This edition of Market Report highlights market eateries that have stood the test of time and continue to serve customers with the same dedication to flavour and craft.
Old Munich Bratwurst House offers family recipes and pocket dogs perfected over 25 years, while Primal Soup Company brings three decades of from-scratch soup making to the community.
Comfort food takes many forms at Calgary’s markets, from sausages tucked into toasted buns to soups simmered slowly from scratch. In this Market Report, we visit two longtime favourites, Old Munich Bratwurst House at Crossroads Market and Primal Soup Company at Fresh and Local Market + Kitchens, to see how family traditions, hard work and a focus on flavour keep customers coming back year after year.
OLD MUNICH BRATWURST HOUSE
At Calgary’s Crossroads Market, comfort food comes in many forms, but few are as beloved as the bratwurst from Old Munich Bratwurst House. A market fixture for more than 25 years (although relocating from its original “house” to a larger booth about 10 feet away), the business is entering a new chapter as Dawnn Kondracki prepares to take the reins from her father, Terry.
“It’s always been a family business,” says Kondracki. “I work alongside my dad every day. And my son, who started helping when he was 12, is part of it too. My dad’s ready to retire soon, and it means everything to us to keep that legacy alive.”
With Austrian roots, Kondracki feels a personal connection to the hearty European fare they serve. The menucentres around their iconic pocket dogs, featuring six
varieties of extra-large sausage, all made specially for Old Munich. “You can’t get our bratwurst anywhere else.”
At Old Munich, each sausage is served in a freshly baked baguette-style bun, toasted on a custom machine that creates the perfect self-contained dish — easy to grab and enjoy as you wander the market. Customize yours with fresh, made-in-house condiments like sauerkraut, curry ketchup and hot mustard. The customer favourite? “Definitely the currywurst,” Kondracki asserts, “It’s our bratwurst rolled in curry powder with our homemade sauces. People crave it.”
As Kondracki looks to the future, she says she’s eager to continue growing the catering side of the business as well as introducing new menu items that celebrate German classics with a modern twist. Still, that deep sense of comfort will always remain at the heart of their family’s approach to food. “For me, comfort food isn’t just about flavour,” says Kondracki. “It’s about connection — the warmth of sharing a meal, the nostalgia of family recipes and seeing generations of customers come back with their kids.”
Old Munich Bratwurst House | Crossroads Market | 1235 26th Ave. S.E. | 403.607.9243
PRIMAL SOUP COMPANY
For more than three decades, Primal Soup Company has been serving up bowls of warmth and comfort to Calgarians. Founded by Margaret Nemeth in Killarney more than 30 years ago, the business was born from both necessity and passion. “I was a single mom working in oil and gas,” Nemeth recalls. “But it wasn’t a flexible industry, so I needed to build something where I could bring my child along. The business was my phoenix moment out of the ashes.”
What began as a small restaurant has evolved into two locations, including a stall at the Fresh & Local Market, as well as the Primal Grounds Cafe storefront in Glamorgan. Nemeth’s philosophy for success is simple: grow thoughtfully, stay debt-free and be authentic. “I’ve built my reputation organically,” she says. “Never try to be someone you’re not.”
Every batch of Primal Soup is made from scratch — bread is baked in-house, fresh roasted turkeys and vegetables are sourced from local farmers. “Small batches are key,” Nemeth explains. “It lets us layer the flavours and cook each ingredient properly. We use ice baths to stop the cooking process right at the perfect moment. It’s old-fashioned, but it’s the best-tasting way.”
The menu at Primal Soup Company celebrates the versatility of soup, following seasonal ingredients and classics like split pea and ham, alongside globally inspired Thai, Mexican and African flavours. For Nemeth, soup is deeply personal. “As a child of immigrants, I grew up on soup. It brings families together.” One of her favourite ways to serve it? “Put it in a teacup (the ones that grandma gave you) and serve it as an appetizer before a turkey or ham dinner!”
Being part of the farmers’ market community also helps fuel Nemeth’s passion for her business. “It’s about connection and joy, not competition,” she explains. “We support each other. I don’t sell soup, I sell happiness. That’s why we’ve lasted 32 years.”
Primal Soup Company | Fresh & Local Market and Kitchens 12445 Lake Fraser Dr. S.E. | primalsoupcompany.com primalgroundscafe.com
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