Anchorage/Fairbanks Eateries

Hubby and I are venturing to Anchorage in August, driving from there to Fairbanks (past Denali) and returning to Anchorage (past Wrangell-St.Elias). With such long driving trips are there any "don't miss" eateries in either direction? We're not fancy eaters, but don't want greasy or average. Is there food that is considered "typical" Alaskan fare (besides salmon?)
Thanks - I realize this is a long way away, but we are SO excited!
Mary

[laurachow]

It would be nice if Chowhound posted the original date of a thread, so we can choose to pass on a thread like this that was started in 2006! Seems like it could be included right next to the name of the original poster.

[mommamayi]

Wow, I should have proofread my post, but I was in a hurry! The date of the original post is next to the poster's name at the bottom of the message. I knew that this started in 2006, but thought I would offer some updated suggestions in case someone else comes looking for ideas of good places to eat in the area.

A couple of other suggestions are "Silver Gulch Brewing Company" in Fox, Alaska, just outside of Fairbanks - http://www.silvergulch.com/ , and Marx Brother's Cafe in Anchorage - http://www.marxcafe.com/

The best of all of the places I recommended is "229 Parks", near Denali. That's the one that has the potential to "wow" you the most. The others are just good by foodie standards, but not off the charts. People don't come to Alaska for the food. They come for the scenery. :

)

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Marx Brothers Cafe
627 W Third Avenue, Anchorage, AK 99501

[laurachow]

Yes, the date is in the thread. But, wouldn't it be great if the date was included on the list on the board so you don't even have to bother to open a thread that was started years ago? I'd appreciate that, since sometimes I spend time responding to something only to realize that is is so old as to be irrelevant.

But, updated reviews are always welcome! I hear the termination dust is creeping toward Anchorage. Hope you have a nice snowy and sunny winter!

[mommamayi]

Valid point!

Yes, we woke up to a blanket of white here in Fairbanks this morning. Time to get a fire going in the fireplace and make a mocha.

[laurachow]

Doh! I just found that there is an option to choose date started on the boards. Don't know why I never noticed it before? Problem solved.

[anclocal]

Humpy's - good food, great drinks, great atmosphere.
Darwins - good dive bar
Glacier Brewhouse - decent food, good bar
F Street - used to be good but really downhill in the last 6 months - poor service, seafood just doesn't taste that good and can drawn some real nasty drunk locals at night

[ClaireWalter]

Old thread, but if anyone finds it again, Crush in downtown Anchorage has a great wine list, casual atmosphere and tapas-style menu created by chef who is a James Beard semi-finalist, Pacific NW region.

[mommamayi]

I would recommend "229 Parks", which is literally at that milepost on the the Parks Highway as you near Denali, driving from Anchorage. It's about a 2 1/2 hour drive if you're going to it from Fairbanks. We drive down for our anniversary sometimes, or try to stop coming or going from Anchorage. Laura Cole as a cookbook and her family owns a great wilderness lodge within Denali. We ate there once, just after Laura Bush and her entourage were there and I know that Sean Penn ate their when directing "Into the Wild".

Another place to eat in Fairbanks is "Lavelle's Bistro". http://www.lavellesbistro.com/

I love Alaska. You will too. Here are my choices for Anchorage and Fairbanks: I THINK ALL PLACES ARE NOW NON SMOKING.

F Street Station (very casual, good food)
Space is at a premium in this minuscule downtown bar where the downtown business crowd heads for a light meal. It isn't for kids, and the bar sometimes gets smoky, but the food is always delicious. The steak sandwich and cheeseburgers are good bets, but also look over the board for today's seafood specials. A giant block of cheese occupies one corner of the bar, and the TVs are usually tuned to sports in this Cheers-type gathering place. AE, DC, MC, V.

Address: 325 F St., Anchorage, AK, USA
Phone: [phone]



THE GREAT ALASKA DINNERHOUSE
From the moment you walk through our saloon doors, you'll know it is time to relax and have a great meal. The breathtaking views, the gracious hospitality and our honest cuisine work together to ensure that your dining experience is a memorable one.

Simon and Seafort's. The Great Alaskan Dinnerhouse.

