gyu-kaku.com, @gyukaku.calgary
Seoul Korean BBQ
Korean barbecue is a fun dining experience — Patrons grill meats on gas grills embedded in their dining tables. Seoul delivers this unique (and delicious) dining experience with the comforting touch of a family restaurant and the lively energy of a group barbecue.
What to eat? Make sure to arrive hungry in order to properly enjoy Seoul’s all-you-can-eat dinner, which includes marinated beef bulgogi, spicy chicken, and pork belly.
201, 4336 Macleod Trail S.W., 403-243-7970, seoulkoreanbbq.ca
Sun’s BBQ
Hong Kong-style barbecue infuses fire-roasted dishes with traditional Chinese spices and sauces, resulting in a unique east-meets-west flavour profile. Sun’s is a great spot to experience this culinary tradition, but consider wearing stretchy pants to indulge fully.
What to eat? The Chinese-style pork and crispy tofu are must-haves, and the grilled duck might be the move. Sun’s also offers hot pot options!
1423 Centre St. N.W., 403-230-8890, tasteofasiagroup.ca
