Cross-posted from Calgary is Awesome.

The Blackfoot Truck Stop is one of those Calgary “landmarks”. Like Peter’s Drive-In, it’s one of those one-of-a-kind places (in the city, at least) that you must visit just once just to say you’ve been there…

The 24-hour diner definitely plays up its “truck stop” identity – the walls are covered with kitschy, retro memorabilia, there is a jukebox in the corner and even the fabric on the chairs are covered with highway motifs. If you’re lucky, your booth might even have a phone booth in it! The menu is long, featuring everything from greasy breakfasts to hearty soups and sandwiches to sky-high pies. The crowd is diverse as well, from little old ladies who have probably been meeting once a week for coffee for years, to younger folks rolling in at 1 PM, trying to cure a hangover.

B. and I stopped in on a weekend for brunch. After hemming and hawing through all the choices, I finally decided on a special on the board that caught my eye – mini farm sausage with two eggs any style (poached for me), hash browns and toast.

I was a little disappointed that my poached eggs appeared to be of the poaching cup variety, and were poached a little too hard to boot. The farm sausage was flavourful, though a little tough. The hash browns were greasy and a little bland. I think the buttery toast was the best part.

B. ordered pancakes with two eggs any style (over easy), three sausages (versus bacon or ham), hash browns and toast.

His pancakes were nice and fluffy, soaking up the syrup that we poured on top. I preferred his sausages over mine – they were traditional breakfast sausages that were full of flavour, and brought back many memories of my childhood!

Of course, the best part of Blackfoot Diner is the friendly, small-town ambiance and the waitresses who call you “darling” without a shred of irony. While I don’t think I’ll be back for brunch, I think I have to try their pie before I pass final judgement, or at least slip in for some wee morning hour eats.

Blackfoot Diner
1840 9 Ave SE
Calgary AB T2G 0T8
(403) 265-5964
Open 24/7. Ample parking available.