Review Hayden Block - Calgary

Amazing food. Seriously. Ribs that are perfectly cooked, meat just falling off the rib, flavourful and smoky. Brisket, bursting with flavour, marinated perfectly and cooked to perfection. Pulled pork was alright, felt slightly lacking in flavour unfortunately, but still good! Only thing i didn’t really like was the Turkey. Slightly dry and meh. Everything else, 10/10. Service 10/10. Sours, 10/10. Would I recommend? Heck yes. Bring everyone you know to this amazing location.

Some of the best smoked meat I've ever had, and I adore the family style serving! My husband and I came and ordered 1/2 pound brisket, 1/2 pound pulled pork, a hot link, baked beans and the smoked corn, and we had lots to take home for smoked meat breakfast. Everything was incredible! The corn was SO good, no idea what was in it but it was addictive. The beans were perfectly smokey and sweet. The meats were the stars of course though, the crust on the brisket was so flavorful, and the pulled pork was so good it didn't even need sauce. Obviously the sauce was an incredible addition, but its not often I eat pulled pork bare. The hot link was one of the most delicious sausages I've ever eaten, and cannot recommend it highly enough to anyone. We didn't drink, but the cocktails all sounded so good, and I really liked how they had so many sifferent price options for their whiskeys. The service was amazing, food incredible, and gorgeous decor. We look forward to being back again and again.

Stopped by for a quick bite and a drink. We ordered brisket, beet salad, beans and broccoli salad on the food side. We found the brisket a little dry and the beet salad over cooked. The beans and broccoli salad were great. Loved the ambiance and the service. We also really enjoyed our beverages - great selections of beer and of course whiskey. We'd go back as I've heard from others their food experience was great. Given the positives it's definitely worth another try.

My go to place for late night eats/drinks or just when I'm craving meat big time! I love the atmosphere here, they set a good mood with low lighting and the music isn't too loud. They have a great selection of meats and side dishes and happy hour after 10pm is great.

We finally 🙌🏼 got a chance to check out this place over the weekend! The meat was delicious, especially the Chipotle Maple Smoked Pork Belly 🤤👌🔥! The cocktails were exquisite! The staffs were super friendly.

Excellent selection of whiskeys, highly recommend going there between 4 - 6 for their half price whiskeys to try some of the more pricier ones! Great bbq and selection of home made sauces as well. Our fave was the smoked hot wings!

Dry, lean, and tough burnt ends: recommendation to avoid ordering them. I was looking forward to trying their barbecue during my visit to Calgary. I called in advance before placing my order about whether their burnt ends are fatty/marbled and still available. I was advised to order online, so I placed an online order through their site for pickup. The burnt ends were eaten about 20 minutes after picking up the order. There were about 7-8 pieces in my order. Only one piece was well marbled and juicy while the others were dry, lean, and tough. My understanding is that burnt ends are always made from the fatty side of the brisket. This was definitely not the case and seemed like they just used random scrap pieces of the brisket and lathered it in sauce. I contacted them over email to see if this was normal and got no response. I'm not mad, I'm just mildly disappointed.

Went to Hayden Block last week. I had the brisket, corn bread and brisket chili. A smoked old fashioned paired nicely with it. The service was fantastic, the ambiance is perfect for a BBQ place. The corn bread and honey butter were to die for, as was the brisket chili. Having eaten a LOT of brisket over the years, I have to say the brisket itself was definitely overcooked. It came out quite dry and would shred up like pulled pork as I cut it. Make no mistake it was still yummy, but did not have that classic, pull apart at the connective tissue, my.in your mouth thing going on. Overall they still deserve a solid 4/5 review. Brisket is finicky, it may have been a bad day. I will definitely repeat.

Went for brunch today, everyone had a great experience. The bacon-wrapped corn was something special, very well done, great flavour. The Brisket Sandwich with the Broccoli salad was perfect. Note it comes with jalapeno peppers on the sandwich.  <br/><br/>I had the breakfast special, Eggs with smoked meat, fantastic, a combo of sausage and brisket with the eggs. Great selection of beer and average selection of wine, but a good selection.

I feel like I get cooler every time I go here. From the awesome whiskey menu to the BBQ, I always leave in self induced physical pain. It’s cool to see Calgarians put their take on southern BBQ, while there are some variations to the places I ate at living in Texas thats something that should be encouraged! Try the sausage, try the cornbread, all punching above their weight class!

I like Hayden block a lot, but some things could use some tweaking. The sides are usually a good and tasty deal, except... The baked beans come in a tiny container and are not worth the five bucks they charge. They need to at least double the serving size. The potato salad is an ok size, but is so bland. Recommendations to improve it would be add more paprika,  green onions, radish, cucumber, hard boiled eggs, celery seed, cider vinegar, more mayo, parsley, pepper, mustard, etc. Please!

Went here on a Saturday evening, so it was busy as expected, but the service and food was incredible, especially given how busy they were.<br/><br/>The wait staff checked in a few times throughout the entire meal, which was a good frequency to refill water and we didn’t have to wait long for our plates to be cleared or to order dessert.<br/><br/>We ordered brisket, pulled pork, broccoli salad, and had a lemon sheet cake and chess pie for dessert. The brisket and pulled pork was so flavourful and tender, and the broccoli salad was crisp, the dressing was light and zesty, overall incredible. The sauces really bring the meats to another level, it’s great to enjoy the smoked meat flavour on its own, but they have a coffee sauce that I really enjoyed as well. The desserts were phenomenal and a great way to end the meal. Serving sizes are decent, not overwhelming, we were quite comfortably full after dessert.<br/><br/>I’ll definitely be back, the experience and food here are incredible.

