1136 Kensington Rd NW, Calgary, AB T2N 3P3, Canada
Open daily for pickup and delivery. Texas style smoked BBQ joint in Calgary Alberta.
My boyfriend and I came here for his birthday dinner, and we absolutely loved the food—it was incredibly tasty! The cocktails were delicious too. The servers were lovely and very welcoming
The brisket at Hayden Block is pure heaven! Tender, flavorful, and paired with sauces that are absolutely to die for—this is BBQ done right. Honestly, it was so good I almost wished I drank or smoked just to savor even more of the flavors. Not surprised it was busy; the quality speaks for itself. Next time, I’m definitely ordering the free white bread to dip into that sauce. A must-visit spot for BBQ lovers!
Delicious BBQ. The staff is very courteous and willing to help a couple of tourists make up their minds and suggest great foods. The value is incredible for the portions. I haven't had southern BBQ in a long time and this place hit the spot. Seemed very popular by the locals as well!
I spent $82 for two people and ordered takeout for the cabin. Ive eaten at the restaurant before and really enjoyed the food and quantity of food. This however was not worth the $82 spent. The ribs were inedible, no meat and all cartilage and fat. The brisket was all fat. We got 3 slivers of turkey breast. The burnt ends were okay. I definitely regret getting takeout from here. Never have i spent that kind of money and went hungry. Very dissapointing.
If I am to review it in 5 words, it will be, “Love it! Will go again!” Food, ordered the beef short rib, love it with their spiced vinegar sauce, added a side of bacon wrap on corn, it’s amazing! I could not finish the short rib though, best to share with a friend. Also ordered Pecan Pie as dessert, not too sweet, lots of pecan. Drinks, ordered Peter Pandan and Wishful Drinking, $4 off cocktail during its Happy Hour, enjoy every drop of it. Wanted to try their Olf Fashion, will probably next time! Atmosphere, went there on a Friday, had live music after 8:30pm, will definitely go on a Friday again! My suggestion is go on Friday, arrive around 5:30pm, when it is still possible to find a parking spot, order a few drinks before Happy Hour ends, and stay until live music starts.
Yum! In town for a vacation and heard so much about this BBQ we needed to give it a try. It did not disappoint, not one bit. Server Abby was 100% helpful and friendly. They have live music for Saturday night. Bench table seating was better than expected- more private. Portions were large and satisfying. We shared them so we could try a variety. Burnt Ends- moist and crispy with good flavor. Ribs - fell off the bone. Sides we tried - broccoli salad, watermelon salad with mint- it was nice and lightly flavored with mint not over powering. Green beans - fresh with crispy dried onions. Corn bread delicious and moist! Not crumbly and dry like most. So glad we came. They are a keeper on our list. If you like WHISKEY - WOW - this is your place to visit!
If you do takeout, make sure to ask for some sauces! Ordered the brisket sandwich and it was just the meat in the bun without any bbq sauce, so flavour was lacking big time. Macaroni salad and cornbread were alright, nothing special. The service was friendly and they prepared my order really quickly. I imagine dining in would be a better experience as my friends mentioned they have a lot of great sauces to try at the table.
A Mixed Experience Hayden BBQ has its ups and downs. The service was decent, but the food took quite a long time to arrive. I was really looking forward to the brisket, but it was a mixed bag; some pieces were very dry while others were good. The mac and cheese, however, was a highlight—loaded with real cheese and the bacon was a nice touch. The smoked wings, unfortunately, were overcooked and too dry for my taste. BBQ can be pricey, and for a place specializing in smoked meats, this visit fell short of my expectations. Note: Street parking and it can be challenging to get a decent spot. We had to park a few blocks down and walk up to the restaurant.
Sat at the wood and service was slow and not attentive. Id say that needs to be addressed. Other than that this is a great establishment with great food , libations and nosh. Been a few times and really enjoy it here. Cornbread needs to be tweeked. Its good but its missing something.
Spectacular barbecue! Can t wait to visit again. I didn t partake in the whiskey but others enjoyed it.
Food is always good here and Ive never had a poor service experience. As far as atmosphere, its more about the volume of music and needing to tell across a table
I like to sit inside with the transparent roof, near the fire stove, it made me feel cozy. Smoked old fashion was perfect
Amazing as always! Love it!
