CALGARY: Smokehouses and such

I’ve never had real Southern BBQ before so until I make it to that part of the U.S., I make do with what I can find at home. Nothing has blown me away but there are two decent places in Calgary.

The Palomino has a smoker right in the restaurant. There’s a live music stage downstairs and an airy patio in the back. I like the laid-back vibe and the font on the menu. Prices are also reasonable and service is super friendly.

Jason and I both got the Two Meat Platter ($22) which comes with two sides. Jason’s is the top photo, St. Louis ribs and smoked chicken with bacon-wrapped corn cob and smoked cheddar grits. I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again: anything with bacon tastes good.

I got St. Louis ribs and sliced beef brisket with smoked cheddar grits and coleslaw.

The slightly saucy ribs were good, the chicken was okay, and the brisket was decent and smoky. The grits I liked, but I got tired of the mushy texture after awhile.

I really want to go back for The Palomino’s brunch menu (Saturdays 10 am-3 pm) – peanut butter and banana French toast and even a good morning burger with a fried egg.

Big T’s Smokehouse is supposedly more in line with Southern BBQ because its ribs are dry, dry, dry. Its menu boasts of using only young apple wood from the Okanagan and of cooking brisket for 12 hours, pork butts for 14 and ribs for 6.

From the intriguing list of appetizers, we got the fried dill pickles ($7.50). The sourness of the battered pickles went nicely with the cool horseradish mayo dip.

Jason got the signature Memphis Baby Backs ($17.50 half rack, $24.50 full rack) which are smoked and then crisped on the broiler. There’s a hint of lemon and a savory sprinkling of “magic dust.” He quite enjoyed them.

But I’m more of a saucy ribs girl myself – whatever BBQ purists may say – so I happily drowned my full rack of St. Louis ribs with my choice of Big T’s homemade sauces (original, Carolina mustard, maple bourbon and smokin hot).

There is no way anyone could leave Big T’s hungry. As you can see, I could barely fit my dinner into one picture. Every rack comes with coleslaw, beans, cornbread and a choice of side. On this, I’d suggest the glorious, glorious hush puppies – Big T’s fresh, toasty cornbread fritters – that for some reason become heavenly when you dip them in honey.

Big T’s menu is quite extensive. I’d like to return to try the brisket and pulled pork, and definitely those hush puppies again. I’ll stay away from the Elvis Platter – a sampler of ALL their meats and sides – for $90. That looks deadly.

The Palomino, 109-7th Ave. SW, Calgary, (403) 532-1911.
Open Mon-Thurs 11 a.m.-1 a.m., Friday 11 a.m.-2 a.m., Saturday 10 a.m.-2 a.m.

Big T’s BBQ & Smokehouse, 2138 Crowchild Trail NW, Calgary, (403) 284-5959.