Buchanan's Chop House — Restaurant in Calgary

Had high expectations for the steak here as I have had the weekday happy hour $15 bacon cheeseburger and fries special several times and it was delicious. Friends invited us to dinner Saturday evening and it was very busy but there seemed to be lots of servers. Friends shared a lobster mac and cheese and absolutely raved about it (I don't like fish or seafood so I didn't try it). I ordered the demonico ribeye for $69 and a starter caesar salad came with it. It was simply lettuce with their "famous" dressing which was terrible in my opinion. No croutons, parm, nothing. We had to wait a long time for the mains but we killed the time chatting as we hadn't seen each other in some time. One friend ordered the steak sandwich while the other other ordered the New York. My partner didn't order food as he was unwell and having discomfort. We all requested medium doneness but they were well done and chewy/tough. Something I found odd was that mine was small, round and thick leaving me to think I might have received filet mignon. Nope, definitely not. I mentioned to the server that it seemed well done and she just brushed it off saying that because it was thick it would take longer to cook so it would be well done on the outside? The steak was very disappointing since it was overdone and tough. The friend with the New York was disappointed too but he didn't want to send it back because he said he was too hungry to wait another hour! The aioli was tasty. And the double baked potato waa delicious but very small, more like a fingerling type potato. The portion of vegetables was a good size but i didn't eat those. Although the other friend's steak sandwich was overdone she liked it but hers came with bread, mushrooms and cheese so that helped jazz it up for sure. She also had a coffee which she liked. I told the server my steak wasn't very good at all (after I ate it all HA!) I hadn't wanted to send mine back either since I was so hungry. She just sort of brushed it off but did offer a dessert to compensate and I chose the sticky toffee pudding which was very good. My friends also ordered and enjoyed it. I don't know if the server charged for it or not since I didn't pay the bill. I'd go back for the burger any day but never the steak. I don't know if the server was so busy our food sat too long in the kitchen or what but I wouldn't want to take the chance on...

"High price-point, low quality: Seek other venues"

We came for the "Big Taste" event, and will quickly go through the experience:

Arrival: We had a reservation. We were 10 minutes early, and ended up waiting for 20 to be seated. They made no effort to communicate, find a temporary place to sit, or even take our coats.

Drinks: The guys ordered Whisky, and we all enjoyed it. The girls seemed to like the wines. The service took quite a while, but we had good company.

Food: We all ordered from the "Big Taste" menu, which has an appetizer, main and dessert.

Appetizer: I had a duck pancake, and it was awesome. Everything from the stuffing to the sauce was very good. The salad dressing was also great.

Main Course: I had the steak, which came with mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, and a few veggies. Four of us ordered medium rare steaks, and got a rare, a medium-rare, a medium, and a medium-well. The steak was humdrum, certainly not anything special. The gravy that it came with was kind of gross. My wife had the salmon, which was baked in a pastry. It was ok, but she couldn't finish it. Most of the dishes were luke-warm when they were served.

Dessert: I had an excellent peach and berry baked cobbler, with a vanilla cinnamon ice cream. Definitely a good choice.

Overall Experience: Although the food was good, the quality was on par with a Denny's (no offence Denny's). The service was s-l-o-w, and everything from forgetting to reset cutlery between courses to running out of spoons for dessert to taking forever to get the bill lessened the experience. Since there were 8 of us, they added an 18% auto-gratuity. I know that most restaurants do this, but it really stings when the experience was so poor. For the $112 per a couple for the meal and drink, I will not be going back. Especially with so many amazing restaurants nearby at the same...

Nestled in the heart of Calgary, Buchanan's Chop House invites patrons to indulge in a culinary journey that seamlessly blends family-style hospitality with the sophistication of luxury dining. From the moment you step through the door, you're greeted with warmth reminiscent of coming home after a long journey.

The ambiance exudes elegance in the dining room adorned with rich wood accents. There's an undeniable sense of comfort and welcome.

The menu is a testament to classic steakhouse fare, boasting a selection of premium cuts expertly prepared to perfection. Each dish is a testament to the chef's dedication to the craft. The steaks are the undeniable stars of the show with sweet treats to fill in the gaps left after your delicious meal. The meat and fish are tender and succulent, with a perfect char that locks in juices and flavor.

But it's not just the food that sets Buchanan's Chop House apart; it's the impeccable service that elevates the dining experience to new heights. The staff exudes professionalism and genuine warmth, ensuring that every need is anticipated and met with a smile. From the attentive server and owner who guide you through the menu with expert recommendations for the perfect whiskey/scotch/wine to complement your meal, every aspect of the dining experience is meticulously curated.

Whether you're celebrating a special occasion or simply craving a taste of luxury, Buchanan's Chop House delivers an unforgettable experience that combines the familiarity of home with the indulgence of...