Very disappointing brunch experience. Do not expect any real service beyond being billed. We booked through OpenTable, but a party who arrived after us was seated before us, with no explanation. Once we were finally seated, no one came to serve us—no water, no drinks, nothing. It felt like they assumed everyone should just help themselves. After sitting for about five minutes, I asked a waitress for water. She replied that she was “not our server” and made no effort to help. When I asked where our server was, I could clearly see the server walking behind us, but they showed no intention of coming over. The lack of basic service and responsibility was frustrating and unacceptable. This experience left a very poor impression, and I will not be returning.
Tricia
Unfortunately I can not leave a good review. It's been 6 years since I was last here. 6 years ago it was amazing. Today it was not amazing. Our server was lovely. But disappointed that even the drinks were self serve but I did appreciate them clearing our plates. The food was ok. Pancakes were great. Scrambled eggs were good. The burnt bacon is how I enjoy it. The roast was pretty decent. Now the ugly part. The salad bar was sad. No labeling of the salad dressings. Had to smell which one was ranch. The soup was disgusting. The hash browns were hard and crunchy and the size of pebbles. The desserts were stale. Hard to find cutlery. Eggs Benedict was a hard boiled egg on a stale English muffin. Barely any fruit. For $100 for 2 people including tip for brunch. Just not worth it. I hope the owner reads the reviews and brings this establishment back to its original glory and amazing food quality.
Patrick
We tried the brunch on Saturday. The prime rib was not very good, on the tough side. The egg Benedict and bangers were good. Self serve coffee and juice. Overall not bad but the $40 for what you get, it's not worth it. Not as good as the old Smuggers.
Opentable Diner
70% of food was over cooked. We couldnt even dig our fork in a waffle. It was like cardboard. The bacon was so over cooked. Potato was also over cooked. The egg omelet had no spices. The prime rib was flavorless. I couldnt find fruits, all were gone. The desert was also dry and hard. It felt like food were out for a long time even thought we went at 11 30 am. I never had such a bad experience at a restaurant. This is the first time I am actually writing a bad review for a restaurent. The staff were amazing. Service was top notch but the food...oh man, it was quite bad.
DwayneC
Short staffed but our waiter was awesome he was just ran off his feet. Salad bar kept running out of things, bread was not available because too many people to accomadate what they had prepared. Restaurant was good though.
Jenifer
First off, I will say we were very much looking forward to smugglers as it has been a long time restaurant in Calgary and where we got engaged. To start off we waited over 10 minutes at the front to be seated. I had to go and find someone to help us. After seated at our table, we waited another 20 minutes before we even got a glass of water, but we had to go and ask two people to get us a server because we had been there for 20 minutes already. Then they came to take our drinks which we waited another 15 minutes to get those. The server then took our order. We asked to start off with calamari, she stated that the only appetizer that was available was cheese toast out of about 10 items. After we got our order which took about another 20 minutes we all had baked potato, and after the plates were served, we asked for the condiments for the potatoes. It was another 15 minutes before we got the condiments which we asked for bacon to go with the baked potato for her to say they had no bacon. She came back about five minutes later to say the Chef was going to chop up some bacon bits. This was after we've already waited. 10 minutes and potatoes are getting cold. She came to the table put bacon bits on our plates. The bacon had just come out of the fridge as it was icy cold for all of us to take it off and put it on the side of our plates. It was my husband's birthday, so it was a very disappointing experience for the money that we paid for our meal. This is not somewhere we will go back to, which is very disappointing.
Jeff Gill
Poor service, unprofessional presentation (asked to eat off charger plates, no side plates), no wine or prosecco served at the bar
E*** “*v*”
We had weekend brunch at Smugglers and really enjoyed the whole experience. The buffet offered a wide variety of dishes, so it was easy for both of us to find something we liked.
The salad bar was perfect for my partner, with lots of fresh ingredients and toppings to mix and match. I especially loved the waffle with whipped cream and strawberries, which was crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. On top of that, their all-you-can-eat prime rib was a huge highlight and made the meal extra satisfying. We left feeling full, happy, and very impressed with the value of the weekend brunch.