Happy hour after 10pm is a scam you pay less for less portion than during the day -50% off meat prices is a false ad because you also have to get a drink with it to get a discount which doesn t say in their instagram ad. Waitress didn t tend to us for more than 10min while others were getting served. Not pleasant experience
I have been to Hayden block about 6-7 times now and not a single time was lacking. The burnt ends, pulled pork, brisket, pork belly, wings and brisket breakfast tacos have been fantastic every time I or my friends have ordered any of them. The sauces are great with espresso being my fave, but the meats are often great and don t need the sauces to be edible. I have always had great service and experiences with a good atmosphere. Always looking forward to the next time I go here.
Walked in here and ordered food and waited for it. I then asked for a drink and they racially profiled me. I was going to refund but I decided that isn t worth my energy. These servers are racist and their food is dry. I hope they get help and I hope your workplace becomes more diverse and acceptable to every skin colour. You should train your employees on diversity in the workplace.
The staff and service was OUTSTANDING. We were greeted with cheery dispositions and professionalism. My husband and I went for the upstairs afternoon jam session. The place was full and very busy. They did not miss a beat! We ordered lots of delicious food - beef short rib, pulled pork, 1/2 chicken, green beans and the chips and queso and it was as obviously as incredible as it all sounds. The staff came by to check on us regularly, our water was filled, and they provided food and beverage recommendations when we inquired. The service was amazing and made our whole afternoon! Thank you Hayden Block we cannot wait to come back.
It was interesting to see what they described as Texas style BBQ in Calgary. The brisket was good, the BBQ sauce left much to ne desired, and having neither Bog Red nor Dr Pepper available is not Texas Food : 4/5
Had beef brisket and pulled pork, bang on food. Love love love the beef brisket here.
The meats are a little dry and the sauce too watery and vinegar-y, but it has the feel of this proper grill what with the long benches and tables.
Went in tonight. Didnt know they even had an upstairs!!! They had live music up there. Wish I had caught the servers name as she was fabulous. Now the food was AMAZING!!! And because it was after 10:00 it was 1/2 off. Usually I go to South Block but will definitely be popping in here more often. Thank you for the great experience
Love going to Hayden Block. Using the 3 different unique BBQ sauces is a nice part of the experience. I personally like the espresso BBQ sauce the best!
Had an absolutely amazing experience here with friends! Came in for a quick bite after an escape room, the brisket melted in your mouth. Lisa (our server) recommended cocktails, food and whiskey flights with confidence. I would highly recommend any of the block locations for amazing BBQ.
Burnt ends, chips with queso, oatmeal stout.. my gosh so good
Brisket on a bun is very tasty. The entire restaurant was cold. We moved once and could not find a spot that was close to room temperature. Good quality whiskeys are over priced IMO. Could have more scotch to choose from.
Fantastic, highly recommended.
Please remember to add bbq sauce to the delivery orders.
Love this place, try the beef rib. 2 of us split one and it was more than filling. Had a smoke filled old fashioned it was great. The 2 bartenders were very busy, so occasionally you had to flag one down, but as soon as you did, they were on you for service. I will be back! Food : 5/5
Fantastic, will be coming back. The burnt ends are a must!
Great
Dissapointing ribs
Lots of great BBQ smoked goodness. Great service and large portions.
Great portion sizes, and the flavours are always on point. Salt and pepper smoked wings are a must!
Smoked meat 1/2 price smoked meat even better. Beware the Frito pie maybe devoured by me for the day. Great alcohol menu - smoked old fashioned is excellent.
Amazing all around. Service was great, food was great and quick!
The Best brisket in Calgary.
Best brisket and drink Love chicken wings Food
We come here every year for our anniversary as it was where we went on our first date a few years back. Really good food... however, the beef ribs are to die for.... Kid-friendliness: Its pretty good for kids but it is costly Wheelchair accessibility: This place is not ideal for anyone with a wheelchair
Highly recommended for the amazing food and service, great overall experience!
Love the atmosphere. From the smell of the smoked meats, to the family style seating and decor. Upstairs is the best vibe. Specials such as late night meat deal must be taken advantage of
Fantastic atmosphere and one of the most extensive selections of Bourbon in Canada at reasonable prices. The Brisket is incredible and an absolute must have. Highly recommended!
