It’s a Calgary tortilla party! YYC Taco Fiesta 2017

The annual YYC Taco Fiesta bursts upon Calgary’s restaurant scene like the tastiest piñata ever invented. From April 28 to May 7, restaurants across the city will serve bargain-priced individual tacos as well as platters, with a portion of profits being donated to local charities. Here are a few of the participating taco competitors. Image credit: iStock.com/rez-art.

It’s a Calgary tortilla party! YYC Taco Fiesta 2017
Ian Doig By

Blue Star Diner

1
809 1 Ave NE, Calgary, AB T2E 0C2

A contemporary farm-to-table diner located in Bridgeland, Blue Star’s regular menu features tacos wrapped in corn tortillas made by Calgary Mexican market Tres Marias. The eatery’s entry boasts seared halloumi cheese, olive brine vinaigrette, bell pepper emulsion and fried shallot.

This business is featured in the following Smart Lists:

Dairy Lane Cafe

2
319 19 St NW, Calgary, AB T2N 2J2

A fixture in West Hillhurst since the 1950s, Dairy Lane Cafe serves a diner-style menu that’s heavy on local and sustainable fixings and incorporates Latin leanings. Dairy Lane's 2017 entry includes Crumbled chorizo, fried potato, pickled onion, chipotle crema, queso fresco and cilantro.

This business is featured in the following Smart Lists:

Home & Away

3
1207 1 St Sw, Calgary, AB T2R 0V3

A sport-themed restaurant located in the old Moxie’s space on 17th Avenue Southwest, Home & Away is undeniably fun. Decked out with vintage memorabilia and ball-toss arcade games, the food is ballpark friendly (mini fried-chicken barrels) yet sophisticated (Wagyu beef tartare). Its tacos have got game. Three cheers for crumbled chorizo, re-fried beans, fried potato, pickled onion, chipotle crema with queso fresco and cilantro!

This business is featured in the following Smart Lists:

Roosevelt Food & Drinks

4
933 17 Avenue SW, Calgary, AB T2T 5R6

A bar and restaurant conjuring the diverse cuisine themes of rural Alberta comfort food and New York fast food, Roosevelt spins the sociable fun of its Jug & Taco Night into a YYC Taco Fiesta entry. These tortillas are topped with achiote and lime-marinated prawns.

This business is featured in the following Smart Lists:

Tenth Street Landing

5
506 10 Street NW, Calgary, AB T2N 1W3

In Sunnyside, kitty corner to Riley Park, Tenth Street Landing serves pizza, burgers and a tummy-patting selection of pub entrees that includes schnitzel, butter chicken and – si senor! – tacos. Tapping its taco know-how, the bar and restaurant is serving a Southwestern chicken taco with pulled tender chicken, tangy barbecue sauce and crisp coleslaw.

Cannibale

6
813 1 Avenue NE, Calgary, AB T2E 0C2

This stylish Bridgeland eatery serves up Bear and Flower Farms pork belly, fermented blueberry vinaigrette, cucumber salsa and hot sauce yogurt with cilantro as its entry into this year's Fiesta.

This business is featured in the following Smart Lists:

Paper St

7
102-630 8th Avenue SW, Calgary, AB T2P 1G6

With a focus on sharing the best that street food has to offer, Paper St offers up "El Shorty" for Taco Fiesta – braised short rib, avocado salsa verde, pickled purple cabbage with lime crema. Take note so you won't be heartbroken – Paper St. is not open Sundays.

This business is featured in the following Smart Lists:

Native Tongues Taqueria

What's a Taco Fiesta without Native Tongues? If you haven't yet had the pleasure of visiting the downtown taqueria, the Taco Fiesta is a great excuse to check it out. Native Tongues serves up pork shoulder with habanero, orange and tomato with pickled red onions and cilantro.

This business is featured in the following Smart Lists:
More from Ian Doig Ian Doig
Ian Doig’s week may include dim sum lunch with friends, rummaging through indie bookstore shelves as well as scribbling in his notepad at Calgary shops and farmers’ markets. It most often concludes with a relaxing Friday evening pint of locally brewed craft beer.
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