Naina’s Kitchen specializes in stuffed burgers. Oks wanted to take us here. It seemed like a good plan as we were heading over to the grounds afterwards.
There’s free parking in the back. Perfect if you’re planning to eat and go to the Stampede or Saddledome.
The inside has several chalkboard walls advertising their daily specials.
If you didn’t make a reservation, seat yourself. We came on a Thursday around 6:00pm and we’re lucky that a table for 8 opened up. They have a cute patio outside. Too bad their happy hour is only from 9:00pm – 11:00pm (lame).
The menu is split into mac and cheese, poutine, stuffed burgers (their specialty) and sandwiches. Click to see (1, 2 and 3). They had a small appetizer menu on the table.
Service was sooooo slow and it was a pain trying to flag our waiter down for waters. Food took a long time to come out.
Village blacksmith Alberta black ale and squeeze lemon berry helles ($6.50)
I’ve tried Village’s beer before and can’t say I’m a big fan. Their flavours don’t come through and the beer itself tastes watered down.
Nainalicious ($15.95)
Stuffed with pulled pork, apples, aged cheddar and caramelized onions. The burger was slightly dry but overall a tasty bite. Salad was ordinary.
Closeup of the burger. Unlock your jaw first.
2x ABC ($11.50)
Grilled cheese was cheesy and oozy. ABC = apple, bacon and cheddar.
Decently grilled but wish they could get it even more so.
The side of tomato soup it came with was way too thick. Skip it.
Mac and cheese ($11.50) with bacon ($3.00)
Not good. Bland, bland, bland. We barely ate any.
Bacon mac n cheese stuffed burger ($15.95)
They actually got our friends order wrong but he ate it anyways. He said it was just average.
Dill pickle poutine ($7.95)
Lots of dill pickle. The tangy dill gravy they smothered on top looked like congealed glue.
Momma Says ($12.50) and Carolina grilled cheese ($13.50)
One of their vegetarian grilled cheeses (left). The Carolina (right) had pulled pork with South Carolina BBQ sauce, sautéed onions and mozza.
Overall, decent burgers but I wasn’t blown away. Too many other spots on 17th Ave beckon to be tried.
Naina’s Kitchen
121 – 17 Avenue SE
Calgary, AB
(403) 263-6355
CHERRY BOB-OMBS 