by Kathryn Haydock

Calgary has an array of amazing local food joints scattered throughout the city, it’s just a matter of finding out where they are. Throughout my short 4-month stay, I’ve come across so many places I’d love to go back to if I’d had the time but, to keep things short, here are just four places I’d definitely recommend you check out if you ever find yourself in the city.

Sidewalk Citizen Bakery

From breakfast sandwiches to baked pastries, Sidewalk Citizen offers a range of house-made sourdough menu items made fresh daily. While there, Abbie and I opted for the Breakfast Sandwich and the Salmon Sandwich, two staples of their menu, but they also have other sandwich options that change weekly so there will always be something new to try. Deciding to skip something sweet the first time around, I couldn’t resist going back to grab a croissant the next day as a mid-morning study pick-me-up! With a location in downtown a few blocks away from the library, it’s a great spot to pick up a quick breakfast, lunch or snack to enjoy accompanied by a view overlooking the river, especially in the midst of study season.

OEB Breakfast

With a location a 10-minute walk away from the university, located in the University District, OEB Breakfast is the place to go when you are looking for a fresh, vibrant but hearty spot for brunch. OEB offers an extensive menu and there is absolutely something for everyone. From breakfast poutines to the classics of pancakes, waffles and omelettes and some not-so-traditional eggs benny’s (some with crab, Korean bulgogi and even truffle), OEB breakfast absolutely takes the win for creative breakfast offerings. They even go so far as to serve perogies & confit duck, huevos rancheros in a burrito, gnocchi carbonara and a lobster & shrimp crepe; all with their own breakfast twist. But don’t worry, for the classic breakfast purists out there, they do offer a farmer’s breakfast of eggs your way, beef tallow fried potatoes, local artisan toast and your choice of bacon or sausages. No matter what you are craving, OEB has an option just right for you.

Strip Joint Chicken

Claiming to devote themselves to “giving you the perfect strip”, Strip Joint Chicken offers fried chicken tenders inspired by popular dishes from around the globe and unique flavour pairings. Hottie Honey, Tso Good, Hakuna Masala, Peanuts Be Jelly and Tickle Pickle were just a few of the various combos on offer we tried. Looking for a light meal? Start with a small, with just three strips. Looking for a feast? Go for the large with five but keep in mind, the strips are deceptively generous. Big of flavours that pack a punch, Strip Joint Chicken is a definite must for fried chicken lovers and flavour explorers.

Ten Foot Henry

Ten Foot Henry is a place to go to with a few friends who enjoy family-style Italian dining. With a vegetarian-forward menu, Ten Foot Henry is equally as fresh as it is indulgent. Each dish is made to share between multiple people, so it’s a great spot for those who like to try a bit of everything. For the four of us that went for dinner one evening, our strategy for the menu was to order one dish from the three menu offerings of vegetables, pasta and meat & seafood. We ultimately decided on the Caesar salad made with kale instead of romaine, fried potatoes, the spaghetti cacio e pepe and the tune crudo. To top the night off, we couldn’t leave without dessert and ordered the coconut cake; so light and fluffy, it was the perfect way to end the evening. Ten Foot Henry is a popular spot and for good reason. Not only is the food incredible but the servers are absolutely lovely. While they do have walk-in spots available, the restaurant’s popularity means you may end up waiting for an hour or two for a table to open up, so I’d recommend making a booking earlier rather than later, especially if you prefer to have dinner earlier in the evening as these reservations are taken up fast.