Used to be great

We have been coming to Reef & Beef since it opened in the 1980s because my parents love the old fashioned steak restaurant feel. They have appreciated the full meal with garlic toast, soup and salad starters and all inclusive meals. We will never return after our experience June 2014. The garlic toast, was neither garlic or toast, but half... more

Love the seafood

Make sure you are very hungry because the portion size is going to amaze you. Not only do you get garlic toast but soup and salad with your meal. The crab legs are sooooo good and every meal can be ordered on its own or in a combo.
The Reef' n Beef is the place to go in Calgary for... more

A wonderful surprise in a meh package

After having driven through BC and AB on vacation, my partner and I were dying for a good steak. This place was closeby so we decided to stop in. Wow! The location and pedestrian name belie a gem of a restaurant inside. Sure, the decor isn't anything to write home about, but who cares?! The food and service were stellar!... more

Still the best in my books

This restaurant, in my opinion, is one of the best steak houses in Calgary for the price. We have been going to the Reef N Beef for over 20 years and for the quality of food, service and price, it is bar-none the best. All steaks include their garlic bread, soup of the day or onion soup and salad (Caesar... more

Restaurant Nightmare in Calgary, Stay away

We read a some reviews, it seemed good, We've never came here before, so didn't know what to expect, other than to check it out. How many levels of horrible can this restaurant land?? This restaurant deserves to be on Gordon Ramsay's Restaurant night mare. The web site asked for reservations, done. We arrived its location was next to a... more

A tad disappointing

This is a steak house and in Calgary that means the beef should be a slam dunk. I had the prime rib it was OK but it was not as good as it should have been. In Calgary the beef is usually great and this one unfortunately was not. The trimmings were well done and well presented.

Disappointed

We used to go to the restaurant all the time and the food was great. I am not sure if there are new owners or a new chef, but the food certainly is not what we have enjoyed in the past. We could hardly find the onions in the onion soup, the salad is half the size it used to be and the cuts of meat an not good. The service was terrible also. I doubt we'll be going back.

Amazing Service and Delicious eats

As my first time at Reef n Beef I was very impressed. I brought my family of 5 for a nice meal and was not disappointed. We chose the restaurant setting (had a toddler with us) and was promptly guided to a nice candlelit table. My son was offered a coloring book and crayons right away (bonus for family awareness).Dinner was delicious. The main entree did take a while to come out (overall we... more

Food

The atmosphere was really good but we were not impressed with our food. Steak was overcooked and I ordered Chicken & Mushroom Pasta in an alfredo sauce. The Pasta was way overcooked and it seemed like the chicken was pressed meat. As well the alfredo sauce had absolutely no taste. No pleased.
We have had better food at Boston Pizza and unfortunately will not be returning,.
Your staff are... more

food was tasty but it could have been hotter

Excellent

Great service, great food, great atmosphere. Just the kind of place we'd been looking for to go out to on our date nights that come along so rarely. The quantity of great food for the price is reasonable too. We really enjoy our time here.

Very satisfied

The Reef and Beef special Monday- Thursday is special. For $25.00 you got an 8 oz steak, lobster tail, garlic bread, soup, salad plus potato and veggies. Not realizing how much extra food I was getting I upgraded by Onion soup to Baked Onion soup. Boy was I full. The steak was a little over cooked for me but a definite great value for what I was served. Bring a friend to help you eat it all.... more

Fabulous

We always have enjoyed our visits to the Reef n' Beef. We have been numerous times and have never been disappointed.

My 22 year anniversary dinner

My husband and I showed up for our 22 year anniversary dinner
From the time we walked in we were treated great
The server was spot on as soon as we thought
We needed something (drink refill or dishes cleared )
She was bringing them it doing it. She was well
Versed in the menu and made you good suggestions

Impressed

Food was prepared perfectly with a server who was very knowledgeable. The server s timimg was spot on for such a busy night. We were not rushed to finishour meal and they did not push alcohol drinks like most establishments.

