OFF THE BEATEN PATH: Exploring Central Alberta’s Hidden Gems

ROUTE 2 NORTH WEST: Slave Lake to Nisku: Backwards - IVANGIES Out Door Studio - Thorhild - Clyde & Meanook - Smith

Story and Photos by Rumble Alberta Influencers Rheannon Green and Tannis Baker, Food Tourism Strategies Inc.

When it comes to a road trip through central Alberta, there’s no better place to begin for a foodie than in Wetaskiwin. An agricultural hotspot, you are surrounded by fields and farms as far as the eye can see. Fresh bounty is readily available year-round, so it really is a food-lovers paradise. With so much to discover, North Central Route 6 is the perfect end of summer drive as the seasons change.

With the sun high in the sky, the first stop to set the stage had to be at The Glens Grill at the Montgomery Glen Golf and Country Club. This foodie hideaway is located on a golf course, and the restaurant is open year-round...golf clubs not required! Chef and Owner Jesse Chambers has created a true farm-to-table experience featuring a variety of local farms and producers. This is the kind of restaurant that doesn't leave things to chance, everything at The Glens Grill is made from scratch including the breads, pickles, and preserves. The patio offers stunning views overlooking the golf course where you can enjoy one of their highly regarded farm-to-table creations. The burger offerings are a wide and creative selection of local 4-H beef, local bison or chicken, pork belly and boar, or dig into a 12 oz New York Striploin. We know you will be delighted with this stop- so bring your appetite and clubs if you have them. 49

In the heat of summer, who doesn’t want to be at the beach? Ma-Me-O Beach is a tiny summer village with a long stretch of soft, sandy beach front on the shores of Pigeon Lake. It’s perfect for dipping your toes in, but before you do, you need to grab an ice cream cone from Pier 6 Ice Cream. Serving up Alberta’s own Foothills Creamery ice cream, you order from the window and take your treat either to the beach or to the park area right next door. Beware of seasonality with this stop -- if you wait too long in the season, you will be out of luck (and out of ice cream!). Don't worry though, just a few minutes down the road in the Village at Pigeon Lake is a plethora of food stops to satisfy any need.

Travelling alongside the lake brings you into the town of Westerose (better known as the Village at Pigeon Lake), home to an eclectic group of foodie stops. Whether you’re a local or a visitor stopping through, you will always be treated like family at any one of the local favourite spots. Daisy McBeans is the go-to stop for your ice cream fix, but you can also get cafe fare as well. The shop is a kid paradise, full of all sorts of candy, toys, and souvenirs. The homemade baked goods are also a big hit, and you can enjoy them either inside or outside on their patio. Looking for a bigger bite? Head across the street to Chef’n Pigeon Lake. If you smell something good in the air, it just might be the big smoker doing its thing! The house-smoked meats are hard to resist, and you can enjoy them on that patio or inside for dining. Down the street, you will find Eco Café with a full service menu of eco-friendly dishes. And if you’re just loading up for your trip, you can swing by the brand new bakery just steps away. As we weave our way through central Alberta, the scenery is impeccable. Fall foliage is just starting to shift the colour spectrum from the vibrant greens of summer to the rust and golden shades of autumn. Cruising down highway 20, be sure to make time to stop in the town of Rimbey. In true small-town-Alberta style, there’s a whole pile of hidden gems just waiting for you to discover. A stop by Hawk Tail Brewery is an absolute must for any craft beer fan, or if you’re in a hurry, the Asian Food Treats truck is parked near the Esso on the edge of town and always has a lineup of patrons. If you’ve got some time though, the Rendezvous Hops & Grill is a fun spot to indulge in some tasty eats. Relatively new to the dining scene (almost three years), they are huge supporters of local businesses, from nearby farms and producers to even the uniforms being purchased locally. Their taps are full of Hawk Tail brews, and over 90% of their menu items are made fresh in house. Visitors come from all over specifically for their poutine, and it’s easy to see why. The cheeseburger poutine could feed 3-4 people no problem, so make sure you have a big appetite when you go! If you visit on a Monday, it’s also all-you-can 50-eat poutine (good luck getting through more than one!).

Mere minutes down the road, the town of Gull Lake is tiny - so tiny that if you blink, you could miss it. In a small, unassuming convenience store, you will find a hidden gem in The Wooden Shoe, a Dutch store and coffee shop. While the current owners, sisters Val Van Aken and Christine Luymes, have been running this spot for 15 years, the original store opened way back in 1905, and the kitchen was added in 1991. Renowned as Central Alberta’s source for all manner of Dutch treats, cheeses and more, you can also pick up other local goods like meats from 6th on the Block in Lacombe. The café side is known for their homestyle pies and Dutch specialties like the frikandellen and croquettan, made using local ingredients from just down the road. And yes, you can most definitely buy wooden shoes there, too.

