Jodi on 
Erin on 
Eric on 
Bill Evans on 
The website of Peters’ Drive-In has a quote attributed to actor Hugh Jackman from the Calgary Sun in April 2003: “I also learned quickly Calgary has the best hamburgers in the world. My driver took me to Peters’ Drive-In one day. After that I’d find any excuse I could to go back there.”
Hey, Wolverine, you talkin’ crazy! OK, they taste good — for maybe two minutes.
I think Peters’ — named after original owner Gus Pieters, so I guess the apostrophe is acceptable — makes terrible, flat, greasy, cardboard burgers that sit in your stomach like rocks. (Yes, I know many of you will disagree…)
However, their milkshakes ($4.50) are awesome. They come in one size: big. So cold and thick and in your choice of 30 flavours or any combination therewith, they’re worth the nuttiness that’s the Peters’ drive-in/parking lot.
Peters’ Drive-In, 219-16th Ave. NE, Calgary, (403) 277-2747. Open 9 a.m.-midnight.
I think they put something in the burger. You’re eating it and you’re like “Meh”, but then 2 months later you’re like “mmmmm! Peters!”. At least that’s how it was for us.
I agree the milkshakes are fantastic. May have to add them to my to-do list for August!
Oh god, I can totally go for a Peters’ milkshake right now! You’re right though, their burgers are nothing special and their fries are plain disgusting!
I went to school at Crescent and… well, even the difference between then and now is… meh. The golden age is most certainly over. The milkshakes are still pretty good, though!
Greasy and flat, yes, but that’s what makes them good!
But if your burger tasted or had the texture of cardboard, you should have sent it back. They’re usually soft and flavorful (so ketchupy!)
The funny thing is I ate there yesterday, and thought to myself, man, this place used to have such good burgers. I mean, I used to get a double with cheese because it was the same as getting a triple with cheese (I eat a lot). Now, I’ve had better burgers at A&W. When the new owners took over, it just started a downward spiral. I realize that the cost of food has gone up, but I would have rather seen a price increase than a quality decrease. I would gladly pay more to have the old Peters’ burgers back. I feel sorry for the kids today, because they will never know how good Peters’ was.
When did the new owners take over?
sometime back in 2005 I think. I haven’t yet had a good burger from there since they took over.
yes, I agree with Skullnerd.
Living off their history now.
Hmm… I haven’t been there in a few years now (since before the construction on 16th), but I did enjoy it last time I was there.
My first time there was 1989. I remembered the size of the shakes and fries more than the burgers, until my next meal there in 2006. Came away disappointed by them then, and not sure what the fuss is about.
I have to agree with shokutsu. I’ve had friend after friend say ‘we have to go to Peter’s’ every time we drive down from Edmonton, and even after all these visits, nothing stands out.
I love the milkshakes and like the onion rings. I think the hamburgers are gross. Having that many milkshake options definitely makes it worth a stop!
Amen. Yes, their burgers leave much to be desired.
The shakes are OK, but nothing to write home about.
DM
Aaaah you are spot on. I heard so much about Peters’ burgers when I moved to Calgary and only made it there around 2002(?). I was sorely disappointed by the burgers, even though I recognized the cheap greasy flavor that can be interpreted as nostalgic by those who grew up on them. The shakes were pretty darn good, but not so good that I’d make a special trip there and sit an hour in the car for.
I like the onion rings- they only have teeny packets of mustard though and I like dipping in mustard.
I don’t know that I have ever had the burgers.
I can see that you all hate the burgers. Oh well, more for me.
Milk Shake = Cafe Beano.
I used to stop there on my way from UofC back home to Edmonton on the weekends. A milkshake and onion rings, definitely not a burger. Like all institutions, it is the nostalgia that keeps us going there. Kind of like My Favourite Ice Cream Shoppe too. That’s a family tradition, but they are selling Nestle product, so really, what’s so great about the ice cream?
Very overrated place. After hearing all the hype, I gave in and decided to try it and could not agree more with your review. I get mad when everyone I know in Calgary only has good things to say about it. Nothing extraordinary about it, no value either – no combo as such – burgers are greasy and fries are overpriced in a New York fries sorta way (now that’s another story- expensive fries made from unpeeled potatoes – less work for them as well as no way to tell if potato is rotten as it is not peeled…)
To come back to Pete’s, I’ll take anything from Wendy’s over it anyday. And it in no way can compare to an A&W that makes it’s sirloin burger and poutine well:)
Hi:
Peter’s serves the worst food on the planet. I believe that anybody who could actually finish eating anything from this place is very ignorant of how food should really taste. The Gull’s like it though, and we all know how discerning they are with respect to what they eat.
