Primal Grounds: The best macaroni and cheese in Calgary

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Primal Grounds Cappuccino Bar and Eatery (click here to see their website) is located 3003 – 37 Street SW (37 street near Richmond Road). I was fortunate enough to get a gift certificate to Primal Grounds to review it, and since my visit, I’ve been hooked on Primal Grounds. Why?

The Mac and Cheese

As the server laid my bowl down on the table, the freshly prepared dish steamed, the scent of cheese wafting through the air. The macaroni had just the right amount of cheese, making for a well-done bowl o’ mac and cheese. The consistency of the macaroni was saucy but not milky, full of flavour but not too rich. There was just a bit of pepper to give it a kick, and we got a choice of a side salad or soup.

The Famous Roast Turkey and Cranberry Sandwich
The owners of Primal Grounds claim to have based their business on this sandwich, and I’m not surprised. It’s a a delicious sandwich. No matter the time of year, you’ll see it advertised on their roadside billboard. Consisting of turkey, cranberry sauce, lettuce, tomatoes, alfalfa, and more, the sandwich is what I like to call a “two-hander.” The dual combination of a healthy sandwich and a turkey dinner makes it irresistible. It’s sultry and satiating. None of the ingredients are overwhelming, but instead enhance the overall falvour. The cranberry sauce is surprising and sweet, adding an element of originality to the sandwich. It’s especially good after a work-out, and is particularly filling.

The Home-Made Soup
The soup had the zest of tomato flavour, but tasted light and not too salty. It was tasty and hearty without feeling oily and fattening as many soups do. The soup contained a mixture of vegetables and chickpeas to satisfy your conscience and fill you up, and yet the soup tastes good enough to feel as if it were an indulgence.

The Atmosphere
With its inviting warmth, entering Primal Grounds feels like walking into a kitchen. But not just any kitchen: with its “primal” theme, the eatery feels exotic because of the primitive cave painting decor. Primal Grounds has been featured in the Calgary Herald for its creative interior design. The mood is casual and relaxed, fostering creative conversation and comfortable dining.

The Extras
We got generous thick slices of fluffy, home-made bread with our soup. The side salad with our mac and cheese was also great- I’m not usually a fan of spinach salads, but it was delicious! Extra mandarins, cranberries, and nuts added interest and flavour. In fact, I might bring my mother to Primal Grounds for the salad alone!

The Health Benefits
A great appeal of the restaurant is not only the quality of the food, but the nutrition it offers. Everything tastes delectable, but is greatly enhanced by the sense that you’ve made a healthy choice. Primal Grounds offers gluten-free and vegetarian options, making it popular for those with diet restrictions. Furthermore, the cafe has the appeal of home-cooked meals, complete with a warm, inviting atmosphere and home-style menu choices.

It’s located right next to a coin-laundry place for those of you looking to multi-task. It’s also relatively near Marda Loop, Westbrook, and Westhills. Fortunately for me, it’s close to my school, Bishop Carroll, making for an excellent lunch outing.  The same goes for students at Mount Royal University,  Ernest Manning,  and A.E. Cross.

All in all, I love Primal Grounds. I’ve been taking my friends to the eatery at lunchtime, selling them on the sandwiches and soup. Primal Grounds takes home-style food and adds sultry twists to everyone’s favourite recipes, be it throwing mandarins into your salad or sweetening your sandwich with cranberries. I look forward to trying the rest of the menu, and highly recommend Primal Grounds to anyone looking for a healthy, hearty, home-style bite to eat.

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