CBC Radio's restaurant reviewer, John Gilchrist, Gives Abe's high praise after popping in for a bite. Listen to John's live on-air review here!
Thank you Airdrie.... AGAIN!
2016-2019 Readers' Choice Awards - (Best of Airdrie): SILVER for Best lunch/ BRONZE for Best Burger/BRONZE for Best french fries
2019 TOP CHOICE AWARD for Best American Restaurant in Calgary
2019 FINALIST FOR BEST BUSINESS IN AIRDRIE by the Airdrie Chamber of Commerce Airdrie Business Awards
abe's diner featured in airdrie life magazine. See the feature here.
CALGARY'S AVENUE MAGAZINE RATES ABE'S AS ONE OF THE BEST FAST CASUAL RESTAURANTS OF 2016! READ THE ARTICLE HERE.
John gilchrist gives Abe's a nod in his list of best new restaurants OF 2015!
READ the calgary herald ARTICLE HERE.
Thank you Airdrie!
2015 Readers' Choice Awards - Best of Airdrie
Abe's RESTAURANT - GOLD AWARD - Best Lunch!
Abe's RESTAURANT - BRONZE AWARD - Best BURGER! (The BIG LION)
John Gilchrist - CBC Restaurant Reviewer and Food Critic for the Calgary Herald
Read the original article published in the Calgary Herald here!
John Gilchrist: Abe's ushers in a new wave of fast-casual food
Fast-casual. Also known as fas-cas, is the latest and fastest-growing trend in the restaurant industry. Planted firmly between fast food and casual restaurants, fast-casual eateries offer a higher quality of food than fast-food joints with less processed and frozen ingredients. Prices are good, typically under $15, the setting may be quite nice, there is no table service or drive-thru but they’re quick. (These places are also known as QSR (Quick Service Restaurants) to industry folks.
Abe’s Fast Fresh Food is one of this new wave of fast-casual restaurants. Located at 30 Market Blvd. S.E. in Airdrie’s Kingsview Market(587-254-0539).
Created by Bernie Levert and Jamie Johnston-Stewart, Abe’s is named after William Aberhart. Not that they are staunch Socreds, though. Abe’s first location was set to be across from William Aberhart High School so the partners thought Abe’s might be a good name. When that location didn’t pan out, they kept the name.
Abe’s has an upscale, diner-ish look to it, a long lunch counter lining the kitchen and a few booths cozied-up to south-facing windows. At only 35 seats, it’s small in size (the other locations will be slightly larger) but large in attitude, cranking out most of its freshly prepared dishes in under 10 minutes.
To achieve this efficiency, Abe’s has installed a high-tech ordering system. You order at the counter from an overhead screen, the order goes directly to the cook, and your food hits the grill. If you’re on the run, you can order online or with Abe’s app. Either way, a text message will acknowledge your order and a second text will let you know that it’s ready. You pre-pay online so you can simply grab your food and go.
Abe’s is going for fast but also for quality. There’s a bison burger with Swiss cheese and grilled onions on a brioche bun, a Vietnamese sub sandwich with grilled lemongrass chicken and pickled carrots and a Boston Cobb salad with roasted chicken, maple-smoked bacon, avocado, egg and a red wine-apple cider dressing. They serve Care bakery gluten-free bread options and high-quality Paradise Mountain coffee. Also important to the owners is that they serve their food on china instead of recyclable plates or out of paper bags.
Abe’s is open weekdays from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. On weekends we open for brunch at 9 a.m. Saturdays until 8 p.m. and 3 p.m. on Sunday.
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People are talking! Check out some Customer Reviews below!
"Fantastic little place in Airdrie. The Cobb Salad was so fresh and tasty. Fries are perfect! Will see you soon. Thank you!"
★★★★★
"Popped in for brunch after spin-class and WOW I must say I was pleasantly surprised. I ordered a Kale Salad and to my surprise it came to the table looking fabulous. I ate it so fast. It was absolutely delicious and so fresh. I highly recommend this place for eats and a coffee date. The Owner is super nice and staff very friendly! I will definitely be back."
★★★★★
"Delicious!!! Went there on the weekend and it was the yummiest meal I've had in quite a while. Friendly staff, clean restaurant, and nongeneric food. Our new favourite place in Airdrie."
★★★★★
"We went tonight, and the food, staff, and atmosphere were great! Prices were also reasonable, with good selection. We'll definitely be back - it's easier and better than a meal deal at McDonald's, almost the same price for more, and my wife can actually eat a burger with a bun - a rare treat (gluten-free)."
★★★★★
"A lovely place for breakfast or lunch. Bernie and staff have great customer service skills and the food (and coffee) are very good! Enjoy."
★★★★☆
"Tried Abe's for the first time tonight! Love the order on the go system. Everything ready to go right on time. Fresh hot comfort food! We'll be back!
★★★★☆
"Grabbed a burger and yam fries (with spicy mayo) for lunch today - think I just found my new hangout for breakfast and lunch. Highly recommended!!"
★★★★★
"Such great food! Loved the burgers and the fries!"
★★★★★
"Just a fantastic little diner tucked away, good food, and friendly staff."
★★★★★
"Seriously yummy food here!!! Poutine!!! Cobb Salad!!! Skirt Steak Sandwich!!! Definitely will be eating here often!"