All you have to do is eat
calgary
17th avenue sw
diy food tour
17th Avenue SW Calgary (photo credit @17thavesw)
17th Avenue SW Calgary (photo credit @17thavesw)
17th Avenue SW Calgary (photo credit @17thavesw)
Introduction
Official name: 17th Ave Retail and Entertainment District
Website: https://17thave.ca
Length: Length 12.5 km (7.8 mi)
Access: “Access 17th Ave from all corners of the city with Calgary’s Public Transit system. The C Train Blue Line runs from Saddletown in the northeast to 69 Street in the west, and the Red Line runs from Crowfoot in the northeast to Somerset-Bridlewood in the south. Both lines run through downtown along 7 Ave between City Hall and West/Kerby Stations. This downtown portion of the C Train lines on 7th Ave between 3rd Street East and 11th Street is the free fare zone (a fare must be purchased for all trips outside of this zone.) You can access 17th Ave from the Red Line stop at Erlton Station, as well as any of the downtown stops on 7th Ave” (https://17thave.ca/getting-here/)
DIY Tour details
Number of stops: 10
Number of tastings: 10
Tastings: Dry Ribs, Bluefin tuna tartare (tuna, avocado, miso emulsion, udon crackers), Pepperoni pizza (San Marzano tomato sauce, house-made pepperoni, mozzarella), Macaron of your choice, Nim’s Classic (Spicy. Nashville spiced chicken thigh (choose heat), coleslaw, pickles, comeback sauce on a brioche bun), Chicken Shawarma, Arancini (deep-fried mozzarella stuffed carnaroli rice balls with white wine), Pabellon Arepa (shredded beef, black beans, ripe plantains, avocados, garlic sauce), Fried Coconut Squid (pineapple, pickled jalapeño, crispy garlic, coriander), Sea Salt & Goat Milk Caramel (featuring goat milk from Fairwinds Farm)
use e-scooters
“The City of Calgary explored transportation options that focus on sustainability, health and the environment. As a result, the e-scooter program was launched. Since then, Calgary has permitted private sector operators to bring their e-scooters into Calgary for rent. Head to the City of Calgary’s Shared Electric Scooter Pilot information page to see when you will be able to find one of these e-scooters along 17th Ave” (https://17thave.ca/getting-here/)
diy food tour
Tasting Types
There are 6 different tasting types. The first is a Must Try tasting, which means the dish provides a sense of pleasure, leaves an everlasting impression, evokes something exceptional, and will be remembered. The second is a Tasting Hack, that is for example, a tasting that is combined with another tasting on the tour, that together, create a better tasting experience. A Seasonal tasting is only available during certain times of the year. A Vegetarian tasting does not contain meat (only verified vegetarian tasting are identified). A Best-In-Class tasting is an identification of a top tasting destination. A Cook At Home tasting is where you purchase in store, but cook at home.6
Must try
Must try food tasting
Tasting Hack
Special manitpulated tasting
Seasonal
Seasonal tasting
Vegetarian
Vegetarian tasting
Best-in-class
Top tasting destination
Cook at home
Tasting you purchase in store, but cook at home
Tasting Locations
Tasting menu
Dry ribs from Comery Block Barbecue
photo credit @comeryblock
Comery Block Barbecue
Barbecue restaurant
Must try: Dry Ribs
“Momo are bite-size dumplings made with a spoonful of stuffing wrapped in dough. Momo are usually steamed, though they are sometimes fried or steam-fried. Meat or vegetables fillings becomes succulent as it produces an intensively flavored broth sealed inside the wrappers. Momo is an important dish for Tibetans and Nepalese, both in everyday cooking and for festivals. Variants of the dish developed later in Nepal after which it became popular among Asians… Traditionally, momo is prepared with ground/minced meat, potatoes, and leek filling. Nowadays, the fillings have become more elaborate and Momo is prepared with virtually any combination of ground meat, vegetables, tofu, mushrooms, paneer cheese, soft chhurpi (local hard cheese) and vegetable and meat combinations” (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Momo_(food))
How to portion: One order can provide up to 4 tastings
Address: 51 Kensington Ave, Toronto, ON M5T 2J8, Canada
Hours: Saturday 12–11PM
Sunday 12–10PM
Monday 12–10PM
Tuesday Closed
Wednesday 12–10PM
Thursday 12–10PM
Friday 12–11PM
Website: https://www.comeryblock.com