Love this place. As a whiskey drinker, this place offers a massive selection. Oh and the food is not too shabby!
The best BBQ place in the city, service and vibes are always great. My favourites are the ribs and the burnt ends, so good!
Great Service! Great Food ! The place it is always feel cozy even when it is super busy is always feel you relax .
Phenomenal quality meats that are wonderfully tender, with delicious sides. I can recommend going for the half off meat after 10pm. Service was quick and friendly. Wheelchair accessibility: Steep stairs with no automatic door
Great place, the food was good just a bit on the dry side. It was also quite noisy, so speaking loudly is required. Still, a nice place for something else.
Great vibe and knowledgeable staff who know their whiskey and beers.
My friends and myself sat down and the male waitress told us they were not going to serve us. Very disappointed no interaction happened. Choose another restaurant in Kensington.
This place has great marketing no doubt. Without it theyd be sunk. Theyve done a fantastic job of selling you on a unique place in a nice area, when in reality its a flop. Food was a letdown, everything was really boring. Hot wings werent even spicy. Brisket was meh, some was good but some pieces were really dry. Cornbread dry, macaroni salad tasted like it was from superstore. This place honestly reminds me of that meme where all the modern trendy places have the same decor and overpriced bland food. Service was great. Which is the only reason I didnt flat out 1 star this place.
Food was great, service was okay, but the music was too loud. I could barely hear someone sitting across from me.
great gathering hole for beer and bbq!
Always a solid selection of food and drinks and great service.
Very good brisket, tasty and nice atmosphere
Marie and Garrett gave me terrific service. They are both personable, efficient, insightful, and are exceptionally good at their jobs. I had such a good experience dining at the bar upstairs by the great music, tasty food.
We went on Saturday for a birthday and while there was a reservation, our table was given to another group. But they made sure we got a table! The food was super good except the pork was sooooo dry. Although it was crazy busy so we weren t mad at all. Think we ll be back!
Cute place, but bland beer and bone-dry half price brisket. Used to be good, Comery and South block are better right now
Highly recommended! Our first time there! Food, and service high quality!
Great location with a beautiful environment. Great food and drinks with good service. Very enjoyable restaurant.
Really good BBQ and cocktails. Bit pricey though. Overall we had a great time.
Great place. Happy and full of life. We had a great time. large portions. Delicious and highly recommended.
Excellent meat restaurant. We ate chicken wings in salt and pepper that were delicious and beef ribs that were nothing less than excellent. A huge portion that is enough for 2 people. fair price A special atmosphere. Delicious meat. The service was very good. Recommended..
Great spot, great. Atmosphere
Delicious
Was told by manager to leave and never come back tonight without an explaination. Been going there since Jan of this year and told lots of my friends about the experiences.
Great atmosphere, delicious food, sophisticated audience, good service. I recommend!
Really enjoyed this place
Best brisket ever, get chips and queso as a side
Been a few times, and the meats are all fantastic. Service has been great each time too. Their sauces are delicious!
Banging meats, need more sauce selection.
Great bbq meat, awesome service
This Texas smokehouse BBQ is one of 3 sister BBQ restaurants in Calgary - the other two being Comery and south block BBQ that specialises in Tennessee and North Carolina BBQ respectively. This is the one I like most, however it still doesnt hold a candle to genuine Texan BBQ. I found the BBQ meat tasted delicious enough although the portion sizes were on the smaller size, and the brisket was not as tender as hoped. Also some parts were dry and some were moist, it was not consistent. Their side dishes were just ok, nothing to write home about. I have to say I was a little disappointed having had the real thing in Texas and this just doesnt compare, and esp considering how expensive this place is.
We went here for Thanksgiving dinner and it was a disappointment. The service, although super friendly, was slow (took about 50 minutes to get our food), and it showed up warm/cool and the meat was dried up. When the pumpkin pie showed up it was frozen cold. Not sure what happened on this night, it was our first time coming here, but my wife was not too happy with our neighbors recommendation.
