Ginger beef and the Caesar: the famous foods invented in Calgary

For a city best known for steak, Calgary has given Canada two surprisingly famous creations: ginger beef, a staple of Chinese Canadian menus across the country, and the Caesar, often called Canada's national cocktail. Both were invented in Calgary, and both are still worth ordering there.

What is ginger beef?

Ginger beef is strips of beef, battered and deep-fried until very crispy, then tossed in a sticky, sweet and tangy sauce with ginger, garlic and often a little chili, usually with strips of carrot, pepper and onion. It is crunchy, sweet and spicy all at once, and very different from the soft, stir-fried ginger beef dishes you might find in China.

Where was ginger beef invented?

Ginger beef was created in Calgary in the 1970s at the Silver Inn, a Chinese restaurant opened by chef George Wong after he arrived from Hong Kong. The dish was a hit with local diners and spread to Chinese Canadian restaurants across the Prairies and beyond. The Silver Inn served Calgary for nearly 50 years before closing in 2022, but ginger beef lives on in countless restaurants.

Ginger beef is Chinese Canadian food, created for local tastes. It is part of Calgary's story, not a copy of a dish from China.

How do you order good ginger beef?

Look for	Why
Crispy coating	It should crunch, even under the sauce
Balanced sauce	Sweet, tangy and gingery, not just sugary
Freshly cooked	Ginger beef goes soft if it sits too long
Thin strips of beef	Thick pieces get chewy

Eat it quickly; it is at its best when it arrives at the table.

What is a Caesar cocktail?

A Caesar is like a Bloody Mary, but made with Clamato, a mix of tomato and clam juices. A classic Caesar has vodka, Clamato, Worcestershire sauce and hot sauce, served over ice in a glass with a celery salt rim and garnished with a celery stalk and a lime wedge. Many bars now add elaborate garnishes, from pickled beans to whole snacks on skewers.

Where was the Caesar invented?

The Caesar was invented in 1969 by Walter Chell, a bartender at the Calgary Inn, which is now the Westin Calgary. He was asked to create a drink to celebrate the opening of the hotel's new Italian restaurant, Marco's. Inspired by spaghetti alle vongole, a pasta dish with clams and tomato, he spent months developing the mix of clam and tomato juice. It became one of the most popular cocktails in Canada.

How do you order a Caesar?

• Choose your spice level. Most bars will make it mild, medium or hot.
• Ask about the rim. Celery salt is classic, but some bars use spicy or seasoned salt.
• Try a "virgin Caesar" without alcohol if you prefer; it is just as popular.
• Check the garnish. Some Calgary bars make the garnish a meal in itself.

Can people with allergies drink a Caesar?

Be careful. A Caesar's Clamato contains clam juice, so it is not suitable for people with shellfish allergies or for vegans. Worcestershire sauce often contains fish. If you avoid shellfish or fish, ask for a Bloody Mary instead.

Can you make ginger beef at home?

Yes, though it takes some effort. The key steps are slicing the beef thinly, coating it in a light batter, and frying it twice so it stays crisp, then tossing it quickly in a hot sauce of ginger, garlic, sugar, vinegar and soy sauce just before serving. Many Calgary families have their own version. If you have a wheat allergy or celiac disease, note that both the batter and regular soy sauce contain wheat.

Where can you try ginger beef and Caesars in Calgary?

Ginger beef is on the menu at many Chinese Canadian restaurants across the city, from Chinatown near Centre Street to neighbourhood takeout spots. Caesars are served at almost every bar and pub in Calgary, and many places have a signature version. During the Calgary Stampede in July, you will see Caesars everywhere.

What other foods should you try in Calgary?

• Alberta beef, as a steak, burger or prime rib.
• Stampede pancake breakfasts in July.
• Bison, which appears on some menus in Alberta.

Mosey is built around rating specific dishes. In Calgary, the city's own inventions are worth rating carefully: ginger beef at one restaurant can be crisp and balanced, and at another a sugary letdown.

More guides to read next:

• A food day trip from Calgary to Canmore and Banff
• How much do you tip in Calgary? Tipping and tax on Alberta restaurant bills
• Where to eat on 17th Avenue SW: a guide to Calgary's busiest food street

More in the Canadian food guides and the ranked lists of places.