Venture beyond the main strip of Inglewood into the surrounding Ramsay area, and you’ll find Crossroads Market at the hub of Blackfoot and Ogden Road. According to manager Nicole Schon, it’s a Calgary institution that has weathered many storms.
“We’ve just got that grit about us,” she explains. “We’re not afraid to make mistakes, and we’re not polished… Every day, we’re still evolving.” Jim Rockwell, owner of Rocky’s Burger Bus just outside the market, echoes similar sentiments as he reflects on the market’s history in between ringing up customers. “Lots of ups and downs, lots of peaks, lots of valleys,” is how he puts it.
Despite the storms of inflation and changing trends, Crossroads still creates a space for bargain-hungry Calgarians every weekend. Founded in 1987, over 150 local vendors set up shop every week inside and outside the market, from farmers selling produce outside to record collectors shilling cheap wax inside the flea market.
At the centre of the building is the food hall, which ranges down a narrow alley crammed full of takeaway stands offering meals that span prices and cultures. “When you’re going into a food hall — maybe in the mall or whatever — most of those things are chains; that’s not their love or passion, it’s just somebody else’s,” says Schon. “Here, you’re dealing with small business owners, and they’re physically on the ground, they’re in the booths. And so things have more passion attached to them, and the [vendors] are trying to meld and collaborate with the neighbours.”
This communal vibe extends to the dining area, which consists of shared benches and tables scattered throughout the market. “The space itself wasn’t built to be a market,” explains Schon. “It was a slaughterhouse! So basically, we’re using a janky meld of three buildings and just putting stuff in it. We can’t have a ginormous food hall with endless tables…. so we throw them all on picnic tables, and you always have a great community around you.”
Yet, according to Schon, this unconventional approach to a food court is what sets Crossroads apart. “Every nuance space within our bigger space is part of who we are,” she says.
Part of weathering any storm is adaptation and change. Crossroads is a living organism; vendors constantly come and go, and every visit might differ for the average Calgarian. Just this past June, a new stand popped up towards the end of the food hall called Fresh in the City, where operator Garret Remdel creates sumptuous carrot cake based on his mom’s recipe. “When I used to come here years ago, it was just a flea market, and that’s all it was,” he says. “They’ve done a really good job in evolving the market to where it is now, and I don’t think it should be [a hidden gem]. It should be open to the masses, and everybody should know what’s happening here.”
The Best Deals at Crossroads
Asahi Sushi
Despite the name, Asahi Sushi offers much more than California rolls and sashimi. This family-owned stand also specializes in Korean specialties like fried chicken and bibimbap!
What to eat? One of the better-priced options is the grilled bowl, which nets you a massive bowl of protein over rice with sweet reduction and sesame seeds for only $15.
Deepak’s Dhaba
Initially opening in 2016 to sell founder Deepak Kalsi’s chai spices, Deepak’s Dhaba specializes in sumptuous Indian dishes made with local ingredients.
What to eat? Daily curry plates start at just $12.95 and include rice or a half-portion of naan. And the sauces are a real bargain, starting at $12.95 for a large container that includes meats. “With the Canadian lifestyle, we’re all really busy,” says Kalsi. “It’s nice to grab a couple of those tubs of curry out of your freezer and then share with your family as a meal.”
Fresh In The City
One of the newer stands at Crossroads, Fresh in the City is a baked goods stand next to Old Munich.
What to eat? Grab a massive hunk of handmade carrot cake for seven bucks, and share it with a friend. Operator Garret Remdel uses his mom’s recipe!
Molcajete Authentic Mexican
Molcajete has a restaurant on one side of the food hall and a takeout stall across the aisle, where customers can grab a wide selection of handmade salsas and chips to take home.
What to eat? Grab a “Movie Night In” kit from the salsa stand: $23.95 gets you a large bag of handmade totopos, pico de gallo, guacamole, a pair of drinks and candy.
Old Munich German Sausage House
With over 35 years of history at Crossroads, Old Munich is a hidden Calgary classic, offering a better alternative to the pocket dogs you get at the Dome.
What to eat? The currywurst is a must-try: fresh bratwurst covered in curry ketchup and mustard inside a French baguette, and at only seven bucks, you might as well get a drink with it for another dollar. And on Fridays, you can get any sausage for only $6!
Rocky’s Burger Bus
Established in ‘95 and operating out of a big red bus outside of Crossroads for the last 11 years, Rocky’s Burger Bus is a bona fide Calgary icon.
What to eat? Owner-operator Jim Rockwell thinks all visitors should start with Rocky’s Special. “You get a little bit of everything,” he says. “A burger, a pop, and fries made with potatoes from the Hutterite Colony that sell right here at the market.” The combo may seem pricey at $17, but the portions are massive and made with fresh, local produce.
PB and J
One of the market’s newest vendors, PB and J is a local biz that creates panini-grilled sandwiches with freshly ground peanuts, cashews, and almond butter.
What to eat? These sandwich artists offer specials every Sunday, from 30 per cent off a jar of almond butter to a gourmet grilled-cheese-and-tomato-soup combo for under 10 bucks.
Nila’s Taste of Indonesia
From kare ayam curry to coconut beef soup, this little stall in the middle of the food hall is a must-try for those seeking something different.
What to eat? Nila’s most popular dish is the beef rendang, a massive plate of beef curry, coconut yellow rice, gado-gado salad, and sambal. It costs $14.50 and is easily shared.
Yenny Delights
Led by executive chef Toyin Adepoju, Yenny Delights is a must-try for Afro-Caribbean treats, whether you’re staying or going.
What to eat? The chicken and beef patties are to die for; at only $4.99, they pack a satisfying hunger punch. The small to-go lunch box is another killer deal at only $11.99
Check out what happens at Crossroads Market every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
