Enchiladas to Souvlaki in the Lakeland

Mexican Food, Two Hills 

Por qué ir?  Mexican fare! Hot sauce! 

Two Hills welcomed Old Colony Mennonites from Mexico—as well as Alberta—in 1999 and 2000 increasing church membership to more than 2000. With that, brought the appearance of Mexican food and a few places serving it. You’ll swear you’re in Guadalajara—unless it’s mid February—with two family restaurants, a burger place, and a bakery all serving up authentic Mexican breakfasts, dinners and baked treats. ¡Mmm! (yum in Spanish) 

Any lack of ambience is made up for in tortillas. Two Hills Family Restaurant has enchiladas, quesadillas, burritos as well as Mexican hamburgers and specials such as pollo asada, or grilled chicken. 

Burger Palace will knock you over with a whisker as not only do they have the usual burgers and fries, but one of the best Mexican breakfasts north of Puerto Vallarta. Huevo Ranchos in the morning or Mexican Plate at night with rice, tortillas and refried beans. That’s our kind of burger! It sounds, and looks, like a drive-in but it serves meals inside as well as offers take out.  

Walking into Mini Mex Bakery is almost exactly like walking into a bakery in Mexico.  There is also a grocery store next door, complete with piñatas, and an entire aisle of hot sauces and 1lb bags of Arbol peppers. 

Side by Side Note: Two Hills was chosen Canada’s Most Ride Friendly Community so if Harley’s your ride, hit up Two Hills during the Run to the Hills Memorial Rally, where up to 1000 plus motorcyclists ride in for ten days of events.

Only Sourdough Bakehouse & Pizzeria, Kitscoty

Why Go? Why, Sourdough 

If you like pizza—who doesn’t?—eat here. If you like healthy pizza, definitely head here. The artisanal sourdough crusts here are authentic, no yeast, cold fermented, hand tossed beauts with sea salt and extra virgin olive oil. Takeaway only. Take a look and then order up what’s meant for you. Bacon and burger pizza on a double baked crust? Veggie Delight with hot buffalo sauce? Heather’s Favorite with buffalo sauce, bacon crumble, banana peppers, mushrooms, onions, pineapple and NO cheese? Yes, please! 

The place also has bagels, bread loaves, cinnamon buns, as well as dream pies, a no bake cheese cake made with sourdough graham cracker crust, filled with, icing sugar, dream whip, cream cheese and topped with pie filling. Dreamy. The baker experiments with ingredients and customers provide requested feedback on Facebook. On occasion, they also leave free treats on the bench outside for lucky passersby. Nice. 

Running from the law? Order Toast To Go, buttered with unsalted butter. 

The Ridge at Kinosoo Resort

Why Go? Après Aerial nibbles 

There is nothing else like the Aerial Adventure Park at Kinosoo Resort in northern Alberta. Forty challenges including ropes, ladders, planks and more four storeys in the air get your adrenalin going, are tons of fun and will make you hungry – so do that first.  

Then, head to the Ridge, which is the restaurant on the hill. You can have a fried pickle, yum, but we have to tell you about the Grazing Board, a gigantic board filled with waffles, bacon, cinnamon buns, diced potatoes, fruit and little yogurts. This is how brunch was meant to be et, with friends. 

The Ridge also has themed nights like Music Poker night or Alberta on a Plate or Climb & Dine Date Night. Best date ever! 

Cone of Fame: The Snack Shack is back serving fashionably old fashioned Foothills Creamery ice cream with crazy flavours like All Canadian Moose. 

Jonny Waffles, Cold Lake

Why Go? Flavour Like Bam 

You’ll want to eat at Jonny Waffles, right on Lakeshore Drive, more than once just to try all the different kinds of waffles. Yes, they have Chicken n’ Waffles drizzled with candy bacon maple syrup. But, for something more pizzazz-y, how about a Black Stone Benny, a waffle topped with bacon, tomato, Monterrey jack cheese with two poached eggs on a Brussel s waffle with homemade Hollandaise sauce. 

Sweet Waffles include Mango Burst and Banana Nutella, all with whipped cream, fruit and sauce.   

Be smooth and believe it:  Healthy options exist as do real fruit smoothies and bubble waffles for kids. 

Tin Cup by Little Greek, St. Paul

Why Go? Food of the Gods

Have we died and gone to Olympus? Ambrosia, food of the Greek gods isn’t on the menu, but a good chunk of the menu here includes Greek infused fare: Escargot Ala Greco, Greek Wings, Chicken Souvlaki, Athenian Fettuccini and Donairs with the best Greek Salad ever.  Seasonally, golf and dine, but all year long everyone is welcome inside or on the patio overlooking the course. Dine with an amphora of the finest red wine. Opa! 

Navel Gaze: Keep an eye out for the occasional Greek Night with Greek wines paired with Greek food and belly dancing paired with music. 

There you have it—some of the top five places to eat in the Lakeland. Head off on this one and check out even more Curated Adventures for future drives.