There’s an old saying, TANSTAAFL, or “There Ain’t No Such Thing As A Free Lunch,” but for ten days Calgary puts the lie to that, or more accurately, becomes home to the free breakfast.
Yes, it’s the famous Stampede Breakfast season! Paper plates, plastic forks, disposable coffee cups, trestle tables, fried eggs, crispy bacon, sausages, and of course pancakes will be given away all over the city from Thursday, July 5th to Sunday the 15th.
You don’t have to search very hard to stumble upon one, everybody gets in on it, from your bank (or mine), to malls, restaurants, supermarkets, corporations, non-profits, community associations, cultural centres, neighbours, and even bars. In fact, the Ship and Anchor has a pancake “breakfast” that starts at midnight, so even the suds lovers have a place to go!
We would be happy to list some of our other favourites but you might live in a different part of town and keep different hours, so we’re just going to point you a couple of online resources. Stampede Breakfast has a nice list by date and Free Stampede Pancakes has an interactive map if you’re more geographically minded.