Takeaway is here to stay. Dinner time has become take-out time for many of us. It’s a quick fun fix for same-old, same-old suppers. It’s a time-saver. And it offers a delicious way to support local business in and around University District in Northwest Calgary.
Did you know U/D’s first restaurant, Sesame, is officially open making now the time to celebrate local foodie finds? Sesame has inspired us to set out on a tasting tour of the great, affordable take-out dining options in and around NW Calgary.
Whether it’s Sesame delivery or a trip to Save-On-Foods, this self-guided foodie tour of U/D and the local area take-out scene is meant to be a handy tool and conversation starter!
The first culinary retailer to open at U/D is Sesame. What a thrill for all of our residents and neighbours to learn that they prepare and serve nourishing food inspired by Chinese, Thai and Vietnamese favourites! Authentic, dynamic dishes — made fresh and in-house — taste just as great when you take them home to enjoy! It’s easy to order online for contactless payment and pickup or delivery! Did you know Sesame offers delivery for free within one km of its University District location at 4122 University Avenue NW?!
Whether it’s Calgary-classic Ginger Beef or Spicy Cumin Lamb noodle, you’ll want to add a pearl-laden bubble tea to your order.
Now open in University District, Sesame offers six signature dishes in addition to its classic mains and yummy sides … all ready within about 15 minutes and delivered free within 1 km. Go here to view the menu! Learn more on their website here!
TIPS: Coming soon to U/D are Monogram, Freshii and BarBurrito! We’re so excited that more take-out options are on the way! These future U/D food-and-drink hot spots are finishing up their spaces and looking forward to rolling out their welcome mats for you!
We may not think first about a trip to the grocery store for take-out. But the options at Save-On-Foods could surprise you. From family-sized lasagne with meat sauce to meatballs in Marinara, quick-ready meals and sides from the Save-On-Foods Kitchen are fresh, healthful and great value!
Download the new Save-On-Foods app from Google Play or the App Store for deals, rewards and easy ordering for contactless home delivery or curbside pickup service.
We are loving their freshly made butter chicken pot pie, chicken alfredo pasta and the range of combo meals and salads galore. Eight-bean, chickberry or miso-ginger ramen salads are just a few delightful options in the deli aisle! See you there!
Let’s look a little further around the neighbourhood for top-rated spots for take-out: Pizza, Chinese and even, Austrian food!
The crust! The cheese! The sauce! Nothing quite say sa great night-in like a big box of pizza or a stack of smaller boxes, each with personal sized individual flavours, since artichokes and anchovies may not be everyone’s fave toppings. However you slice it, old-school classic pizza pie brings fun and comfort in a box. We love NIck’s Steakhouse and Pizza — a NW YYC institution with takeaway and delivery — established in 1979 for its original owner’s mom’s homemade recipes. We also love Gus’s Pizza! Try Gus’s special with pepperoni, bacon, mushrooms, green peppers, olives, and shrimp!
Pair your pizza with beer, radlers, wine or canned cocktails from Market Wines!
TAKEOUT TIPS: Did you know Five Guys Burgers & Fries is coming to U/D?! Learn more about this top-rated quick-serve destination that has developed a loyal following throughout North America for its fresh and made-to-order approach to burgers and fries. Plus, did you know that Save-On-Food’s baked brick oven pizza crusts are perfect for topping and finishing yourself at home? Check them out here!
Chinese every time! If you fancy Chinese food, we have a place for you! Did you know Hi-Ball Restaurant was established in 1966 as one of the earliest restaurants in Calgary serving Chinese cuisine? This family-owned and operated NW YYC business has been serving fans for more than 50 years. We also love the nearby South Silk Road Chinese Restaurant serving Yunnan cuisine for its spicy dishes where mushrooms take the stage along with edible flowers, ferns, algae and even insects are served for the adventuresome!
Mix it up! Thinking out of the usual take-out box? Us too! Let’s go for some Austrian fare. Ordering your gulash and Tiroler Schnitzel has never been easier from the Wiener-Schnitzel House, which is also offering set menus with three courses, easy to order as 1,2,3!
Here are our top-three take-out picks that you may not know about. Some have no websites or instagram accounts to lure you in, just great reviews by local food lovers.
1. Bake Chef Co.
Fresh, custom made Vietnamese subs to go! We recommend the Spicy Beef. You can customize this delicious sub with cilantro, jalapenos, lettuce, cucumbers, sub-sauce or hot sauce. Also popular are the stuffed buns! See what this UCalgary favourite is all about!
2. BIGT’S BBQ IN A BAG
The most popular dish is ribs (any kind) but we love the BBQ in a Bag for takeout (call ahead for curbside pick up or get delivery for a small fee). Two people can dive into ½ kilo of pulled pork with 1 bottle of BBQ sauce, 12 oz coleslaw and potato salad, 2 buns and 2 Grizzly Paw Sodas! Bring out the napkins!
This family-owned and operated restaurant has been dishing Middle Eastern goodies for more than a decade. We love the Mix Platter with Chicken, Lamb & Beef along with Rice, Salad, Garlic Potatoes & Pita Bread. Add a Tabouli salad for a healthy serving of veggies, parsley and bulgar wheat.
SWEET TIP: How about saving calories with a take-out soup or salad main and indulging in take-out treats for dessert, too. Did you know Village Ice Cream is coming to U/D? Tubs of fun is a take-out promise with the host of flavours in store. Plus, there are more sweet treats around the NW than we knew! Check out this link to our Bakeries blog post. Who says take-out needs to be savoury-only?
There is no reason to keep takeout to yourself when Pet Planet offers healthy, new options all the time to make the take-away occasion a delight for your pets too. This is a great way to experiment with flavours in small doses to see what sits well with your dog, cat, fish or other pet mate.
TIP: Pet Planet brings healthy goodness to your animals. Check out their ever-changing stock of new arrivals every week!
Got a tip for take-out? We have been ordering delivery throughout NW Calgary to create a guide that just won’t be complete without tips from U/D residents and other businesses. So please share your insider tips for great takeout in and around U/D.
Share your takeout adventures in and around U/D on social media – follow along at University District on Facebook, @udistrictyyc_ on Instagram and Twitter, too!
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