Crown & Anchor Pub — Restaurant in Whitecourt

I’m keeping one thing in mind: this is a small-town spot, and kitchen turnover might be high. It was also pretty dead when I visited, and I get that sometimes the kitchen isn’t firing on all cylinders when orders trickle in slowly.

But! I was genuinely excited based on the reviews I’d read, and I’d had their wings once before, which were absolutely awesome. Their menu is packed with great options, so it took me a bit to decide, but I finally went with the Brisket Sandwich:

Brisket Smoked brisket with horseradish aioli, crispy onions, pickle, and coleslaw.

The good: The brisket was tender and flavorful, and the bun was fresh…always a solid start.

The not-so-good: There were no crispy onions, and not even a hint of horseradish on that sandwich. What was there? Coleslaw and a pickle period. My expectations? A tender, smoky brisket with just a touch of horseradish heat not the kind that blows your head off, but at least something noticeable. Add in those promised crispy onions to elevate the texture and flavor? That would’ve nailed it. Also, I imagined the coleslaw served on the side, and maybe a nice garlicky dill spear for good measure.

Another point brisket isn’t exactly a premium cut, so for $21 a plate, I expected a bit more meat.

The silver lining? They make a fantastic Caesar.

Lesson learned (again): expectations can be the quickest path to disappointment. I let my guard down this...

I was coming back from Grandpraire after unloading my SuperB,of sand and the roads got very bad layered with ice and fresh snow,all I want to do was get to WhiteCourt to relax and spend the night,however it's Saturday night and I wanted to party a bit,so the staff at Flying J said this pub was the best the city had,I grabbed a cab and went over and had dinner and drinks and had the best time ever meeting awesome people and staff,next time I need to sing!!!! Thanks everyone for the great evening I'll never forget,and yo Mark my partner shooting pool,well get those to beautiful ladies next time,they were good but it's hard to concentrate when we're shooting against such beautiful ladies and remain focused. This is the best place for goodtimes and food,and great friends!! Steve the dude from Toronto living in Edmonton!!!!!🥃🥂🍻 🍺🍺🍺🍺🎤🎤🎸🎷 To all the beautiful ladies there you rock!!!!!!!BLUES ON WHYTE IS MY GO TO...

The Crown and Anchor Pub delivers that classic British pub atmosphere with a cozy, inviting feel and hearty food to match. Whether you’re stopping in for a pint after work or catching a weekend game, the ambiance strikes a great balance between lively and laid-back.

The beer selection is solid, with a nice mix of local brews and traditional UK imports. Their food menu is surprisingly diverse—think proper fish and chips, bangers and mash, and some North American pub favorites too. The portions are generous and the prices fair.

Service is friendly and unpretentious, though during busy times it can take a while to get a table or your order, so patience is key. That said, the staff seem genuinely welcoming, and the regulars give it a real neighborhood-pub vibe.

If you’re looking for a dependable spot for drinks, comfort food, and conversation, Crown and Anchor is a...