Downtown Lunch - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

malcolmk14 · 08-17-2010, 09:25 AM

I'm sure many of us work downtown, and I'm always looking for something else to eat for lunch. I get sick of my regular rotation sometimes, so here's a thread where us downtown folk can share our favourite lunch spots, and thoughts about new places we try! Share your favourites!

Thi Thi - Vietnamese Subs - Two locations - across from Harry Hays building, and on 8th Ave between 5th and 6th st SW. Best Banh Mi in Calgary at the Harry Hays location IMO.

Smokee Lee's Smoked Meat Shack - literally a small shack on 6th ave and 4th st SW. Pretty good smoked meat sandwich.

Caffe Artigiano - 332 6th Ave SW - their panini's (especially the roasted lamb and red pepper) are excellent.

Thai Express - Eaton Centre food court - pretty good stir fry's for a fast-food place. Lineup is always crazy at lunch, get there early.

Sushi & Co. - A tiny place on the west end, 7th ave and 10th st SW. I haven't been able to find sushi this good downtown, they do a pretty good job here. Tiny place though, take-out only unless you snag their only table.

Ruan Thai - Pretty good thai place on 11th Ave between 12th and 13th st SW. They used to do a lunch buffet, and still might but I haven't been there in a while.

Mirchi - Pakistani cuisine - just south of the Safeway, 825 12th ave SW. Only a few tables but they do a good job, and they do take-out.

The Holy Grill - 10th Ave & 8th St SW. - homemade panini's and burgers. Very tasty and friendly.

Various pho places:

Pho Pasteur Saigon: Across from Harry Hays building

Pho Hoai: In the little Chinese mall across from Harry Hays (can't remember the name). It's not Song Viet which has a door onto the street (that place isn't as good), you actually have to go into the mall to get to it.

tete · 08-17-2010, 09:28 AM

Jonas - on 6th Ave and 9th St. - chicken paprikash to die for. I'm too far away to go for lunches though, which sucks.

Thai Express just opened up in the BP tower a few weeks ago. Lineups are crazy there too.

malcolmk14 · 08-17-2010, 09:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fotze

I'm sensing that a place that made asian influenced panini's would be right up your alley. I guess that would be a vietnamese sub.

There's definitely a theme to my post, I'm open to all other suggestions though! I'm okay with eating white-person food!

Frank MetaMusil · 08-17-2010, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by malcolmk14

Sushi & Co. - A tiny place on the west end, 7th ave and 10th st SW. I haven't been able to find sushi this good downtown, they do a pretty good job here. Tiny place though, take-out only unless you snag their only table.

Have you ever tried the Zushi booth in Scotia Centre? Its decent, but again not really any seating....

Jackpot_Smooth · 08-17-2010, 09:42 AM

For Vietnamese, i like Sunny Restaurant on second ave.

There's always the good ol' fall backs Gee Gong and Ho Won, except you don't really want to work much in the afternoons after those two.

skins · 08-17-2010, 09:49 AM

Charcut - Delicious sandwiches/entrees for around $15. Menu changes daily based on what fresh meat has been butchered. (Centre Street, b/w 8th and 9th) *** Best $15 sandwich I've had in Calgary. The fococcia bread was like a moist sponge.

Japanese Village - "teppan yaki" style Japanese cuisine. Food is cooked on a big grill that you sit around. Terriyaki sauce abounds. Lunch with lots of food for under $10. (317 10th Ave)

DeVille - Coffee shop with fantastic espresso and great food (supplied by Saint Germain). Mostly sandwiches, but some good entrees as well like the crab mac & cheese. $10-$12 with a coffee. (one on Fashion Central near Centre St. and 8th, one in Art Central second floor at 1st St and 7th Ave)

Juan's - Mexican food. Pretty good. (232 - 8th ave)

Jimmy Stang · 08-17-2010, 09:50 AM

There's a good Mongolian place on 10th Avenue (beside Mother Tucker's) called Khublai. It is kind of like the Mongolie Grill, but way better.

peter12 · 08-17-2010, 09:51 AM

Sedona on the Plus 15 at 5th and 5th. Great soup.

Bring_Back_Shantz · 08-17-2010, 09:53 AM

There is a great street vendor who usually set up on Stephen Ave and 1st st. W.

They're called Avatara Pizza, and they do wood fired pizza right there on the street from a trailer. It's a little pricey at ~$10-12, but you get a good sized pizza, and it's really good.

IliketoPuck · 08-17-2010, 09:53 AM

I'm a fan of the Palomino - great pulled pork sammich. The Holy Grill also gets an honourable mention, as well as Local 522.

Teh_Bandwagoner · 08-17-2010, 09:54 AM

I'm soooo happy that a Sunterra opened up here in the East Village a couple months ago. It's a regular staple for me. $6 meal from the market bar?? Oh yeah

IliketoPuck · 08-17-2010, 09:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bring_Back_Shantz

There is a great street vendor who usually set up on Stephen Ave and 1st st. W.

They're called Avatara Pizza, and they do wood fired pizza right there on the street from a trailer. It's a little pricey at ~$10-12, but you get a good sized pizza, and it's really good.

They actually have a store on Memorial drive, right by Lic's icecream. Only tried the pizza there once, but it was great...and they make a nice drink called a limonada too. Apparently they deliver as well.

united · 08-17-2010, 10:01 AM

Sunterra - Various locations

Marchellos - Various locations

Thai Express - There is a new one on the top floor food court of the building that has Holt Renfrew. Line up is much smaller than the Eaton Center one (for now).

Vietnamese place - In the plus-15 between 5th and 6th Avenues, and near 7th street. Good subs and great soup.

Flavour Me Pizza - Good selection but a bit pricey.

kdogg · 08-17-2010, 10:18 AM

Avellino's Panini is good in the +15 in Bantrel. There is also one in Sun Life Plaza.
________
Hyde Park Residence 2

Jbo · 08-17-2010, 10:18 AM

A bit off the beaten path, but the 4th ave lounge in the international hotel makes the best beef dip in town

bomber317 · 08-17-2010, 10:19 AM

Closer to the beltline side of things

Guiseppe's - 1st and 12th Ave. SW, awkward ordering system, but great pizzas

Michael's Pizza - 1st and 10th Ave. SW, good thicker crust pizza.

Huntingwhale · 08-17-2010, 10:28 AM

Taco Time - 99cent Tacos every tuesday.

malcolmk14 · 08-17-2010, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Huntingwhale

Taco Time - 99cent Tacos every tuesday.

Oh, we know all about that.

http://forum.calgarypuck.com/showthread.php?t=92312

Loob · 08-17-2010, 10:34 AM

The Holy Grill. Best place in the city for DT lunch. Nick is a big flames fan too.

OldDutch · 08-17-2010, 10:59 AM

Cafe Mauro (Across from MEC), best sandwich in town, hands down.

Prosciutto Boccaccini on Focaccia, $9/ reg appetite, $11/ huge size

The Focaccia is baked fresh each day, and Sal makes the sandwiches when you order. More people need to walk by Holy Grill and go to Caffe Mauro. Help support a proper Italian cafe in Calgary (Spolumbo's special is not even in the same zip code as this sandwich).