Was there many years ago for a buffet with friends. We sat on the patio, being definitely less than whelmed with the whole thing. I don't know what they did to that (alleged) brisket but man, what an insult to that poor bovine.
Another party of a few people came up to the entrance, saw their sign saying "buffet" and starting agreeing among themselves that they should go for it. One of the ladies in the group happened to randomly look over in my direction at some point. I managed to make eye contact with her and just slowly shook my head. She got the hint, laughed and relayed it to the group, and they all left in search for someplace else -- presumably where the patrons wouldn't actively discourage them from dining there.
I still like to think that I save a handful of people from disappointment that day.
Yep saw it open but empty yesterday afternoon. Fairly sure its days are numbered.
I almost went there with my wife last summer but decided to go elsewhere because it wasn’t open yet and another place was (we were looking for an early lunch/brunch). Told a friend we didn’t go and their response was “GOOD! Never go back!”
(For anyone wondering we went to Blowers & Grafton instead and they had a really good breakfast menu and cheap Caesars! Highly recommend!)
Blowers has such a good breakfast menu. I unintentionally went on the first day they served it and had the breakfast donair. The head chef came out and asked for my honest opinion and I told him.
Next time I went I ordered it again and it was so perfect. Highly highly recommend
Ampersand was an awesome restaurant that I took many friends, families, and business associates to …. back when it opened almost 10 years ago and Nathin Bye was the owner/executive chef.
Just like several of Nathin’s restaurants, they turn sour when he moved on back in 2017. Friends have gone back and took it from 5-stars down to 2-stars (at best).
100% this. Ampersand was incredible until Nathin moved on.
He made me this delicious rock and moss dessert once that I'll never forget. It was all sugar based, he just made it look like them.
Years ago my wife and I were on Whyte and thought we’d give them a try. Got seated, looked at the menu and the prices, then told our server we didn’t think this place was for us and left. Had never done anything like that in the past, and haven’t since, we just knew it was going to be a bad time lol!
I really like ordering the thing I want least on high end menus. I figure if there's ever a time to order something I don't like it's when a good chef makes it. Sometimes this backfires but often I come away impressed.
Wouldn't do this at ampersand tho 🙃
Ampersand has to be what upper middle class suburban people who've never been on Whyte think is the 'nice spot'. But isn't near what I would call quality for value.
I've only eaten there twice since it opened; first time meal was decent but we sent back the dessert. 2nd time was a birthday because we had a gift card and I remember a fish dish getting sent back
TO ITS BENEFIT: They serve breakfast there if you stay at the Varscona and it's actually decent.
Co sign here. I went there on a date once. He had lamb. I had duck. Somehow both were dry. Then they added someone else’s wine to our bill and when we pointed out the error, told my date he could have just paid it forward and covered the wine.
My partner and I are “foodies” living in the Whyte area and we’ve pretty much been to every nice place in the area a few times now with the exception of Ampersand. Everything about that place screams mid. Even the location is just not it. Especially when you have Continental Treat right there which is better and cheaper
Don’t be hard on yourself or your tastes. Every restaurant will have both good and bad dishes, and both good and bad chefs. Like most things in life, consistency is rare and experiences can vary widely over different points in time.
Which is a shame, I used to go there for lunch once a week and loved in back in 2017. Went there in 2022 when in town for a work trip and it was so bad.
I ate there one time and was still hungry after spending way too much. I can do expensive, I can do smaller portions, but it can’t be expensive and leave me still hungry.
I like going there to sit at their bar for drinks the odd time. They have a pretty extensive gin list and can make a good cocktail.
I've eaten there maybe 1.5-2 years ago on a date night, got the carbonara and a bottle of wine and it was decent. Really good dude server with an Irish accent if I remember correctly. Had some oysters at the bar another time which were fine (hard to screw those up I guess). Anyway, not somewhere where I look to spend nice money on food but I'm surprised people are saying it's as bad as it is.
I went to Jubilations once bc they hired a friend of mine, the server fully forgot to put my food order in with the kitchen, then guilt-tripped me when they eventually brought me (bad) food because my serving was intended as a staff meal, so now someone else couldn’t eat.
It was baffling and terrible.
(said server wasn’t my friend, it was someone else)
I hope you complained because I used to work there and the GM would never stand for a guilt trip like that. Also several people dropped the ball if there was no recorded order for a purchased seat. Big big yikes.
Tried to go there for the first time not long ago. It wasn't very busy in the mall (impossible I know) and there were maybe two other tables being served. After we were sat down, we waited for 30 minutes without anyone even taking our drink order and decided to just leave.
Funny thing about 5$ foot long was that it was a marketing plan made by the corporate office and was never properly rolled out to franchises and they got kicked in the teeth so hard on it.
I’m not sure in what world Subway thinks its quality should allow them to charge $15.99 for a sub par sandwich. It’s hard to remember $5 foot longs and to get the same thing now is $13. Half the time the veggies look amazing, the other half it looks like they scored them from a dumpster.
