Tips for Dining, Eating and Food Shopping in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba (inc. Calgary)
Start New ThreadFor real. On Macleod Trail. Cowtown Beef Shack. Looks like it's about to open. Thoughts?
By ethereal_girl
on Jun 24, 2009 05:07 PM
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That's a brutal name for this post, and not enough close to indicative of what the place is like. Beef jerky implies dry, chewy preserved meat (which I do like too) which this place is NOT.
Stopped by yesterday, menu is a choice of 4 options basically - beef dip, cheesesteak, another I forget, and beef on a bun. All come with AAA Alberta Beef sliced thin. I tried the beef on a bun and it was delicious - bbq sauce was slightly smokey but had decent flavour, beef was very tender and lots of it. The bun was also a highlight - full baguette but it was tender and had a good texture.
Owner was very nice, said business was good so far and repeat customers. Open 7 days a week, 11am - 7pm which I think is AWESOME. I love Rocky's burgers, but those hours and open only on weekdays is brutal!
In short, go try it out!
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Thanks - I just wanted to hear from someone who knows what it's all about, and clearly you've tried it. Sounds good.
As far as I know the title is accurate - it's only a drive-thru, and the sign says "beef jerky" or "beef steak" as I recall from driving by. It sounds like it's the latter from your description, since jerky doesn't reflect the product very well, so I apologize if I misread. That's why I started the thread - drive-thru beef jerky doesn't make much sense. Beef-on-a-bun on the other hand, especially right before Stampede week - I can see that being something someone would do.
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I think that the place will be around long after Stampede - I can't imagine rent being that high, each sandwich is $8.00 which isn't cheap but pretty much bang on for the level of quality they're serving. The sous-chefs (yes there are 2 of them!) even wear proper restaurant kitchen apparel with the white chef shirts!
As for the title of your post, I was just commenting because reading it turned me off from whatever was inside until I realized the place that you were referring to. I don't think anyone would be interested in a drive-thru beef jerky place!
Plus I just thought that the unattractive post title would turn people off from reading about a place that actually deserves their attention. Any chance you can change the title to refer to Cowtown Beef Shack (that is the name and what it says on the sign)
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I'm not saying they would close after Stampede, I'm saying now is a good time to open.
I am surprised that there is room for two sous-chefs in there! It looks tiny.
I don't think I can change the post title now - I don't see an edit option. If there is one, please let me know. Otherwise, feel free to start your own thread and link to this old one.
I actually mentioned this place in my Facebook status as a "drive-thru beef jerky" place and surprisingly got a whole lot of (mostly positive) feedback from my friends, so maybe it isn't quite as "unattractive" as you think.
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Just a small title nit.
Can you put the city in the title next time?
This is the "Western Canada" board so a city would help.
BTW the title intrigued me so that's why I looked.
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What is the closest cross street?
Just wondering how far a field trip it would be. Thanks
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Yikes that is actually a better question than I realized. It's off Macleod Trail just north of 58th Avenue SW, probably around 50th - 55th Ave or so? Sorry not 100% sure. Anyways it's right beside the Home Food Inn (that weird looking Chinese place that advertises Prime Rib and other things too - anyone know if it's any good?)
Can't really miss the sign on the right side if you're heading north on Macleod Trail.
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Oh it's the former coffee drive-thru place.
Oddly enough, I was at Home Food Inn a couple of weeks ago and someone was renovating - I assumed it was the coffee guys giving it a spring refreshening.
Thanks for the info.
I was there for the Chinese buffet which was ok but nothing to write home about.
Not my choice of restaurant.
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I tried the phiily first and then the beef dip, and I gotta say the beef dip is way better... it's got provolone not that runny cheeze whiz type stuff and the au jus was awsome. It's definetly worth checking out, and the price is ok too, they load up the beef!
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That is too weird... I was just logged on to post the EXACT review. I have been their twice this week trying the philly cheesesteak on Monday and the Beef Dip today.
On the Philly... the large cut peppers and onions and the weak cheese sauce bog down the true star of the sandwhich which is of course the beef. I actually found myself brushing off the grilled peppers to get to the meat.
As for the beef dip, that was an all-round great sandwich... the au jus was tasty and the owner asked if I wanted fresh cut onions and horseradish cream. I obliged. Very, very good. $8 for an excellent sandwich loaded with quality flavourful roast beef. I think I will be back tomorrow to try their BBQ Beef sandwich (w/ homemade BBQ sauce).
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