We go here regularly for the brisket, cole-slaw and green beans. I had the half chicken this week instead. So good, the chicken was tender and smoky, and the brisket had just the right amount of fat. Greg, the front of house manager is super nice. Usually a small line-up, but you can grab a drink at the bar while waiting. Occasionally we have the pork ribs, and man, those are sublime.

My boyfriend and I came here for Valentine's Day, it was amazing. We shared the brisket, the green beans and the Frito Pie, which was my favourite part of the meal. We also each had cornbread with the honey butter, you won't regret it. We also had some cocktails, which are $4 off if you go for happy hour and they were strong and delicious. I highly recommend checking this place out, I can't wait to go back.

Went there Thanksgiving monday arnd 730pm for a friends bday dinner. The place wasn't too busy. The seating was nice rustic picnic style benches. The service was ok not great but they did their job. We tried the mac and cheese, which was really good, The hushpuppies also yummy and the beans, which were sweeter than expected but good. As for the mains my husband got the brisket and I got the brisket sandwich. My sandwich was just dripping with oil and the meat tasted really dry even with sauce on top. I couldn't finish it and gave it to my husband because it was so greasy and not good at all. Which is disappointing because I was very excited to try it. This yet again seems to be a place that is either overhyped or maybe just not consistent. The drinks were good though but pricey so not a place to come and get drunk at although they are trying to create that atmosphere. Wouldn't come back.

It’s located in Kensington just off the Main Street. <br/><br/>We visited for early dinner time. <br/><br/>We had some drinks and their pulled pork burger, wings, side broccoli and baked beans. <br/><br/>Our favorite was baked beans. It had some meat in it and the flavor was just so perfect. If you want to add some side menu to your favorite smoked meat menu, definitely recommend this baked beans. <br/><br/>Pulled pork was good, I ate with their original sauces prepared on the table. Sauces are alright, nothing special. <br/><br/>Wings were ok, I think other beef/pork menu would be nicer in this restaurant. <br/><br/>They have a front patio and the back patio. The one in the back is kind of hidden space and it’s really cute. <br/><br/>I love here as a pub, the food is not my absolute favorite but it’s good!

Such a fantastic place to go for a date, night out, or food...it pretty much has it all! I absolutely loved the style here! It is not your typical lounge as it has a clean/modern Mediterranean farm house feel. How’s that for ambiance 😅 The food though is absolutely delicious!! One of my favourite appetizers are the dry ribs. They are so flavourful and tender. Very high quality ingredients and presentation on pretty much anything here, including the drinks. Great wine selection and I was very pleased with the Zinfandel 😉 <br/>This is my new favourite night spot in Kensington!

Before we even tried it I was convinced I was going to love Hayden Block (whisky and brisket being two of my favourite things), and it didn't disappoint! We had a lovely time sitting on the patio for Happy Hour (1/2 price whisky and cheaper cocktails). The service was great, very quick and friendly. Our food was delicious - the highlights for us were the smokestack corn (like a hybrid of corn and mac & cheese - so good), the whisky sour cocktail, and the "espresso" BBQ sauce. We want to go back another day and taste more of their amazing whisky menu.

The food and drinks here were fantastic! I tried the dry smoked ribs, deep fried pork belly, and macaroni salad. Everything was delicious and not greasy like I thought it might be! Their homemade sauces are delicious, I especially love their espresso bbq sauce. I’ll be back for sure, gotta try those wings I’ve heard to much about!

Unreal food, better drinks, and service that rivals any BBQ joint I've been to. The fact that this place only has a 3.8 rating is a travesty and just goes to show that while rating websites may occasionally be helpful; can also miss the mark entirely!

Good food at a reasonable price. Both the pulled chicken sandwich ($12) and potato salad ($4) consisted of very generous portions for the price. The chicken was cooked well and served with slaw on a bun. I do wish there was a sauce on the chicken as the sandwich felt very dry. <br/><br/>We sat at the bar. The service was good and it was fun to watch the bartenders make drinks. <br/><br/>Note: this place gets very busy on Friday nights and they don't accept reservations for groups under 15 so be ready to wait almost an hour for a seat.

Love this place!! Great drinks, amazing barbecue!!! Brisket, hot links, ribs.... great food!!!<br/><br/>Side dishes are also amazing, who doesn’t love bacon wrapped corn.

Best smoke house and whiskey joint north of the 49th. Love it all, would literally eat till I'm sick...then start on the whisky! The vinigars in the sauces break the meat down perfectly, giving the best possible taste...truly professional culinary perfection!<br/>Very busy place, and not at happy meal prices. SO, if that's what you're after....head elsewhere. If you want a great evening, head down to Hayden Block.

