Auditorium Cafe – Nanton, Alberta

We were driving through Nanton to get to Lethbridge one afternoon when we decided we wanted to stop at the Auditorium Hotel in Nanton and eat breakfast at the Auditorium Cafe which was a neat rustic little cafe!

We decided we would get 2 items, one small item and one larger item to split as we didn’t want to be too stuffed for a car ride! We decided we would have their Toasted Cinnamon Bun which was pretty decent in size!

We also ordered Biscuits and Gravy which are items we don’t usually order – but there were other customers in the restaurant that looked like regulars ordering this! So, we had to try it! It was actually really delicious and better than it looks! They used the sausage white gravy with the biscuits underneath to sock in the gravy!

To our shock, the food was amazing, the service was friendly and the location was historic. It’s definitely got the small town charm that I love!

Auditorium Cafe – Auditorium Hotel

2011 20 Avenue
Nanton, Alberta

Mine Side Diner – Canmore, Alberta

We always go by Canmore and any festive occassion in Camore – the place is packed! This time, we came for a parade and afterwards, the entire town was looking for lunch. We went to the first place we could find that didn’t have a line and that was how we ended up at the Canmore Hotel at Mine Side Diner which was more a burger and fry place than a diner!

We basically just ordered our 2 meals, ate there and left. There’s not too much going on in this place, but the food is made fresh – so it’s quite tasty!

I ordered their version of the Philly Beefsteak with fries and it was really surprisingly quite good! The meat was tender, the bread was nice – so there’s nothing bad about it at all!

I also got their BLT Burger with onion rings and it too was really good! With a perfectly melted cheese on the patty, fresh vegetables and a nice bun that holds up to the burger (and not crumbles) it was a delightful meal!

So, next time you’re in the area and just looking for a decent little place – consider Mine Side Diner! Sure, it’s not fancy or large, but it’s all you need!

Mine Side Diner on Urbanspoon

Mine Side Diner – Canmore Hotel

738 8 Street
Canmore, AB
(403) 678-5181

Loko’s Lounge – Bragg Creek, Alberta

We had an opportunity to try LoKo’s Lounge in Bragg Creek before the 2013 Flood. I waited to do this post hoping that it would survive the flood, but unfortunately it is one of those restaurants that didn’t make it. Hopefully with the support it seems to be receiving it will decide to reopen its doors.

It was a beautiful afternoon, pretty much weeks before the flood that we enjoyed this lounge outside on the patio. The river water levels were high, but didn’t think much of it as we started the food adventure with some Chicken Wings which they give you a pound of wings! We got them in Sweet Spicy Thai and they were amazing! The perfect wings, beautifully seasoned and fried with a crisp, even with sauce smothered on top!

We also had some soup – we ordered a bowl of their Joey’s Only Clam Chowder as this location was attached to Joey’s Only and I love seafood! The soup was so good – hot, creamy, full of clams and potatoes!

I was going to enjoy their Crispy Cajun Halibut Burger which to my shock was amazing! It was seasoned well again, and fried really nicely with a large and delicate piece of halibut! It was simple and it was all it needed!

Then, we ordered their Chicken Parmigiana Dinner which was a large meal as this was suppose to be lunch! The sauce was a little watered down, but still amazing! The piece of chicken was very generous!

Overall, we have an amazing time here! The service was friendly, the atmosphere was amazing and the food was perfect! The place is simple but so awesome.

LoKo's Lounge on Urbanspoon

Loko’s Lounge

404 7 Balsam Ave
Bragg Creek, AB
(403) 949-3336

Pho Chu The – Calgary, Alberta

We were meeting up with some friends of ours where they introduced us to Pho Chu The for really good Vietnamese food at a great rate. The location is on the west side of Macleod Trail and it could be tough to get to if you’re not sure where you’re going.

I ordered the standard Rare Beef Noodle Soup as it was a day I ate dinner before having more dinner. For some reason I thought it was a lighter meal! I did finish the bowl regardless of what I ate – so clearly it was really tasty!

The plate of condiments that came with our noodles were presented really nicely. The beansprouts were fresh and plump (and not brown) while the chilies were cut up for us! It was nice seeing it so pretty!

My husband ordered pretty much the same thing but their spicy version! They looked like they enjoyed it thoroughly and it smelled amazing! Fragrant and flavourful – that’s what you want in a spicy dish… not just pure spice! I did try a spoonful of the soup and it was pretty amazing! You don’t need to add anything else to make it better!

Overall, it was a nice place to visit! The place was really clean, the prices are average, the service is a bit slow, but they’re friendly. There was a parking lot in front of the restaurant, but if I recall, there wasn’t that many spots. We actually walked over so I don’t remember.

Pho Chu The on Urbanspoon

Pho Chu The

4633 Macleod Trail SW
Calgary, AB
(403) 457-3455

Cochrane Cafe – Cochrane, Alberta

We love travelling through Alberta and this time we were looking for a quick breakfast and we stopped in Cochrane – at Cochrane Cafe! This is a Chinese/Western restaurant which was a place we decided to do Western instead of Chinese! The location is pretty much on their main street with parking spots outside.

It was a brisk morning, so I decided I would have standard Hot Tea out of tea bags. They don’t have the tea from a Chinese restaurant or anything – but that as fine! It’s what makes them Western!

I was feeling like having pancakes, so I got an order of their Hot Cakes and it came out on a plate a perfectly stacked stack of pancakes! I was delighted! The pancakes were light and fluffy and they weren’t burnt or anything! They were amazing!

I then figured I’m never full without some sort of meat – so I upgraded my hot cakes to include sausages. These Sausages came on a separate plate on the side which was perfect, so it wouldn’t be swimming in my maple syrup!

My husband ordered their Steak & Eggs which was really neat! They claim it’s a 6oz (precooked) portion of steak and their hashbrowns were actually hashbrowns! The meat was cooked well and although a little tough, it was well seasoned and still delicous.

Our experience here was pretty good! The food was delicious and the prices was average. The place was clean and it’s a neat place to stop in if you’re in Cochrane!

Cochrane Cafe on Urbanspoon

Cochrane Cafe

316 1st St E
Cochrane, AB
(403) 932-2521