Amazing food, service and atmosphere
We were excited to come for the thanksgiving dinner, only to be let down when we arrived for our reservation to be told they sold out 15 minutes before. We specifically booked Hayden Block for their Thanksgiving dinner and specified in our reservation notes. I even checked their Instagram to see if any posts were made prior to our reso about selling out of the dinner, and nothing was posted. I understand it s a busy time, but maybe a phone call from the establishment to give us a heads up. EDIT: The manager reached out and contacted us, he gave his sincere apologies for the situation and it was handled very professionally.
Had a great time and food portions were HUGE! PICKLEBACK Shots are the besttt
Me and my friend always make a point of stopping here every time we are in Calgary. And lately he has been having his cancer support group meetings there as it has a friendly atmosphere and deep fried bacon wrapped corn on the cob.
Most excellent bbq beans
This is the best place for bbq and whiskey bar none!
The best Pulled Pork Sandwich I have ever had in my life. This place was packed the whole time we were there and I see why! They do their own BBQ sauces too....all delicious. Service was top notch , corn was wrapped in bacon....hell ya . A great date night idea !
Its not a bad place to go they say there pork ribs are smoked for 14 hours or less in my opinion they were oven-roasted with liquid smoke if that my trigger does a better job in smoking ribs but thats just my opinion the rest of the family enjoyed their meals overall not bad prices
Portion sizes are decent, brisket was the star, the broccoli salad was the best side, the corn & cornbread were standard. The dessert (smores pudding) tasted good but was a mess: the marshmallow was impossible to cut with a spoon and the graham cracker just caused a disaster as we had to break it apart by essentially ruining the cup (which was a paper cup?). Chef, use several smaller marshmallows & perhaps broken up graham crackers instead.
Best Brisket in Alberta
Team members, seemed flustered when asked to move to a new table because the area was dripping water. Hostess got mad at me for asking the waitress and not her for a new table. Experience was ruined because of Manager and Hostess.
We had them as a catered service and it was absolutely amazing! Really hoping to get it fresh soon
Various beers and other beverages to cater everyones taste. Best BBQ restaurant in Calgary! The brisket is a must-try! Food
Cozy atmosphere, our server was amazing. She recommended the hot mess (so good) and was knowledgeable and friendly. The food was delicious and came fast. We also tried the Son of a Peach cocktail and it was dangerously good!
Great atmosphere, friendly service and tasty food. The sauce bottles on the tables are super yummy and not store bought taste like others. The spare ribs are a must try!
Went there for some drinks and live music on a Friday night. Really liked the atmosphere on the second floor. Their whisky card is pretty impressive. Too bad the focus was more on American whiskys than Scottish ones. But overall great place. Will come back
Very nice, North American meat place, everything was delicious, friendly staff and fast served meals 5
Quick service, delicious brisket (but WOW was that a big sandwich). Nothing comes with sides so keep in mind and their peach bourbon beer was stunning (made by South Block). Service was just the right balance and will be going again soon! Bring friends to try a lot of different things at once.
The place is very beautiful, the food is incredible, as is the service! If I could, I would give it 10 stars
Honestly deserved 10 stars, incredible atmosphere, good service and sensational food. And for the level of food, very fair price. Enchanting, the best place Ive been to in Calgary.
Great food, nice atmosphere and friendly staff. Best brisket I have had in Canada! Definitely recommend. Very reasonable prices too for the quality
I am in love with their beef brisket, music, fireplace that warm up the whole place (even outside), and a good selection of both alcohol and food.
Amazing BBQ in Kensington are in Calgary! Our server was fantastic, portions were big and the BBQ was perfect .add the Hot Mess to any order! Food
Fun place, excellent choice of bourbon and whiskey and delicious bbq food. Happy Hour is great value
We were really excited to enjoy Hayden Block but when we arrived we were greeted with distain. Due to an allergy, a friend of mine asked if they served liquors other than whisky in which the server responded with a snarky remark and left without providing other recommendations. Unfortunately due to the service we chose not to stay. I haven t had any issues at any of their other locations but I will not be returning to Hayden block. Terrible service.