The bbq here is the best in the city. No kidding, it's honestly better than Big T's by a long shot, and cheaper. I'm not big on whiskey, but my friends are, and they had a whole page of whiskies to choose from.<br/><br/>I really liked how their menu offers all of their meats by the half pound, and then the sides all separate. This way you can try as much as you like or as little as you like.<br/><br/>The brisket was my favorite, and half a pound was more than I could handle (they do doggy bags). The macaroni salad as a side was huge and refreshing, and the fried pickles were pretty standard but very tasty. The $1 cornbread was perfect, and again, it's nice that you can order as few or as many as you like. I took a lot home as I didn't realize how big the portions were, but between the two sides, the brisket, my drink and tip, my bill was not even $30.<br/><br/>The only negative thing about this place (and the reason I only gave it 4.5) is that my sweet tea was $4. It was good and authentic, but for what is essentially a soft drink, $4 was a bit steep.

Excellent Brisket. Perfectly smoked and juicy as hell. The coleslaw was very good with grainy mustard dressing. Not too sure what the other person was talking about 'vinegar based'. this is some of the best slaw anywhere. Had the deep fried pickles...hot and yummy. All meat is half price after 10pm. Great place great food great whiskey.

Came for the 50% off meats after 9 pm and I just say, was absolutely amazing. While still a little pricey, you get some beer tender, flavorful and juicy meats. I especially liked the brisket that had a crispy and flavorful bark (crisp edge). Pulled pork was also very juicy and delicious. Sausages are okay, but the brisket is where the money is at. Would also recommend the cornbread side; it's really good with the pulled pork. You also have many selections of BBQ sauce. I personally like either the house or the Jack Daniel's based sauces, though both are briney. <br/><br/>Service was okay; servers seem stretched thin and busy, but they are efficient and fast. Also very knowledgeable about the drinks and food they serve. <br/><br/>Drinks were also good. I would recommend the Tennessee mule (whiskey version of Moscow mule). <br/><br/>It does get busy very quickly, so expect to wait. The smaller the party, the easier you'll find seating, especially if you don't mind sharing a table. Expect to share, in fact. Also expect to wait at least 10-20 minutes... All worth it though!

We arrived and it was really busy. It seemed a bit chaotic but we got a seat. We ordered the rib ends, pulled pork sandwich, baked beans, brisket, coleslaw, and cornbread. <br/>Rib ends aren't really my thing but my other half enjoyed them. <br/>Overall, we thought the food wasn't good. They say the meats are smoked for 14+ hours but our brisket and pulled pork didn't taste all that smoked. <br/>All of the sauces and coleslaw were vinegar based, which in general, we get. But this was over-the-top. All we could taste was vinegar in the sauces and coleslaw. They were so acidic that it hurt our stomachs. They were horrible.<br/>The cornbread was also not good and very dry.<br/><br/>The best part of the meal for me was my cocktail. I had the Green Sleeves. It was super nice and refreshing.<br/><br/>We wouldn't return.

Delicious food and a huge selection of whiskey. The food portions are enormous and feature authentic tasting southern barbecue. Their late night half off specials are a treat, however the rules around minimum drink orders changes every time I come.

Soooooo goooood! Can't wait to go back. Try the smokestack corn and beans. There amazing side dishes. I thought the pork ribs were tasty but the portion was 3 small ribs not much meat. That's my only complaint. Everything else tasted amazing.

I’m not entirely sure where my love of barbecue stems from. Probably C-Stu introducing me to the magical Manwhich at Holy Smoke many years ago when we were young university students. Since then I’ve been fortunate to sample some pretty sweet barbecue in Arizona and Austin – but not yet the meccas of the deep south say. Though Calgary, since Holy Smoke came on the scene, has really upped its barbecue game.

Very busy place and for good reason. We had very friendly efficient service and food was delicious. The menu isn't huge (I'd love it if they added a BBQ style poutine) but all the standard BBQ is there. The 3 BBQ sauces are the perfect accompaniment. I will definitely come back.

Went in for a dinner as I have heard great things from friends for awhile. Maybe I just had too high of expectations. The service was very slow. We sat for about 10 minutes before being acknowledged. The food was okay but the meat was dry. The bbq sauce was good. I had the deep fried pickles and they were good but a little under done and the batter was mushy. The mac salad tasted just like pasta and mayo. The potato salad pretty good. Had the smokey old fashioned and enjoyed it. Probably wont be back to eat. Maybe just for a drink.

Love this new gem in Kensington. Food is absolutely delicious (2 thumbs up for the hot link & brisket). Been here a few times and the service + atmosphere has been great! Will definitely return.

This was a walk-by pick. It was a gorgeous Sunday mid-afternoon and we sat out on the patio. I avoid Kensington because of the ridiculous parking, but if you're willing to walk a bit parking is free on Sunday. That's probably the only reason I haven't been here before, but parking difficulties or not, missing out on this place is a mistake for anyone who loves BBQ, whisky and beer. Brisket and beef ribs with bacon-wrapped corn, cornbread and slaw meant we brought home enough for another lunch but not for lack of trying. I don't usually care for vinegar-based Cole slaw but this was excellent as was everything. The big meaty rib was expensive at twice the price of the other BBQ selections but oh so good. Smokey. Tender. Juicy. I particularly liked the cappuccino sauce but the regular wasn't bad either. A warm Sunday afternoon made it a beer day rather than a whiskey day and there were plenty to choose from. Service was attentive. A GREAT experience. We'll be back.

