Avenue Diner, 105-8th Ave SW - Avenue Diner brings a funky presence that highlights the romanticism of the 1950's style diners but also incorporates the need for modern decor and cuisine. Featuring an all-day breakfast as well as a wide variety of regular main course items (burgers, entrees, etc) they please all who eat there. The room is full of energy and colors. It incorporates historical photos of Stephen Avenue (as well as other major cities) taken from the Glenbow Museum and the stools at the traditional "diner style" counter are made from old tractor seats. Believe it or not the tractor seats are very comfortable! In addition to a great environment the staff are an extremely upbeat and positive bunch who seek to ensure you enjoy every part of your visit. The large menu also brings something that will be attractive to all customers, amazing prices. Though the prices at the Avenue Diner are low, the food quality is very good and the portions are good. My favorite item is the buffalo chicken sandwich with blue cheese mayo! Yummmm. Ph: 263-2673

Blackfoot Diner, 1840 9 Ave. S.E. - Calgary's best "cultural" spot for breakfast since 1956! For those of you who remember a little sitcom called "Alice" the Blackfoot Diner is like stepping on to the set. The ladies serving you even wear pink jumpsuits and every jukebox has Johnny Cash tunes. I cannot tell you how good their homemade pies are or how greasy their giant burgers are but I can tell you that I have yet to add a quantity of syrup that cannot be sucked up by their pancakes....and I love every morsel of them. Look, I love the Avenue Diner (my favorite breakfast spot) but if I am hungover, feeling nasty and not wanting to shower before entering a public place there is no other place I'd rather get my groove back. How can you beat a place with a toy train rolling around the ceiling? Oh, and those pies do look DAMN good...even if Flo isn't the one serving you! Ph: Do they have one?

Bow Bulgogi House, 3515a-17th Ave SW - There are more unknown Asian restaurants that are fantastic than any other style of cuisine in Calgary. The Bow Bulgogi House is no exception. This family restaurant serves Korean BBQ (Bulgogi) meats, Vietnamese style soups, noodles and dried rice vermicelli dishes. Bulgogi is a sweet and spicy marinade comprised primarily of soy sauce, sake, sugar, sesame oil, sesame seeds, garlic, ginger, chili flakes and scallions. Whatever meat you order is served with a variety of condiments and lettuce leaves that you use to wrap around your pieces of Bulgogi style meats. Two words describe the Bow Bulgogi House, value, and quality. The food is inexpensive, fresh, and full of flavor. They are open for dinner and have fantastic lunch specials for $6.95 a person. The portions are large whether you have the Bulgogi BBQ or one of the many soups they offer. This is restaurant that you better arrive early at because the space is limited and there are always many people in the dining room. There is only one criticism of this restaurant, you will smell like Bulgogi if you dine-in (take-out is available) but this is a small sacrifice in my opinion! Ph: 686-6826

Codo, 1411-17th Ave SW - This place is fantastic. They serve wonderful soups, curries, and great appetizers. All of it is cheap, fresh, and very good. The place is always busy and always good. If you just want a great meal at a cheap price you cannot go wrong here. The value is unparalleled in many ways. Yes it is divey, but not nearly as bad as some other places I have been in Calgary. In addition to great food they serve great coffee and cold Tiger beer that always makes me think of Singapore (where food is so hot your tongue hides in your throat). Other than this place always being busy there is nothing to complain about. Try the deep-fried shrimp balls with crab claws, they are heaven. Ph: 228-7798

Escoba (has relocated) - A fabulous Euro style space in Penny Lane that is perfect for lunch, dinner, or a few martinis after work. Darren Hamelin and his staff do a great job with one of the most diverse menus in Calgary. Regardless of your likes or dislikes there is something for everyone. The cuisine is a wonderful fusion of Asian, Italian, French, and California styles with subtle Prairie undertones. Escoba offers a variety of creative dishes that will please any palate. The room isn't big but the space is used well and the wine cellar decor is quite trendy. Food is freshly prepared and the value for the dollar is definitely there (the smoked duck breast for $18 cannot be beat anywhere in the city). If you have room, desserts are always very good and very rich. Escoba is the kind of place you can go to enjoy some appetizers, dinner, or dessert, or all three for a whole night affair. This is my favorite menu in Calgary for the price and is made for sharing with that special someone. The wine list is good enough to get you through the night and prices are fair. I do not think Escoba gets enough press given the value they offer customers. The BBQ Buffalo ribs are my favorite! Ph: 543-8911

King's Truckstop, 104 Meridian Rd. SE - Yet another divey spot that turns out a dish that everyone must try at least once. Yes...this is a truck stop and yes you may have to share a table with strangers but this place makes the best wor won ton soup EVER. All of their pork filled won tons are made on-site by hand (sometimes you can see them making them in the afternoons). In addition, when you order the wor won ton soup an extra $1.25 or so gets you 4 deep fried won tons with their homemade dipping sauce (which you can buy and take home). This place is simply awesome and the value is fantastic. They have a daily Chinese plate special that is good, but why anyone would want to miss out on the soup is beyond me. King's made the decision to go non-smoking a while back which I am sure pissed off all the truckers, but the place is even better now that you aren't chewing on butts from the next table while you eat your soup. This is a great spot, don't miss it. Ph: 272-2332

The Palomino, 109-7th Ave SW - Serving up Calgary’s best smoked meat the Palomino is true southern style BBQ. The $25,000 smoker from Mississippi is just one indicator of how serious they take their art. This is not a place for vegetarians or small appetites. The food is good and the prices are modest. The room is styled after a roadhouse and the Palomino features live music in their basement on weekends. In addition they have a huge sun-catching patio for sipping ice cold brews with all your friends. Other than huge portions and lots of cold beer they offer customers chilled Jagermeister and their own specially selected Single Barrel Jack Daniels. Big Fred (owner) himself selected the barrel which is proudly displayed for all to see. My favorites include the brisket sandwich but if I am with friends it’s the Fat Ass Platter for sure! A colorful bar with lots of character…and characters. If all this isn’t enough be sure to check out Fred’s twenty foot big screen. My only criticism is that there is only one sign that let’s you know to head downstairs for the bathroom...and it gets hidden behind the big screen. Get on it Fred! Ph: 532-1911