Since it’s still a little early to be firing up the barbecue and inviting friends over for a backyard party, why not go out for one of these meat-centric meals instead. We guarantee they will help fill the grilling void in your life until spring weather is officially here.
Big T’s BBQ Meatloaf Sandwich
Fill up for lunch with their homemade meatloaf on a toasted bun slathered with a rich maple bourbon sauce and a side of hot, dirty rice. (2138 Crowchild Tr. N.W., 403-284-5959, bigtsbbq.com)
Bookers BBQ Grill St. Louis Ribs
Enjoy these fall-off-the-bone ribs brushed with any of Bookers’ custom sauces. For a real Southern-feeling meal, add on a side of skillet cornbread and jalapeno mac ‘n’ cheese too. (316 3 St. S.E., 403-264-6419, bookersbbq.com, @BookersBBQ)
Holy Smoke Pulled Pork Sandwich
A good pulled pork sandwich is next to godliness. Satisfy your craving with Holy Smoke’s melt-in-your-mouth pork piece of barbecue heaven and maybe some macaroni salad too. (420 16 Ave. N.E., 403-263-4659, holysmokebbq.ca, @HolySmokebarbq)
JoJo’s BBQ Sloppy JoJo’s
A hot mess of deliciousness, Calgary’s “queen of barbecue” serves up smoked brisket, pulled pork, covered in bacon gravy and barbecue sauce. Don’t wear a white shirt if you’re having this for lunch. (various locations, 587-896-7827, calgarybbq.com, @JoJosBBQ)
The Palomino Alberta Beef Brisket
Before the live music kicks off, grab some quality eats at this lively bar. It’s hard to go wrong with anything on the menu here, but the beef brisket is a tender, perfect example of what barbecue is all about and the pulled pork is a tasty, sloppy mess. (109 7 Ave. S.W., 403-532-1911, thepalomino.ca, @ThePalomino)
Rhino Smokehouse BBQ Platter
Between the pulled pork, smoked brisket, chorizo sausage and pork ribs, you pretty much have every meat food group on one platter with sides of baked beans, cornbread, fries and slaw. Platter size varies from ‘We’re kind of hungry” to “We could probably eat a horse.” (Platters serve two to 12 people.) (607 11 Ave. S.W., 403-233-0058)