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).
Four Calgary locations, janebondbbq.com, @janebondbbq
Runners-up
Hayden Block Smoke & Whiskey
Hayden Block serves up a taste of Texas in Calgary’s Kensington area. Smoked meats like brisket, spare 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 well over 200 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
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. The barbecue is available as a two-meat platter, or individually as full and half orders of ribs, beef brisket, smoked turkey and more. Try more smoky dishes like the smoked meatloaf, smoked pit beans or pulled pork spring rolls.
109 7 Ave. S.W., 403-532-1911, thepalomino.ca, @palominosmokehouse
South Block Barbecue & Brewing Co.
Like its sister restaurants Hayden Block and Comery Block, South Block serves some of the best smoked meats in the city. But what sets this Mission spot apart is the North Carolina-style barbecue and on-site brewery. Try one of these beers paired with apricot pork belly or brown butter herb turkey, fresh from the smoker. And stop by for brunch for dishes like waffles and candied brisket.
2437 4 St. S.W., 403-764-4277, southblockbbq.com, @southblockbbq
Comery Block Barbecue
Specializing in West Tennessee barbecue, Comery Block serves up meaty bites like brisket, pulled pork and, of course, Nashville hot chicken. The sides are also must-try items here — grab some potato salad, creamy slaw and baked beans, or order larger trays of bites like frito pie and chipotle brisket empanadas.
638 17 Ave. S.W., 403-453-7636, comeryblock.com, @comeryblock
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 cornbread 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