Deer Head Cafe
Here’s a little hole in the wall diner with seating for perhaps a dozen or two, old school, unpretentious, plain and simple with a blue collar working person’s vibe. It’s truck drivers, cement workers, those that swing a hammer or wield a wrench that frequent the place. No suits and ties here, just work boots, coveralls, ratty old jeans and lumberjack shirts…and the always present trucker’s cap. If they’re open breakfast is on, with lunch offerings available too. Coffee flows like a river. Bacon and eggs on the grill. Toast with butter. The smells are intoxicating.
Located in an industrial section of town, along busy Edmonton Trail, set back and sort of hidden if approaching from certain directions, this is the little Deer Head Cafe. It’s been in business for some seven plus decades over several owners (the current ones have about ten years under their belts) and could arguably fall under the heading of Calgary Institution, even if it’s not well known outside those who frequent the general area. The current building dates from the mid-1950s, suggesting there was another here on the property before it, for a few years anyway. Sales are cash only and they close about mid-afternoon. Hanging on the wall and watching over you as you chow down – several stuffed deer heads that give the place its name.
We visit well after dark, the Deer Head is silent and empty. In a few hours hence, however, and they open pretty early, it’ll spring back to life. The coffee’s on!
Your author ate here a couple times in the 1990s when driving delivery truck. Maybe it’s time to go back? Yes, yes it is.
We hiked past it…
Urban Trek – Edmonton Trail.
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Date of adventure: August, 2018.
Location: Calgary, AB.
At the Deer Head Cafe.
It’s been in business for over seventy years.
And around the corner, these old pickups.
Ugh, this place is a DIVE but if you can get past the disgusting interior the food is simple and cheap… trucker quality. Owner is friendly.
Great place to pass out in a booth after a night of drinking and not get noticed 😆
You say trucker food like it’s bad. Haha! We’re kind of into places like this so had no complaints. I see they updated the sign since our visit.
I remember riding my bike there when I was 11-12 to play the pinball machine.
Ahhh, pinball. It ruined my childhood, but damn did I love playing.
Yep they do a really nice bacon and egg breakfast.
Will be there soon!
Great photos!
Thanks, we so enjoyed taking them!
Hung over breakfast.
Had my share of those back in the day. But mostly we went to a Husky.
Had an awesome omelette there yesterday cash only.
Yes, old school cash. Mmmm omlette, sounds nice!
Been going there since 1979. It is a greasy spoon at its finest. It need to be gutted as it’s been like that since I got here. Prices and food are decent.
No, no gutting. It’s perfect as it is!
Loved to go there in my years at GP Vanier Junior High.
I suspect a lot of people from that school frequented the Deer Head being it was so close and cheap.
Yes I have been there many times ,I have the steak and eggs breakfast it is fantastic.
Their steaks and egg breakie seems to get rave reviews. Look at all the comments about it.
I can see two of the deer heads in this photo.
We heard there was a third, but I didn’t see it. But then, I miss a lot of things.
Food there is great. Ambience not so much, but nice folks.
Ambience is subjective. I for one relish the look of the place.
Will have to try it.
Off to the Deer Head!
Long, true story, that is where I met my husband.
Now this is a story I’d love to hear? Bet no one else could ever say that!
I work a couple of blocks away from The Deer Head. We always send people there. We always preface it with, “it looks like a dump, but once you get inside and eat, fantastic!”
It’s a dive, but… A great way to warn them!
Never heard of it! Must check it out!
So do tell us, how’d you like it?
My sons dad used to eat there often when he worked at the old Revelstoke store 25 years ago.
I used to haul into that Revelstoke in the 1990s.
Had many Sunday steak breakfast there.
You’re making us hungry!
Excellent greasy spoon!
I doubt anyone will argue with you on that…
My dad would take me there all the time. Everychance we could have a “daddy daughter date” it was THERE. Good wholesome breakfast and good conversations😍💗
Cool memories!
Yes. Bacon or sausage, eggs toast and hash browns, 6.95. Price can’t be beat. Kind of dirty and worn, but tables and chairs were clean. Going to try again. Closes at 2pm.
What a great deal!
Stopped there on the way to junior high school from ’73-75 still looks the same.
Why mess with a proven formula? That dated look is part of the charm.
And how often do you get coffee in a cup with a saucer anymore?
Now that’s retro! I can’t think of the last time I saw that.
I used to go there for breakfast every week when I was in Jr High. My dad and I even did some work on their restaurant back in the day.
Cool! So many people sharing so many interesting memories!
At that same at Diner the woodgrain is worn right off the formica lol.
Lots of use!
One of my favourites.
We hope to go in soon. Went there in the 1990s, but not since.
Have always wanted to go, those old diners always have the best food. There’s one here in Taber that’s been around for decades, best greasy food you’ll ever have!
In Taber, eh? Messaged you! Love these old diners with personality.
A few times. Name a restaurant you can get a full breakfast and a coffee for under 10 bucks. Great food.
There are none others. Now that’s a good deal!
My Dad who was a trucker, took me there for lunch a few times.
It does have that trucker vibe!
French fries and gravy and pin ball when I went to Vanier, l967 68 ish !
Fries and gravy, a staple in my teenage years. And pinball? Now that’s a perfect combo!
It’s been here seventy (70) years? I’ve lived in Calgary for forty years and, until today, never heard of it. Hmmm, imagonna have to look into this.
What? Never heard of it? Now’s the time to go!
I used to go every morning in 1995 when I was working in construction that summer. The best!
Those who know the Deer Head seem to love it a lot. Cool!
Love the Deer Head.
Interesting name, great food, we gotta go!
Yes just a couple weeks ago on a Saturday morning. Good price and very good food. Used to get lunch there every day when I worked up 36 ave on top of the little hill there in 71-72.
Such cool memories!
Paper napkin cafes are our favourite.
Us too! Love these old school diners.
Is that place still there?? Been there since God was a boy!
It’s still going strong! And yes, they’ve been pumping out the fine meals for a long time!
A fave place for Allison, John and I.
Maybe we’ll see you three there one time!
Had breakfast there on Saturday, the place was packed . Food is good . They have three deer heads hanging on the walls , thus the name . I took this picture because you can readily see the many years of service on Their table tops . Wouldn’t change a thing !
I hear it can get busy. Love those deer heads too. We’ll pay it a visit soon – I’m getting hungry!
What agreat picture of the Deer Head Cafe,we lived right next door.(north)The Cafe was brought in from some small town in Alberta in 52/53 on flat bed trucks.We used to sell them potatoes and carrots from our garden.
Thanks! Oh that’s interesting – I didn’t find that in our research. I’ll have to dig deeper. Thanks for commenting!
Been there lots !! My grand kids love it too !!
That just reminds me it’s time for us to go. Thanks for commenting!
Lived in Calgary all my life, and it’s always been down the street from my house and I still haven’t seen there! I want to go.
Now’s the time. I predict you won’t regret it!
Good Food for a Greasy Spoon.
Love that term Greasy Spoon!
Used to go there with friends who worked for the city. Steak and eggs $2.99!!
Mmmmm, steak and eggs. So cheap – must have been some time ago!
I ate breakfast in that cafe everyday for almost 8 yrs . I worked across the street and up about a block . great place . I didnt know it was still as the last time I ate there was in the early 90s .
Cool! Eight years? That tells us the food is good!