Reef N' Beef dinner experience

Our experience was very good. Comparing portion sizes to cost of meal was incomparable. Absolutely delicious and cooked to perfection. We left with a feeling of satisfaction and awe.

great but slow

Great food, very slow service tho, and a little cramped but I would go back

Romantic Valentine's

For years I have heard the food is very good. The garlic bread and onion soup were to die for. The restaurant is very much an old time steak house. We loved it. The washrooms are in desperate need of an update.

Valentines Day

I took my girlfriend here for Valentines Day, I wasn't sure what to expect since I had never been here before. I was overly impressed by the staff, food, and atmosphere. I would highly recommend this restaurant.

good valentines day

Overall experience was good. We enjoyed the ambiance and the service was good, the wine selection was great! For the most part the food was well prepared and very tastey, with the exception of the lobster. We were looking forward to lobster but it was very disappointing as there was no taste to it whatsoever:( I expected to have a great tasting lobster, if I had known before booking I would... more

Great experience!

My family has been coming here for 25 years always a great experience! Great food, service and atmosphere and the reef and beef special for $25 is amazing one of the best deals I've ever seen in Calgary!!

Love This Place

The lounge steak is my favourite. Always cooked just the way I ordered it. The new menu items in both the lounge and restaurant are varied and reasonably priced. I go to the Reef often for the steak and lobster special which is excellent. The servers are efficient and very pleasant. I would recommend this restaurant in Calgary's NE to... more

I won't be returning

I had been to this restaurant before - about 7 years ago - I remember it being better for some reason - maybe my standards were lower - not sure.
Wife and I came in for supper - arrived to find no one at the door to seat us. Waited a good 10 minutes before someone finally came around gave... more

Always enjoyed the food here especially the lobster and steak for $25. The food has been great , but recently the quality of the steak has dropped , Seemed to be a lower quality cut than what it used to be. Now it seems to be more of a hit and miss.

Ruined New Years Eve Dinner

I am not going to write a long narrative but rather just a summary of things that went wrong.
We arrived for our 8:30 reservation on time. We found out AFTER ordering that they were out of prime rib AND filet mignon. What? Really – at a steak house? Why not tell us that BEFORE we ordered. Our menu options... more

Very good food!

I always enjoy the meal there .Good selection and good portions.

Great Night

Great food and service. We recommend to anyone, we like to go for special occasions. The server suggested a great wine.

I expected this place to be a bit of a dive but it's not and actually reminds me of Smuggler's Inn. What a massive restaurant. Overall, the decor is okay but the restroom could use an upgrade. The service was friendly enough but rather slow. It was quite was busy so I don't know if this was the reason or if it was just the server.

I can't believe how inexpensive the food is and you really do... more

A Gem of a Place

This little restaurant does not look like much. It's stuck in the corner of a rundown strip mall and most folks, when I recommend it, call me and double check they have the right place. However, once inside, the atmosphere is dim but very cozy and inviting. The food is downright amazing and an extremely good price. We have been... more

Great service, great food, awesome atmosphere, I have no complaints about this place. They ran out of scallops so offered crab or lobster instead for no extra charge, and they actually brought both! There really seems to be an emphasis on customer service and it shows.

Service was very friendly and excellent for our large group of 14 people and the pricing is very reasonable for the type of... more

Think twice

How do you go from being one of the best to "best NOT eat here"?
Change management
Cut portions in half and raise prices
Serve profusely bleeding meat
Hire inexperienced cooks.
Used to be standing room only, but now you'll dining amongst empty tables.
Our condolences to the wait-staff - they are phenomenal and deserve to be serving
top-notch meals... more

Pleasantly Surprised

Family had booked this restaurant for a family gathering of 30+ (kids and adults). When we arrived at the restaurant the outside was not very inviting or appealing. We had a drink in the lounge and then moved into an upper area that management had set aside for us. The meal was great. Everyone got what they ordered. The salad/soup... more

