AMTA Supplier Member Blackjacks Roadhouse Serving up Community Support and Great Eats since 2009

Alberta Motor Transport Association

On December 25, 2023, Blackjacks Roadhouse in Nisku served more than 2,000 complimentary turkey dinners to their local community and commercial drivers.

Serving those in the community began in Fort McMurray at a family-owned Smitty’s 39 years ago. Blackjacks owner Clarence Shields’ father, Jack, was born on Christmas Day.

“[Jack’s] motto was that ‘no one should be alone at Christmas,’” said Clarence. “The first year, we served meals to oil, police, and fire workers. One group was a band playing at a local bar. They brought in their instruments and played all day during the dinner.”

Established in 2009, Blackjacks Roadhouse includes overnight parking for 160 trucks, shower facilities, and a laundromat. Stepping inside, one immediately feels at home with trucking, highway, and historical memorabilia decking every surface.

For the turkey dinner, Blackjacks works closely with the Leduc & District Food Bank, sending notices to anyone who might need a hot meal and company to share it with.

“Over the years, we’ve seen a mix of drivers, seniors, families in need, singles, and homeless,” Clarence said. “Over 200 take-out meals are picked up and distributed to surrounding communities that are not able to attend.”

Clarence explained during the COVID-19 pandemic, an outside drive-through kitchen was set up and distributed more than 600 takeaway meals. 2024 will mark 40 years of the event taking place.

“This could not take place without the support of the community and the numerous volunteers that make this event so special,” he said.

Supporting the community is a Shields family tradition – Clarence’s daughter Krysta is the Director of Marketing and Sales for the Roadhouse – and the holiday season isn’t the only time of year Blackjacks takes time to give back. Among their busy event calendar, the Roadhouse hosts ‘Ride For Dad,’ raising funds for fighting prostate cancer, ‘Ride For Mom,’ supporting domestic violence awareness, and a three-club car show with funds raised for charity.

“My father had 100 one-liners,” explained Clarence. “But the one that really stuck was ‘The value of a person is not what they take out of a community but what they give back’ – [It’s] a tradition that has been handed down for three generations.”