Came here excited to try because we have tried the other chains and have been so satisfied. Unfortunately we were greeted with stand offish staff. Once seated we asked the server we had questions about the menu and she replied to our questions with rudeness and completely turn us off of the entire experience. Our table sat there wondering if that had actually just happened because of how rude she was. We left and went to Blanco next door which was a very pleasant experience. Would never suggest this location to someone due to the rude and snarky server. 0/10.
Had dinner with a group of 8. Our server Kiana was very attentive, fun and well versed with the menu. The food was delicious and well prepared. The patio was really nice and even has heaters. Would definitely return.
Im always happy coming here.
A friend from the volleyball practice referred this place and I can t be more happy with their food. The atmosphere is nice and the service is always great! Food
It was busy when we went, but the servers still took care of us quickly with excellent service. The food was delicious, burnt ends were great and the smokestack corn was phenomenal.
The food here is always 10/10. I have come for lunches, dinners and corporate events and always had excellent food and service.
Really like the vibe, the sides were great.
Awesome bar with welcoming staff. Also, the area is fantastic, a place to definitely visit when in Kensington. Brown guy review: 8/10 Food
Food and service was great but no AC made it an extremely uncomfortable stay
The food was SO good. I wish I d caught our servers name, she was lovely. Very helpful and super efficient.
Server were really nice. But couldn t recommend anything. It was very very loud but that s fine. Food and beer is overrated. Not worth to go second time probably. Toilets are mess. Food : 2/5
The brisket, potato salad and corn bread are to die for
We went because so many love it but I was not at all impressed. The pulled pork was ok. Really dont offer much of a menu. Didnt like the brisket it was dry. Burnt ends were the only hit out of 8 items tried. Really dont like the giant family style tray they leave at the table as it leaves no room on the table. Honestly we just werent impressed. The service was excellent.
Food was basic. Its a whiskey bar I guess. Brisket Bark was weak.
Always amazing. So much flavor. And live music wasa great addition
More times service is good
Perhaps one of the best BBQ places in Canada. Never fails me when I take friends from all over the places. Always go for Ribs and if they are out, then brisket.
This place was killer! Staff was exceptional the food was out of this world and the vibe and atmosphere was on point! I greatly look forward to coming back again.
Great BBQ, sides, and service.
The brisket and wings are amazing. Good sides. Love the food! Best BBQ I ve found in Calgary so far. Parking: It s in the Kensington area so parking is limited and not free (street parking free after 6pm, but still fairly limited).
Best BBQ spot I have found to date will definitely be coming back on my next trip.
Excellent food and drink recommendations by Marie. Live music was perfect and made for a great afternoon with friends. Will definitely be back!!!
The food was okay, but the service was subpar. The waitress did not refill our water and barely came to our table. After our visit, we realized she gave us the wrong bill which resulted in us paying more for what we ordered. Would not recommend, for busier nights at least.
If you re in Calgary and can only go to one place, this is it! Everything here is super delicious, but the brisket is the best!
Everything is awesome here. The servers are great and the food is top notch! The cocktails are also great.
Our local friend brought us there for a drink. Although its a bar, it opens early and we got there early for lunch. I love the Lose Control cocktail, which is a good mix of chocolate, coffee, and whisky. The food is very delicious too; we all enjoy the smoky-tasting pork and beef ribs.
Solid meats, but they were a little too sauced in my opinion. 3 sauce selections besides what comes on your meat. Espresso bbq sauce was my favorite of their offerings. Street corn/hash side was quite good. Would probably go again, it s solid.
Great selection of smoked meats and sauce; delicious beet and watermelon salads!
Nice and polite service personal. Price performance meat but not the best especially the brisket. Will I come again? YES
Amazing food and service. Order was the pork belly, potato salad, and watermelon with mint. All outstanding individual dishes!!! Place was clean and the service was perfect
Meat was good, the tacos are an absolute no, as they give you the tortillas straight from the fridge to your plate...so damn cold
Same as comery block restaurant, amazing and tasty BBQ alberta beef. Multiple whiskey and beer available. They have live music every friday & saturday night upstairs.
A great lively place with excellent BBQ and very friendly staff.
Great menu and delicious food. Good selection of whiskeys and other drinks. Walked out completely satisfied.
Excellent food but even better service! Great value, as the quality & quality of food was way above my expectation!