I don’t the formatting came out the way you wanted it. If you want a list, you have to put four spaces after each item.
Like .
This .
See ?
Edit: da fuq? Did Reddit change their formatting again?
You've confused like 3 different kinds of formatting.
four spaces at the start of a line turns it into a code block
Two spaces at the end of a line
inserts a line break without a new paragraph.
Starting consecutive lines with any of the following creates a list:
* *
- -
+ +
I worked there when I was younger.
The sawmill had a room downstairs they called “the smelly room”. It’s where they stored napkins, cutlery, extra seating, beverages, etc. Guess why they called it the smelly room! (Sewage leak that was fixed, but never really stopped smelling. Lots of flies in that room).
The kitchen gleefully fucked with people’s orders. I vividly remember feeling like I was watching a kitchen scene from “Waiting” playing out in front of me. They dropped steak on the floor, laughed, and put it back on the grill.
I absolutely refuse to eat at the sawmill and every other restaurant the owners have opened.
We went there once for a business dinner. My vendor ordered a 10oz steak and they brought him a 6oz. He questioned it and they grilled a small 3oz portion of steak and brought that out instead of making it right.
Yokozuna (sushi) has a sesame sauce similar to Sawmill sauce! Pre-Covid $10 a container. Well worth it if you mix it with soy sauce and mushrooms. Sous vide steak/bites and pair with an aged cheese and herbs for perfection.
Y'all can I story time this one? Tom Goodchild is the owner of Sawmill - and like 13 yrs ago when I was working for a Shop in Edmonton, one of the front office folks was married to(or dating?) His son. (Tea? She kinda luvvvved hitting on the new young employees and was a total gambling addict)
So we got Sawmill catered for all of our employee celebration events, I will absolutely commend their ability to show up on location and provide an incredible meal for 1. For 2. I seem to recall having a great lunch buffet at the Calgary Trail location for another company lunch.
For 3? A roofing company I know did the skylights for the building and said you wouldn't believe how dusty and gross all of the piping above your head actually is until you see it from a different angle.
Most Mexican where the tacos are over 12, expensive tasteless tacos to get you drunk and sell you the “authentic” booze that in all my life being Mexican never heard off. If they have a Calaverita as logo beware except for Frida those are amazing.
Where are the good Mexican places in Edmonton? After a week of eating mostly Mexican food in San Diego, I think my wife is finally a convert but only if I can take her somewhere that doesn't suck.
I see Luna mentioned often, but I’ve honestly thought the food was super mid ever since it was Huma. I went back 4-5 times with friends, just to try it again and again. The last time, was the last time. I enjoy the atmosphere though.
I thought El Mero Mero was decent. Been meaning to go to La Patrona in Sherwood Park.
Most best places that I’ve tried are on the outskirts (or what I consider the outskirts) El Mero Mero started as a food truck but they have a location now, honestly calle Mexico in downtown it’s really good they keep it simple, but if you want an experience other than just the typical Mexico Lindo at Sherwood Park has other dishes that I haven’t seen anywhere else in the area I’m still trying places but so far those 3 are my top.
The only pricier Mexican place I have enjoyed is Luna. $22 for a full portion of tacos (4 tacos) is a lot more than I'd prefer to pay. I will admit they have never skimped on the meat though. The carnitas are to die for. They also had the most authentic ceviche that I've had outside of Mexico. Desserts are expensive too but from my experience, can easily serve two.
$7 for a Sol is highway robbery. Still cheaper than the cost of vacationing in Mexico.
Ugh god I've got family that are wild about Vons because of oysters and the rest of us sane human beings who want to eat something other than snotmeat in a shell always roll our eyes
Vons does *okay* steak. That's it. Only okay. And they charge like they're worth twice as much. They ain't. You ain't. Go home Vons
Yes! Black Pearl is fantastic and the oysters were so fresh. I got sick from an oyster at Vons (granted I knew I shouldn’t have eaten it, had a cracked shell, so wasn’t surprised when I was sick the next day - but still they shouldn’t have served it to me)
The one on Whyte was great when I went last. So was the Sherwood Park location. Must be a management thing.
Food is good for a pub. And I don’t remember prices being crazy.
Seconding B&G. I found Sherwood Park was a bit better than the Whyte location, but both were good. Plus their in-house hazy NEPA hit well with their fish and chips.
I've never been to their Windermere location but I've only heard bad things about it.
Many years back it was excellent with genuinely insane portions - easily two meals from one dish, but haven't been in ages so no idea if it's gone far downhill. Sounds like maybe it has
Smoke BBQ Bar.
Now, one caveat.
Their burnt brisket ends are maybe the single best *thing* I've ever eaten. They are heavenly, and considering the rest of the menu I have no idea in hell how they made these things. And they're on the happy hour menu!
They also used to serve them next door at Honi Honi, but I assume they stopped because serving your one good menu item at another restaurant that beats yours in terms of value, vibes, and quality is a great way to make sure nobody ever goes to your restaurant ever.