I’m already planning to come back soon to celebrate my partner’s birthday there, because it feels like the perfect place for a special occasion.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Serena Pawluk
I remember going here first with my family as a teenager, then a date or two in my adulthood, and some business lunches. The old smugglers was amazing and always busy. this new updated Smugglers was not busy. you now have to pay extra for your soup and salad. I get it. Since covid, nothing is affordable. It was most likely a necessity to separate the salad bar. I also noticed the salad bar was nothing like it used to be. it was a quarter of the size, and the selection was not appealing in my opinion. The staff were great, food was delicious, but the place was empty. So if you are looking for great food, they won't disappoint. But if you are hoping for that amazing salad bar, this may not be a great fit.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
James Toye
First time for brunch, can't beat it. Prime rib for breakfast can't be beat.
Had the weekend brunch buffet and our family was blown away! From beginning to end everything was DELICIOUS! Some of our highlights included the all-you-can eat prime rib (you can even request the thickness of the carve), steak soup, salad bar with charcuterie, and even desserts (which I was pleasantly surprised by as many times this is the point buffets decline - please note I am a very picky dessert fan. My faves were the cannoli, red velvet cake, chocolate cheesecake, a caramel with crunchy bottom thingamabob…next time I hope I can have have the coffee cheesecake). Haha…maybe I’ll just come here for dessert! The food and atmosphere were also so kid friendly. Our little ones enjoyed the pancakes, bacon, scrambled eggs, marshmallows, and throne-like big red chairs. It was so sweet for the staff to speak with and acknowledge our kiddos.
We found the quality and value and the service to all be excellent! Our family looks forward to being back (next time I hope to take photos of the yummy food…and desserts!). Well done Smuggler’s Inn!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Mario Ordonez
Long time waiting and food was 2 …. Not coming back
Monica Herle
Went with my family to the Saturday brunch and everything was amazing. Food was delicious, and service was great. Would definitely recommend to others.
Mike Pepper
Food was good I wish I’d know they oven finish there ribeyes beforehand I would have just ordered the prime rib our sever Carrie was delightful
Very disappointing brunch experience. Do not expect any real service beyond being billed. We booked through OpenTable, but a party who arrived after us was seated before us, with no explanation. Once we were finally seated, no one came to serve us—no water, no drinks, nothing. It felt like they assumed everyone should just help themselves. After sitting for about five minutes, I asked a waitress for water. She replied that she was “not our server” and made no effort to help. When I asked where our server was, I could clearly see the server walking behind us, but they showed no intention of coming over. The lack of basic service and responsibility was frustrating and unacceptable. This experience left a very poor impression, and I will not be returning.
Unfortunately I can not leave a good review. It's been 6 years since I was last here. 6 years ago it was amazing. Today it was not amazing. Our server was lovely. But disappointed that even the drinks were self serve but I did appreciate them clearing our plates. The food was ok. Pancakes were great. Scrambled eggs were good. The burnt bacon is how I enjoy it. The roast was pretty decent. Now the ugly part. The salad bar was sad. No labeling of the salad dressings. Had to smell which one was ranch. The soup was disgusting. The hash browns were hard and crunchy and the size of pebbles. The desserts were stale. Hard to find cutlery. Eggs Benedict was a hard boiled egg on a stale English muffin. Barely any fruit. For $100 for 2 people including tip for brunch. Just not worth it. I hope the owner reads the reviews and brings this establishment back to its original glory and amazing food quality.
We tried the brunch on Saturday. The prime rib was not very good, on the tough side. The egg Benedict and bangers were good. Self serve coffee and juice. Overall not bad but the $40 for what you get, it's not worth it. Not as good as the old Smuggers.
70% of food was over cooked. We couldnt even dig our fork in a waffle. It was like cardboard. The bacon was so over cooked. Potato was also over cooked. The egg omelet had no spices. The prime rib was flavorless. I couldnt find fruits, all were gone. The desert was also dry and hard. It felt like food were out for a long time even thought we went at 11 30 am. I never had such a bad experience at a restaurant. This is the first time I am actually writing a bad review for a restaurent. The staff were amazing. Service was top notch but the food...oh man, it was quite bad.
