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View Full Version : Review: Smugglers Inn



Official Hoser
02-01-2009, 03:21 PM
My friends and I just got back from Sunday Brunch at Smugglers Inn. We were really disappointed, you might even say disgusted.

Upon arrival, there was a 20 minute wait for a table. We thought this would indicate that the place was pretty good. The place has a 70s steakhouse decor, very dark and heavy. Although it appeared extremely dated, it had a lot of character to it. It was clean and not too shabby (e.g. the chairs did not have cushioning spilling out, the walls were freshly painted, etc.).

The brunch buffet is $15.95 per adult (cheaper for kids and seniors). On Sundays the brunch buffet is your only option, you cannot order individual entrees.

Buffet items include your standard breakfast dishes such as eggs, bacon, hash browns. They also have salads, prime rib, a couple of casseroles, and a fairly extensive dessert selection. There is a station where they make omelettes to order. There is a selection of juices available.

Unfortunately, the food itself is pretty low quality and questionable. It's reminiscent of crappy cafeteria food. The ingredients used are cheap and not very fresh, and the presentation of most of the dishes is not very appetizing either (even if you take into account that it's a buffet). The eggs are pale in colour and the meat is greasy. Much of the dishes are smothered in vegetable oil and taste like it. My friends ordered the omelettes, which were cooked in a pool of oil. The salads were kinda dry and old, and the fruit was canned rather than fresh. The hash browns were extremely overdone and dry. There was a tray of fish, and I couldn't even tell what it was until I took some on my plate and braved myself to take a bite. The casseroles and lasagna were big bowls of slop which you just scoop up with large spoons (rather than pre-served into more appetizing-looking individual portions).

I am a big dessert fan, but the desserts they had were also pretty gross. There was a bunch of dry-looking pastries and some pudding in little cups with whipped cream on top. The pudding was clearly old because the cream was losing its shape and spreading over the surface of the pudding.

We ordered coffee, and the cream which was sitting on our table was curdled. We accidentally put some in our coffee and got grossed out. We requested fresh coffees and cream, and had no problem getting it, but it was just one more thing that added to the grossness of the whole experience.

I thought the cost of the buffet was way overpriced. I walked out somewhat hungry because I just could not bring myself to eat that much. Much of the clientele was rather obese, and it's probably a decent bargain if you're a big eater and not picky about food. However, I can't say I would recommend this place.

saiyajin
02-01-2009, 03:23 PM
try the sunday brunch at carriage house inn :thumbsup:

GQBalla
02-01-2009, 03:24 PM
what time did you go?

thats really weird ive always heard it was good..
interesting to know though.

Official Hoser
02-01-2009, 03:26 PM
We went there at approx. 11:30.

Sorath
02-01-2009, 03:28 PM
u went to a buffet what do u expect lol

Kritafo
02-01-2009, 03:32 PM
there is other reviews of smuggler on here, it's a shame. It wasn't that long ago they had one of the best brunches in town. We use to go the the eggs Benny and the Prime Rib carving station. They always had awesome seafood and they desserts were outstanding.

We went last Jan 08 for my daughter birthday brunch, it was nothing like it used to be.

Beyond Roses
02-01-2009, 03:33 PM
I've been there for brunch on a few occasions over the years and, although my experience wasn't as bad as yours, it wasn't much better either.

- The ambiance is way passe. Rustic or vintage is one thing, dingy is another.
- Food is average at best. 'Just' a buffet, nothing more.
- Service is mediocre, and there's always a wait.

Summary: there are way better brunch places out there for the money. The Delta Bow Valley has always put on a dynamite brunch and there are many other suggestions in the brunch thread.

Although it's not a buffet, my new favorite breakfast joint since I went to Montreal is Cora's. Fresh food, terrific selection, unique dishes, and service with a smile, all reasonably priced.

WWJAI
02-01-2009, 03:34 PM
I've always had a good experience at Smugglers. (Both the Sunday brunch buffet and the individual entrees) The buffet is not the best but like 'Sorath' said, its a buffet, I don't have high expectations for them. The service has always been great though.

Edit: I haven't been there in quite a while. Maybe service and food quality has changed.

Amysicle
02-01-2009, 03:46 PM
Originally posted by Beyond Roses
Although it's not a buffet, my new favorite breakfast joint since I went to Montreal is Cora's. Fresh food, terrific selection, unique dishes, and service with a smile, all reasonably priced. I think Cora's opened up a place over in Northland Mall, where the Future Shop/Best Buy is in the NW.

badatusrnames
02-01-2009, 03:54 PM
I had a friend working there 3-4 years ago and she always raved about the Sunday brunch.... must have really gone to crap.

wardpr68
02-01-2009, 04:27 PM
Originally posted by Sorath
u went to a buffet what do u expect lol

lol no crap. I don't think I have had a good buffet in my 22 years. The food is sitting around under hot lamps.... it's going to be crap.

szw
02-01-2009, 04:28 PM
Originally posted by wardpr68


lol no crap. I don't think I have had a good buffet in my 22 years. The food is sitting around under hot lamps.... it's going to be crap.