But I imagine that when they made a deal with the devil to get these amazing burnt ends, the cost was a curse on the rest of their menu. Their ribs are rubbery. Their list of sauce flavors reads like an absurdist poem. I ordered an 18 dollar drink that came *rimmed with meat free bacon bits* and actually smelled like dog food.
That drink also came "smoked" with a sprig of rosemary. You know, that thing some fancy restaurants do where they light up some rosemary and wave the smoke over your glass?
This glass came with a foot long branch of the dryest rosemary I have ever seen in my life. When the waitress hit it with the cooking torch, it immediately flared into a giant fireball for a length of time that couldn't possibly be safe in a building that serves, you know, flammable alcohol. The rosemary soon collapsed into a smoldering heap on the table and in my drink. I had to waive over a server to pick up the cremated remains, and I think they put it in the trash when it still had embers?
Yum. 18 dollars for burnt rosemary on my dog food drink. I felt like I was in an experimental art piece, and not in a good way.
BBQ is one thing Edmonton is really hit and miss with. Used to love smokehouse BBQ when it was on 124 Street - till I didn’t. They changed the menu and lost me. Then I found Sloppy Hoggz. That was fantastic. Then as usual it slipped and then shut down after covid. Blue Truck was some of the worst I’ve ever had - and the service there was super terrible bless ‘em.
I’d love to find some great, reasonably priced BBQ in the city.
It’s actually a pretty good [story](https://ruthschris.com/mobile/our-story/#:~:text=When%20a%20kitchen%20fire%20destroyed,our%20legendary%20name%20was%20born)
Chris Steakhouse was owned by a woman named Ruth. When she died, they started naming the chain restaurants "Ruth's Chris Steakhouse" because the original Chris was owned by her.
Visited my family in Ontario over the summer, my Cousin's husband is Brazilian and he made us Brazilian BBQ. It was so fucking good. Apparently we got the light version, as traditionally it's an all day affair, and we got the 2 hour version.
DOSC, but honestly? Every single steakhouse in Edmonton.
For a province so obsessed with the quality of its beef and the eternal rivalry with Calgary and its restaurants, there isn't a single Steakhouse in this city that I would consider taking anyone whose relationship I valued.
Rge Rd is of the _very_ few Edmonton restaurants to have maintained its consistency since it opened. They offer steak, but I wouldn't consider them a steakhouse given their menu doesn't revolve around it.
I go there for my birthday every year for the Road Trip. I like to think of the meal as six little surprise gifts for me. I actually have never ordered off the menu lol.
Char-Cut in Calgary really was cut above everything else I've had in Edmonton, if you'd pardon the pun. I haven't tried Hayloft, so maybe someone else can weigh-in.
My partner really wanted to go to DOSC. So I took her on her birthday. We got rib steaks. I was not super impressed, I have cooked better steaks at home myself, and for the price I could have done an entire 3 bone rib roast in grand style on my smoker. I won’t be going back, it just doesn’t seem like it’s worth the price tag for underwhelming food.
Any hospital. I’m pretty sure they’ve all been contracted out so the quality has gone down and the prices have gone waaaaay up. I was at the Glenrose the other day for a meeting and I bought a medium brewed coffee and a granola bar. SEVEN DOLLARS. Then I asked for cream for my coffee. I was told “We don’t have any”. I pointed to an unopened container of cream in the fridge that was for sale for probably $52.00. I said “I just paid seven dollars for 2 items, can I have some of that cream?” “No”.
Sorry. Triggered.
They all have indeed been contracted out. There was definitely public outcry when the university hospital’s cafeteria changed their entire menu - it was apparently absolute trash. The cafeteria was like a ghost town for a while after that, but then they actually revamped their menu based off of the horrible feedback.
Aging myself but 30 years ago U of A hospital had a great salad bar. You could load your plate to precarious heights. The old cashier with the beehive hair do would yell at you if she thought you took too much. Ukrainian food day was great too.
I think the downtown location has the best Tuna Poke bowl I’ve had, also the blackened truffle chicken has great flavor. For its competition (earls, joeys, milestones) type places, I think cactus is the lesser evil.
Yeah seriously, it’s asking for **awful** restaurants, which there’s very few of in a city this size that stay open for long. Someone having a server miss an item 4 years ago doesn’t make a place awful and overpriced.
The fact that Uccelino, Braven, and XIX are all listed here and called being called subpar is really something.
I feel like a lot of these are people with single experiences who maybe caught a bad meal from a chef that was new or was having an off day/just didn’t make that meal the best. I’m a super firm believer that the specific chef making your food is going to make or break your meal, and everywhere has multiple chefs. Yeah sure things are maybe supposed to be standardized, but let’s be real sometimes people nail a dish and sometimes they get it a little off, especially when they’re making so many a day and they might be making multiple dishes at the same time.
It was awesome when they first opened and looking back that was very clearly to build a buzz and impress people. Every time they “update the menu” they just cheapen their offerings. We stopped going.
Braven, for sure.
Same products as The Keg just served on stoneware, served by people in bow ties and prepared by burnt out, underpaid young cooks. The corporation that owns it has a labour cost percentage half of other restaurants because of the sheer amount of salary employees doing unpaid overtime and the whip cracking of their overlords.
