10 Hometown Restaurants In Alaska That Will Take You Back In Time
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Megan McDonald
Author
Alaska officially became a state in 1959. Since then, it has established some great hometown restaurants in Alaska that are standing the test of time. Some of the best restaurants in Alaska, these eateries have endured long enough to become beloved classics; some of the buildings even survived the earthquake of ’64!
Check out our favorite 10 hometown restaurants in Alaska that will fill you with nostalgia and take you back in time:
AJ's OldTown Steakhouse & Tavern, 120 W Bunnell Ave, Homer, AK 99603, USA
Located in the heart of "Old Town" in the historic section of Homer, AJ's Oldtown Steakhouse & Tavern has been serving up amazing steaks and hospitality for over 70 years! Long before Alaska was an official state, you could go and refresh yourself at this delicious restaurant. Locals go to hear live music, eat great steak and hamburgers, and hang out in the cozy atmosphere. Learn more about dining at AJ's Oldtown Steakhouse and Tavern, one of the best restaurants in Alaska.
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208 4th Ave, Seward, AK 99664, USA
Thorn's Showcase and Lounge has been a staple for over 50 years in the beautiful town of Seward, Alaska. Ask any local what they're known for, and they will mention their amazing "Bucket of 'Butt." The fresh halibut at this restaurant is some of the best you'll find in town. Just a block from the bay, this Alaska hometown restaurant survived the Good Friday Earthquake of 1964. Visit the Facebook page for Thorn's Showcase and Lounge for the most up-to-date information.
Truckers Cafe, Dalton Hwy, Coldfoot, AK 99701, USA
The Coldfoot Trucker's Cafe is a staple on the Dalton Highway. Iditarod champion Dick Mackey started this cafe selling hamburgers out of a bus in 1981. The truckers, loving the perfect halfway stop between Fairbanks and Prudhoe Bay, began a community effort to help build a more permanent building to dine in. The Coldfoot Trucker's Cafe is steeped in the history of the area, which was founded in 1898. With delicious food available on a generous timeline of 5:00am to 12:00am, in the summer, you can enjoy a fantastic breakfast or dinner buffet, and winter guests are treated to a full menu of choices. Find out more about Coldfoot Trucker's Cafe, one of the very best hometown restaurants in Alaska.
Kennicott Glacier Lodge, 15 Kennicott Millsite, Glennallen, AK 99588, USA
At the end of a very long, 60-mile dirt road, you will find the town of McCarthy. Head through McCarthy and up to Kennecott Mine, and the lovely Kennicott Glacier Lodge sits looking out over the glacier and valley. The lodge was built in 1987 to mimic the surrounding historic mine buildings. Travel back in time and sit in their dining area surrounded by old mining artifacts and photos. The lodge offers three dining times for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The Alaskan fare (often described as "wilderness gourmet") can be enjoyed in the dining room with panoramic windows, or out on their gorgeous porch overlooking the small town and huge glacier! Being as though this is one of the best restaurants in Alaska, reservations are recommended. Learn more about Kennicott Glacier Lodge.
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Chatanika Lodge, 5760 Steese Hwy, Fairbanks, AK 99712, USA
The Chatanika Lodge, established in 1974 by Ron and Shirley Franklin, is a fun year-round lodge that is filled with Alaskan artifacts. The restaurant is known for its plentiful, delicious food, and guests rave about the owners' hospitality. Locals love visiting for the live music and fun atmosphere. Don't forget to check out the historic gold dredge across the street, or the northern lights on a cold winter night! This Alaska hometown restaurant is a must if traveling into Fairbanks on the Steese Highway. Read further on about Chatanika Lodge.
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Gwennie's Old Alaska Restaurant, 4333 Spenard Rd, Anchorage, AK 99517, USA
Gwennie's Old Alaska Restaurant is a fixture in the neighborhood of Spenard. Running for over 30 years, it's a cozy hometown restaurant in Alaska filled with taxidermy animals, Alaska Native carvings, and other interesting Alaskana. The menus are simple and well executed, filled with your favorite comfort foods like reindeer sausage and eggs, biscuits and gravy, or a patty melt. This is your neighborhood diner, Alaska style. Learn more about dining at Gwennie's Old Alaska.
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Seaview Cafe & Bar, 18416 B St, Hope, AK 99605, USA
Hope, Alaska, is a tiny little town around 17 miles off the Seward Highway. Well worth the detour, the picturesque downtown boasts killer views, an oceanside campground, and the incomparable Seaview Cafe. Hopping all summer long and filled with tourists and Alaska locals alike, the Seaview Cafe and the Seaview Bar offer a great beer and wine selection, amazingly fresh Alaskan seafood, and tasty burgers. The food is hot, delicious, and generous. Check out their live music selections all summer long, and prepare to have a great time! Visit their little historic building at the end of Main Street. Get the most up-to-date information about visiting Seaview Cafe.