I have to admit, this place wasn't really on my radar - purely based on the fact I cannot eat anything that comes from the Pig (it's an allergy of sorts, trust me, not a choice) and I am not a whiskey drinker by any means... I really didn't want to be "that patron" that had to ask a million questions and make substitutions on my order.   My hubs on the other hand, was VERY keen to visit.... So, when we were invited on Saturday to a Birthday dinner, we were in.  <br/><br/>Immediately this place had me.  Great location, good atmosphere and the second we walked in the door I was greeted by a staff member offering to find is a spot in the very packed house (layout similar to a National/Beer Hall style - mostly long tables w/ shared bench seating).  On the way to our table, I was greeted by two more staff offering the same.  The service experience continued - our server was fantastic, she was friendly, helpful, VERY tolerant of my questions on the menu/ingredients and made some great beverage recommendations when we were having trouble deciding (FYI - Fantastic beer selection for those non-whiskey drinkers).  She also was very organised in keeping our large group straight, even when we had had too many beers and shuffled our seats.   On our way out, several staff we had interacted with through the night thanked us for coming and a few hands were shaken.  <br/><br/>Now the food... of which we ate a LOT.  Our tables got a variety appies including the Watermelon Salad (a must try, I loved it), lots of deep fried pickles (they were good, but nothing different from the standard offering you get at a lot of places), Chips & Queso (fantastic!), hush puppies (popular, I couldn't eat em) and Beet Salad (also delicious).  I ordered the turkey breast with corn bread and the green beans, sans bacon.  The Turkey was unreal, and I kinda wished the next morning I had ordered more to go, with a huge bowl of the spicy vinegar sauce, ditto for the corn bread - I should have ordered more than one.  The green beans were meh... but to be fair, I nixed what was likely the best part - BACON.   My hubby had, shocker, pulled pork, corn bread and bacon wrapped corn.... He could barely breath when he was done but grunted is approval of all, we were all stuffed, the portions are huge!  The other group fav seemed to be the brisket, which many had and raved about.  <br/><br/>The experience was great start to finish, I will gladly find my way back here at the next opportunity.  I even got brave and tried a whiskey cocktail...  next time I will stick to beer, but that's my personal preference, nothing to do with the quality.

I have been really into Smoked Foods lately and have tried a few places,Hayden Block is a neat place I liked the ambience, I went with a buddy for lunch as its close to work, we got there just before noon and the place was already going good, we were seated right away and the server was very prompt and explained the offerings very quickly and efficiently, the food came quickly as well, we both had Brisket sandwiches , we both thought they were good, and would come back,my rating here is mostly due to the fact that while it was good and i would expect no less from a good establishment, i couldn't find anything about it that raised it above any of the other smoke houses around town , but I will be back and try some of their whiskeys.

Been here four times now. Food prices reasonable and portions good. Booze a little pricey. Always lots of staff and good service. Worst thing was one times my beans were a bit tough. Would recommend it to anyone.

Best place for amazing BBQ in Calgary. Fresh ingredients cooked to perfection. Friendly atmosphere. Delicious drinks. Great patio in the back.

Mecca for bourbon lovers! This Texas style BBQ has an really extensive selection of bourbons and ryes and one can spend long evenings savoring them. Food menu while limited (largely ribs, wings and briskets) was good, briskets and wings being excellent while the ribs surprisingly average.<br/><br/>Shared plates & large community tables make the place very conducive for long (and on the evening we went loud) discussions and service is really helpful and enthusiastic. A great experience!

Hayden Block an excellent spot if your looking for good quality and tasty meat! Going on a Wednesday night, the restaurant was clean, busy, loud (typical), and the service was great. Wing night special is comprised of half off wings. The benefit to going to Hayden Block is the quality of the meat, the wings were large, meaty, juicy, and had an excellent smoke flavor. Unfortunately the joint only offers 4 types of wings; salt n pepper, hot, dry rub, and barbecue. I ordered the barbecue and they tasted unbelievable. The ranch dipping on the side isn't your typical ranch dip, it is more liquidy and has a different taste, however, it was amazing! <br/>I reccomend Hayden Block for the service, food, quality, price, and atmosphere !

My partner and I went here for a late night half price meal and a drink. What an incredible experience! For a Wednesday night it was a great atmosphere, decor is so cool, the brisket we had was delicious, the first hush puppies I've ever had and they were so well done and the whisky cocktails were beautifully crafted and delicious.<br/>An incredible night and a great experience!<br/>Thank you!

Great food at a reasonable price, everything is half off late-night. Cocktails are good and they have a ton of awesome whiskey and bourbon. Highly recommend

Stood there for 15 minutes and 5 servers walked by and ignored us. Didn't even get a chance to try the food but the poor service was enough to drive me away. Never coming back again.

Two of us shared half a pound of brisket, a tray of BBQ wings, a piece of cornbread and three sides - pasta salad, broccoli salad and bacon-wrapped corn. That all came out to about $20 per person, which felt like a great value for the enormous portion. For those of you with self control, you should note that most of the food would have packed up really nicely for leftovers the next day. We would have loved to save some for lunch if we’d had the presence of mind to stop pigging out!<br/><br/>Something I don't mind but that some might find to be a downside is the community-style seating - be prepared to share space and bottles of sauce with other diners. <br/><br/>Because of the incredible food, thoughtful service and warm atmosphere, I highly recommend Hayden Block for date nights, big groups, happy hour or a late night drink and snack.