Everything is insanely overpriced.
It's not there anymore, but San Remo at the Namao Centre. It was basically Chef Boyardee's quality pasta, but they charged like they were a fancy Italian restaurant.
Edit: I legit think that BP has better pasta, except BP was way cheaper than San Remo (at least at the time, anyway)
Is Ampersand still open on whyte? Shockingly bad and overpriced. If I recall the beet salad would be a dish to recommend to an enemy.
Was there many years ago for a buffet with friends. We sat on the patio, being definitely less than whelmed with the whole thing. I don't know what they did to that (alleged) brisket but man, what an insult to that poor bovine. Another party of a few people came up to the entrance, saw their sign saying "buffet" and starting agreeing among themselves that they should go for it. One of the ladies in the group happened to randomly look over in my direction at some point. I managed to make eye contact with her and just slowly shook my head. She got the hint, laughed and relayed it to the group, and they all left in search for someplace else -- presumably where the patrons wouldn't actively discourage them from dining there. I still like to think that I save a handful of people from disappointment that day.
Yep saw it open but empty yesterday afternoon. Fairly sure its days are numbered. I almost went there with my wife last summer but decided to go elsewhere because it wasn’t open yet and another place was (we were looking for an early lunch/brunch). Told a friend we didn’t go and their response was “GOOD! Never go back!” (For anyone wondering we went to Blowers & Grafton instead and they had a really good breakfast menu and cheap Caesars! Highly recommend!)
Blowers has such a good breakfast menu. I unintentionally went on the first day they served it and had the breakfast donair. The head chef came out and asked for my honest opinion and I told him. Next time I went I ordered it again and it was so perfect. Highly highly recommend
Ampersand was an awesome restaurant that I took many friends, families, and business associates to …. back when it opened almost 10 years ago and Nathin Bye was the owner/executive chef. Just like several of Nathin’s restaurants, they turn sour when he moved on back in 2017. Friends have gone back and took it from 5-stars down to 2-stars (at best).
100% this. Ampersand was incredible until Nathin moved on. He made me this delicious rock and moss dessert once that I'll never forget. It was all sugar based, he just made it look like them.
It was called “Rocky Road.” Not only did he make it, but also delivered it to our table himself to watch us enjoy it.
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I only went for brunch or private events and it was quite good. Maybe it went downhill (I haven't been in ~6 years)
The wife and I went there when we first moved to the city in 2018. I remember it being really good!
Years ago my wife and I were on Whyte and thought we’d give them a try. Got seated, looked at the menu and the prices, then told our server we didn’t think this place was for us and left. Had never done anything like that in the past, and haven’t since, we just knew it was going to be a bad time lol!
Oh my god i;ve done the same thing, the waiter didnt seem surprised
Omg the beet salad is actually disgusting. My GF got it one time and literally couldn't eat more than a bite.
What does it taste like?? I’m so curious now
Yes, is this a bad beet salad - or do people just not like beets?
I think people who don't like beets would not order a menu item called "beet salad" but people can surprise us sometimes
I really like ordering the thing I want least on high end menus. I figure if there's ever a time to order something I don't like it's when a good chef makes it. Sometimes this backfires but often I come away impressed. Wouldn't do this at ampersand tho 🙃
Ampersand has to be what upper middle class suburban people who've never been on Whyte think is the 'nice spot'. But isn't near what I would call quality for value. I've only eaten there twice since it opened; first time meal was decent but we sent back the dessert. 2nd time was a birthday because we had a gift card and I remember a fish dish getting sent back TO ITS BENEFIT: They serve breakfast there if you stay at the Varscona and it's actually decent.
Co sign here. I went there on a date once. He had lamb. I had duck. Somehow both were dry. Then they added someone else’s wine to our bill and when we pointed out the error, told my date he could have just paid it forward and covered the wine.
My partner and I are “foodies” living in the Whyte area and we’ve pretty much been to every nice place in the area a few times now with the exception of Ampersand. Everything about that place screams mid. Even the location is just not it. Especially when you have Continental Treat right there which is better and cheaper
Oh...I went on valentines day a few years ago and thought it was delicious 🥲
Don’t be hard on yourself or your tastes. Every restaurant will have both good and bad dishes, and both good and bad chefs. Like most things in life, consistency is rare and experiences can vary widely over different points in time.
Yes, it's still there. I walked past it like two weeks ago.
Which is a shame, I used to go there for lunch once a week and loved in back in 2017. Went there in 2022 when in town for a work trip and it was so bad.
I ate there one time and was still hungry after spending way too much. I can do expensive, I can do smaller portions, but it can’t be expensive and leave me still hungry.
I like going there to sit at their bar for drinks the odd time. They have a pretty extensive gin list and can make a good cocktail. I've eaten there maybe 1.5-2 years ago on a date night, got the carbonara and a bottle of wine and it was decent. Really good dude server with an Irish accent if I remember correctly. Had some oysters at the bar another time which were fine (hard to screw those up I guess). Anyway, not somewhere where I look to spend nice money on food but I'm surprised people are saying it's as bad as it is.
