There’s an autumn chill in the air, we’ve settled back into our regular routines, and summer BBQ’s are now fond memories. We take solace in the things that make us warm on the inside and put a smile on our face. Those things are best found in pastas, pizzas, meatloaves, southern BBQ, pot pies, and decadent desserts, collectively known as comfort food. They are foods that sometimes remind us of childhood, and stir up happy thoughts and positive emotions. That’s what fall is for, and there is plenty of comfort food to be thankful for here in Calgary! The following is a small sample of what this city has to offer if you are looking to warm up your belly!
Spot On Kitchen & Bar
Connecting families around a dinner table is what Spot On Kitchen & Bar does best. Located in Garrison Green since March 2015, Spot On consistently delivers amazing comfort food to their patrons, which includes a ton of regulars. From their famous Super Dave’s Smash Burger, their variety of pizzas (both thin crust and the original Karouzo Family recipe made famous in Calgary in 1967), and the all-time favorite mac and cheese, there is definitely something for everyone. They have a whole new poutine section on the menu presently, with the butter chicken poutine being one of my personal favorites. Their soups are made in-house, and their famous French onion soup has put Spot On on the map. People travel great distances for this delicious better-than-mom’s French onion soup with a flaky pillow of puff pastry ballooned on top. The menu changes twice per year with the season and always has a variety of gluten-free options (I’m told chicken pot pie might possibly make its way on the next change-up!).
And if you want to experience the aroma of their scrumptious pizzas baking in your own oven, Spot On has a variety of take-and-bakes to choose from. Did I mention their jalapeño honey drizzle? It is an absolute must-have drizzle kick to add to their pizzas, and you can purchase a bottle to take home!
Big T’s BBQ
Big T’s BBQ has a total of five locations in and around Calgary (McMahon, Deer Ridge, Calgary Farmers Market South, Mahogany, and Airdrie) with a motto of “Family Serving Family.” These southern-inspired comfort food classics include smoked brisket, meatloaf, ribs, pulled pork, chili, Burgoo-soup (which is a Kentucky-style stew with lamb, chicken, and brisket), fried green tomatoes, baked beans, cornbread, and mac and cheese just to name a few. They make their own unique sauces and rubs, including Big T’s original sauce, Carolina mustard, and their smokin’ hot sauce. Big T’s has also received many accolades, including being voted Best Ribs at BBQ on the Bow. They’ve been featured on You Gotta Eat Here, which showcased their fried dill pickles, smoked poutine, St. Louis ribs, The Gutbuster, and the meatloaf dinner. And that meatloaf is outstanding! Thick, full of flavor, and smothered with Big T’s Original Sauce, this is comfort food at its finest! Especially when finished off with a slice of their smoked maple cheesecake!
Pie Junkie
What could be more cozy than enjoying comfort food in your own home? Cozy socks, a lit fireplace, a family movie on the television, and the smell of delicious, homemade pie in your oven… doesn’t that sound divine? This local business knows what they’re doing when it comes to warming you up! Their pies are handmade with an all-butter crust, and believe me, when they’re baking in your oven, the family is not going to know that you didn’t whip these up yourself! Their savory pies include butter chicken, chicken pot pie, steak and mushroom, and beef bourguignon, just to name a few (also including vegetarian and gluten-free options). The beef bourguignon is a Julia Child recipe that is so absolutely delectable and sophisticated that I automatically closed my eyes while I savored it. They also have a selection of homemade soups, including tomato basil and potato leek (again, their tomato basil will be the best tomato soup you've ever had!). Their sweet options obviously include a large variety of dessert pies: chocolate raspberry (dark chocolate heaven!), tropical panna cotta, rhubarb, sour cherry, lemon cheesecake, blueberry, banana toffee, apple, and key lime. If that weren’t enough, they also offer an assortment of homemade cookies and brownies.
The best part about Pie Junkie? All of their pies can be bought in an individual-size serving, so you can please the entire family with their favorite dinner options without breaking a sweat over a delicious home-cooked family meal.
What would my idea be of a perfect autumn Friday evening dinner with my family after a busy week? Spot On’s french onion soup, Big T’s meatloaf dinner, and Pie Junkie’s chocolate raspberry pie all delivered to my door…
Jennifer is a local foodie with a passion for food writing. Find more of her food writing on her Facebook page: For The Love of Food YYC.
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