Five Ways to Eat and Drink Your Way Through Northwestern Alberta

When it comes to dining, it's the big cities that understandably get most of the attention. But in Alberta, great food and drink can be found in every corner of the province. Here are five spots to check out next time you're in the northwest.

Get spicy at Rojo Marrón

Many people know Hinton as the last stop on the highway before Jasper National Park. Once you get a whiff of Rojo Marrón, a cafeteria-style Mexican cantina, expect to want to stick around even longer. With its mouth-watering, family-inspired dishes, it's just the spot to indulge in street tacos and gooey, cheesy enchiladas. For more adventurous palates, Rojo offers a half-dozen homemade hot sauces. Each is ranked on a pepper scale of one to five — including two extra-spicy varieties that are only available upon request. Go ahead and try them all, if you're up for it. If you love the creamy jalapeño as much as the rest of their customers, buy your own bottle to take home.

Mix business with pleasure at The Office

Next time you're in downtown Grande Prairie, you won't mind staying late at The Office. This elegant restaurant is located in the lobby of the Pomeroy Hotel and Conference Centre. This is a spot for meat lovers with AAA beef tenderloin and prime rib, plus lighter salmon and chicken entrees available, too.

Their wine selection brought home a 2018 award of excellence from Wine Spectator magazine, ensuring a perfect pairing to your meal. Calling all carnivores, every Thursday is two-for-one prime rib night. Head in on a Friday night if you're a cheese or meat fondue fan. Saturdays are reserved for pasta lovers with unlimited build-your-own sauce and toppings. Brunch is served up on Sundays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Take flight at Folding Mountain Brewing

The folks at Folding Mountain Brewing like to ask, "Is it the journey, or the destination?" Thanks to their gorgeous, high-ceilinged restaurant and tasting room on the edge of Jasper National Park, the answer is both! Folding Mountain's tasty craft brews are already available at fine establishments across the province. But in person, you'll probably have a hard time choosing from the dozen or so varieties they keep on tap. Of course, this is exactly why flights were invented. Try out eight flavours at once while taking in the stunning mountain views. Just be sure to grab a growler (or two) of your favourites to bring back home with you.

Service with a smile at The Ridge

This beloved dinner spot in Grande Cache's Pine Plaza specializes in fresh, homemade dishes and its own brand of northern hospitality. Whether you’re looking to build your own burger or complement your appetizer with a from-scratch salsa, The Ridge doesn't disappoint. Keep Wednesdays top of mind if you're a wing lover. It's only $6 for a full pound on Wing Wednesdays. Daily Happy Hours run from 4 to 7 p.m. Happily, its friendly pub atmosphere doesn't exclude minors, either: kiddos are welcome until 9 p.m. each night.

Dessert first at Black Cat Guest Ranch

This hidden gem of a B&B offers a unique take on both sides of the concept. The retro accommodations, situated just east of Jasper National Park have delighted visitors since 1935. It's hard to beat the old-school charm of this cozy wooden lodge with its taxidermy and wood-burning fireplace. Additionally, it sports one of the best lending libraries for miles around.

The food is no different. Black Cat's family-style buffet breakfasts vary each day, but typically include heaping plates of pancakes, sausages, eggs, pastries and fresh fruit. The highlight is definitely the breakfast crumble, a sweet and sticky fruit crumble dolloped with whipped cream. "When we stopped serving dinner, we still wanted to serve dessert," says owner Amber Hayward. "So now we just have it at breakfast." You can't argue with that kind of logic.