BURGERS ’N’ BEER
Here are a few good bets for getting out and celebrating with your dad
For most dads, it’s a surefire combo
It’s no coincidence that Father’s Day falls in the middle of peak patio season. Whoever decided that the occasion should occur in June knew the key to easy celebrations: good old burgers ’n’ beer.
Now, this isn’t meant to suggest that there’s a stereotypical dad diet. Obviously, plenty of fathers would choose a variety of other food and drink options and the glory of greasy burgers and frosty pints knows no bounds when it comes to gender or parental status. Still, the prospect of spending an hour or two on a newly opened restaurant patio enjoying a classic combo seems like an idyllic way to celebrate one’s favourite dad, this year perhaps more than ever.
“It goes back to the idea of sporting events and tailgating, for me. It’s a culture that’s been around as long as I can remember,” says Mackenzie Walas, general manager at Citizen
Brewing Company, which boasts an award-winning hamburger. “And from a flavour perspective, the fattiness of the burger definitely makes your pint taste more refreshing.”
Calgary restaurants are opening at varying rates and not all local favourites are open for full Father’s Day service — but your dine-in options are certainly much more robust than they were for Mother’s Day when restaurants were still on lockdown.
These are all good bets for burger-loving families:
CITIZEN BREWING COMPANY
Tucked in a northeast industrial park, Citizen has earned a solid reputation for its above-average burgers and creative beers, as well as its expansive dog-friendly patio. The Citizen Burger ($10) is a juicy, double-patty stack of Alberta-raised Angus chuck, with house pickles and all of your regular burger fixings. Chef Brian Diamond is planning to launch a new menu soon, but the burger promises to remain a cornerstone of the Citizen menu. The brewery also serves a mountain of a burger known as “The
Mack,” featuring a whopping four patties, for those who want to take their burger love to the next level. (227 35th Ave. N.E.; citizenbrewingcompany.com)
MODERN BURGER
A COVID-19 success story, Modern Steak launched its Modern Burger concept in midmarch and it’s been so popular that proprietor Stephen Deere converted the main floor of his Stephen Avenue location into a dine-in version of his upscale burger joint (Modern Ocean has moved to the Kensington Modern Steak location). The burgers themselves are made with beef sourced from Modern’s partner ranch, Benchmark Beef, and are a blend of short rib, brisket, and chuck. The new location has an expanded menu with upgraded burger toppings, milkshakes, and a nice selection of beer, including an exclusive lager from Trolley 5. (100 8th Ave. S.E.; modernburger.ca)
FREE HOUSE
Creative Restaurant Group’s Free House opened in the old Molly Malone’s space in Kensington early this year and quickly established itself as a champion of the local beer scene, with 24 carefully curated local brews on tap. Creative has been cautious in its reopening strategy but has just opened its new rooftop patio, which offers one of the best perches in Kensington. The burger is worth seeking out: a double patty with aged cheddar, bacon and aioli. The restaurant also is offering a Father’s Day burger and beer special. (1153 Kensington Cres. N.W.; freehouseyyc.com)
NTNL
Since NTNL and Clive Burger both fall under the Concorde Group umbrella, Clive Burger lovers can get their fix while enjoying the atmosphere and massive beer list of the beer halls. The burgers aren’t fancy but they are tasty, with two patties, American cheese and signature Clive sauce, all on a brioche bun. (four locations in Calgary; ntnl.ca)
LIL’ EMPIRE
Slated to open this weekend, Annex Ales’ in-house food counter offers one of the best burgers in town in the form of its “smash” burger patties. Topped with fried onions, Empire Burger sauce, and that all-important American cheese, the burgers are best enjoyed with either one of Annex’s beers or an “adult soda” cocktail made with Annex’s house-made pop. Do yourself a favour and pair the burger with a plate of Empire’s infamous “dirty fries.” (4321 1st St. S.E.; lilempireburger.com)
CELEBRATE DAD AT HOME
Even though plenty of restaurants are going full steam ahead these days, many families feel more comfortable eating at home but don’t necessarily want to cook from scratch. Takeout options are, of course, still available, but it’s even nicer for the family to “cook” dinner from a restaurant-provided barbecue kit. Many of the restaurants that introduced these kits in the spring have decided to continue them for the summer. Places like Donna Mac, Flores and Pine and the Vin Room all have special Dad-worthy DIY meals that require very little beyond a quick grill and some light reheating.
NO MEAT? NO PROBLEM
Is the dad in your house a vegetarian? Many (but not all) of the aforementioned burger joints offer a veggie burger option, but herbivore dads also may appreciate a jar of beet barbecue sauce from The Allium, one of Calgary’s best vegetarian restaurants. The sauce is being sold through Be Local, a network of community-focused businesses and is available at belocal.org and is fantastic smeared over veggie burgers or meaty mushrooms
(it also works wonders on actual meat).