Find yourself craving some barbecued goodness? Lucky for you, Calgary has many BBQ restaurants!
Over a week of absolutely delicious testing, we went over Calgary’s best BBQ places. At the end of it all, we mulled over everything we learned (and tasted!) and selected the top ones.
Table of Contents
The Best BBQ Restaurants in Calgary
Before anything else, here are the criteria we used to assess the entries:
1. Hayden Block Smoke & Whiskey
| Menu | 5/5 |
| Place | 5/5 |
| Customer service | 3/5 |
| Quality pricing | 4/5 |
We can’t have this list of the best BBQ restaurants without including the famous Hayden Block Smoke & Whiskey in Kensington. If you love drinks with your barbecue meats, this place is an ideal one to have your lunch and dinner.
From the restaurant’s name, they’re popular for their whiskey cocktails and tender barbecue. Among their extensive menu, they’re pretty well known for their Texas-style brisket and ribs, which are their best sellers.
Our evaluation reflected that they provide excellent customer satisfaction by paying close attention to detail in the cooking. In fact, they smoke their meat for 10 to 14 hours to achieve that top-notch meat tenderness and taste.
Additionally, we like their barbecue menu as much as we like their place. Hayden has a friendly and lively atmosphere – thanks to live music every weekend and daily sports action on the big screens, making it ideal for those looking to unwind.
Unfortunately, a few customers felt the opposite way. Some of them complained about being served by rude staff and having to wait an unreasonable amount of time for their meals to be served.
However, it’s comforting to know that they take negative feedback very seriously, as evidenced by their improving customer service rate. Needless to say, Hayden Block Smoke & Whiskey should not be overlooked when looking for Calgary’s best BBQ restaurant.
Pros
- Specializes in Texas-style brisket and ribs
- Ideal place to enjoy whiskey cocktails alongside smoked meats
- Friendly and lively atmosphere
- High attention to detail in cooking
- Offers a lot of daily specials
- Half-price meats every day after 10:00 PM
- Live music every weekend
- Daily sports action
Cons
- Minor complaints with customer service
Great atmosphere and selection of meats
My go to place for late night eats/drinks or just when I’m craving meat big time! I love the atmosphere here, they set a good mood with low lighting and the music isn’t too loud. They have a great selection of meats and side dishes and happy hour after 10pm is great. – Christopher Zsofcsin
Excellent whiskeys
Excellent selection of whiskeys, highly recommend going there between 4 – 6 for their half price whiskeys to try some of the more pricier ones! Great bbq and selection of home made sauces as well. Our fave was the smoked hot wings! – Brayden S
2. Big T’s BBQ & Smokehouse
| Menu | 4/5 |
| Place | 5/5 |
| Customer service | 4.5/5 |
| Quality pricing | 3/5 |
Calgarians’ list of favorite BBQ restaurants in town isn’t complete without Big T’s BBQ & Smokehouse on it. They have quite the local reputation, as they have three locations in the city and have served families for over 20 years.
We can say they’re one of the best because their menu is packed with various types of traditional barbeque meats. Their specialties include everything from mouth-watering platters to full racks of ‘fall off the bone ribs’ and pulled pork sandwiches.
They understand that families enjoy eating out, that’s why they offer a comprehensive children’s menu, which we greatly appreciated. Another thing we love about them is their dog-friendly patio (quite a rare feature in barbeque places, actually).
We also considered their customers’ experiences and they’ve earned our trust with all of them being mostly positive. They made a point of expressing their admiration for the taste and flavor of their barbeque, so we’re taking their word as a positive sign.
From what we’ve heard, the restaurant made it possible by cooking the meat as slowly as possible to absolute perfection. It will take a lot of time of course, but even after that, customers continue to praise their promptness in serving dishes.
Finally, we like that they have gluten-free options on the menu, which gives their customers a different take on southern-style barbeque dishes. With all of that and Big T’s focus on the art of BBQ, it’s no surprise that they’re one of the most popular barbecue spots in town.
