Get Your Fill Without A Need for Cutlery

Delicious Deli
Anyone who has been to Montreal understands just how unrivalled the city’s spots for traditional Montreal smoked meat sandwiches and authentic poutine are. In Calgary, a small band of delis offer a mouthwatering taste of Montreal and specialize in that quintessential traditional cured, smoked and steamed brisket sandwich. Kickers Smoked Meat & Deli is a tiny new eatery in the historic Radio Block on 1st Street S.W. that feels casual and hip with its exposed brick walls, vaulted ceiling and vintage crystal chandelier. All the smoked meat, roast beef, ham and Montreal smoked turkey is sliced in-house, and the poutine ($7) has authentic Quebec cheese curds and gravy on fries made in a greaseless fryer. Order a bottle of MTL lager ($6) and keep things simple with a traditional smoked meat and house mustard on rye (6-ounce, $10; 8-ounce, $12). Or try the Rideau Canal Club (smoked turkey and bacon, cheddar, lettuce and tomato on sourdough, $10), grilled beef and Swiss cheese on sourdough ($12) or Miss Montreal (smoked salmon, cream cheese, red onion, tomato and lettuce on rye, $12). The moist and flavourful meat is piled generously on the sandwiches, and decent-sized portions of coleslaw, soup, potato salad or macaroni salad accompany, along with a slice of pickle. (100, 1215 1 St. S.W., 403-288-8860, kickersdeli.ca)
—Lynda Sea


Kickers Smoked Meat & Deli offers big taste in its tiny space.

Spoon Responsibly
Sweet, sassy and so good for you, Spoon Me’s frozen yogurt is guilt-free snacking at its best. The all-natural soft-serve treat comes swirling out of the machine in flavours including natural, vanilla, chocolate, acai and green tea. Pile on fresh fruit, nuts or cereal from the toppings bar and your treat is complete. The smallest, or baby cup (4 oz, $5), is big enough to satisfy at only 83 calories, or go big and bigger with the half (8 oz, $6) or full
(12 oz, $7) cup.

If you prefer to forgo the spoon altogether and slurp your serving, smoothies come in flavours such as Orange-ya-Gonna Spoon Me with pineapple, bananas, strawberries, orange juice and natural yogurt ($6).

Calgary’s two fresh and funky Spoon Me locations are plastered with cheeky slogans including “Spoon like a rock star” and “I’ve spooned better,” that can be read from retro pod chairs. Or, use your snack as a pit stop for a day of shopping on nearby 17th Avenue S.W. or Kensington. (100, 1130 Kensington Rd. N.W., 403-453-2101, and 1510 6 St. S.W., 403-452-6760, spoonmecanada.com)
—Jaelyn Molyneux

Burritos in the Burbs
If you are looking for a taste of Mexico, go to the corner Heritage Drive and Fairmount Drive and look for the strip mall with the pagoda. Under the pagoda, in what used to be a Chinese dining lounge, is Tu Tierra Tacquiera. Inside, Frieda Kahlo portraits hang against the backdrop of paint colours pulled from the bright stripes of Zarape blankets leave no doubt of the Mexican influence.

But you don’t go to Tu Tierra for the decor. You go for the enchiladas smothered in green tomato, mole or ranchera-style sauce ($13). The burritos might pull you in with their shredded chicken or beef, Mexican chorizo or steak rolled in tortillas that are stuffed with beans and rice ($12.50). And then there are tacos, tostadas and quesadillas, all available for dine-in or takeout. Finish off your meal with key lime pie or three milk cake.

Tu Tierra is licensed and loaded with cold Mexican beer and tequila. Order a beverage and toast to the memory of Mi Tierra, the original and recently closed restaurant from the same owners. (30, 8316 Fairmount Dr. S.E., 403-252-5566, tutierra.ca)
—J.M.

Wrap Party
After a visit to Shawarma Station, you’ll likely start referring to the Lebanese eatery as just “Sam’s.” Sam Elkadri is the owner and ever-present heart of the Station and he makes every customer feel as if he’s an old friend making a family recipe in his kitchen. Handmade pitas are filled with chicken ($8), beef ($8) or mixed (chicken and beef, $9.75) and topped with your choice of lettuce, hot peppers, tomatoes, pickles, purple cabbage and onions. Elkadri makes his own sauces, and his secret hot sauce is a good choice for a kick of flavour. You can also add cheese ($1), hummus ($1) or tabouli ($1.50). Once the fillings are all in, the shawarma is placed in a panini press, making the pita crisp and warm. Shawarma Station also offers several vegetarian alternatives, such as baba ghanoush ($6 or $10), Lebanese fries ($5.50) or the popular Sam sandwich (falafel with mixed vegetables and sauce, $8.50). (227 10 St. N.W., 403-283-0606)
—Sean Young


At Shawarma Station, pitas are loaded with fresh ingredients and grilled for a crispy finish.