The Scene
Location, location, location. Sometimes a moment of greatness has enough wallop to sow the seeds of a venue's reputation. For instance, screen star Lana Turner was discovered sipping a soda at Schwab's drugstore. Carnaby Street typified England's swinging scene of the '60s while the corner of Haight and Ashbury in San Francisco was a Mecca for the hippie movement. And Earl's Tin Palace on Jasper Avenue? That was where hockey legend Wayne Gretzky picked up the phone and proposed to Hollywood starlet Janet Jones.

The Vibe
The rest, of course, is history. Gretzky has since hung up his skates, but the legacy of the Tin Palace lives on, especially in the hockey world. These days, it's not unusual on Oilers home game nights to see the odd NHL star sucking back a post-game lager or munching on a chicken wing at Earl's location on the edge of downtown.

The Food
Aside from the odd chance to rub shoulders with a world-famous athlete, Earl's Tin Palace also offers a contemporary vibe to go along with its casual family cuisine. A potpourri of dishes range from pasta to chicken dishes, as well as a hearty offering of soups, salads and sandwiches. But the real reason to head down is its honkin' servings of steak and ribs.