Instagram: @comeryblock
Bluefin tuna tartare from Lonely Mouth Bar
photo credit @lonelymouthbar
Lonely Mouth Bar
Japanese restaurant
Must try: Bluefin tuna tartare (tuna, avocado, miso emulsion, udon crackers)
“A tuna is a saltwater fish that belongs to the tribe Thunnini, a subgrouping of the Scombridae (mackerel) family. The Thunnini comprise 15 species across five genera, the sizes of which vary greatly, ranging from the bullet tuna (max length: 50 cm or 1.6 ft, weight: 1.8 kg or 4 lb) up to the Atlantic bluefin tuna (max length: 4.6 m or 15 ft, weight: 684 kg or 1,508 lb), which averages 2 m (6.6 ft) and is believed to live up to 50 years… Various species of tuna are often served raw in Japanese cuisine as sushi or sashimi… The fresh or frozen flesh of tuna is widely regarded as a delicacy in most areas where it is shipped, being prepared in a variety of ways. When served as a steak, the meat of most species is known for its thickness and tough texture. In the U.K., supermarkets began flying in fresh tuna steaks in the late 1990s, which helped to increase the popularity of using fresh tuna in cooking; by 2009, celebrity chefs regularly featured fresh tuna in salads, wraps, and char-grilled dishes” (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tuna)
Address: 528 17 Ave SW, Calgary, AB T2S 0B1, Canada
Hours: Saturday 11:30AM–1AM
Sunday 11:30AM–12AM
Monday 11:30AM–12AM
Tuesday 11:30AM–12AM
Wednesday 11:30AM–12AM
Thursday 11:30AM–1AM
Friday 11:30AM–1AM
Website: https://www.lonelymouthbar.com/
Instagram: @lonelymouthbar
Pepperoni pizza by Una Pizza + Wine
photo credit @unacalgary
Una Pizza + Wine
Pizza restaurant
Must try: Pepperoni pizza (San Marzano tomato sauce, house-made pepperoni, mozzarella)
“Prior to cooking, pepperoni is characteristically soft, slightly smoky, and bright red. Thinly sliced pepperoni is one of the most popular pizza toppings in American pizzerias… Pepperoni, an Italian-American creation, is a cured dry sausage, with similarities to the spicy salamis of southern Italy on which it is based, such as salsiccia or soppressata. The main differences are that pepperoni is less spicy, has a finer grain (akin to spiceless salami from Milan), is usually softer in texture, and is usually produced with the use of an artificial casing… Pepperoni is made from pork or from a mixture of pork and beef. Turkey meat is also commonly used as a substitute, but the use of poultry in pepperoni must be appropriately labeled in the United States…. Curing with nitrates or nitrites (usually used in modern curing agents to protect against botulism and other forms of microbiological decay) also contributes to pepperoni’s reddish color, by reacting with heme in the myoglobin of the proteinaceous components of the meat” (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pepperoni)
How to portion: One pizza can provide up to 8 tastings
Address: 618 17 Ave SW, Calgary, AB T2S 0B4
Hours: Saturday 11:30AM–12AM
Sunday 11:30AM–11PM
Monday 11:30AM–11PM
Tuesday 11:30AM–11PM
Wednesday 11:30AM–11PM
Thursday 11:30AM–11PM
Friday 11:30AM–12AM
Website: https://unapizzeria.com/
Instagram: @unacalgary
Macarons by Ollia Macarons & Tea
photo credit @byollia
Ollia Macarons & Tea
Bakery
Must try: Macaron of your choice
“A macaron or French macaron is a sweet meringue-based confection made with egg white, icing sugar, granulated sugar, almond meal, and food colouring… The macaron is traditionally held to have been introduced in France by the Italian chef of queen Catherine de Medici during the Renaissance. Since the 19th century, a typical Parisian-style macaron is presented with a ganache, buttercream or jam filling sandwiched between two such cookies, akin to a sandwich cookie. The confection is characterized by a smooth squared top, a ruffled circumference—referred to as the “crown” or “foot” (or “pied”)—and a flat base. It is mildly moist and easily melts in the mouth. Macarons can be found in a wide variety of flavours that range from traditional (raspberry, chocolate) to unusual (foie gras, matcha)” (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Macaron)
How to portion: One macaron can provide 1 tasting
Address: 810C 16 Ave SW, Calgary, AB T2R 0S9
Hours: Saturday 11a.m.–7p.m.
Sunday 11a.m.–5p.m.
Monday 11a.m.–5p.m.
Tuesday 11a.m.–5p.m.
Wednesday 11a.m.–5p.m.
Thursday 11a.m.–7p.m.
Friday 11a.m.–7p.m.