Short staffed but our waiter was awesome he was just ran off his feet. Salad bar kept running out of things, bread was not available because too many people to accomadate what they had prepared. Restaurant was good though.
First off, I will say we were very much looking forward to smugglers as it has been a long time restaurant in Calgary and where we got engaged. To start off we waited over 10 minutes at the front to be seated. I had to go and find someone to help us. After seated at our table, we waited another 20 minutes before we even got a glass of water, but we had to go and ask two people to get us a server because we had been there for 20 minutes already. Then they came to take our drinks which we waited another 15 minutes to get those. The server then took our order. We asked to start off with calamari, she stated that the only appetizer that was available was cheese toast out of about 10 items. After we got our order which took about another 20 minutes we all had baked potato, and after the plates were served, we asked for the condiments for the potatoes. It was another 15 minutes before we got the condiments which we asked for bacon to go with the baked potato for her to say they had no bacon. She came back about five minutes later to say the Chef was going to chop up some bacon bits. This was after we've already waited. 10 minutes and potatoes are getting cold. She came to the table put bacon bits on our plates. The bacon had just come out of the fridge as it was icy cold for all of us to take it off and put it on the side of our plates. It was my husband's birthday, so it was a very disappointing experience for the money that we paid for our meal. This is not somewhere we will go back to, which is very disappointing.
Poor service, unprofessional presentation (asked to eat off charger plates, no side plates), no wine or prosecco served at the bar
We had weekend brunch at Smugglers and really enjoyed the whole experience. The buffet offered a wide variety of dishes, so it was easy for both of us to find something we liked.
The salad bar was perfect for my partner, with lots of fresh ingredients and toppings to mix and match. I especially loved the waffle with whipped cream and strawberries, which was crispy on the outside and soft on the inside.
On top of that, their all-you-can-eat prime rib was a huge highlight and made the meal extra satisfying. We left feeling full, happy, and very impressed with the value of the weekend brunch.
I’m already planning to come back soon to celebrate my partner’s birthday there, because it feels like the perfect place for a special occasion.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I remember going here first with my family as a teenager, then a date or two in my adulthood, and some business lunches. The old smugglers was amazing and always busy. this new updated Smugglers was not busy. you now have to pay extra for your soup and salad. I get it. Since covid, nothing is affordable. It was most likely a necessity to separate the salad bar. I also noticed the salad bar was nothing like it used to be. it was a quarter of the size, and the selection was not appealing in my opinion. The staff were great, food was delicious, but the place was empty. So if you are looking for great food, they won't disappoint. But if you are hoping for that amazing salad bar, this may not be a great fit.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
First time for brunch, can't beat it. Prime rib for breakfast can't be beat.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Had the weekend brunch buffet and our family was blown away! From beginning to end everything was DELICIOUS! Some of our highlights included the all-you-can eat prime rib (you can even request the thickness of the carve), steak soup, salad bar with charcuterie, and even desserts (which I was pleasantly surprised by as many times this is the point buffets decline - please note I am a very picky dessert fan. My faves were the cannoli, red velvet cake, chocolate cheesecake, a caramel with crunchy bottom thingamabob…next time I hope I can have have the coffee cheesecake). Haha…maybe I’ll just come here for dessert! The food and atmosphere were also so kid friendly. Our little ones enjoyed the pancakes, bacon, scrambled eggs, marshmallows, and throne-like big red chairs. It was so sweet for the staff to speak with and acknowledge our kiddos.
We found the quality and value and the service to all be excellent! Our family looks forward to being back (next time I hope to take photos of the yummy food…and desserts!). Well done Smuggler’s Inn!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Long time waiting and food was 2 …. Not coming back
Went with my family to the Saturday brunch and everything was amazing. Food was delicious, and service was great. Would definitely recommend to others.
Food was good I wish I’d know they oven finish there ribeyes beforehand I would have just ordered the prime rib our sever Carrie was delightful
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Natasha and Carrie were awesome
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
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