Pros
- Three locations in Calgary
- Over 20 years in the business
- Offers various types of traditional barbeque meats
- Has gluten free options
- Prompt in serving dishes
Cons
- Slow in food delivery
- Limited selection of drinks
- Quite pricey
Family place
Great place for a family, group or even a single person. We had the barbecue ribs and it was great, perfectly sauced and falling off the bones. It was delicious and we had a good time. The waiter was cool too. I definitely recommend. – Glory Haruna
Comfortable restaurant
Absolutely amazing experience here. The service was friendly and quick and the restaurant was very comfortable. The food was the store of course! We got the $60 platter and everything on it was great. The Brisket and the ribs were our favourite. We also got mac n cheese on the side, which was amazing! All of that fed 3 people which I think is pretty amazing for such a popular and high quality food serving restaurant. Thank you, and we are so excited to come back! – Johnny Choi
3. Jane Bond BBQ South
| Menu | 4.5/5 |
| Place | 3/5 |
| Customer service | 5/5 |
| Quality pricing | 3/5 |
Jane Bond BBQ serves mouthwatering smoked meats and classic dishes created especially for locals. Not only that but every dish is made from scratch, which is one of the many things we loved about them.
We like that their menu isn’t overly complicated – there are bbq platters, bbq buns, specials, and drinks. If you look at it on their website, you’ll notice that it’s quite convenient, especially for online customers as it includes the price and a picture.
If you’re tired of traditional barbecue dishes, you might want to drop by. Look through their specials on the menu to find some exceptional dishes (their names are also quite unique) that are often half the price.
Despite their specials, we can’t help but think they’re a little pricey – in fact, that’s what most of the poor comments they have is all about. There were some complaints about overpriced meals and a small extra charge for a side that was already on the menu.
Prices aside, Jane Bond BBQ meets our criteria in other areas. Customer service is promising, from order processing to serving, as is their delivery service, which never fails to arrive on time.
When it comes to their location, although it’s a bit small, everything else is very functional. The atmosphere is truly welcoming, and they occasionally offer live music, games, and exciting parties.
Pros
- Accessible menu
- Dishes are made from scratch
- Known for their special menu
- Promising customer and delivery service
- Functional space
- Occasional live music, games, and parties
Cons
- Relatively small place
- Complaints of being pricey
- Issues with extra charges
A lot to choose from
It was my first time here and I was not disappointed! There’s lots to choose from but we chose a platter so we could try a few things out. Everything was delicious and just as good leftover the next day! Was quite surprised at the selection of take home items as well! Can’t wait to come back and try some different items. – faye h
4. Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ
| Menu | 4/5 |
| Place | 3/5 |
| Customer service | 4/5 |
| Quality pricing | 4/5 |
Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ is the place to go if you’re looking for a unique dining experience while enjoying your favorite barbecue meat. Their downtown Calgary location is an ideal place for bbq lovers of all kinds.
As mentioned, they provide a unique family dining experience because they don’t typically serve cooked food. They allow customers to create their own meal on the grill that is installed at every table – it’s known as “yakiniku.”
We understand that this may appear to be a daunting task, but the good news is that their friendly staff will assist you with every step, including recommending meats to cook. So, it’s reassuring to know that they’re still making sure customers are served.
Still on the topic of their uniqueness, their menu may look pretty unfamiliar to some since they’re a Japanese bbq restaurant. There are things like Japanese sake and shochu, Harami Miso Steak with a side of Chicken Cheese Fondue, or warm Goma Negi Shio Ramen.
However, locals can still find their favorite premium meats at this restaurant alongside the cold beers they offer. So, there could really be a lot of cooking options if you’re looking for an adventure.
The only problem we stumbled upon was their poor reservation service, which was attested to by a few of their previous customers. That’s why, even though you made a reservation for a specific time, we recommend that you arrive at their location early.
Pros
- Good family dining experience
- Japanese dishes available
- Offers premium meats
- A lot of options to cook
- Great customer assistance
Cons
- Issues with reservation
Accommodating and friendly
We had a wonderful dinner at Gyu-kaku, it’s our first time dinning out here at Calgary and we made a great choice eating here. The host Mr.dean was very nice and as well as our server. She was very accommodating and friendly. The food quality was good and we highly recommend the harami beef and their salad. Also try their Tiramisu dessert it’s so yummy. Definitely will come back when we are here at calgary. – carol de guzman
Food is above par
This was my second time here and am still very pleased with everything. I am soooooo full. Maybe too full for a Friday afternoon. Everything is just way to delicious. The staff is fantastic and friendly. Food is always above par. I can’t recommend this place enough. – Vanessa Wilson
5. Palomino Smokehouse
| Menu | 3/5 |
| Place | 4/5 |
| Customer service | 4/5 |
| Quality pricing | 3/5 |
Palomino Smokehouse, with its rustic-style setting and full bar and patio, is an excellent choice for a bbq night out. Their showroom is Calgary’s premier event space and independent live music venue, so it’s a must-see at night.
