Red's Diner

Cross-Posted from Calgary is Awesome.

I'd been curious about Red's Diner ever since I saw them renovating the former chiropractic clinic after my tap classes at DJD. Since it opened in the spring, my perennial brunchmate Tiffany and I had always meant to go, but we didn't make it happen until yesterday.

I would describe Red's as a "greasy spoon" without all the grease and a bit of a hipster twist - while they serve traditional diner fare like eggs benny, hash browns and milkshakes, there are also lots of vegetarian and vegan options, and half of their milkshakes are filled with booze. The space is clean and sunny, with a few rustic touches, and instead of old waitresses with southern drawls calling you "suggah", most of the service staff are young with tattoos and piercings.

I was feeling pretty hungry, so I went for their Short Rib Hash with Eggs ($12.79). I like my eggs poached.


If you're looking for a heavy breakfast, the hash will hit the spot. It's filled with beef, chunks of potato, diced peppers, celery and onion, and topped with a touch of gravy. Instead of my usual whole wheat/multigrain toast, I opted to try their sourdough cheese - I was slightly disappointed when I first saw it that it wasn't as cheesy as I envisioned, but upon closer inspection you can see and taste the tiny streaks of cheese baked throughout the bread.

Tiffany ordered their Traditional Eggs Benny ($9.89).


She liked it, but it didn't "wow" her.

I know people have complained about the service at Red's before, but that was certainly not an issue in our case - the waitress took our orders, got our food and refilled our coffees in a timely manner; when we asked for milk for our coffee we were asked "2%, 1%, skim or soy?" When we were asked if we wanted hot sauce, the waitress brought over three kinds!

Perhaps we lucked out because it was Saturday morning, but Red's doesn't seem to have lines that stretch out the door just yet - I will definitely be back for more hash, or to try some of their more unique dishes, like the vegan scramble, red quinoa, chai ginger milkshake or Jack Daniel's ice cream float!

Red's Diner
1415 4 St SW
Calgary AB T2R 0Y2
(403) 266-3448
Open every day 7 AM-4 PM.