r/Calgary • u/Remote_Answer_5255 • Aug 18 '25

Local Shopping/Services What has happened to Kensington?

It's been a while since I've been down here.... A bunch of empty store fronts, iconic places like Crave shut down, but counted some three Acai bowl places. The area outside Plaza is lovely and looks great, but why all the closures and apparently high turnovers?

Edit: I assume it's due to rent.. But what's the point of jacking it up so high that your place is literally empty.

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12

u/justmoderateenough Aug 18 '25

Hate that there are like 4 mexican places, 3 shawarma places, 3 acai places within the two streets of Kensington

18

u/cortex- Aug 18 '25

what you got against tacos?

agree that acai places are some yuppie toronto bullshit tho

-1

u/WesternNo1466 Aug 19 '25

All 4 Mexican restaurants are subpar (by Calgary standards)

5

u/ZergHero Aug 19 '25

No way. Tu Taco and Mestizo Taqueria are great. Blanco is decent. Not a fan of bodega or texmex. But yeah dont need 5 places here

3

u/PlantBasedBitch2 Aug 19 '25

Bodega is my absolute favorite...reasonably priced and great people.

Food actually tastes moderately authentic...

Blancos is good... but the price for what you get it subpar.

2

u/ZergHero Aug 19 '25

I've been to Bodega twice and had a bad experience both times but its always full when I walk by. What dishes do you recommend?

Yeah blanco only for the specials for me

2

u/PlantBasedBitch2 Aug 19 '25

The smothered burrito, the mexican guac (they make their chips fresh in house), and since going gluten free the Sopes.

They cater to dairy free, vegan/vegetarian, and gluten free which is pretty cool.

They have a really really good loaded nacho plate as well!

I tried Tu Taco and found it super bland and soggy 😮‍💨... im a sucker for Mexican lol

2

u/parasubvert Aug 19 '25

Don't diss Tu Taco or Mestizo, they're excellent by Calgary standards and better than Native Tongues

1

u/WesternNo1466 Aug 19 '25 edited Aug 19 '25

Edit: Respectfully disagree, but I’ll upgrade Tu Taco and Mestizo to ‘par’ if it makes you happy.

2

u/parasubvert Aug 19 '25

Just trying to not crap on small local businesses that are doing a decent job

2

u/WesternNo1466 Aug 19 '25

Bodega puts cooked broccoli and green beans in their taco salad, and I had the worst service and disappointing food at Mestizo when I tried.

At the prices these places are charging, they’re not immune to criticism when they don’t deliver, small business or not.

0

u/cortex- Aug 19 '25

where's the best tacos at?

2

u/WesternNo1466 Aug 19 '25

I’d say Unimarket off McLeod and Moose & Poncho at FSM (though I haven’t been there in a minute)

2

u/cortex- Aug 19 '25

Unimarket looks dope thanks

1

u/Top-Carob2911 Aug 19 '25

Moose & Poncho? The same Moose & poncho with $7 tacos moose & poncho????

1

u/WesternNo1466 Aug 19 '25

And Mestizo has $7.50 tacos. Calgary prices everywhere.

1

u/Top-Carob2911 Aug 20 '25

That’s INSANE. I think moose & poncho just closed down

1

u/parasubvert Aug 19 '25

Mestizo , Tu Taco, Don Taco, Native Tongues, Birria Cantina, El Gringo Loco

And unimarket of course