Website: https://www.byollia.com/
Instagram: @byollia
Nim’s Classic from Nim’s Fried Chicken
photo credit @nimsfriedchicken
Nim’s Fried Chicken
Chicken restaurant
Must try: Nim’s Classic (Spicy. Nashville spiced chicken thigh (choose heat), coleslaw, pickles, comeback sauce on a brioche bun)
“Hot chicken (or Nashville hot chicken) is a type of fried chicken that is a local specialty of Nashville, Tennessee, in the United States. In its typical preparation, it is a portion of breast, thigh, or wing that has been marinated in a water-based blend of seasoning, floured, fried, and finally covered in a paste or sauce that has been spiced with cayenne pepper. This method of preparation originates within African American communities in the Southern United States. A richly pigmented seasoning paste gives the fried chicken its reddish hue. Spice blends, preparation methods, and heat intensity vary from recipe to recipe or depending on the chef… A typical Nashville-style hot chicken spice paste has two key ingredients: lard and cayenne pepper. The two are mixed together, three parts pepper to one part lard, and heated until they form a thick sauce. Some restaurants vary the composition of the paste, adding sugar, garlic, or additional hot sauce. The paste is applied to the fried chicken by the server using a spoon and latex gloves; it is lightly squeezed into the finished chicken by hand. The heat level of the chicken can be varied by the preparer by reducing or increasing the amount of paste applied” (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hot_chicken)
How to portion: One order can provide up to 5 tastings
Address: 1415 17 Ave SW, Calgary, AB T2T 0C6
Hours: Saturday 12–9p.m.
Sunday 12–9p.m.
Monday Closed
Tuesday 12–9p.m.
Wednesday 12–9p.m.
Thursday 12–9p.m.
Friday 12–9p.m.
Website: NA
Instagram: @nimsfriedchicken
Donair (top) from Damascus Fine Mediterranean Foods
photo credit @damascusyyc
Damascus Fine Mediterranean Foods
Mediterranean restaurant
Must try: Chicken Shawarma
“Shawarma is a popular Middle Eastern dish that originated in the Ottoman Empire, consisting of meat cut into thin slices, stacked in a cone-like shape, and roasted on a slowly-turning vertical rotisserie or spit. Traditionally made with lamb or mutton, it may also be made with chicken, turkey, beef, or veal. Thin slices are shaved off the cooked surface as it continuously rotates. Shawarma is a popular street food in the greater Middle East, including Egypt, Iraq, and the Levant… Spices may include cumin, cardamom, cinnamon, turmeric and paprika, and in some areas baharat. Shawarma is commonly served as a sandwich or wrap, in a flatbread such as pita or laffa. In the Middle East, chicken shawarma is typically served with garlic sauce, fries, and pickles. The garlic sauce that is served with the sandwich depends on the meat. Toum or Toumie sauce is made from garlic, vegetable oil, lemon, and egg white or starch, and is usually served with chicken shawarma. Tarator sauce is made from garlic, tahini sauce, lemon, and water, and is served with beef shawarma” (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shawarma)
How to portion: One shawarma can provide up to 4 tastings
Address: 718 17 Ave SW #4, Calgary, AB T2S 0B7
Hours: Saturday 12p.m.–1a.m.
Sunday 2–8:30p.m.
Monday 11a.m.–10p.m.
Tuesday 11a.m.–10p.m.
Wednesday 11a.m.–10p.m.
Thursday 11a.m.–10p.m.
Friday 12p.m.–1a.m.
Website: https://www.damascusfinefoods.com
Instagram: @damascusyyc
Arancini from YYC Pasta Bar
photo credit @yycpastabar
YYC Pasta Bar
Italian restaurant
Must try: Arancini (deep-fried mozzarella stuffed carnaroli rice balls with white wine)
“Arancini are Italian rice balls that are stuffed, coated with breadcrumbs and deep fried, and are a staple of Sicilian cuisine. The most common arancini fillings are: al ragù or al sugo, filled with ragù (meat or mince, slow-cooked at low temperature with tomato sauce and spices), mozzarella or caciocavallo cheese, and often peas, and al burro or ô burru, filled with ham and mozzarella or besciamella… The most common type of arancini sold in Sicilian cafés are arancini cû sucu (it. arancini al ragù), which typically consist of meat in a tomato sauce, rice, and mozzarella or other cheese. Many cafés also offer arancini cû burru (it. arancini al burro, with butter or béchamel sauce) or specialty arancini, such as arancini chî funci (it. arancini ai funghi, with mushrooms), arancini câ fastuca (it. arancini al pistacchio, with pistachios), or arancini â norma (it. arancini alla norma, with aubergine)” (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arancini)
How to portion: One order can provide up to 3 tastings
Address: 1322A 17 Ave SW, Calgary, AB T2T 0C3, Canada
Hours:Saturday 11a.m.–11p.m.
