Inside the road trip-worthy Alberta restaurant that's been around for over 50 years
If you ask any Albertan what the most quintessentially “Alberta” restaurant is, chances are you’ll hear the Chuckwagon Cafe.
Right in the midst of the Alberta foothills sits the little red barn, which over the years has become a notorious foodie hot spot in the province. First established over 50 years ago, the Chuckwagon Cafe has become known for its mouthwatering eats, cowboyish charm and exceptional service.
While it’s a spot that’s been on our foodie bucket lists for quite some time, one sunny fall morning, we finally made the drive out to the Diamond Valley to check out the iconic spot for ourselves.
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A not-so-hidden gem
The Chuckwagon Cafe has been serving breakfast and lunch to hundreds of hungry Albertans for over five decades now. While the ownership changed around 27 years ago, the spot has stood proudly on the Cowboy Trail (Highway 22), becoming a go-to for locals and tourists alike, even getting featured on the Food Network’s You Gotta Eat Here!, hosted by John Catucci.
According to Susan Green, a server at the Chuckwagon Cafe who has been there for over two decades, the spot has always served as an anchor to the little town.
“We have great neighbours now, but for a long time, it was the Chuckwagon, the Royal Bank and Planet Auto, and we were the trifecta of Turner Valley. But like the adage, if you build it, they will come, and as you can see, they came.”
Hosting upwards of 200 people a day, the Chuckwagon Cafe is not only a popular haunt for locals but also a tourist attraction in its own right. From engagements, birthday celebrations, women in labour, ranch hands paying a visit after a successful cattle run, the Chuckwagon and its staff have witnessed some huge moments throughout its existence.
“We feel like we’re part of everybody’s family,” Green says.
Of course, for somewhere as iconic as the Chuckwagon Cafe, there have also been some extremely memorable guests, including Canadian superstar Shania Twain.
What to expect
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From the minute you arrive at the Chuckwagon Cafe, you’ll be immediately drawn in by the delicious scent of home cooking. If not for the number of tables and the large counter in the centre of the room, you’d be forgiven for thinking you’d entered someone’s dining room.
The space is warm and comforting, with wood panelling adorning the walls and cowboy memorabilia at every turn, leaving you in no doubt about where you are in the world. It’s Alberta through and through, giving the kind of small-town charm that you’d see in the movies.
Service is something that the Chuckwagon is famous for, and you indeed feel like family. The staff were incredibly friendly and attentive, making sure our coffees and waters were topped up and chatting with patrons.
What you should order
Charm aside, what keeps many returning to the Chuckwagon Cafe time and time again is the food. Throughout the restaurant, you’ll see signs reading “If it ain’t Alberta, it ain’t beef,” and at the Chuckwagon Cafe, this is a mantra they take extremely seriously.
“Whenever possible, we serve right from the owner’s ranch to table,” Green explains. But even if it isn’t meat from their own ranch, the Chuckwagon Cafe only ever serves Alberta beef.
Throughout its long history, the Chuckwagon Cafe’s menu has never changed, Green adds, serving up all-day breakfast, burgers, sandwiches and classic diner fare.
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“Steak and eggs is one of the best meals you’ll have at the Chuckwagon,” Green says. “But we make the world’s best cheeseburger and a great bacon and eggs. A lot of that has to do with the vibe of the room and a nice, warm plate of food that tastes a little bit like grandma made it.”
As a spot that’s been on our Alberta bucket lists for years, we were thrilled to finally see whether the Chuckwagon Cafe lives up to the hype. Of course, as newbies, we had to try out Green’s recommendations.
The steak and eggs is a diner classic done right, with your choice of toast, eggs cooked anyway you’d like, potatoes, and a good slab of Alberta beef for good measure. You may have had diner steak and eggs before, but we can assure you, the Chuckwagon does it best. You’ll be hard pressed to find a more delicious and flavourful breakfast.
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The cheeseburger also truly lives up to the hype. The thick patty is seasoned to perfection and loaded with grilled onions, mushrooms, bacon, and cheese for the most savoury and comforting bite.
If you’re headed to the Chuckwagon Cafe, consider this your official warning to leave space for dessert, or you’re going to regret it. The spot is also known for its pie, which comes with a variety of different fillings.
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We tried both the banana cream pie and the coconut cream pie, and both were absolutely incredible. Our personal top pick is the banana (we were told it was a bestseller, and we can see why). It was light and airy, topped with a mountain of sliced banana, which we’d recommend to round off any meal.
While there are certainly a ton of fantastic restaurants to visit in Calgary, you absolutely will not regret hopping in the car and making the drive. The Chuckwagon Cafe is worth it.
The Chuckwagon Cafe is open for breakfast and lunch seven days a week.
The Chuckwagon Cafe
Address: 105 Sunset Blvd. NW, Diamond Valley
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