Perfect place for those who love bbq and meat. Vegetarians this place is not for you! First time coming here and we loved it. My husband got a pound of brisket with macaroni salad and a cornbread. The brisket was very flavourful, juicy and tender. I got the pork spareribs with bacon wrapped corn on the cob and cornbread. The spareribs was seasoned and cooked perfectly. The bacon wrapped corn was delish my fav! They had 3 different bottles of bbq sauce on the table for you to add to your different meats. Food was excellent, each choice of meat is a la carte and they charge for each side so it can add up.

It feels like BBQ season is just around the corner and I can’t wait! After being cooped up inside all winter long, I’m extremely excited to break out the grill and whip up some favorite BBQ recipes of mine. Although we’re not quite there yet…almost. For the time being, to satisfy my BBQ cravings I’ve been heading down to Hayden Block to get my fill!Atmosphere: Pub style interior with long benches perfect for larger groups or chatting up your neighbour!Price Range: Mid $10s

Totally stumbled upon this place going to the Kensington pub. So glad we did!! Great atmosphere! The food was awesome, best BBQ we have had in awhile. Whiskey selection is amazing, beer selection wonderful!

Really good brisket, done just right. Also tried the Rib ends, seasoned very well. Service is great and Mondays aren't busy so it seems like the best time to go haha, awesome bbq sauce!!!

As soon as I heard about this place I had to check it out ! Having tried most of the other bbq places in the city I was ready to dive in for one more. <br/><br/>Hayden block definitely met my expectation and stands out as one of the best BBQ in the city ! The brisket was fantastic as well as the tipsy Texan burger which sent my tastebuds into overdrive . Not to mention the house made BBQ sauces( I almost asked for a shot glass to sip the sauces because they were hat delicious ) <br/><br/>The location is super convenient and right near central Calgary , aswell as the decor really gave you a Texas BBQ feel . <br/><br/>Check it out ! But prepare to leave in a wheelchair

Never disappointed here! The smoked wings with the house dry rub are the best wings I've ever had. The old fashioneds are my favourite in Calgary. I've tried the brisket and the tipsy Texan sandwich, both are amazing. But the hands-down best part of this place is the espresso BBQ sauce.

Went to Hayden Block on Friday night and arrived between 10:30pm and 11pm.  The place was quite full seeing how it is half price meats after 10pm and as we were a large party of 7, so we did have to wait for a table.  If you had been a table of 2, I think they would have been able to squeeze you in between other seated groups. The restaurant has picnic style seating which makes it easy to accommodate small or large parties but not exactly quiet or intimate.  Décor is rustic and fitting with the theme.<br/><br/>By the time we ordered, they were sold out of Brisket, pork spare ribs and beef short ribs. So we ordered:<br/><br/>Pulled Pork $5 (reg $10)<br/>-portion size is probably a heaping serving spoonful<br/>-it’s nice smokey taste that you can eat as is or choose one of their sauces on the table​<br/> <br/>Hot Links $3 each (reg $6)<br/><br/>Corn Bread $1 each<br/>-I find these are really undersold as they don’t mention that they are jalapeno cornbreads so they have a nice kick to them.  They are so good that I ordered 6, brought them home and warmed them up in the toaster the next day and they were just as delicious<br/>-pay the extra $0.50 for their honey butter. It’s worth it.<br/> <br/>Mac and Cheese - $14<br/>-it has 3 different cheeses, which is almost unfair because of course it will be delicious<br/>-and bacon<br/>-definitely heavy if this was the one dish you were going to order as your meal but great for sharing.<br/><br/>Service was great - considering how late we arrived and ordered, our server, Brittany, wasn't rushing us. After we finished eating she did politely ask to cash out which was understandable since it was after midnight. The food also came out quickly.<br/><br/>Sorry about the red lighting in the pictures – there was a red neon light on the wall behind me.<br/><br/>Considering that we went during their ½ price meat specials, I really can’t complain.  Plus those darn corn breads are so good!<br/><br/>Update (July 2017):<br/>Came back during regular dining hours - ordered various meats (all delicious), jalapeno cornbread (a must for me - they are so good that I actually order extra to take home now), broccoli salad (greens so we could say it was a balanced meal), bacon wrapped corn and frito pie.  The Frito Pie was corn chips with various toppings (cheese, tomatos, beans, meat - see picture) - I had my reservations but this was really tasty. <br/><br/>Update (May 2018)<br/>Learnt they make excellent caesars and it's on special for $6 on the weekend.<br/>

This is the best, most reasonably priced for what you get, non-delusional place to eat in Calgary. Anyone criticizing the food here have lost their damn minds. We've eaten there three times in one week, it's phenomenal in dine-in form and take away. We ate for four like wild animals (with two pints) and our bill was less than $150. Calgary is full of overrated, overpriced, lousy food. I've eaten all over the world and had BBQ all over the US and this is GOOD BBQ. Treat yourself!