Sunday 11a.m.–9p.m.
Monday 11a.m.–10p.m.
Tuesday Closed
Wednesday 11a.m.–10p.m.
Thursday 11a.m.–10p.m.
Friday 11a.m.–11p.m.
Website: https://yycpastabar.ca/
Instagram: @yycpastabar
Pabellon Arepa from Heaven Restaurant Market
photo credit @heavenyyc
Heaven Restaurant Market
Venezuelan restaurant
Must try: Pabellon Arepa (shredded beef, black beans, ripe plantains, avocados, garlic sauce)
“Arepa is a type of food made of ground maize dough stuffed with a filling, eaten in the northern region of South America since pre-Columbian times, and notable primarily in the cuisine of Venezuela and recently Colombia, but also present in the cuisines of Bolivia, Panama and other countries. It is commonly eaten in those countries and can be served with accompaniments such as cheese, cuajada (fresh cheese), various meats, chicken, avocado, or diablito (deviled ham spread). It can also be split to make sandwiches. Sizes, maize types, and added ingredients vary its preparation. It is similar to the Mexican gordita, the Salvadoran pupusa, the Ecuadorian tortilla de maíz and the Panamanian tortilla or changa” (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arepa)
How to portion: One order can provide up to 4 tastings
Address: 1013 17 Ave SW #119, Calgary, AB T2T 0A7, Canada
Hours: Saturday 11AM–9PM
Sunday 11AM–9PM
Monday 4–9PM
Tuesday 11:30AM–2PM, 4–9PM
Wednesday 11:30AM–2PM, 4–9PM
Thursday 11:30AM–2PM, 4–9PM
Friday 11:30AM–2PM, 4–9PM
Website: https://heavengf.com/
Instagram: @heavenyyc
Fried coconut squid by Lulu Bar
photo credit @thelulubar
Lulu Bar
Restaurant
Must try: Fried Coconut Squid (pineapple, pickled jalapeño, crispy garlic, coriander)
“Squid is eaten in many cuisines; in English, the culinary name calamari is often used for squid dishes. There are many ways to prepare and cook squid. Fried squid is common in the Mediterranean. In New Zealand, Australia, the United States, Canada, and South Africa, it is sold in fish and chip shops. In Britain, it can be found in Mediterranean ‘calamari’ or Asian ‘salt and pepper fried squid’ forms in various establishments, often served as a bar snack, street food, or starter… Squid can be prepared for consumption in a number of other ways. In Korea, it is sometimes served raw, and elsewhere it is used as sushi, sashimi and tempura items, grilled, stuffed, covered in batter, stewed in gravy and served in stir-fries, rice, and noodle dishes” (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Squid_as_food)
How to portion: One order can provide up to 4 tastings
Address: 510 17 Ave SW, Calgary, AB T2S 0B1, Canada
Hours: Sunday 11:30AM–12AM
Monday 11:30AM–12AM
Tuesday 11:30AM–12AM
Wednesday 11:30AM–2PM
Thursday 11:30AM–12AM
Friday 11:30AM–1AM
Saturday 11:30AM–1AM
Website: https://www.lulubar.ca
Instagram: @thelulubar
Ice cream from Made By Marcus – 17th Ave
photo credit @madebymarcus
Made By Marcus- 17th Ave
Ice cream shop
Must try: Sea Salt & Goat Milk Caramel (featuring goat milk from Fairwinds Farm)
“Goat milk is the milk of domestic goats. Goats produce about 2% of the world’s total annual milk supply. Some goats are bred specifically for milk. Goat milk naturally has small, well-emulsified fat globules, which means the cream will stay in suspension for a longer period of time than cow’s milk; therefore, it does not need to be homogenized. Eventually, the cream will rise to the top over a period of a few days. If the milk is to be used to make cheese, homogenization is not recommended, as this changes the structure of the milk, affecting the culture’s ability to coagulate the milk and the final quality and yield of cheese… Goat cheese is known as fromage de chèvre (“goat cheese”) in France. Some varieties include Rocamadour and Montrachet. Goat butter is white because goats produce milk with the yellow beta-carotene converted to a colorless form of vitamin A. Goat milk has less cholesterol” (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goat_milk)
How to portion: One scoop can provide up to 4 tastings
Address: 1013 17 Ave SW #121, Calgary, AB T2T 0A7, Canada
Hours: Saturday 12–10PM
Sunday 12–10PM
Monday 12–10PM
Tuesday 12–10PM
Wednesday 12–10PM
Thursday 12–10PM
Friday 12–10PM
Website: www.madebymarcus.ca/
Instagram: @madebymarcus
notable nearby
Cheese Burek from European Bakery & Deli
photo credit @eurobakerydeli
European Bakery & Deli
AUTHENTIC BALKAN BAKED GOODS
“The journey of perfecting the art of Bread and Burek started in 1965 when Hasan Duraj pioneered the way for Burek makers in the capital city of Kosovo, Prishtina. He would go on to teach his sons his skills in hopes of one day creating the most delicious Burek in all the land. Little did he know, his second son Shaqir would move to Canada and continue his fathers legacy in a very big way. European Bakery and Deli was born on March 15, 2006. Shaqir and Lume worked tirelessly for years starting the business from the ground up. They introduced Calgary to some of the most delicious bread, pastries, and Burek and took the red mile by storm. The rest is history… ” (https://www.eurobakerydeli.com/about)
Address: 515 17 Ave SW #160, Calgary, AB T2S 0A9
Hours: Saturday 9a.m.–7p.m.