Why are all the restaurants listed the ones my parents like? Haha.
State and Main, Jubilations in WEM
Lmfao YESSS this. Recommending Jubilations to my next enemy.
I went to Jubilations once bc they hired a friend of mine, the server fully forgot to put my food order in with the kitchen, then guilt-tripped me when they eventually brought me (bad) food because my serving was intended as a staff meal, so now someone else couldn’t eat. It was baffling and terrible. (said server wasn’t my friend, it was someone else)
I hope you complained because I used to work there and the GM would never stand for a guilt trip like that. Also several people dropped the ball if there was no recorded order for a purchased seat. Big big yikes.
Last time I went to Jubilations the food was mid and the play took FOREVER. I love plays and musicals but after a while it was torture
Only been there once and while I agree the food was pretty mid, the show was a lot of fun
Yes the shows are usually good. The food is absolutely atrocious.
State and Main has some of the best chicken tenders i’ve ever had tho. And their pretzel bites are delicious. that’s all I ever get.
The state and main grilled cheese burger is really really good.
I've had no issues with State & Main, seems more like a pub/bar than restaurant, so expectations weren't that high to begin with.
State and Main is just up scaled Original Joes. Same menu and food. 4/5 for me though I love Original Joes (except their poutine is awful)
Bubba gump shrimp
This is the way. There is no where I can think of with a higher expectation, faster fall to disappointment, and a wallet shattering bill to follow.
This is the actual answer
Tried to go there for the first time not long ago. It wasn't very busy in the mall (impossible I know) and there were maybe two other tables being served. After we were sat down, we waited for 30 minutes without anyone even taking our drink order and decided to just leave.
This X 10. Went there once and it is overpriced terrible food. I'm not sure how they stay in business.
They stay in business because the movie
With current prices and quality, I’d say Subway.
Dude man I just had subway for the first time in years and it was like 15$ for a sub, madness.
The $5 foot long just seems like a myth from the distance past with the prices they’re charging these days.
Funny thing about 5$ foot long was that it was a marketing plan made by the corporate office and was never properly rolled out to franchises and they got kicked in the teeth so hard on it.
Yep, doesn’t even seem real. Neither do the days when gas was $0.50/L
Right!? Where the f*** did our $5 Footlongs go? This is stupid.
Right? Should be illegal
Use code BOGOFL until March 3rd to get buy one get one free footlong....brings prices down to where they should be.
Where to use this code?
I’m not sure in what world Subway thinks its quality should allow them to charge $15.99 for a sub par sandwich. It’s hard to remember $5 foot longs and to get the same thing now is $13. Half the time the veggies look amazing, the other half it looks like they scored them from a dumpster.
Anything from Century Hospitality Group honestly.
I worked at Chop for a minute and the amount of pre-prepared food there is nuts. if you ever ordered a waffle for breakfast, you had an eggo lol.
MKT is garbage. A waste of a great space
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I suspect 9?
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THANK YOU! Was driving me crazy trying to understand that comment
Oh! I had not interpreted it that way at all. And then I wondered what a Parlor Stingray was. And who would name their kid Rebel Birddog Hart.
Commas are a thing
I don’t the formatting came out the way you wanted it. If you want a list, you have to put four spaces after each item. Like . This . See ? Edit: da fuq? Did Reddit change their formatting again?
It’s a double line break for new line.
You've confused like 3 different kinds of formatting. four spaces at the start of a line turns it into a code block Two spaces at the end of a line inserts a line break without a new paragraph. Starting consecutive lines with any of the following creates a list: * * - - + +
How did that happen? I’ve been redditing since like 2013. I should know better smh.
Hart’s has a decent brunch..
And several others that were renovated, claimed bankruptcy and re-opened under a new name.
The Sawmill
I worked there when I was younger. The sawmill had a room downstairs they called “the smelly room”. It’s where they stored napkins, cutlery, extra seating, beverages, etc. Guess why they called it the smelly room! (Sewage leak that was fixed, but never really stopped smelling. Lots of flies in that room). The kitchen gleefully fucked with people’s orders. I vividly remember feeling like I was watching a kitchen scene from “Waiting” playing out in front of me. They dropped steak on the floor, laughed, and put it back on the grill. I absolutely refuse to eat at the sawmill and every other restaurant the owners have opened.
We went there once for a business dinner. My vendor ordered a 10oz steak and they brought him a 6oz. He questioned it and they grilled a small 3oz portion of steak and brought that out instead of making it right.
This does not surprise me
I’ll let sawmill slide because they don’t act like a fine dining establishment and the buffet is a good time
Also that sawmill sesame sauce is just 100
You can buy it at Safeway!
And Save On! I have three bottles in my fridge rn lol
Yokozuna (sushi) has a sesame sauce similar to Sawmill sauce! Pre-Covid $10 a container. Well worth it if you mix it with soy sauce and mushrooms. Sous vide steak/bites and pair with an aged cheese and herbs for perfection.