Nothing too special. The food was pretty bland and the sides tasted like they were made a long time ago (old and soggy) specifically the broccoli salad. I was very impressed with the whiskey selection and if I was to rate it based on the whiskey alone I would give it a 5. But I wouldn't choose to eat here again (go to bookers if you want BBQ)

Fantastic BBQ! Stopped in on a busy Friday evening but luckily got seated right away. I love whiskey/bourbon and this place has a lot of it...probably 100 or more choices. All whiskeys are half price before 6 so I enjoyed a smoked maple bourbon that knocked my socks off. I also really like the 3 house made sauces, each flavourful and different from the next.<br/><br/>Our table ordered brisket, fried rib ends, mac n cheese, frito pie, baked beans, smokestack corn, green beans and broccoli salad. Everything we had was excellent! Some of the best brisket I have had and the frito pie (corn chips, meat, cheese sauce and salsa) was a uniquely delicious side. We were pleasantly surprised at the price to portion size ratio except for the small tray of mac n cheese for $14. My only complaint is the corn bread was dry. We had quite a few leftovers that were actually almost as yummy the next day. I definitely cannot wait to get back.<br/><br/>Second visit: 9 of us came early on a Saturday evening for my birthday. Wow! Just as good, if not better than our first visit. Beautifully tender pulled pork, extremely flavourful sausage, juicy turkey, flavourful smoked chicken wings and crisp watermelon/mint salad...all of it fantastic! The corn bread was still dry though. They definitely need to remedy that.<br/><br/>If you like bourbon than make sure you order and old fashioned because this place does it to perfection. <br/><br/>The service has always been on point and accommodating. I love this place and will come back over and over.

Good food and great service! Really yummy appetizers and sides, our meal was cold unfortunately but still yummy!! We had had be Fried Pickles and Hush Puppies to start which were both delicious, then the brisket, beans and cornbread, all very good as well! Definitely worth going!

Visited the restaurant before a concert last night. I used to live in Texas and have been to many BBQ joints in the south and have yet to find one in Calgary that comes close to good BBQ like you get in Texas.  Most of the ones in town are good but not mouth watering good. This place was very close.  The atmosphere was outstanding, great service, lot's of beer on tap, huge selection of whiskeys from the states, Scotland and Ireland.  The manager came up to us a few times and shared his favourites. Nothing but good things to say. Wait, one slightly negative thing, out of 8 people at our table, only one person could finish there food, servings are big. ( I know, not really negative.) I had the side of coleslaw which was very good, others had the potatoes which they said were not great, I didn't try their potatoes, so I can't give my opinion.

I've waited 6 months to try Hayden Block and was not disappointed. As a fan of american style BBQ I have been waiting for Calgary to offer the real thing. Here you can find the closest thing to Texas BBQ north of the border. I've had great BBQ in Texas, Kansas, and Missouri. Hayden Block offers BBQ the way it should be, simple rubs, quality meat cooked slow with smoke. We had brisket, pulled pork, and side ribs, baked beans, smokestack corn, green beans, fried pickles and corn bread. Everything was great, especially the brisket and ribs which I consider the two most challenging meats to smoke correctly. The sides were very tasty and corn bread was moist. Service was friendly and prompt. I look forward to a return visit to try the other menu items and some of their cocktails.

Wow.<br/>Their brisket is incredible, and melts in your mouth. I found it perhaps a bit too fatty, but I'm a bit weird about meat and usually prefer it pretty lean- I still thought it was still delicious and I'd get it again. My boyfriend also really enjoyed the leftovers I brought him! (For $12 you get a lot of meat! Both me and my friend had leftovers- though his boyfriend wasn't as lucky as mine, as my friend said he was having his leftovers for breakfast the next day. :P)<br/>I also tried their green beans, which had a good crunch to them, and their corn bread, which for only a dollar was a great deal! It comes with a jalapeno on top so I was excited, thinking it'd have jalapeno flavour throughout, but it didn't. Still tasty though.  Their house made pickles were good too! It was just a light pickle flavour, and I could still taste the cuccumbery-ness coming through.<br/>I'd definitely recommend this place, the venue was really cozy, the service was great and the food was delicious!

I got the chopped brisket sandwich and OH MY GOD. This was so juicy and flavourful, not to mention the abundance of meat!  Would definitely have again.  I also tried the featured whiskey cocktail, and it was interesting.  Overall, a great experience.  We snagged a table in the back, and later had a few friends meet us there.  The atmosphere was very cool, a wonderful addition to the Kensington neighbourhood.

This place was very average.  I had the brisket with a hot link and a side of potato salad.  My wife ordered a pulled pork sandwich.  The brisket was actually very dry and disappointing.  Salad was average with not much flavor.  Hot link was very good however.  She enjoyed her pork sandwich.  Overall, average at best.  May come back for late night meat but that will be all.

First time visit. Met with an old pal for lunch and to catch up! I enjoyed the bright sunny room, a nice mix of modern and traditional. Service was good. Gabby brought our beers out quickly and kept us in the loop about the arrival of our food. We both went with sandwiches and were pleased with our choices. Very good BBQ. My side of beans was also very good. More please! Indeed, its a great place to visit when you want some BBQ and a beverage. Thanks Gabby and the rest of the Hayden Block team.

The epitome of modern Calgary: classic barbecue but trendy and hip as f.  Good food, good service, will definitely be back.  Would definitely recommend the brisket and cream corn.

Stopped in on a Friday night. Place was packed, got a table by the patio which was a bit cold. Ordered the brisket and green beans. Friends ordered chicken sandwich and mac and cheese. We started with chips and caso and deep fried dill pickles. Food was good but pickles, brisket and mac and cheese were cold. Place was very loud, could hardly hear each other. Found it very strange that the food was cold.

