No cuisine screams summer louder than the visceral lip-smacking, finger-licking delight that is barbecue. Here’s Calgary’s best barbecue joints.
Palomino Smokehouse
Service can be uneven, but the food is always hearty and juicy. Enjoy the rockabilly stylings of greaser greats Smokin’ 45s every Thursday evening (7 p.m. – 10 p.m.) while you and a couple pals gorge on the fat-ass platter ($65), an assortment of meat slabs from smoked chicken to beef brisket. Mains, $12 – $24.109 Seventh Ave. SW., 403-532-1911.
Mohave Grill
Fortify yourself for a night in Deerfoot Casino’s poker room with (you guessed it) grilled meat. Though Mohave Grill’s cheesy Tex-Mex interior is a misdeal, the menu is a winner, including barbecue classics like a half roasted chicken with a half rack of ribs ($28.75) and smoked pork side ribs (full order $28.75). Mains $11.75 – $29.95. 1000, 11500 – 35 St. SE.
Bookers BBQ & Crab Shack
Less a shack than a barbecue palace since its recent renovation, Bookers’ upscale barbecue menu still delivers taste and value. The platter for two ($60) or four ($110), featuring ribs, brisket, snow crab and crab cakes, is fit for royalty. Hungry royalty. Mains $11 – $30, 316 Third St. SE., 403-264-6419.
Big T’s BBQ & Smokehouse
Two of man’s best friends, football and red meat, await you, a pedestrian overpass away from the Stampeders’ home at McMahon Stadium. Fuel up pre- or post-game with Memphis baby-back ribs (full rack $29) or a gut buster ($15.50) – brisket and pulled pork on a bun. Mains $10.95 – $29. 2138 Crowchild Tr., 403-284-5959.
Image courtesy of are you gonna eat that.