Great

Great service and atmosphere.... Food is amazing... Steaks done to perfection....
Great value.... Meals come with a soup salad and garlic bread..... more

my sister and i went there saturday lunch time...i didnt know that the dining room isnt open. so we went to the other side....i was so surprise the price is lower...so that is a little tip, if you are on a budget, go to that side instead of the dining area.

same portions, some menu are the same. I LOVE their aaa steak its huge the 10oz, holy very very very juicy....yummm and its only like 22... more

Stay away

Around Feb of 2012 I went to the Reef and Beef for an anniversary. It was a big mistake. We ended up getting a preferred guest coupon for $20 off the bill so we decided to give it one more chance. NOT. One dish was the Veal Cordon blue and the blood from the veal mixed in with the swiss... more

This used to be one of my favourite restaurants, but I am finding that they have gone quite downhill recently. They keep offering endless Groupons, so I have been here about 4 times within the past year.

On my last visit, I made a reservation but it was missing when I arrived. Luckily it was just for 2 people and they had free tables. I always get the French onion soup, I could tell that they... more

Great value

I've been eating at the Reef 'n Beef since I was a starving student, and discovered the $4.95 steak sandwich in their lounge. Fast forward 25 years. The steak sandwich is still only $5.95.
In the dining room all the entrees are served with choice of soup AND choice of salad AND garlic toast. They will refill the garlic toast... more

We were given an Anniversary Card for this restaurant worth $20.00. So we used it this week. And I came away with some questions.
First of all, how is a classic Caesar Salad prepared? It doesn't appear they are prepared a la Chef (at the table) any more but some places actually still have the waiter apply parmesan cheese and pepper at the table. We received neither on our salads.
To it's credit... more

mediocre steak

i had a groupon cupon so it was great cause i always hear about this place being good. the steak is just average like a home cooked steak. it just was not tasty if i would have paid fiull price that would been upsetting. the decore is very old and dated but it is in the NE so what do... more

I remember going to the Reef n' Beef back in the late 80's for my wedding. Sporting the decor of a classic steakhouse with its dimly lit dining room and wood accented everything, the place still looks the same today.

I've been here twice with some people from the office for a work lunch to have the $5.95 steak sandwich. For a $5.95 steak, I don't expect much in terms of bells and whistles,... more

Love This Place

I regularly eat at the Reef 'n Beef in either the lounge or the dining room. The food has always been exactly the way I ordered it, hot and presented nicely. The new management are constantly making changes to enhance the restaurant. The staff are friendly and welcoming. The atmosphere is quiet, clean, ambience may be a bit retro, but... more

Horrible

Food was horrific, far too expensive for what they served!

Horrible

We purchased a coupon from Groupon and thank goodness as the meal full price would have been a crime..
This resturant is OLD, hasn't had any upgrades and smells like it. I'm pretty sure my prime rib was micro-waved or pre-cooked, the garlic toast was tasteless and soggy, the veggies way too undercooked and I like my veggies undercooked, the... more

Cheap and tasty and really good. Love the 70's woodgrain atmosphere.

excellent food despite dated decor, menu and service

the decor, menu, and service is straight out of 1980 - totally dated - but i actually kinda like that. Where else can you still get garlic toast LOL? the food is EXCELLENT, although I don't find the prices to be low as some others in this thread would say. i had the steak and lobster last night, which at $38 is about what I expect to pay... more

Reef 'n Beef is located in the Rundlehorn Drive area NE of Calgary. Its one of those places you would miss if you didn't know exacty where it was.