Went to Hayden Block and got the last table yesterday at 545pm. Fairly a large place the atmosphere is younger and trendy. We tried the smoke brisket, pulled pork, side ribs, 1/2 chicken, baked beans, corn, Mac and cheese, and their fritters. Everything came out fairly quickly, Brisket was amazing and the ribs. The chicken was our least favourite but definitely wasn't bad. Their corn was also really food. I also has their whiskey smash and I would have to say it's my favourite drink of all time. 125 dollars for the 5 of us and that's including 4 alcoholic drinks and a pop. I would definitely go back.

The ribs were tender and juicy. I could taste the smoky flavour and I liked the dry rub spices on the top. I didn’t feel like there was a need to put sauce on the top.

Went there with my family and was super disappointed. We split a few meats and sides. Two out of the three meats were way to fatty and had hardly any flavor. Also not a huge fan of their BBQ sauces. Sides were a little under seasoned but mostly fine. We also shared a piece of pie, it was good except for the fake whip cream which left a bad after taste. We were also shocked when we got the bill. Way to expensive for just a few small portions.

I've been to about a dozen smoke houses from Austin to San Antonio, Tx. These guys do as good a job as the best I ever had there. You can order your choice of meats by the half pound. I chose brisket, pulled pork and beef sausage and my choice of the usual sides. Tip: A real BBQ joint will allow you to order your meat moist (a bit of fat) or regular (drier, less fat). My meats were so tender and tasty there was no need for any of their 3 BBQ sauces they have on the table. Their meats are all freshly smoked for the day so there's no need to worry about getting something warmed up only to arrive dry and in desperate need of some moist sauce. In fact, all their meats are half price after 10 pm until sold out. They have a huge whisky list and a great selection of beers and wines. I was too full for desert, but I need to leave room next time for a slice of pecan pie. Décor is similar to a U.S. BBQ experience; large wooden tables and bench seating. Fun, casual atmosphere. Highly recommend!

Nice to see the old yardhouse space refreshed. This spot is promising but needs a few tweaks. <br/><br/>Ordered cocktails and they came promptly. Between two of us we tried the following during the meal: <br/>Raisin rummy - easy to drink, vanilla notes, incredible aroma.<br/><br/>Old Besse - spicy with Ginger, fruity.<br/>Black walnut Manhattan - my fave of the four, sweet aroma, medium bodied sipping cocktail. So much flavor.<br/>Vonnegut - spicy, citrus, delicious.<br/>Cocktails here are great and having been to parlor in the area I'd say this place is going to them a run for their money.<br/><br/>Food was pretty good but the prices here are all over the map. You can add cornbread to any order for $1.00 and it's delicious and muffin sized. For an appy we ordered the hush puppies which were $12.00 and classified under the "Trays" section of the menu. When they came out they were on a tray but in the tiniest basket and we got 8. We asked our waitress before we ate them if we had actually received what we thought we had ordered and asked if it was actually $12.00 and the waitress said yes and then kind of just looked at her notepad and didn't say much else. Quite honestly this is likely the most overpriced item I've ever ordered at a restaurant. I wouldn't even pay $12.00 for what we got if you told me it was made with locally sourced non-gmo organic corn and Broek pork. This price point has to change. It's insane. Would be much fairer at $6.00. <br/><br/>We saw a tray of chicken wings go out and there had to have been at least 10 wings on the tray and that was only $1.00 more than the hush puppies.<br/><br/>We also got the pulled chicken sandwich $10.00, and the 1/2 pound pulled pork $10, and the broccoli salad $4.00. All of that seemed a reasonable price to pay. Service was good but for the reaction to our question about the appy. <br/><br/>We also so the chips and queso head to another table and I'm pretty sure the menu had that listed as $13.00. I would say for what I saw that also seemed very overpriced.<br/><br/>Place has potential but it's getting a 3/5 for the major pricing issues on the menu. I'm hesitant to order anything else from the Trays menu. You'd be fine though if you ordered meat and sides and corn bread.

Been there 3 times since it opened and all I can say is fantastic. Loved everything I have tried so far. Favorite are the ribs!! They have saved me the cost of a flight to Texas by bringing Texas to me.<br/><br/>Staff have all been terrific. I will be back asap. <br/><br/>The half price meat after 10 is a good deal. Where else will you get a reasonable serving of Ribs for $5.00

This new bar is awesome! The BBQ is really good, and the BBQ sauces are to die for. The bar atmosphere is friendly and they have a great looking patio. The drink menu is extensive - happy hour 3-6 makes for a great chance to try some top shelf booze! Pro tip - BBQ items are half price after 10pm.... makes for some super cheap great eats!!

Great meal! Went here last night (Saturday night) was worried it would be really busy and would have to wait but luckily even though it seemed really busy inside we got seated right away. We ordered drinks (old fashioned and green sleeve) both were great. The food came out very quickly and was delicious, we ordered the half pound of brisket, broccoli salad, baked beans, corn bread and chicken wings. Everything was really tasty, the beans and brisket really stood out. The broccoli salad was a little too creamy and the corn bread could have been a bit more moist and warmer but overall we really enjoyed the meal. Too full for dessert. Service was very good, especially since it was so busy. Will definitely be back, will have to try the mac and cheese next time (our server told us it was really good)

Great BBQ place for picking a selection of meat and sharing. Brisket and chicken were both delicious. Ribs were a little drier than I would typically like. Good selection of bourbons and craft beers thirsty patrons. Will definitely come back.

