Barbecue restaurants that really smoke in Calgary

Barbecue is as big as you might expect it to be in this meat-loving city. These barbecue houses make superb smoked meat meals in a variety of southern US styles. Dig in and enjoy!

Barbecue restaurants that really smoke in Calgary
Ian Doig By

Holy Smoke BBQ

1
4-4640 Manhattan Rd SE, Calgary, AB T2G 4B5

Pork ribs are one of the pillars of this growing barbecue-meat empire. Order pulled pork, beef brisket and smoked chicken sandwiches as well as ribs and pair with coleslaw and cornbread. In addition to its flagship southeast industrial area barbecue shack on Manhattan Road Southeast, Holy Smoke now features a second location in the northeast and a Deerfoot Mall kiosk.

This business is featured in the following Smart Lists:

Big T's BBQ & Smoke House Co

2
2138 Crowchild Trail NW, Calgary, AB T2M 3Y7

A popular pre-game eatery when the Stamps are playing across Crowchild Trail at McMahon Stadium, Big T’s serves big, messy and meaty barbecue meals complete with all the sides you expect. Sliced beef brisket, pulled pork, ribs, chicken and even meatloaf entrees are available with corn bread, coleslaw, fries and more.

This business is featured in the following Smart Lists:

Bookers BBQ Grill & Crabshack

3
316 3rd St SE, Calgary, AB T2G 2S4

A well-known seafood and barbecue destination, Booker’s chefs are expert operators, utilizing the kitchen’s big ol’ smoker to do great things with beef and pork as well as chicken — the smoked wings are likely unique to the city and crazy delicious.

This business is featured in the following Smart Lists:

The Palomino Smokehouse

4
109 7 Ave SW, Calgary, AB T2P 0W5

Downtown at the Palomino, you’ll enjoy beer and Texas barbecue in a rock ’n’ roll setting. Barbecue entrees include pulled pork sandwiches, ribs and brisket served with macaroni and cheese as well as grits. Try the two-meat platter or the slow-roasted half chicken.

This business is featured in the following Smart Lists:

Cowtown Beef Shack Inc

5
640-26 McKenzie Towne Gate SE, Calgary, AB T2Z 0N2

The best-known barbecue meal in Alberta is beef on a bun. The folks at Cowtown Beef Shack stuffs their crusty bread with the finest triple-A Alberta beef. Sandwich selections include straight-up barbecue beef, beef with cheddar, smoked pulled pork and beef dip. Always ask for the side of slaw.

Pampa Brazilian Steak House

6
521 10 Ave SW, Calgary, AB T2R 0A8

Tableside service is the signature culinary move at this Beltline Brazilian barbecue restaurant. Course No. 1 is a trip to the salad bar, which includes artisanal breads. The juicy main course is a mobile selection of rodizio-style meats that includes roast garlic lamb, AAA Alberta beef and chicken wrapped in bacon.

This business is featured in the following Smart Lists:

Gaucho Brazilian Barbecue

7
629 Main St, Canmore, AB T1W 2B1

Settle in for a leisurely rodizo-style dinner at this Brazilian barbecue restaurant. Through any given evening, the chef will visit your table with various skewered meats, slicing them directly onto your plate. These will include top sirloin, beef ribs, bacon-wrapped chicken and lamb. Also visit the restaurant'sCanmore location.

This business is featured in the following Smart Lists:

Bolero

This Brazilian restaurant in the Smuggler’s Inn complex is warmly elegant, like a ranch house with a brick hearth and a well-stocked bar. Help yourself to side dishes at the buffet while the churrasco chefs visit your table to carve slabs of beautifully slow-roasted chicken, pork, lamb, beef and more. Your colour-coded cue card lets them know when you want more meat, and when you’ve finally had enough.

This business is featured in the following Smart Lists:

Symons Roadhouse

Chef Kevin Turner turns out seriously succulent barbecue dishes among the comfortably creative Canadian cuisine he serves at Symons Roadhouse. Located on the lower floor of Symons Valley Ranch Farmers' Market. Do yourself a meaty favour and order the smoked brisket with mac and cheese, barbecue pork shoulder with perogies or bone-in beef rib eye.

This business is featured in the following Smart Lists:
More from Ian Doig Ian Doig
Ian Doig’s week may include dim sum lunch with friends, rummaging through indie bookstore shelves as well as scribbling in his notepad at Calgary shops and farmers’ markets. It most often concludes with a relaxing Friday evening pint of locally brewed craft beer.
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