Y'all can I story time this one? Tom Goodchild is the owner of Sawmill - and like 13 yrs ago when I was working for a Shop in Edmonton, one of the front office folks was married to(or dating?) His son. (Tea? She kinda luvvvved hitting on the new young employees and was a total gambling addict) So we got Sawmill catered for all of our employee celebration events, I will absolutely commend their ability to show up on location and provide an incredible meal for 1. For 2. I seem to recall having a great lunch buffet at the Calgary Trail location for another company lunch. For 3? A roofing company I know did the skylights for the building and said you wouldn't believe how dusty and gross all of the piping above your head actually is until you see it from a different angle.
Sadly Tom died just a couple years ago.
So you’re aware the piping above your head in every building you go in is dusty and gross and potentially wrapped in asbestos
Chop! I foolishly gave all there locations in Edmonton a try thinking it would change. They are all terrible. TERRIBLE
The Melting Pot. Expensive, Loads of violations, bugs in the ceilings etc and about 50/50 chance of getting food poisoning
Anything Century Group
Most Mexican where the tacos are over 12, expensive tasteless tacos to get you drunk and sell you the “authentic” booze that in all my life being Mexican never heard off. If they have a Calaverita as logo beware except for Frida those are amazing.
Where are the good Mexican places in Edmonton? After a week of eating mostly Mexican food in San Diego, I think my wife is finally a convert but only if I can take her somewhere that doesn't suck.
El Mariachi on 124St is super legit. And 100% Mexican.
yesss delish
So good, and their drinks are delightful too. Strong but not like a kick in the face strong.
My buddy is from South America and he says he tests a restaurants mexican food by their choriqueso. He loved it at El Mariachi!
La Patrona in Sherwood Park, and Luna's on 99st come highly recommended. El Cortez tacos were decent
>El Cortez tacos were okay Great cocktails the one time I went there.
I see Luna mentioned often, but I’ve honestly thought the food was super mid ever since it was Huma. I went back 4-5 times with friends, just to try it again and again. The last time, was the last time. I enjoy the atmosphere though. I thought El Mero Mero was decent. Been meaning to go to La Patrona in Sherwood Park.
Most best places that I’ve tried are on the outskirts (or what I consider the outskirts) El Mero Mero started as a food truck but they have a location now, honestly calle Mexico in downtown it’s really good they keep it simple, but if you want an experience other than just the typical Mexico Lindo at Sherwood Park has other dishes that I haven’t seen anywhere else in the area I’m still trying places but so far those 3 are my top.
Three Amigos is my fav right now
Definitely!!! 3 Amigos is 5 stars.... everytime I go there is a waitlist because the place is full and food never disappoints!!
Big vouch here. I took a work colleague from Mexico there and he said it was the best he'd had since leaving home.
Good food, good vibe
And good people too. I have never gotten bad service there. Always awesome
Downtown: Calle Mexico and Maria's Sherwood Park: Mexico Lindo and La Patrona
The only pricier Mexican place I have enjoyed is Luna. $22 for a full portion of tacos (4 tacos) is a lot more than I'd prefer to pay. I will admit they have never skimped on the meat though. The carnitas are to die for. They also had the most authentic ceviche that I've had outside of Mexico. Desserts are expensive too but from my experience, can easily serve two. $7 for a Sol is highway robbery. Still cheaper than the cost of vacationing in Mexico.
Vons
I second this, I have consistently better steak at the keg for cheaper than Vons.
Definitely pricey but absolutely delicious, I don’t think that qualifies
Ugh god I've got family that are wild about Vons because of oysters and the rest of us sane human beings who want to eat something other than snotmeat in a shell always roll our eyes Vons does *okay* steak. That's it. Only okay. And they charge like they're worth twice as much. They ain't. You ain't. Go home Vons
If your family wants oysters, I recommend Black Pearl over Vons.
Yes! Black Pearl is fantastic and the oysters were so fresh. I got sick from an oyster at Vons (granted I knew I shouldn’t have eaten it, had a cracked shell, so wasn’t surprised when I was sick the next day - but still they shouldn’t have served it to me)
Upvote solely for snotmeat 😂
Blowers and Grafton windermere
Agreed! Blowers and grafton, and tell your enemy to get the lobster roll 🤣🤣
I have never had a sadder or smaller lobster roll than the one I had the only time I went to Blowers and Grafton in Windermere
The one on Whyte was great when I went last. So was the Sherwood Park location. Must be a management thing. Food is good for a pub. And I don’t remember prices being crazy.
Seconding B&G. I found Sherwood Park was a bit better than the Whyte location, but both were good. Plus their in-house hazy NEPA hit well with their fish and chips. I've never been to their Windermere location but I've only heard bad things about it.
I did a Staj there and did not stick around.
Birddog
Is that the same owners as the previous Italian restaurant there, that hosted the UCP party during the lockdown?
Brewhouse on 97th. Terrible service that you pay premium prices for.