Great new place and the selection of bbq sauces are great. The expresso based one is sooooo good. Prices reasonable for area. Only thing that prevents the place from getting a 5 was the brisket being dry and the sides weren't bursting with flavor. Service was phenomenal!

Mixed feelings. We went today for the first time with the intention of checking it out before taking out of town guests.<br/><br/>The Harry Potter festival was taking place in Kensington and the place was quite full with a group of 6 ahead of us at the door at 11:30am. We stood there waiting for 5 plus minutes and no one came to take our name and party size. I could see all these empty seats at the bar. My husband finally asked the bartender if we could sit there. We were told to sit where we liked as there was no hostess to seat people. I think they really need a sign that says 'Please seat yourself'. I later saw others also waiting to be seated.<br/><br/>We were given the menus by the bartender, but not served water or asked if we wanted anything else to drink. We decided on a half pound of turkey and brisket. I had questions about the sides. We waited a good 10 minutes and were not given any attention when I thought I saw a table open up. I told my husband to stay where he was and that I'd go check. It was when I walked away that the bartender asked my husband about our order. He told him that he knew we were doing the brisket and turkey, but that his wife had questions about the sides and that it looked like I found a table across the room. The bartender said that he would put in the order for our meat and send our waitress over for our sides. We waited another 5 minutes for the waitress to come over and clear the table. She then gave us water and answered my questions about the sides and we settled on the baked beans and corn muffins. My husband also asked for a coffee. <br/><br/>The coffee never came and after 10-15 minutes we got our meat but no sides or plates. The girl said she be right back with the sides and we asked about the coffee. After 5 minutes we signalled our waitress and asked about the sides, plates and the coffee. She told us that orders are processed in the order that the kitchen receives them and that the sides were not put in at the same time. I think that they should have told us to wait to place our entire order at the same time or the waitress should have done something to get our meal served at the same time. My husband then got the coffee, but no sugar or milk. He had to flag our waitress down again. After 10 minutes, our sides came out. <br/><br/>The food: the brisket was good and our favorite BBQ sauce was the Expresso one. There were 3 sauces on the table. The turkey was flavourful, but quite dry. I was surprised as the reviews I had read said it was juicy. The corn muffins were super dry....not the way I like them. I liked the baked beans, but my husband found the beans too hard. He likes them softer and prefers the French Canadian style of flavouring with ham and maple syrup. HB's tasted was in the Texan style of flavouring and this was not unexpected. I did not mind that the beans were a bit harder than normal, but can see how some might not care for it. I honestly do not know if the corn muffins and the beans are always like this or if it was a fluke as they were very busy.<br/><br/>When the waitress came to clear our things and asked how everything was, I said that the turkey was tasty, but dry and I was surprised because all the reviews I read said it was so juicy. I told her that I was only asking as we were going to be hosting out of town guests and I was thinking of taking them to the restaurant, but was concerned about the turkey. She said that all the meat is smoked for 16 hours and that the only thing she could think of was that it was a smaller breast of of turkey. She said that it normally is juicy and that she could send the manager over, but it might take time as it was busy. I told her that it was not my intention. I only was surprised that it was not juicy and was wondering if it was a fluke.<br/><br/>When she came back with our bill, said that she saw the manager when she went to prepare it and passed on my comment and he had her remove the turkey from our bill as it was not supposed to be dry. We thanked her and told her that that was not our intention, but appreciated the gesture.<br/><br/>I will try the restaurant again to give it a second chance. The service was not great, but perhaps they were busier than expected. I gave them a 3/5, but .5 of that is a bonus for how the smoke turkey issue was handled by the restaurant.<br/><br/>I like the idea of the restaurant and hope they can improve as they go through the learning curve.

Went there for brunch this morning - so unbelievably delicious. I loved everything about this place: the honky tonk/twangy music and decor made me feel like I was in the Southern U.S. about to experience some real deal BBQ and the food did not disappoint. The service was stellar, our server Carley was extremely attentive and so was the bartender whose name I didn't catch, but we were well taken care of. Will be back very, very soon. <br/>

An impressive barbecue restaurant, the meats are all slow smoked and very tender and flavorful - the brisket is particularly delicious.   We tried the mac and cheese side and the coleslaw, both of which were spot on in terms of preparation - the mac and cheese was creamy and not overly heavy while the coleslaw was tangy and fresh.  The three homemade sauces are all great, although I would particularly recommend the barbecue sauce.   There is a large selection of whiskey and a good beer menu, and the service was prompt and attentive.  Nice atmosphere as well, with large patios and attractive Edison lights and bench style seating.

The food was amazing! The turkey was so juicy. & I love how you can choose item by item and build your tray. The decor is very nice too. Will definitely be back!!

My original review is down below from June 2016 and had 5 stars. However, was just back on the weekend. The server seemed to lack interest of our existence. the meat dry. The side salads were tasteless and our corn bread crumbled. The guy beside us said they recently let go of the chef that made all the recipes and sauces and now just have line cooks making his old recipes. Too bad, this place used to be awesome. <br/><br/><br/>Went to check this place out as I love BBQ. This place is amazing! The brisket was delicious. The pulled pork was awesome. The deep fried pickles were crunchy and perfectly done. The cocktail selection was also a hit with my group. Fresh ingredients. The smoked old fashion even came with a smoked glass from a whiskey barrel. The service was friendly and very quick. I will be definitely be back:)