A colleague told me about this place because she lives close by. She raved about the $5.95 steak sandwich. I couldn't believe my ears when she said FIVE DOLLARS AND NINETY FIVE CENTS steak sandwiches so I had to see for myself. There are two... more

Old-school ambiance and surprisingly delicious food

My husband used to go here all the time years ago when he lived up in the NE and when we found a groupon for here he really wanted to go back. I took him for his birthday and when I first walked in, I couldn't believe how dated everything was! Banquette seating, old hurricane-style gas lamps, hammered tin cutlery,... more

Not much to look at, but you won't beet the food, service or cost. Absolutely worth every penny

This place has been around for ever. On the outside it needs some help. And to be truly honest it needs a make over inside too. However.. They still have the most incredible service. They treat you like you are royalty. The owner has stayed true to the way it use to be in all 5 star restaurants, the staff... more

Service excellent! Really friendly! Out side a little worrying and inside a little date but I loved it! Service with a smile! We both got a steak sandwich with chunky fries $5.95 each! It was soooooooo good! I didn't think it would be for the price but it really was good! Will be back again! Limited menu today but still good!

Disappointed

The Reef N Beef has always been a top choice of ours when we want to have a special meal and feel pampered. Unfortunately last nite I can not say that was our experience. Our waitress seemed harried, disorganized, and not attentive at all. They may have been understaffed, but the service was not up to the standards we are... more

Stay away for lunch

Admittedly, I was attracted to this place thanks to all the positive reviews in T.A. Unfortunately we went for lunch and discovered the other side of this restaurant. During the day the only thing open is the lounge with its prototypical 20 year old décor and furnishings. This on its own would not be a problem for me. The issue... more

So it was dinner time for my friend Abby and I. First choice was Olive Garden but there was a 40 min wait so we ended up leaving. I mentioned Reef n Beef as another friend of mine recommended the place before but I never have been. Abby has been there before and said yeah sure.

Everyone says in the review - don't judge the place based on location and outside of building - like the cover of a... more

Hidden Gem

We recently celebrated our 10th Anniversary at the Reef n beef restaurant, and I have to say that the service was great! The food was AMAZING and the amount of food we recieved for the price we paid was incredible! My husband has decided it was the best steak and crab he has ever had! This place is a hidden... more

The pizza here is soooo good! I don't like going into the restaurant because there are definitely some... INTERESTING people hanging around inside... especially if you go later in the evening... it's one of those places you're scared to try out because it looks like a dive but it turns out to serve some pretty good food.

Was seated in the dreaded "by the

Was seated in the dreaded "by the kitchen" table and was subjected to the usual door openings, dish clattering, and hushed chatting of the staff. I didn't ask for a table change so won't complain above what I have already done.
Clam chowder soup was average, none of the nice taste that I've enjoyed in Boston-area restaurants, meh.
Garlic bread,... more

Step back in time to the 70's and enjoy a nicely cooked steak with side table service. Had a rib steak cooked medium rare with steak cut fries. Steak was actually cooked perfectly unlike numerous other places so they obviously have a good feel for their broiler. Very nice charred flavor on steak as well. Great tasty old school fries but forgot to get their gravy which is supposed to be very... more

My favourite restaurant

I try to go every year on my birthday.
The escargots are amazing, make sure to dip the garlic bread into the garlic butter, it is so yummy.
The french onion soup is the best I have had, comes free with your meal too.
I usually go for the steak and crab legs, which are both incredible.
I have never... more

Went there for lunch--only the lounge was open.

I had been reading good things about this place, so I was interested enough to check it out. Unfortunately, only the lounge is open for lunch. That means a (very) limited menu, but it’s pretty cheap.

I have heard that the Reef N’ Beef looks like it comes straight out of the 80’s, but I would have to disagree. I think it looks more like the 70’s!

I ordered the steak sandwich, substituting a... more

Top 10 in Calgary

It seems like it is out of the way and just another neighborhood restaurant, however, the food is amazing and you get so much with a full meal including soup AND salad, amazing garlic bread and be sure to get a stuffed potato (did I mention the house dressing for your salad?). The Veal Cutlets is the best I have... more

One of best kept secrets in Calgary great food, service and atmosphere serving Alberta Beef, Seafood for the last 27 years

get the steak

get the steak

Good Food

Good Food

Have a cheap steak sandwich in the lounge. I give the 4 stars for price, the steak's not the best, but good for the

Have a cheap steak sandwich in the lounge. I give the 4 stars for price, the steak's not the best, but good for the price.