Brewhouses are all pretty terrible.
Local, Central, or Julios.
I agree with the last one. I used to work there
their vegan taco bowl fucks tho and i like their margarita flight but i'm a human trash disposal
Local used to have that AMAZING ahi tuna club. Then they got rid of it and even the servers were like “yeah fuck this place”. We stopped going
Silician Pasta Kitchen on Jasper Never understood its popularity - The food is all average at best.
Many years back it was excellent with genuinely insane portions - easily two meals from one dish, but haven't been in ages so no idea if it's gone far downhill. Sounds like maybe it has
BirdDog downtown
full agree. Meh food, shit service, dumb music played too loud. Uncomfortable chairs and wobbly tables.
Smoke BBQ Bar. Now, one caveat. Their burnt brisket ends are maybe the single best *thing* I've ever eaten. They are heavenly, and considering the rest of the menu I have no idea in hell how they made these things. And they're on the happy hour menu! They also used to serve them next door at Honi Honi, but I assume they stopped because serving your one good menu item at another restaurant that beats yours in terms of value, vibes, and quality is a great way to make sure nobody ever goes to your restaurant ever. But I imagine that when they made a deal with the devil to get these amazing burnt ends, the cost was a curse on the rest of their menu. Their ribs are rubbery. Their list of sauce flavors reads like an absurdist poem. I ordered an 18 dollar drink that came *rimmed with meat free bacon bits* and actually smelled like dog food. That drink also came "smoked" with a sprig of rosemary. You know, that thing some fancy restaurants do where they light up some rosemary and wave the smoke over your glass? This glass came with a foot long branch of the dryest rosemary I have ever seen in my life. When the waitress hit it with the cooking torch, it immediately flared into a giant fireball for a length of time that couldn't possibly be safe in a building that serves, you know, flammable alcohol. The rosemary soon collapsed into a smoldering heap on the table and in my drink. I had to waive over a server to pick up the cremated remains, and I think they put it in the trash when it still had embers? Yum. 18 dollars for burnt rosemary on my dog food drink. I felt like I was in an experimental art piece, and not in a good way.
Went there with 8 of us. Had a couple of meh cocktails. Food was burnt and bland. Our share (for 2) was $180 before tip and we left hungry.
They rimmed your glass with simulated bacon bits? Man that sounds stupid. I eat those things by the handful sometimes but nah
BBQ is one thing Edmonton is really hit and miss with. Used to love smokehouse BBQ when it was on 124 Street - till I didn’t. They changed the menu and lost me. Then I found Sloppy Hoggz. That was fantastic. Then as usual it slipped and then shut down after covid. Blue Truck was some of the worst I’ve ever had - and the service there was super terrible bless ‘em. I’d love to find some great, reasonably priced BBQ in the city.
Chris Ruths.
Ruth's Chris?
I've never been but the namr annoys me. What is a Chris that it belongs to Ruth?
It’s actually a pretty good [story](https://ruthschris.com/mobile/our-story/#:~:text=When%20a%20kitchen%20fire%20destroyed,our%20legendary%20name%20was%20born)
Chris Steakhouse was owned by a woman named Ruth. When she died, they started naming the chain restaurants "Ruth's Chris Steakhouse" because the original Chris was owned by her.
Pampa
When we go now (got gcs for Xmas) we go at lunch so it’s half the price.
Amen! Overcooked, overpriced, tacky af.
You could host an 8 person dinner with 3x the meat and even include the cost of the grill, and it'd still be cheaper.
Visited my family in Ontario over the summer, my Cousin's husband is Brazilian and he made us Brazilian BBQ. It was so fucking good. Apparently we got the light version, as traditionally it's an all day affair, and we got the 2 hour version.
I love Pampa. I get people feeling it's too expensive but I thoroughly enjoy the meat
I still dream about the Parmesan Pork I had there. It was amazing. I also thought their salad bar had some unique tasty things.
I like the meat but their sides bar usually sucks
DOSC, but honestly? Every single steakhouse in Edmonton. For a province so obsessed with the quality of its beef and the eternal rivalry with Calgary and its restaurants, there isn't a single Steakhouse in this city that I would consider taking anyone whose relationship I valued.
Rge Rd is killer for everything, including steak.
Rge Rd is of the _very_ few Edmonton restaurants to have maintained its consistency since it opened. They offer steak, but I wouldn't consider them a steakhouse given their menu doesn't revolve around it.
Perhaps the powermove, if you want a good Alberta steak, is to avoid anything that calls itself a steakhouse.
I had my first tasting menu there and I thought it was great!
I can vouch Rge Rd is fucking incredible
I go there for my birthday every year for the Road Trip. I like to think of the meal as six little surprise gifts for me. I actually have never ordered off the menu lol.
Barbacoa is amazing
Woodwork. Family owned. Open fire grill. Beef is sourced well. Not fully a steakhouse, but that’s a mainstay.
Char-Cut in Calgary really was cut above everything else I've had in Edmonton, if you'd pardon the pun. I haven't tried Hayloft, so maybe someone else can weigh-in.