Someone in the kitchen is letting your business down on the name of 14hrs smoked meat..we got meat that wasnt smoked..but the manager was kind enough to listen n correct our query..someone in the kitchen is letting your business down
Very good food, good service and reasonable price.
Excellent place! We loved the food but the hot wings were delicious!!
We come here monthly to get fresh BBQ! Would recommend beef brisket, ribs and burnt ends. Not a fan of their pulled pork because every time I order it is very dry. They have 2 other locations and there are some menu variations!
Amazing place. Seating in the back a hidden gem.
Was really excited to dine here for a date night after seeing the food but was disappointed to see that we were being seated at the same table as another couple. Which disrupted their dinner and also made us uncomfortable as well. The host was not even able to find appropriate seating and the bar had people s jackets and belongings so we weren t able to sit there either. Ultimately decided to leave and check out a better bbq restaurant. Wouldn t recommend coming here for a date, might be better for a large party that s able to reserve a whole table.
We ate here with my wife and ordered smoked brisket. The food was delicious, the service was very good, very friendly. The food was served quickly. Nice atmosphere. Highly recommended.
i got the sliced brisket and it was pretty good, the meat got kinda difficult to chew but it was very filling & tasty! all of their sandwiches were just listed as names on the menu and no descriptions of what s inside, so i asked the waitress and turns out the sliced brisket is the only one that s burger style with everything in it.. the chopped brisket, in comparison, is literally chopped brisket and bread? and the same thing with the other two sandwhich options, im just shocked bcs all four sandwiches are $15 regardless?? so im def a bit confused abt that the caramel cheesecake is my fav cheesecake in the city hehe.. but im basing that on the fact that i hate cheesecake and i came here one time and i liked it which was CRAZY cuz i literally HATEEE cheesecake. buttttt they changed it up a bit since the last time I came so the cheesecake was 80% just whipped cream still good tho
Great selection of whiskey. Good BBQ. Would recommend checking it out.
Super awesome! Most cocktails involved bitters, but they had a a few without whiskey which was great for a Texan themed bar! I recommend the deep fried pickles and bacon Mac and cheese, super delicious and the Mac and cheese has a bit of a kick!
Had a good time catching up with friends and enjoyed the vibe but I was disappointed with the food. Our server was great. I had pork ribs, bacon wrapped corn and broccoli salad. The ribs and corn were very dry. Broccoli salad was decent Wife had brisket burnt ends which was better than the ribs but still not in line with the cost. I have fonder memories of Tony Romas food.
Delicious Short Ribs, Brisket, Bacon Mac n Cheese, and Beet Salad! Great patio dining! Fun cocktails!
10/10 recommend this place. Public paid parking super close, so dont have to walk too far. Amazing food, perfect service, and the atmosphere is uplifting and welcoming. Our server Amanda was awesome, and super helpful with answers to all our questions, and had some really good recommendations. Will definitely be coming back in the future for another meal. Perfect place to have supper. Brisket was awesome, pork belly was perfect, bacon wrapped corn cobs are amazing, and the hot links are super good also. Literal 10/10 place to eat. (Corn bread was awesome)
Amazing food, live music, and one of the best selections of whiskey in the city. If you want to try some Pappy Van Winkle or even Michters Celebration, this is the place to do it.
If you re a bourbon enthusiast, you have to check out this place! What a mind-blowing collection of Bourbon Whiskey!! Seriously, it s like heaven for bourbon lovers. Ask for Rob when you re there he s got the best recommendations and some incredible stories behind the selected pours. And trust me, you do not want to miss their cornbread. Besides their amazing BBQ, the cornbread is out of this world!! Perfect spot for a great meal and an even better drink.
Bomb food, but service was lacking a bit
Enjoyed an evening of cool drinks and smooth music by Jeff Catto Band! Great ambiance at Hayden Block! Food : 4/5
Loved the vibe. Crazy good deals after 10 pm.
My favorite BBQ spot in Calgary and the best of the 3 locations they have (Comery Block and South Block)
The waitress and other staff spent a lot of time petting a customers dog on the patio then touching my food. GROSS My drink remained empty until I left. I do like that they have a special after 10 pm for half price brisket.
Great atmosphere, amazing food, and great service. Can t wait to go back!