Sunday 9a.m.–5p.m.
Monday Closed
Tuesday 9a.m.–7p.m.
Wednesday 9a.m.–7p.m.
Thursday 9a.m.–7p.m.
Friday 9a.m.–7p.m.
Website: https://www.eurobakerydeli.com/
photo credit @butterblockyyc
Butter Block & Co
ABOUT KAREN KONG – THE BAKER
“…With a handful of bakeries under her belt, it was time for her to explore the fruits of her labour by having the freedom to experiment with different recipes and stamp something as truly her own. Enter Butterblock. Creating an 81 layer croissant along with her delicious cookie recipes powered by the new freedom to explore different laminated dough recipes Karen was able to reignite her passion for what she loves. Baking with no restrictions” (https://butterblockyyc.com/about-the-baker)
Address: 908 17 Ave SW suite 111, Calgary, AB T2T 0A3
Hours: Saturday 9a.m.–4p.m.
Sunday 9a.m.–4p.m.
Monday 7:30a.m.–4p.m.
Tuesday 7:30a.m.–4p.m.
Wednesday Closed
Thursday 7:30a.m.–4p.m.
Friday 7:30a.m.–4p.m.
Website: https://butterblockyyc.com/
photo credit @urbanbutcheryyc
Urban Butcher
“Armed with the belief that the kitchen should not be an intimidating space, Urban Butcher offers the finest quality cuts of ethically and naturally raised local meats, including Alberta Beef, pasture raised pork, free range, free run, organic poultry products, various deli products fresh from our own smokehouse, pre-marinated items that are ready to cook, as well as recipes to inspire your next meal” (https://urbanbutcher.ca/our-story/)
Address: Mission Store, 2100 4 St SW, Calgary, AB T2S 1W7
Hours: Saturday 10a.m.–6p.m.
Sunday 10a.m.–5p.m.
Monday closed
Tuesday 10a.m.–6p.m.
Wednesday 10a.m.–6p.m.
Thursday 10a.m.–6p.m.
Friday 10a.m.–6p.m.
Website: https://urbanbutcher.ca/
photo credit @blacksheepyyc
Black Sheep Pâtisserie
THE SHORTEST WAY TO PARIS
“Walking into Black Sheep means being immediately greeted by a delightful smell of freshly baked buttery treats that no one can resist (we can’t). As a neighbourhood bakery that serves the local community, we are committed to using the best ingredients. Our pastries are made with butter only, no other fat. We use exclusively French chocolate. We don’t use any additive. For instance, our croissants are made with unbleached flour, fresh milk, fresh butter, some sugar, a touch of yeast and salt and that’s it. Nothing else. Just the way it should be. And it makes a huge difference for your taste buds and your health” (https://www.black-sheep.ca/about-us)
Address: 815 17 Ave SW #140, Calgary, AB T2T 0A1
Hours: Saturday 7:30a.m.–6p.m.
Sunday 7:30a.m.–6p.m.
Monday 7:30a.m.–6p.m.
Tuesday Closed
Wednesday 7:30a.m.–6p.m.
Thursday 7:30a.m.–6p.m.
Friday7:30a.m.–6p.m.
Website: https://www.black-sheep.ca/
COMMENTS/QUESTIONS/RECOMMENDATIONS/UPDATES
Email: Matt@diyfoodtours.com
