Pig & Duke Neighbourhood Pub — Restaurant in Calgary

Although my most recent visit to the Pig & Duke was also my first, I was there with a booked reservation and clear intention. The intention... Complete diet debauchery! Let me introduce you to “The Pig”... to quote the menu: “THINK YOU’RE A CHAMP? YOU TAKE IT DOWN IN 40 MINUTES & IT’S ON US: 16oz beef patty, lto, pulled pork, guacamole, smoked bacon, cheddar, Canadian bacon, grubec, onion rings $29”.

Why on earth would I attempt this you might ask? Earlier this day I had just competed in my first fitness competition, the kind where you’re on stage in front of 100s of people in nothing but a pair of posing trunks flexing your muscles, yup that kind of show! Getting to the level of fitness where I was proud to show off my physique was no easy task, in fact it took 4 months of strict flexible dieting and training to get there and I started out in good shape! I had to say “no” to so many decadent and savoury meals on my road to getting stage ready. So now that I was done I was ready to give the ultimate middle finger to dieting; what better way than eating the biggest burger I could find!

I heard about the burger through social media and found some more information on it through the Pig & Duke’s website and “FoodChallenges”. There was also another burger “Canadian Brewhouse’s Rita Burger Challenge” that I strongly considered, it was a harder challenge according to “FoodChallenges” but the pictures didn’t seem to have the same WOW effect that “The Pig” provided. So post-competition I booked a reservation at Pig & Duke and the ordeal was on!

We came in and my fiancée ordered something normal and I went with “The Pig” as planned with a side of fries; I wasn’t going to wuss out with a side salad after I came this far! Prior to bringing it out they bring out this massive timer which is fitting considering the size of the burger lol. Then came the burger... the pictures really did not do this monstrosity justice, it’s HUGE! I hope my pictures do a better job showing this! Right away I thought “you got to be kidding me...” lol. FoodChallenges says this is a 3.5lb burger, it’s definitely more, the small descriptor in the menu also failed to mention a couple points. Yes there’s a 16oz beef patty, lto, pulled pork, guacamole, bacon and onion rings, but some things were different which caught me off guard. First off the lettuce is basically a third of an ice berg lettuce, basically just un-enjoyable filler. Secondly there’s a massive slice of fatty ham on the top half of the bun that isn’t mentioned anywhere and the bacon is peameal bacon, not the smoked or Canadian bacon that was described in the menu; guessing the ham is supposed to be one of these? I didn’t detect the grubec but it may have been lost in the mess, also it’s good to note it comes Big Mac style with a third middle bun. There’s really no right way to try and eat The Pig, just go at it! Since you’re probably gonna fail (only 8 have completed it thus far) I’d eat the parts you’re going to enjoy the most. I had the beef patty, the cheese, the onion rings, the bacon and most of the ham and pulled pork. I disregarded most of the bun and lettuce. I also did manage to finish the fries which were quite good as a side. I’d say I ate about 40-45% (see pictures), basically it kicked my ass haha!

As for the restaurant: it was quiet, there was ample parking (street and private lot), pool, darts, TVs and a pretty good open feel. The decor was nothing special but it went with the low key pub with Celtic flair look that they’re going for. The food menu had a solid selection of Canadian pub favorites along with some Celtic items as well. I was actually quite impressed with the drink men; great selection of beers on draft/bottle and solid daily specials as well. Prices are very fair here. Our server Lydia was awesome as well, very on point and accommodating with my burger antics lol. I’ll definitely come back for a “normal” dining experience haha! Thanks for the welcome back to...

Edit: Dropped from 5-stars to 2. This was our go-to pub for a few years. We’ve been there for playoff hockey nights when the staff were scrambling, we’ve sat out on the patio during quiet nights, we’ve played way too many rounds of Golden Tee. The owner rolls her eyes at us and admonishes us to be nice to new staff because we like to tell terrible dad jokes and tip extra to make up for it.

