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Driving for Dinner: Nightjar Diner in Swift Current

Nightjar Diner’s innovative take on the classic prairie diner is changing what customers think of when they hear the word “diner.” Of course, there’s coffee and pie on the menu but with an elevated and local twist. Diner hand pies are made with apples and house-made miso, and coffee comes from local roaster Badlands Coffee Co. in Swift Current.

Photo by Naomi Hansen

Then there are other dishes you won’t find on a typical diner menu: steam buns, kale salad and a pork belly sandwich with double cream brie served on French bread. Owners Derek Sandercock and Shaun Hanna knew that they wanted Nightjar Diner to build upon a concept that was already well-loved but take it to the next level, adding something new and creative to Saskatchewan’s food scene.

Photo supplied by Nightjar Diner

“We like to play around with a lot of diner tropes. We had a Reuben on our menu for a while, but it wasn’t really a traditional Reuben,” Hanna said. “Overall, we’re really focused on good food that people can connect to. Hopefully, we can also help people get out of their comfort zones and broaden their horizons with different food, cocktails and wine.”

Photo by Naomi Hansen

Sandercock and Hanna also make a point of sourcing ingredients locally whenever possible. Speckle Park beef comes from Ranch House Meat Co. in Shaunavon and local craft beer is always on tap – including from Swift Current’s Black Bridge Brewery. Hanna says collaboration has always been a core foundation of the restaurant, whether it’s with other local restaurants or suppliers. In addition, they also have a strong focus on making nearly everything from scratch.

Photo supplied by Nightjar Diner

“The funny thing is that a lot of the things we tackle here – like baking bread, pickling and preserving – are things that peoples’ grandparents would have done back in the 1920s and 1930s,” Sandercock said. “So, it’s almost a rediscovery of what our grandparents would have totally understood.”

With that in mind, their approach to food brings things full circle with the diner, which is a staple many Saskatchewan residents grew up with. In line with the theme, a long booth stretches across the front of the restaurant and food is served on vintage dishes, most of which were donated from the community.

Photo supplied by Nightjar Diner

Nightjar Diner has certainly become a well-loved local spot in the southwestern corner of the province, popular for both lunch and dinner. In a sense, it’s a place where the past and the present collide, and where you’ll always find new takes on old favourites.

Make it a day trip or a weekend

Turn a meal at Nightjar Diner into a day trip or a weekend and explore what the Swift Current area has to offer.

Where to stay:

Holiday Inn Express & Suites, Home Inn & Suites and the Days Inn have comfortable guest rooms and suites, indoor pools and are great for families or couples looking for a getaway to southwest Saskatchewan.

What to see/do:

If you’re downtown, grab coffee and a sweet treat from Urban Ground Coffeehouse (try the double chocolate cheesecake!). On Thursdays and Fridays, visit Black Bridge Brewery’s taproom, where you can sample beer and stock up on your favourites to take home. While in Swift Current, also check out the Sputtergotch Toy Company, an independent toy store with a large selection of toys, games, art supplies and a vintage candy section.

Bonus points:

Make a point of checking out an event at the Lyric Theatre while you’re in Swift Current. Housed in a historic building, the Lyric hosts events year round, including live theatre, concerts, open mic nights with local musicians and a monthly literary series. If you’re visiting during the summer, in July and August it also hosts the annual Great Southwest Shakespeare Festival in Riverside Park, which includes two Shakespeare play productions per season.

Photo by Sean McCall

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Nightjar Diner is located at 325 Central Avenue North in Swift Current, SK. It is open most days for lunch and dinner. Find more information and hours at nightjardiner.co. Nightjar Diner and two of its recipes (a dessert and a cocktail!) will also be featured in Naomi Hansen’s forthcoming book, Only in Saskatchewan: Recipes & Stories from the Province’s Best-loved Eateries. Visit www.naomihansen.ca for more information.

 

Author: Naomi Hansen

Naomi Hansen is a writer and editor based in Saskatoon, SK. She is the author of the forthcoming book Only in Saskatchewan: Recipes & Stories from the Province’s Best-loved Eateries, which will be published by TouchWood Editions in April 2022. Find her on Instagram @onlyinsaskatchewan, Twitter @naomihansen_ or at www.naomihansen.ca.