A little up the lake from there, tucked off the main road past Doef’s Greenhouse lies The Gull Lake Honey Company, a family-run commercial apiary and farm that’s making a name for itself as a hub of community spirit. Their 1800 hives are spread out all over, resulting in a variety of honey flavours and colours dependent on the floral makeup of the pollination. (We highly recommend the sunflower honey, but you can’t go wrong with any choice!) The retail shop has a fresh honey tap and beeswax products, as well as a variety of other local products from small businesses. From there, you can see right into the extraction facility, which also houses local markets throughout the year to help other small businesses in the off-seasons. They also happen to be a full scale bison ranch, with 120 heads of bison (owned by Lorne’s aunt and uncle at Frontier Farm), and other farm animals 51 including goats, chickens, horses, and more!

If you’ve ever even thought about eating in Lacombe (or even if you haven’t), chances are that you have heard of Cilantro + Chive. Born out of a catering company in Ponoka, this restaurant has become a mecca for foodies and beer lovers alike. Owner Rieley Kay and his team have built their restaurants with one goal in mind: to support the local community. From the farms and producers that supply the ingredients, to the Alberta craft beer and spirits dominating their drink menu, to the charitable giving campaigns that they run -- there is no better example of community spirit than at Cilantro + Chive. If you’re headed that way, you’ll need two things: a reservation and a MASSIVE appetite. Due to their stellar menus and electric atmosphere, they are almost always at max capacity. Think grandma’s cooking with a fun twist, and almost everything comes from the local farms in the area. The menu rotates four times a year with the seasons, but some staples like their duck wings (ranked on The Tomato’s Top 100 Things to Eat in Edmonton list, even though they’re over an hour away) can always be found no matter the time of year. Repeat winners of the Alberta Beer Awards’ Restaurant of the Year award, their beer list is one of the largest in all of Alberta. Can’t get all the way to Lacombe? They also have another location in Red Deer, serving up equally delicious eats and drinks.

Thirty minutes down the highway lies the vibrant lakeside town of Sylvan Lake, though it really is a destination for all seasons. The lake itself has a shallow shoreline, making it a great place for lounging in the summer, or ice skating in the winter. There is a lot to see and do for the whole family, including incredible food and drink spots, sure to satisfy your every desire. Before kicking back for some grub, stop by Wood Shed Axe Throwing to bring out your inner lumberjack. If you’ve never been before, the coaches on site will help you with technique to show you how to throw correctly so no one gets injured (safety first!). It’s about as Canadian as you can get (obviously), and don’t worry - if you forgot your flannel, they’ve got some available for purchase at the front. Be sure to book ahead, giving you plenty of target practice (yes, you can even bring in your own images to be placed on the digital screens). There are snacks and refreshments available for purchase, but you’re also able to bring in your own food or order from one of the great local places nearby.

What better way to unwind after throwing some axes than with a fresh local brew? Head over to Snake Lake Brewing, only a few blocks away, for some awardwinning Alberta beers. The taproom is housed in the industrial park, but the interior is super cozy with wooden beams, tables, and even the bar. You’re also right next to the tanks, and watch operations from almost every spot in there. The taps and cooler are full of staples, as well as rotating seasonals so there’s always something new to try. Their Kinabik Pilsner won Gold at the 2021 Canadian Beer Awards, and their Public House Mild Porter won Silver, but no matter which brew you choose, there’s not a wrong choice to be made. Can’t decide? Grab a flight instead! There’s a small but mighty snack list, so you can kick back for an afternoon or evening without having to leave in search of food (unless you want to, of course).

Little more than a hop, a skip, and a jump away from Sylvan Lake brings you into the final destination of Red Deer. One of Alberta’s largest cities, it used to be considered just a stop for fueling up between Calgary and Edmonton (hence the development of Gasoline Alley). These days, Red Deer is a bustling city with fantastic food and drink for every occasion. Whatever you’re craving, the Gasoline Alley Farmers’ Market has you covered. Less than a year old, the year-round indoor market has quickly become a regular destination for locals and tourists alike. With over 50 local businesses under their roof, you can find everything from fresh veggies to meats to spirits to leather goods. The market kitchen is complete with local favourites like Taco Monster, the Wooden Shoe, and Birdy Coffee, not to mention their own brewery! Craft Beer Commonwealth is a collaboration between local brewers, hop growers, and maltsters, showcasing Central Alberta craft beer at its finest. Sit back and relax on the patio, or head upstairs to the lounge for a great view of the market below. 54

The final stop for any road trip has got to include something sweet, so there’s no better end to a drive than with a cannoli from Sweet Capone’s Italian Bakery & Cannoli Shop. Taking an old family recipe and adding fresh new twists, these cannoli will have your heart singing in no time at all. With eighteen seasonal flavours to choose from, get there early to make sure you get your pick! Pair it with an expertly crafted cappuccino or iced coffee, then sit back and relax or grab and go for the road. Warning: do not eat cannoli and drive - you’ll get lost in the deliciousness!

As the sun sets on yet another delicious road trip, there is still so much to discover in Central Alberta. Time to start planning your next road trip!

Food Tourism Strategies Inc. is a Calgary-based consulting and event company that produces Alberta on the Plate, a platform that highlights and celebrates Alberta food and drink, as well as hosts a province-wide dine around festival every August during Alberta Local Food Week. The 2021 Dine Around takes place August 6-15, 2021 and features over 60 restaurants in over 20 cities and towns throughout the province.