Smugglers Inn

Sorry for my long delay away from blogging but I am back and will be updating on a regular basis.

On my last night of my recent trip to Calgary, I was in search for the Calgarian beef experience so I read a few reviews and settled on Smugglers Inn. They are apparently known for their prime rib so I had to give that a go.  I will apologize now for the horrible photos, the lighting is very dim in the restaurant.

Smugglers Inn 

  

Located at:

 6920 Macleod Trail S
Calgary, AB
(403) 253-5355

All entrees include all you can eat salad, soup and bread bar.  There is a huge selection of salads and 3 soups to choose from; Portuguese Bean and Sausage, Beef Santa Fe, and Steak Soup. They also have fresh baked bread. When I say fresh, I mean we had to wait for it to come out. It was the best bread I’ve had at a restaurant.  The salads were good but nothing to really write about other than the variety. 

Onto the Soups…

Portuguese Bean and Sausage Soup (top left): There wasn’t anything Portuguese about this soup other than maybe the beans. It tasted like tomato soup with a lot of sugar, some beans and what they call Portuguese sausage. Not worth the try.

I give this 1 of 5 chopsticks

Beef Santa Fe (left): This was very much like a Minestrone soup with rice instead of pasta, some black beans and corn. 

I give this 2 of 5 chopsticks

Steak Soup (right): This turned out to be the best tasting one. It is almost like watered down gravy, which sounds pretty bad but very good.  Me and a few of the guys ended up with more than one bowl.

I give this 4 of 5 chopsticks

Next, onto the main attraction….

I ordered the prime rib which is what they are known for

There are three choices of cut

Smugglers Cut (12oz) - $28.95

First Mates Cut (16oz) - $31.95

Owners and Friends Cut (22oz) - $35.95

I went with the 16oz which was more than enough since I already had unlimited hot and cold salad bar. It came with mash potatoes, Yorkshire pudding and brocollini and horseradish. The sides were potatoes tasted like they came from a box and the Yorkshire pudding tasted old.  Luckily the prime rib saved the day for that dish. The meat was juicy and tender. 

I give the steak a 4 of 5. 

If the sides were better, I’d give this dish a 5. 

Price: under $25-45

Parking: Plaza but there are many restaurants sharing the same parking lot so it’s a challenge to find parking

Service: approx 15-20 mins for entrée

Menu: Burgers, salads, pastas, steaks, chicken….

Ambiance: dark and cozy place with big throne like chairs.

If you’re ever in the Calgary area, it’s a must try if you are hungry and like prime rib.

Until next time…..

Phu’d and Travel