Calgary Openings, Closings, and Developments

[Jimmy Stang]

Originally Posted by DownInFlames

Recipe Unlimited is going to bring the Swiss Chalet sophistication to Olive Garden.

https://toronto.citynews.ca/2025/07/...ans-to-expand/

In defence of Swiss Chalet, for better or worse, is pretty straightforward and has a niche. Simple, but you know what you're getting.

Olive Garden is a greasy, gluttonous, American imitation of Italian food. There are so many authentic options available, the existence of Olive Garden is confusing.

Eat what you like, obviously, and there is a certain demographic for it. Just surprised that there is actually demand for more of them.

[SeeGeeWhy]

My parents took us to a Swiss Chalet once when we were little, and I saw a really old guy dribble a bunch of the special sauce back into the bowl as he was struggling down his meal. It made me realize how salival the consistency of the sauce is naturally, and all I could think about was how Swiss Chalet probably had a factory full of old guys somewhere, just drooling bags full of the stuff onto the conveyor belt for mass distribution in pursuit of feeding all old guys everywhere.

Haven't been able to go back since. Thanks for ruining a decent thing, old guy.

[PepsiFree]

Swiss Chalet is just slow diner McDonalds. Let’s not have this conversation again.

[Johnny Makarov]

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

For families, it's one of the most affordable places to eat out. Particularly if you have coupons.

Their family pack for $30 is super affordable. It's too bad i have to goto Signal Hill to get it so i've only been there twice in the past year.

[Reggie Dunlop]

Wienerwald >>>>>> Swiss Chalet

[Slava]

Originally Posted by Reggie Dunlop

Wienerwald >>>>>> Swiss Chalet

Seriously? Are you talking about the Humpty's of Schnitzel in Austria, because that is not better than Swiss Chalet!

[woob]

We have family that always want to go to Olive Garden when they come to town and it's just whyyyyy. We always try to get them to Chiantis or something, but no always Olive Garden. And they think it's so special and fancy.

[Bigtime]

Originally Posted by Otto-matic

10th Round Bar in Kensington is closing soon. They just opened up for maybe less then a year?

Seems like that spot is a cursed (due to probably a garbage landlord) location now in Kensington.

It was at its best when it was Midtown, damn shame it shut down.

[Sr. Mints]

I’ve been to Olive Garden twice. The first time--maybe 25 years ago--we waited over 30 minutes in a packed lobby, only to be walked through a nearly empty dining room to our table. I figured we’d just beaten the rush.

The second time, about 10 or 15 years ago, it was the same ####ing thing. That’s when I realized it’s their utterly shameless strategy to manufacture the illusion of high demand and exclusivity. I was grumpy we stuck around.

Their food isn’t any worse than the usual corporate fare. I’ve only ever had the soup, salad, and breadsticks...and I won’t be going back to try anything else.

Originally Posted by woob

We have family that always want to go to Olive Garden when they come to town and it's just whyyyyy. We always try to get them to Chiantis or something, but no always Olive Garden. And they think it's so special and fancy.

Same. And once it was because I downright refused to go to Red Lobster in the same parking lot.

[DownInFlames]

I haven't been to Olive Garden in decades so maybe it already sucks but it can't be as bad as East Side Mario's. Most chains are mediocre but that place just puts out dog####.

[troutman]

Calgary neighbourhood pub to close just nine months after opening

https://dailyhive.com/calgary/10th-r...losing-calgary

When Kensington spot Scuba Jay’s closed last year, it was quickly replaced by a new bar, The 10th Round, at 302 10th St. NW.

However, in an Instagram post, The 10th Round has confirmed that it will sadly be closing its doors in two weeks’ time, just nine months after opening.

[troutman]

Originally Posted by woob

We have family that always want to go to Olive Garden when they come to town and it's just whyyyyy. We always try to get them to Chiantis or something, but no always Olive Garden. And they think it's so special and fancy.

Chiantis is barely better than Olive Garden.

Calgary’s best Italian joints are on Edmonton Trail?

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by woob

We have family that always want to go to Olive Garden when they come to town and it's just whyyyyy. We always try to get them to Chiantis or something, but no always Olive Garden. And they think it's so special and fancy.

They are horrible for forcing you to go and you are horrible for taking them

[Locke]

Originally Posted by woob

We have family that always want to go to Olive Garden when they come to town and it's just whyyyyy. We always try to get them to Chiantis or something, but no always Olive Garden. And they think it's so special and fancy.

I'm in the same boat. I dont understand it either, but yeah, its cheap.

My wife's one sister just order entrees for her entire family to go and then gorge themselves on soup, salad and breadsticks.

I just skip it sometimes.

[PepsiFree]

Montanas is really bad

Montana isn’t much better.

[calgarygeologist]

Originally Posted by cam_wmh

I heard a rumour Ski Cellar is under administration. Their website is rather ambiguous in them being closed, and I saw a liquidation sale in calgary this weekend for ski gear.

Originally Posted by zuluking

I've heard that the NW corner of 14th St W and 17th Ave SW is being redeveloped, so the tenants are all being booted.

It looks the new location for Limber Disc Golf in Parkdale will also host Ski Cellar when they reopen in the fall. It's also likely why they had a liquidation sale as the space is smaller now.

It looks like Ski Cellar might be done for good. It seems like their inventory was seized and is up for auction now: https://bid.gdauctions.com/auctions/9336/gd-auc10138

[Locke]

Originally Posted by troutman

Calgary neighbourhood pub to close just nine months after opening

https://dailyhive.com/calgary/10th-r...losing-calgary

Opening a pub in Calgary right now is just a losing proposition. Rent is so high and the cost of everything is outrageous the margins become razor-thin.

[edslunch]

Originally Posted by Locke

I'm in the same boat. I dont understand it either, but yeah, its cheap.

My wife's one sister just order entrees for her entire family to go and then gorge themselves on soup, salad and breadsticks.

I just skip it sometimes.

So you can enjoy it with no one finding out?

Spoiler!

[Locke]

Originally Posted by edslunch

So you can enjoy it with no one finding out?

Spoiler!

Lol! Fair enough, but no. Although, while the pasta isnt good, I wouldnt pay a premium to have it delivered.

There is something about the overall atmosphere of Olive Garden is like what a traditional Italian Philosopher would describe as the gates of Purgatory.

Everything about it is depressing. Just walking through that front door you can feel your shoulders sag in shame.

[topfiverecords]

Originally Posted by PepsiFree

Swiss Chalet is just slow diner McDonalds. Let’s not have this conversation again.

Honest question, (use one of your three annual honest answers) but when is the last time you've eaten at one?