I've had quite a few excellent buffets. They cost quite a bit though.

nonlinear
02-01-2009, 04:41 PM
yea, i went there once and would never go back again. reminded me of cafeteria breakfasts at university... except I honestly think our university had better food. for $16 you're expecting a pretty dope breakfast, being that you can make a dope as fuck breakfast for under $5 food cost (and that's with the best eggs you can buy, really nice meat, awesome bread, potatoes, etc.).

when i went, there was a huge line, and the seating guy was saying shit like "the FAMOUS smuggler's in brunch..." then i saw the food and i was like WTF.

major ripoff, unless your previous dining expereinces have been limited to denny's and perkins, AND you are a fat fuck that wants to eat 3 plates of food (otherwise Denny's wold be a way better value given the quality - even if you got 2 damn meals!).

TheCheff
02-01-2009, 04:57 PM
Honestly my dad delivers a lot of food products to this place and they order nothing but the top meats/cuts. There prime rib is TOP 5 in the city.

Its too bad they're brunch sucks I had heard it was really good but every time I have been there for a normal dinner I have had a great steak and good side dishes with good service.

The atmosphere and decor is becoming a little dated but I like it because its not like every other restaurant out there.

If you guys want good sunday brunch go to the Buenavista Lake Inn or Carriage House

rage2
02-01-2009, 05:31 PM
Smuggler's used to be the local top steakhouse. It's gone downhill years ago, I haven't been back in at least 2-3 years.

JimmyBurner
02-01-2009, 06:04 PM
Weird.. I've been to smuggler's a couple of times and I really liked the food. I just had the main dishes like steak and rib and stuff but I really liked it.

n1zm0
02-01-2009, 06:08 PM
Originally posted by saiyajin
try the sunday brunch at carriage house inn :thumbsup:

this.

also deerfoot casino. but carriage house beats smugglers for sure. the dessert row is as long as the breakfast food row

bignerd
02-01-2009, 08:14 PM
Yes it has gone downhill. We use to go for brunch all the time too, haven't been there in years.

The Royal Executive Inn off of Barlow Trail in the NE has an amazing brunch-it is expensive, like $35 a person(I can't remember exactly, might be about $28, but it is up there)-but I have never seen so much food.

Crepes, waffles, omlettes all made to order(blueberry or bananas foster, strawberries and whipped cream etc...).
Typical breakfast stuff, meats and seafood, desserts, any kind of fruit juice or tea you want (including guava!), casseroles, salads, chicken etc... they fill the whole main foyer with table and tables of food. If it is a special date like Valentines they have a chocolate fountain too.

Reservations are strongly reccomended though.

Fusion
02-01-2009, 08:31 PM
Originally posted by szw


I've had quite a few excellent buffets. They cost quite a bit though.

Yeah Bellagio in Vegas but Calgary ummm let me think

you&me
02-02-2009, 09:31 AM
Originally posted by Fusion


Yeah Bellagio in Vegas but Calgary ummm let me think

Palliser.

r3ccOs
02-02-2009, 10:02 AM
Isn't Cora's a Winnipeg based breakfast crepery?

Anyways, Smugglers always had questionable service and a mediocre buffet.

However, I'm a huge fan of the smuggler's cut cajun blackened rare prime rib and actuality like their salad bar.

I have a problem with Buffets, not only do they usually tend to have a lower quality of food, I just can't seem to comprehend that all you can eat, isn't a competition.

The Buffet @ Banff Springs is nice as is the restaurant down in Fish Creek/Parkland area.

Sorath
02-02-2009, 12:42 PM
i like nick's for brunch

403Gemini
02-02-2009, 03:55 PM
Originally posted by rage2
Smuggler's used to be the local top steakhouse. It's gone downhill years ago, I haven't been back in at least 2-3 years.

^^ This sadly enough

It used to be the entire building didn't it? I remember going for a big birthday group with my friends (about 16 people) and they walked us through all of these hallways up and these stairs to this more isolated area, if i go back now i think that area is Bolero , and the area we walked through is now Open Sesame.

I still don't mind Smugglers , but I only go there for dinner. But Rage & kritafo is right, it's not what it used to be :(

psycoticclown
02-08-2009, 03:33 PM
Went there for dinner on boxing day and the food was great, ordered the massive 20oz steak and it was cooked to perfection, great cut of meat, really juicy and it was lightly covered in sauce. Haven't been to the brunch or buffet and I try to stay away from buffets. Always have to set my expectations low if I go to a buffet.

Jeremiah
02-08-2009, 05:34 PM
I used to love this place, but they got lazy and changed way too many of their processes and food quality.

Masked Bandit
02-10-2009, 01:20 PM
Dinner, yes.

Brunch, no way.

Someone else mentioned the blackend prime rib.....yummy!

Supa Dexta
02-13-2009, 11:20 PM
Girlfriend used to love it there when we lived in calgary, I haven't been in a few yrs now though.