They’re well-known for their smoked chicken, New Orleans-style catfish po’boy, chili, and rib-sticking Macaroni & Cheese. Not to mention the extensive selection of beer, whiskey, bourbon, and spirits on offer.
Of course, classics like beef brisket, pulled pork, and ribs remain on the menu. At Palomino Smokehouse, all their meats are smoked low and slow by the finest smoker they have on hand – the result is, of course, a satisfying barbeque experience.
Palomino Smokehouse is an option even if you don’t want to go out with your friends and would rather have a late-night dinner with the whole family. The restaurant welcomes children who are accompanied by their parents or guardians.
On the other hand, they do deliver as well, which is a plus in a convenient situation. Despite reports of delays, we’re glad to hear that the majority of their customers were still pleased with their turnaround time.
Overall, Palomino Smokehouse has remained one of the best remaining BBQ restaurants in Calgary for decades. And, yes, despite the minor issues, their barbecue dishes are still in high demand these days.
Pros
- Spot for a BBQ night out
- Family-friendly place
- Wide selection of barbecue dishes and beverages
- Delivers orders on time
- Children allowed
- Good showroom
Cons
- Online menus are difficult to get
- Minor delivery issues
Clean place and fast service
I came here for brunch on a Sunday morning, it was pretty quite and lots of seats open. Place was pretty clean and service was nice and fast. We had the big burrito and hangover hash with alberta beef brisket. The beef was amazing, it was perfectly cooked and went very well with the eggs, hash brown and tomatoes. I would definitely be back for brunch. – Christopher Zsofcsin
Relaxing vibe
Just finished having a Saturday night dinner here and it was absolutely delicious. Their pulled pork and bacon wrapped corn were to die for. The vibe was very relaxed and the service was fantastic. I will absolutely be stopping here my next trip to Calgary! – Cassandra Mckay
6. Get Smoked Southern BBQ
| Menu | 3/5 |
| Place | 2/5 |
| Customer service | 4/5 |
| Quality pricing | 5/5 |
If you crave a barbecue night but for some reason, you can’t get out of your home, it’s time to call Get Smoked. Yes, they do dine-in and pickup (though we’ve heard there’s no place to park), but they’re bigger when it comes to delivery.
They offer food delivery through Uber Eats and Skip the Dishes. But you can surely order directly from them since they can be pretty responsive to online and phone orders – plus it’s typically hassle-free.
Customers find their barbecue meats very tender, which is one of the reasons most of them keep coming back. Plus, their extensive menu of juicy smoked sandwiches is served in generous portions for the price.
Looking at their menu, we personally attested to the fact that their food is fairly priced. Beef dishes start at $8 – as do pork and vegetarian options – and children’s meals are around $6.
On a negative note, we’ve found feedback about their inconsistent smoking of meats, which is a shortcoming on food quality. However, they’ve received a lot of positive feedback too, so it’s fair game to say they’re still good at what they do.
In any case, Get Smoked, while not exceeding our expectations, met all of the criteria we look for in a good BBQ restaurant. And, we believe that their main strength is the reasonable price of their dishes, which reflects how they value their customers’ money.
Pros
- Specializes food delivery
- Affordable BBQ meals
- Responsive to phone/online orders
- Has vegetarian options and kid’s meals
- Responsive and fast
Cons
- No place to park when you dine-in
- Minor complaints with their cooking quality
Great quality meats
Super great quality meats and sandwiches here!! A small sandwich is plenty for lunch if you’re extra hungry you can get a large or a side. The owner is extremely pleasant! Beef dip here is very well done with a beautiful au jus. 10% off for students here at lunch time!!! Check it out – im_the_nutmeg
Comfort-food good
Surprise hit for me. Got the lg cheese steak and it was a home run for me. Super meaty and cheesy. Meat was tender. So comfort-food good! I can’t wait to go back and try other stuff on your menu – Rupert Ocampo