So it was the obvious choice for my partner’s birthday when he said he just wanted to have a few drinks with our friends. I’m not sure what was going on, the owner (who was serving us) seems flustered and frustrated from the get-go, but it looked like they were understaffed so we initially shrugged it off (anyone can have a bad day!), tried to be an easy table, and expected to wait a bit for everything.

First sign of trouble: Beer we never ordered showed up on our table and after some confusion I offered to just drink it instead of it getting wasted. Next we sat with empty glasses far longer than even the most patient person (my partner!) could excuse. Then one of our friends was leaving early his bill had several beers he hadn’t ordered and she moved them onto my partner’s bill, even though they were not his either, or anyone at our table’s.

After this confusion she started avoiding taking any more drink orders from us by simply rushing past the table avoiding eye-contact, and when we decided to just go where we could get service she argued with my partner about how much he’d had to drink. He’d had three beers over about two hours, he was perfectly capable of counting and certainly hadn’t forgotten two entire extra ones. We’ve certainly had evenings where we lost count and just paid whatever was on the bill assuming it was correct, this was not even close to one of those nights. Perhaps one was the extra she poured for us unordered, but no idea where the second came from. More than anything else the owner angrily, rudely, and patronizingly insisting that he had, in fact, drank “way more” than he had was the last straw. The mistakes were all totally forgivable, but I’ve been nicer to people I was booting out of events as a teenage security guard.

We paid the entire bill anyway, and I honestly don’t think he’ll ever want to go back to what was previously his favourite place. We salvaged the evening by hitting up the liquor store and playing video games in our apartment.

old review: Currently our favourite watering hole. The food is yummy, the booze is plentiful, the staff are friendly (and tolerant!) and you can play pool, darts, and golden tee all at the same time in some complicated super-game in which the only true way to win is not to...

I recently had the pleasure of visiting Pig & Duke, and let me tell you, it was an incredible experience! This hidden gem has quickly become my go-to spot when I'm craving delicious food and looking for some entertaining pool table action.

First and foremost, let's talk about the food at Pig & Duke. Prepare to have your taste buds taken on a culinary adventure! From the moment I walked in, the enticing aroma of their mouthwatering dishes filled the air. Pig & Duke offers a diverse menu that caters to all palates. Whether you're a burger aficionado, a lover of comforting pub fare, or a fan of delectable appetizers, you'll find something to satisfy your cravings. The quality and flavor of the food are outstanding, showcasing the chef's expertise and attention to detail. Each bite was a delightful explosion of flavors, leaving me wanting more.

Now, let's dive into the pool table experience. Pig & Duke boasts an exciting and well-maintained pool table that will keep you entertained for hours. Whether you're a seasoned player or just looking to have some casual fun, the pool table at Pig & Duke is perfect for everyone. The playing area is spacious, allowing for comfortable gameplay and maneuvering around shots. The atmosphere is vibrant and lively, creating an ideal setting for friendly matches and creating unforgettable memories with friends.

What truly sets Pig & Duke apart is the exceptional service provided by their staff. From the moment I stepped through the door, I was greeted with genuine warmth and hospitality. The staff members are incredibly friendly, attentive, and knowledgeable about both the menu and the pool table. They went above and beyond to ensure that my dining and playing experience was top-notch. Their passion for creating a welcoming atmosphere was evident, making me feel like a valued guest throughout my visit.

The ambiance at Pig & Duke is another highlight. The combination of the tantalizing aroma of their food, the laughter and cheers of people enjoying themselves, and the inviting décor creates an inviting and lively atmosphere. It's the kind of place where you can unwind, have a great meal, and engage in some friendly competition on the pool table.

In conclusion, Pig & Duke is a true gem that offers exceptional food and a fantastic pool table experience. The culinary delights, combined with the exciting gameplay, make it a must-visit spot for food and pool enthusiasts alike. The staff's warmth and attentiveness, as well as the vibrant atmosphere, further elevate the overall experience. I can't recommend Pig & Duke enough—it's a place where delicious food and unforgettable moments...