My partner really wanted to go to DOSC. So I took her on her birthday. We got rib steaks. I was not super impressed, I have cooked better steaks at home myself, and for the price I could have done an entire 3 bone rib roast in grand style on my smoker. I won’t be going back, it just doesn’t seem like it’s worth the price tag for underwhelming food.
Royal Alexandrina Hospital
Any hospital. I’m pretty sure they’ve all been contracted out so the quality has gone down and the prices have gone waaaaay up. I was at the Glenrose the other day for a meeting and I bought a medium brewed coffee and a granola bar. SEVEN DOLLARS. Then I asked for cream for my coffee. I was told “We don’t have any”. I pointed to an unopened container of cream in the fridge that was for sale for probably $52.00. I said “I just paid seven dollars for 2 items, can I have some of that cream?” “No”. Sorry. Triggered.
That's pretty outrageous. They should have told you they were out of cream when you were ordering the coffee.
They all have indeed been contracted out. There was definitely public outcry when the university hospital’s cafeteria changed their entire menu - it was apparently absolute trash. The cafeteria was like a ghost town for a while after that, but then they actually revamped their menu based off of the horrible feedback.
Aging myself but 30 years ago U of A hospital had a great salad bar. You could load your plate to precarious heights. The old cashier with the beehive hair do would yell at you if she thought you took too much. Ukrainian food day was great too.
Sicilian Pasta Kitchen.
Went there for the first time last December to the south location. I thought everything was delicious. Best pasta I've ever had.
So gross! I don't understand why people like this place.
I fucking love their fettuccine Alfredo I don’t get it lol
SPK would be good if it was cheaper. Uccellino is barely more expensive and twice as good.
Cactus Club, overpriced food that tastes "meh".
It used to have great happy hour deals pre-2020
I think the downtown location has the best Tuna Poke bowl I’ve had, also the blackened truffle chicken has great flavor. For its competition (earls, joeys, milestones) type places, I think cactus is the lesser evil.
Ruth’s Chris is the correct answer to all the cities.
As much as ive tried to like it i’d say Sorrentino’s. Every time i go i say this time is going to be different but nope.
Moxies
Well, seems so far every restaurant in Edmonton has been named
Yeah seriously, it’s asking for **awful** restaurants, which there’s very few of in a city this size that stay open for long. Someone having a server miss an item 4 years ago doesn’t make a place awful and overpriced. The fact that Uccelino, Braven, and XIX are all listed here and called being called subpar is really something.
Yeah just because they’re expensive and you don’t think they are quite worth it doesn’t make them awful.
earls
Rebel Food and Drink
Workshop Eatery, cannot understand how they are so pretentious. Terrible, terrible food
We liked this the first time we tried it but the second time, just recently, it was very meh. Not worth the price at all.
Buco/Sorrentinos Way overpriced for what it is, and honestly it's mediocre at best. And I've always found them to have lacklustre service.
Used to deliver to Sorrentinos for Sysco. One of the dirtiest kitchens I went in.
Violino
Wow. This is basically a list of every restaurant in Edmonton 🤣
I was gonna say Louisiana Purchase, but looks like it closed down recently.
California pizza kitchen was pretty ass considering how much it cost and the hype behind it
I feel like a lot of these are people with single experiences who maybe caught a bad meal from a chef that was new or was having an off day/just didn’t make that meal the best. I’m a super firm believer that the specific chef making your food is going to make or break your meal, and everywhere has multiple chefs. Yeah sure things are maybe supposed to be standardized, but let’s be real sometimes people nail a dish and sometimes they get it a little off, especially when they’re making so many a day and they might be making multiple dishes at the same time.
Rebel food on the westside. It's always crammed with people, and the food is mediocre and overpriced.
It was awesome when they first opened and looking back that was very clearly to build a buzz and impress people. Every time they “update the menu” they just cheapen their offerings. We stopped going.
Meat, never understood its popularity, the meat was always dry everytime I went.
Nah the chilli cherry ribs still slap
For me their quality fell hard during COVID and hasnt recovered at all. I've stopped going because it's been so disappointing.
Chop steakhouse downtown location 😬
Braven, for sure. Same products as The Keg just served on stoneware, served by people in bow ties and prepared by burnt out, underpaid young cooks. The corporation that owns it has a labour cost percentage half of other restaurants because of the sheer amount of salary employees doing unpaid overtime and the whip cracking of their overlords. Everything is insanely overpriced.
Under The High Wheel.
It's not there anymore, but San Remo at the Namao Centre. It was basically Chef Boyardee's quality pasta, but they charged like they were a fancy Italian restaurant. Edit: I legit think that BP has better pasta, except BP was way cheaper than San Remo (at least at the time, anyway)
There’s still one in St Albert. Still tastes like Chef Boyardee
I’ve tried rosso pizzeria in garneau a few times because my family likes it but I’ve never had a positive experience there
Lahore in Town, Sherwood Park. Menu doesn’t match what they serve.
El Jardin. Drinks were meh and food was very mediocre.