It’s a little bit hard to go wrong for BBQ if you own a smoker big enough that it apparently weighs a tonne and cost about $25 000. Although I don’t claim to be a BBQ expert, I can tell when meat is dry and flavourless that, fortunately, The Palomino does not serve. The atmosphere in this place is best described as a pub more than a restaurant, complete with a number of TVs showing different types of sports. It seems to attract quite a local crowd simply for the being a fairly decent pub although the friendliness of the waitresses probably has something to do with it as well.

Their menu had plenty of things I’d want to try of different things but since I’d come to try any of the items subjected to their smoker, I ended up with the two meat platter including the Alberta beef brisket and the St Louis style ribs. Served with two choices of sides, this huge plate of food should appease all audiences. I succumbed to the temptation of the garlic fries and I’m pleased to report that their extraordinarily wicked flavour and crispiness did not disappoint. I tried to make the meal just that tinier bit healthier with the grilled seasonal vegetables.

II can’t say that I was disappointed with the beef brisket and the ribs either – both extremely tender and succulent. The brisket came in strips and though it didn’t have any saucy component didn’t really need it with the flavour that it carried. The ribs, on the other hand, came already covered in a decent amount of sauce and with the meat easily removed from the bone went down very quickly.

I ate at The Palomino too early to see any of the live music that apparently goes on, though I’d definitely return to check out the downstairs area that hosts the bands. Best described as a pub that serves a great selection of down to earth food, The Palomino meets its own description of itself perfectly.