Sometimes, you just don’t feel like cooking at home and you don’t want to sit down in a restaurant either. Fast casual food to the rescue! Here are nine food-loving Calgarians and their favourite dish to grab and go when hunger strikes.
Adobo Experience Chicken Adobo
Stephanie Eddy, Globe and Mail columnist
“This is such an easy and filling meal. It’s always cooked perfectly and it’s super flavourful too!”
4307 17 Ave. S.E., 403-475-9188
Chicken On The Way Fried Chicken and Corn Fritters
Heather Dow-Mitchell, food blogger, Heather’s Eats
“This is one of my childhood favourites. When this Calgary institution opened more locations all over the city a few years ago, it made it easier for me to get my hands on their mouthwatering fried chicken. To treat my family of three we get eight pieces, a small bag of fries, six corn fritters and lots of honey for dipping!”
Various locations, chickenonthewaycalgary.ca
Chili Club Thai House Sya Ron Hai
Paul McGreevy, corporate chef, Craft Beer Market
“In English, that means ‘crying tiger beef.’Â It’s a dish with a mix of ginger, pepper and soy. It definitely burns, but it’s a really good type of burn.”
1904 36 St. S.W., 403-217-8862, chiliclubthaihouse.ca
Nawab Gourmet Cuisine of India Chicken Vindaloo and Garlic Naan
Stephanie Arsenault, food writer, globaldish.ca
“It’s the perfect, quick meal to pick up on the way home from work and it’s spicy enough to keep my sinuses clear and tears running down my cheeks. The couple who runs the place is always interested in what you’re ordering and is eager to offer suggestions too. Favourite Indian spot in the city, hands down!”
288 St. Moritz Dr. S.W., 403-282-1002
Nho Saigon Jicama Rolls
Dan Clapson, Avenue food writer
“Whether you’re a bowl-of-pho or a bowl-of-noodles person is up to you, but don’t place a takeout order here without trying these salad rolls filled with fried egg, shredded jicama and Chinese sausage. They are leaps and bounds more exciting to bite into than the standard shrimp variety.”
2111 33 Ave. S.W., 403-246-1388
Rice For King Grilled Beef and Spring Rolls on Vermicelli
Tom Firth, wine writer, Cowtown Wine and Avenue
“On a busy night, we always order some Vietnamese. It’s super quick service here and they don’t give us funny looks when we’re picking up our dinner at 4:30 or 5:00 p.m.”
9190 Macleod Tr. S.E., 403-253-8387
Subs ‘n’ Bubbles Banh Mi
Bernice Hill, food blogger, Dish ‘n’ the Kitchen
“The French may have perfected the baguette but the Vietnamese have utilized it to its full potential. When I need a quick and tasty meal on the go, I almost always opt for a banh mi from Subs ‘n’ Bubbles food truck. If the truck isn’t nearby or open, I head to its restaurant (Golden Village), which is dangerously close to my house.”
subsnbubbles.com, @subsnbubbles
Thai Fusion Delight Pad Thai
Gwendolyn Richards, cookbook author and Calgary Herald food writer
“It’s always delicious, made right in front of you as soon as you order it and dished up for you by the loveliest staff. Plus, it’s a healthy portion that’s at least the equivalent of two meals.”
601 17 Ave. S.W., 403-245-6364, thaifusiondelight.com
Tuk Tuk Thai Beef Masman Curry
Diana Ng, food writer, Eat North
“It would take me, or anyone really, so, so long to make something like this at home and get the beef as tender as it is here. Also, I just know that no matter how hard I tried to cook this rich curry dish at home, it would never taste as good as Tuk Tuk’s.”
636 17 Ave. S.W., 403-455-0999, tuktukthai.com, @eattuktukthai