Calgary Restaurant Tips by penumbra Top 5 Page for this destination

BC Fruit and Taber Corn

You see them at the edges of shopping malls or along the side of a street during the summer. Fruit and vegetable stands with signs that read “BC Fruit” or “Taber Corn”. “BC Fruit” implies fruit grown in the interior of the province of British Columbia. Anyone who has driven through BC probably has fond memories of stopping at fresh fruit stands that line the highways by the orchards. The fruit stands that make it to Calgary are much smaller, maybe the size of a pickup truck, and may or may not be from BC. Similarly, Taber is a small community in southern Alberta well known for its corn. All roadside vegetable vendors are marketed as “Taber Corn” whether or not it actually came from that area. Still, if you’re in the market for fruits and vegetables and see a roadside stand, it doesn’t hurt to stop and check the goods.

Directions: Usually at the corners of shopping malls

Rating: 3

Theme: Street Vendor

Website: http://www.discovercalgary.com/Calgary/Shopping/FruitStands/

Saigon Y2K: Vermicelli

A decade ago, it was difficult to find a Vietnamese restaurant in Calgary. Now they’re quite common. My favorite is one that is across from the McMahon football stadium. It’s easy to get in and out of the parking lot, the service can be slow but the food is good. You won’t be alone either, as many others have “discovered” this restaurant. There is second restaurant by the same name, but strangely a slightly different menu, downtown in Chinatown on Center street. Don’t worry if you can’t use chopsticks as cutlery is available on request.

Jetgirly reported that the restaurant no longer makes deliveries even though they still have a delivery menu.

Favorite Dish: Chicken and spring rolls on vermicelli noodles

Address: 2110 Crowchild Trail NW

Comparison: about average

Directions: Across from the McMahon football stadium

Phone: (403) 282-2553

Price: US$11-20

Rating: 4

Theme: Pan-Asian and Pacific Rim

Website: http://findmenus.ca/saigonY2K_nw.php

Verona Pizza: Calgary’s Best Pizza

People can get pretty passionate about their favorite pizza place, so allow me to share my contender with you: Verona Pizza. And you’re in luck… it’s located in downtown Calgary and you can try it by the slice. But be aware, this is not a well-kept secret. And don’t even bother looking at the menu. If you don’t see anything of interest ready to serve, then just walk away and try again another day.

Favorite Dish: What makes it so good? Hot fresh mozzarella, and lots of it. But timing is everything. Too early, there’s not much selection because the pizzas are still in the oven and not many are ready to serve. Too late, and the crowd has been there before you and the pickings will be slim. Noon is best of course, and through exhaustive research, I’ve determined that 12:15pm is the ideal time.

When they’re going at full tilt, you’ll usually find a selection of eight pizzas or so to choose from: beef and mushroom, pepperoni, pepperoni and mushroom, pepperoni and bacon, all meat, all cheese, spinach and feta, Hawaiian. Side salads are an option and if you’d like something other than pizza, they also serve lasagna or baked spaghetti.

Address: 209 - 304 8th Avenue SW

Comparison: about average

Directions: In the Lancaster Building food court (+15 level) at the corner of 8th Avenue (Stephen Avenue Mall) and 2nd Street.

Phone: (403) 269-1185

Price: less than US$10

Rating: 5

Theme: Pizza

Peter’s Drive Inn: A Calgary Institution

There’s only one Peter’s Drive Inn. In a city where restaurants come and go each year, Peter’s has been around forever. You can drive through (on either side) or walk up to the window to place your order but either way, you’ll almost always have to wait in line. It’s that popular. In fact, over the years, the city has had to put up barriers to keep excessive traffic from bothering the nearby residential neighborhood. There are no indoor tables, but there are plenty of picnic tables in their park like surroundings.

Favorite Dish: Famous for their hamburgers and milkshakes, there’s a different milkshake flavor on special each day.

Address: 219 16th Avenue NE

Comparison: about average

Directions: Between Center street and Edmonton trail along the trans Canada highway (16th Ave NE)

Phone: (403) 277 2747

Price: less than US$10

Rating: 4

Theme: Fast Food

Website: http://www.petersdrivein.com/

Glamorgan Bakery: World’s Best Cheese Buns

OK, the secret is out now. Glenmorgan bakery has the world’s best cheese buns, IMHO. Shaped like little bricks, 6x6x12cm, the buns are baked daily and so incredibly soft that each bite melts in your mouth. If you arrive late in the day (after 3pm) you run the risk of them being sold out. Don’t take my word for it, just stand by the countered for a couple of minutes and you’ll hear about every second customer asking for some cheese buns (CDN$4.80 @2007). If you can drive home without trying one on the way, you’ve got more will power than I do.

Favorite Dish: Cheese Buns

Address: #20 - 3919 Richmond Road SW

Comparison: about average

Directions: Shopping Center at 37th Street and Richmond Road

Phone: (403) 242-2800

Price: less than US$10

Rating: 5

Theme: Bakery

Website: http://www.glamorganbakery.com/