I eat out as often as I can. As a sommelier, resident foodie and local food explorer, I make it my mission to eat through Airdrie one bite (and one sip) at a time. Some dishes are good, some are great, and then there are the ones I keep thinking about and craving long after the plate has been cleared. The 10 Things I Would Eat Again isn’t about trends or hype; it’s about the meals that live in my brain rent-free, bites that I long to try again, and flavours that wowed me. The Airdrie food scene is no longer emerging; it’s influencing. What’s happening here is setting trends, and not following them, and it’s putting us on the culinary map.
1. ) Let’s start with 3B’s: Benny Bowl Breakfast and their short-rib Benny. Imagine a slow-cooked sous vide short rib layered with broccolini and mushrooms, crowned with perfectly poached eggs, silky hollandaise, gently placed on a slice of country rye with crispy, herb-kissed potatoes, and finished with an edible garnish of fruit. This brunch is one of comfort, indulgence and one you will not soon forget.
2.) Travelling along Main Street, you will find a BBQ bearing its name. Main Street BBQ’s smoked rib ends are smoked low and slow, coated in a perfect dry rub and finished with honey garlic or Texas buffalo sauce (depending on your preference). These ribs are the perfect marriage of smoky-sweet with every bite. And to further elevate this meal with cornbread and honey butter, truly immerse yourself in the BBQ experience.
3.) A short distance up the road is an Airdrie hallmark, Paros on Main. Of their menu items, their Moussaka is a sleeper hit. Imagine layers of tender eggplant, rich meat and a satiny béchamel sauce in a culinary composition of the perfect bite. For an immersive experience, dine in on Friday or Saturday evening to enjoy belly dancing alongside your authentic Greek feast.
4.) A few blocks north of Main Street, you will find a Filipino treasure at Jema’s All Day Breakfast. If you are looking for a hearty breakfast with a sweet-and-salty twist, order the Tocilog (toh-SEE-log). This is the classic breakfast of sweet, cured pork (tocino), garlic-fried rice and a perfectly cooked egg. Bold, robust and soul warming, this breakfast leaves you full and smiling.
5.) Next door to Jema’s is Flavours of Montreal, and their Montreal Smoked Meat Platter is like entering a room with all of your favourite people there to celebrate you. This platter has Montreal smoked beef full of flavour and juices piled high, served with that crisp kosher dill pickle and fresh-cut fries. Every bite is smoky and comfort food that will bring you back wanting more.
6.) Further north, you will find Yum Yum Chicken. Long before Korean fried chicken was trendy, its origins were rooted here in Airdrie. Their Shallot Chicken is veiled with light teriyaki and topped with green onions. When evaluated on the criteria of crunch, seasoning and interior richness, this shallot chicken scores a perfect 10 across the board.
7.) In the western side of Airdrie, 525 Restaurant & Patio is located inside Woodside Golf Course. The staff of 525 make you feel at home, and the food keeps you coming back. I literally dream about their beef dip. This show-stealer is slow-cooked roast beef with sautéed mushrooms, onions and Swiss cheese, wrapped in a delicious pretzel bun and served with a savoury au jus. It is a hole in one, between two slices of bread.
8.) Queen Latina is one of the guilt-free options to feed my family when we are on the go. Their beef empanada is a handheld, flavourful bite that travels beautifully, or to eat at home. The pastry wrapped around fragrant, seasoned ground beef ensures a quality meal that every parent can confidently approve of.
9.) Vietnamese Western Cuisine is a hole-in-the-wall gem. The Satay Beef Sub is tender, saucy and bursting with bold flavour. One bite and you’ll swear angels are singing while your stomach does a happy dance. The crusty bun has the perfect balance: a crackly, crisp exterior and an airy, light cloud interior that gently welcomes every bite. The beef is a roller-coaster of spicy heat, pickled vegetables and sweetness. It’s this foodie’s favourite Vietnamese sub in Airdrie.
10.) Chef Ro from Pita Basket is putting Airdrie on the map. His innovative approach to shawarma has people driving to our wonderful city for his viral OG Chicken Shawarma. The crispness of his shawarma, adorned with luxurious pomegranate molasses flavours, makes it the greatest, wearing the heavyweight belt of flavour.
No matter where you start on this list, one thing is clear: Airdrie is here to innovate and not to replicate. The food scene here is full of surprises, diversity and repeat-worthy bites. Whether it’s brunch, barbecue, empanadas or Korean chicken, these are the dishes that will make you smile long after the last bite. As your local food explorer, I can confidently say these 10 spots aren’t just good, they are unforgettable. So, grab a fork, a napkin, and a loved one or two, and taste your way through Airdrie. I assure you, you will find yourself returning for more, even before you leave the parking lot.
Jenn Aguilar is airdrielife’s guest tasteairdrie columnist. She is a long-time Airdrie resident, sommelier and self-described foodie. Watch her updates on our social channels as she explores, bite by bite, our city’s food scene.