Address:
420 L Street
Anchorage, AK 99501
Phone:[phone]

Lunch Hours:
Mon- Fri 11am-2:30pm
Sat no lunch
Sun no lunch

Dinner Hours:
Mon- Sun 5pm-10pm

Bar Hours:
Mon- Fri 11am- 12 midnight
Sat, Sun 4pm- 12 midnight
Last call 11:30pm daily

Appetizer Specials:
Every Night After 9:00pm

Non-smoking dining room and bar.

Kids menu, booster seats and high chairs available.

Large groups up to 20 can be accommodated; call manager in advance.



Fairbanks Dining at Pikes Waterfront Lodge (MAIN DINING ROOM IS RATHER FINE DINING - THE OTHER ROOM IS VERY CASUAL. VERY GOOD FOOD.
For casual Fairbanks dining, try the Captain's Lounge located on the main floor of Pike's Waterfront Lodge.

This full-service Fairbanks restaurant offers a variety of pleasing menu entrees, burgers, and beverages.

For fine dining with a fantastic view of the Chena River, try the famous Pike's Landing (located right next door to Pike's Waterfront Lodge).

Pike's Landing is a Fairbanks restaurant landmark and has mouth-watering specialties prepared by some of Alaska's best chefs.

The Pumphouse - Fairbanks (MY FAVORITE - ATE THERE AT LEAST FIVE TIMES)

Fine Dining in an Historic Atmosphere Overlooking the Chena River
Award Winning Dining recognized by DiRoNa

Riverboat Discovery along the Pumphouse Deck
Spectacular Sunday Brunch
Prime Aged Beef
Alaskan Seafood
Premium Wine List & Micro Brews
Catering & Wedding Services
Private Parties
Banquet Rooms
Book your Group Functions by calling the catering department!


New! ANTIQUE SHUFFLEBOARD

With the addition of an antique 1930 National Shuffleboard to compliment our Antique Brunswick Pool Tables, we celebrate this occasion with a new logo t-shirt. More info.
WINTER HOURS
Starting October 1st
DINNER: 5:00-10:00 PM
OYSTER BAR: 4:OOPM - MIDNITE
SUNDAY BRUNCH: 10:00AM -2:00PM.
Open 7 days a Week
SUMMER HOURS
Starting memorial day weekend
LUNCH: 11:30AM - 2:00 PM
DINNER MENU: 5:00PM-10:00 PM
SALOON MENU: 2:OOPM - 11:00PM
SUNDAY BRUNCH: 10:00AM -2:00PM.
Specials:
·HappyHour
·Baby Back Ribs
·Karaoke Night

Wow, thanks so much for such an in-depth recommendation. We will definitely try these out and will report on them when we return!

Enjoy the trip - enjoy the food. Say "Hi" to everyone in Alaska for me. I miss that place.

Not a bad place to start:

http://www.adn.com/play/dining/search/index.html?search&collection=venues&field_cs_comp=49&field_f_stat=1&sort_asc=n

or for lighter fare:
http://www.adn.com/play/dining/search...

I was tremendously underwhelmed by Pike's. Perhaps it's that the rest of Fairbanks' dining scene is so dismal -- or that expectations are low going in -- that make it stand out for some.

Anchorage, however, has some great dining. Simon's and Seafort's is reliable and a pretty good rec, but F Street is the kind of pub fare you can get in any city. Good, but not outstanding.

Two wonderful recs are south of Anchorage in Girdwood. My personal favorite is the Double Musky -- which was Cajun long before Cajun was cool. I started going there in 1984.

http://www.doublemuskyinn.com/

For a fancy meal on a clear night, the 7 Glaciers is an unforgettable locale with high end food.

Plus the drive alone from Anchorage -- about an hour -- is one of the most scenic anywhere.

http://www.alyeskaresort.com/page.asp?intNodeID=10903

In the city itself, Glacier Brewhouse is a highlight for many. Jen's Bodega and Orso are excellent. For a quick, bite the cafe at the museum of history and art is excellent (run by the Marx Bros. Cafe -- long a local favorite).

http://www.marxcafe.com/

Unfortunately, there aren't many options on the driving part between Anchorage-Fbx--Wrangell/Elias.

Hopefully, you're visiting the Kenai Peninsula -- a much nicer area than the trek to Fairbanks with better scenery, better activities and much better dining. While Denali is worth it, venturing on north to Fairbanks is a bad mistake if you shortchange the Kenai Peninsula area.