Total crap.
Yadda, Yadda, Yadda…
Enjoy your A&W and Wendy’s, then move on to the next basher bandwagon.
my dad has been bringing me to Peters since the sixties do i believe they are the best burgers in the world. no because I have been all over the world, but everytime i come back i have one, two maybe more within my stay. This is comfort food folks, Peters has been around longer than most of you, you want something with salad go somewhere else you want a burger that sells more and has been around for 50 plus years go to Peter’s Hugh Jackman is from Australia, I spent two years there and every burger I had sat in my friggin stomach which is the reason they are the fattest nation in the world, look it up, love ya Peters always will……..
Truman, eating bad food for 40 plus years does not make it good. I am 8 yrs older than Peter’s. The poor quality product that Peter’s offers is appalling. If you and the Gull’s like it, great but it is still very, very bad food. Low quality ingredients, and cooking, makes bad food. I bought a Milk Shake there this Summer, (for some reason) and put it in the garbage after I tasted it.
Never waste your money at this appalling place.
I agree with remarks ” worst food on the planet ” I bought Burger, onionrings and mango shake, I was disappointed by quality of the food, even the shake was aweful, the old owners were good. I went to A&W on 16 th NW and there food was best I ever had in my Life and price was cheaper than what paid at Peters.
Peter’s is an urban legend and a perfect example of confirmatory bias.
Yes, there was time when the burgers were great – but no longer. Don’t always believe what Grandpa tells you – times have changed and Peter’s has been institutionalized.
MBA mentality has corrupted Peter’s and most other establishments.
Total agreement. Peters’ is wretched. I don’t even like the milkshakes. It makes me incredibly frustrated to read the sheeplike praise of this place, and the so-often-bandied-about hyperboles like “best burger in Calgary” or “best milkshake in Calgary” when there are other, equally local places that should rightfully hold that title. Want a fast-food burger of the sort Peters’ tries and fails to produce? Drive two blocks further down Ed trail and eat at Boogie’s, which hasn’t sold out its quality in favour of simply riding on reputation. Want an equally large, equally priced milkshake that will change your life? Go to Dairy Lane.
People who praise Peters’ either haven’t eaten real food or don’t know how to form their own opinions… not sure which.
I used to like their Onion Rings and Shakes. Now even the onion rings go downhill. I had better onion rings at A&W and way better at South St. Burger at Crossiron Mills.
Anyone want to open a “Real” burger joint? I have been to Peter’s…..hate it. Tino’s in Medicine Hat is good, but WWAAAYYYY over priced. I would like to open a joint with Real Home Made Burgers. Not 4-5 oz burgers like Buger King, McDonalds etc. The Burger Bus on Highfield Crescent has good burgers. But, they are a “Meatball on a Bun”. I helped Moxie’s get started in the 80′s as a Kitchen Manager. (17th Ave SW) I have been thinking about it for years. This city needs a true burger joint that gives good quality, good portions at a good price. Getting back to the old A&W Drive Inn days. The same portions as Moxie’s “Used to Serve”. Untill Lance Hurtubise and John Karcansaw were bought out. Lance was a GREAT owner and boss!!! His parents put their house up to get him started in the buisiness.
This review was witten in 2003. Since then Peter’s has changed hands.
The quality of the food had gone downhill and the new owners dont care. It is difficult to
find any of the staff that can speak English. The place is dirty and the staff smoke at the
back door and return to handling food without washing their hands.
The burgers at Peter’s are of very low quality. Im not sure what attracts people here….the prices?? Certainly not the food!!! Anyone opening a place that serves quality would do very well in Calgary….same format but good food. Time to start a new tradition!
I am a born and raised Calgarian and here is my opinion of Peter’s. The place is clearly a Calgary institution but ever since the original owners left, it has gone down hill. I really want to go there and experience the Peter’s I remember from my childhood, but the sad fact is, it’s not the same Peter’s anymore. The shakes are still good but they are tiny and overpriced compared to what they used to be. But the burgers and fries are mediocre and just don’t make the cut. Everyone still expects the place to be what it was 20 years ago, but sadly, that Peter’s is gone forever. I agree, it’s time to move on.
The website of Peters’ Drive-In has a quote attributed to actor Hugh Jackman from the Calgary Sun in April 2003: “I also learned quickly Calgary has the best hamburgers in the world. My driver took me to Peters’ Drive-In one day. After that I’d find any excuse I could to go back there.”
That was almost tne years ago. The place has changed hands and has gone downhill under the new owners.