Grizzly House Restaurant
207 Banff Avenue, Banff, AB, T1L 1B4
403-767-4055 | Email
This restaurant has been operating for over 40 years in Banff, specializing in fondues.
Category:
Restaurants
What:
| Cuisine Type | | Bakeries |
| Ambiance | | Offbeat, Romantic Spot, Casual |
| Meals Served | | Lunch, Dinner |
| Amenities | | Full Bar, Game In Season, Must Reserve |
| Pricing | | $31 - $40 |
| Payment | | Interac, MasterCard, Visa |
Where:
| Neighbourhood | | Banff |
When:
| Daily 11:30AM - Midnight |
Profile Last Updated: April 16, 2008
A Long History in Banff
The Grizzly House has a long history in Banff, opening over 40 years ago as a disco, complete with go-go girls and touring rock and roll bands. According to local lore, the establishment did not have its own kitchen, so it imported food from the adjacent Chinese restaurant in order to comply with the then existing liquor laws that forbade serving alcoholic beverages without also serving food. When the Chinese restaurant closed down, the food requirement was met by the introduction of fondues in the Grizzly House, and that has been the specialty of the house ever since.
The Décor is Rustic
The restaurant is housed in an A-frame building on Banff Avenue in the centre of the village. It has wood paneled walls, and is decorated inside with a carved grizzly bear, totem poles, bearskin rugs, a taxidermied bison head, and even a mannequin perched on a motorcycle. Another oddity is a telephone at each table, a holdover from the days of disco. The place holds itself out as a place for lovers and hedonists, but there appears to be no requirement to prove that you are either before being allowed entry. Reservations are recommended.
The Menu is Fondues
Patrons can choose either the traditional hot oil fondue, or prepare their meal on sizzling hot rocks. You can choose from a remarkable number of items to put in your fondue, from beef to buffalo, chicken to lobster, and cheese to chocolate. There are also a number of exotic items offered as well, including rattlesnake, shark, alligator, ostrich, wild boar, caribou, and frog legs. Steak tartar is offered as an appetizer, made either with beef or bison. They are described as the “only raw deal on the menu.” Loosen up, relax, and enjoy.
The Grizzly House has a long history in Banff, opening over 40 years ago as a disco, complete with go-go girls and touring rock and roll bands. According to local lore, the establishment did not have its own kitchen, so it imported food from the adjacent Chinese restaurant in order to comply with the then existing liquor laws that forbade serving alcoholic beverages without also serving food. When the Chinese restaurant closed down, the food requirement was met by the introduction of fondues in the Grizzly House, and that has been the specialty of the house ever since.
The Décor is Rustic
The restaurant is housed in an A-frame building on Banff Avenue in the centre of the village. It has wood paneled walls, and is decorated inside with a carved grizzly bear, totem poles, bearskin rugs, a taxidermied bison head, and even a mannequin perched on a motorcycle. Another oddity is a telephone at each table, a holdover from the days of disco. The place holds itself out as a place for lovers and hedonists, but there appears to be no requirement to prove that you are either before being allowed entry. Reservations are recommended.
The Menu is Fondues
Patrons can choose either the traditional hot oil fondue, or prepare their meal on sizzling hot rocks. You can choose from a remarkable number of items to put in your fondue, from beef to buffalo, chicken to lobster, and cheese to chocolate. There are also a number of exotic items offered as well, including rattlesnake, shark, alligator, ostrich, wild boar, caribou, and frog legs. Steak tartar is offered as an appetizer, made either with beef or bison. They are described as the “only raw deal on the menu.” Loosen up, relax, and enjoy.