West Rib Pub & Grill, 13650 E Main St, Talkeetna, AK 99676, USA
A trip to Talkeetna isn't complete without checking out the West Rib Pub & Grill. Located in downtown Talkeetna within a historic building, the West Rib received its name from one of the more difficult routes to the summit of Denali. Filled with locals and mountaineers alike coming to quench their thirst, the restaurant is all Alaskan, including their menu selections. Feast on fresh Alaskan seafood, or sip from their impressive draft beer selection of microbrews from all over the 49th state. You can find this Alaska hometown restaurant tucked behind the Nagley's Store. Get more details about dining at West Rib Pub & Grill.
Buffalo Center Drive-In, 5 99737, 265 Richardson Hwy, Delta Junction, AK 99731, USA
Pull into this blast from the past and have your waiter take your order from your car window! With all the classics like shakes, ice cream, and seasoned curly fries, you can truly feel like you've traveled back in time 50 years. Or you could branch out and try their amazing Alaska yak burgers, or juicy buffalo burgers. What locals will tell you is that it's hard to order anything that doesn't taste delicious. Make the Buffalo Center Drive-In a must if you're headed north or south on the Richardson Highway! Discover more about experiencing the Buffalo Center Drive-In.
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Gwin's Lodge, 14865 Sterling Hwy, Cooper Landing, AK 99572, USA
Gwin's Lodge and Roadhouse is another one of these classic hometown restaurants in Alaska that existed before Alaska was even a state! Opened in 1952, the original roadhouse was constructed of logs from the surrounding Chugach National Forest. It has the historical distinction of being the oldest surviving roadside lodge on the Kenai Peninsula! But that's not what keeps locals and tourists coming back. Between the dishes featuring the excellent and creative use of the famed Alaskan salmon, to the comforting hot bison chili, or fresh Alaskan seafood baskets, Gwin's caters to all kinds of appetites in a cozy log-hewn restaurant. In the summer, watch your favorite band play after a long day of fishing on the Kenai River. Learn more about Gwin's Lodge and Roadhouse.
No matter where you travel here, there will be a hometown restaurant in Alaska that will take you back in time. Have you visited any of these classics during your travels through the 49th state? Tell us about it in the comments!
If you ever find yourself in or around Talkeetna, be sure to stop at Roadhouse Talkeetna to grab a slice of the best pie in Alaska.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
More to Explore
Stay and Play in Alaska
What are the best candy shops in Alaska?
Hometown restaurants in Alaska are great, but if you need something sweet, head to some of the best candy shops in Alaska:
- Alaskan Sweet Thing's: Located in Anchorage, this shop boasts 31 flavors of taffy, like blueberry and blackberry. They are all made with pure glacier water, the only taffy on the planet to use it. They also carry popcorn, chocolates, and crab claws.
- KetchiCandies: This shop is over in Ketchikan. Browse the variety of chocolate-covered fruit, chocolates, and hand-pulled saltwater taffy.
- The Fudge Pot: Head to this spot in Fairbanks for handmade fudge made with real butter and cream. They also have expresso and ice cream.
What are the best hotels in Alaska?
Consider staying overnight at one of the best hotels in Alaska:
- Sheldon Chalet: This unique spot is actually located just ten miles from the top of Denali, which at 20,310 feet, is the highest mountain on the continent. And the really interesting part about this place? You can only get there by a small aircraft out of Talkeetna.
- Chena Hot Springs Resort: Head to this spot in Fairbanks to soak in the mineral waters of a natural rock lake. Choose from 86 rooms to stay and explore the ice museum and heated yurts for Northern Lights-watching.
- Tutka Bay Lodge: Located on the Kenai Peninsula, this is a great spot for outdoor lovers, with access to hiking, fishing, and kayaking. You can only reach this destination by boat from Homer or a seaplane from Anchorage.
What are the most beautiful hikes in Alaska?
The best way to take in the loveliness of the state is by embarking on some of the most beautiful hikes in Alaska:
- Mount Healy Overlook: This 6.9-mile hike is located within the 6.1-million-acre Denali National Park. With an elevation gain of 2,483 feet, it is listed as a difficult hike. But it is one of the only trails close to the park’s entrance that will afford you a view of the mountain on a clear day.
- Exit Glacier Overlook: This hike is located in Seward. It is 2.2 miles and only a 308-foot elevation gain You’ll head through a cottonwood forest up to Glacier View, where you can see Exit Glacier and the sprawling valley.
- Portage Pass: Located in Whittier, this trail has a 1,433-foot elevation gain in its 4.2 miles. Once you reach Portage Pass, if you have a little more left in you, hike another 15 minutes or so to get a view of Portage Glacier and the lake.