Alaska Restaurant suggestions?

[jlmarr]

We just got our cruise docs and were surprised that the ground tour doesn't cover meals, so we're looking for suggestions from those that have been on one of the RCI itineraries. I figure after a 7 night cruise we won't be looking for fine dining, just comfort food and not overpriced. Any suggestions on places to seek out and/or places to avoid? We'll be in the Sophie Station Hotel in Fairbanks, Grande Denali Lodge, and Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge.

[MrBassBone]

We just got our cruise docs and were surprised that the ground tour doesn't cover meals, so we're looking for suggestions from those that have been on one of the RCI itineraries. I figure after a 7 night cruise we won't be looking for fine dining, just comfort food and not overpriced. Any suggestions on places to seek out and/or places to avoid? We'll be in the Sophie Station Hotel in Fairbanks, Grande Denali Lodge, and Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge.

 

 

Ask this question on the Alaska Board.

[navel1ring]

Cafe Michelle in Talkeetna

 

Wendy

[elleluv]

Zach's is at Sophie Station in Fairbanks and is actually a very nice place.... I've been there for lunch and dinner in the restaurant several times and go there for drinks from time to time... our company also has our Christmas party in the bar/lounge area there every year. The prices aren't bad by Alaska standards (about $10 for a burger and fries) and it's right there in the hotel. If you want to try a Zach's original, ask them to make you a "Northern Lights".... Curacao, pineapple juice... nummm! :)

 

Within walking distance... There is a Fred Meyer grocery store right down the street (corner of Airport and University) that has a deli. That may be an option for a low cost meal. There is also a Taco Bell in the Fred Meyer parking lot and a Subway and a Quiznos in the Teddy Bear Plaza at the same intersection kiddie corner from Fred's. There is also a place called Brewsters in the Teddy Bear Plaza that has good food... it's priced fairly close to Zach's.

 

I assumed that you wouldn't have a car or want to add to the expense of your meal with a cab ride... If you'd like some options further from the hotel, let me know....

 

Enjoy your trip! :)

[jlmarr]

In Fairbanks we ended up walking to the Safeway and buying "provisions" there, as did many others on our land tour. In retrospect Fred Meyers across the street might have had a more interesting deli. This being the first day after the cruise we were ready for simple fare. Note that the rooms at the Sophie Station Hotel were suites with a kitchenette, so this worked well with our plans, although it would have been nice to know in advance (e.g. tea bags from the ship, etc).

 

In Denali we had a very good pizza at the Lynx Creek Pizza in the Princess Hotel complex. The Grand Denali had nothing comparable. Others in our group went to Denali Salmon Bake and enjoyed that very much. BTW, access to the village from the Grand Denali Lodge was very poor - a 13 seat shuttle every 30 minutes or so, and if you miss the last one up the hill at 9pm then you'd better be in pretty good physical condition for the hike back on the mostly dirt/gravel road and the 1000 foot elevation change. We found this hotel to be sub-par for many other reasons.

 

In Talkeetna we tried the West Rib Pub for very good burgers and beer (Alaskan Amber). The AAA guide gives good reviews to Cafe Michele and the Roadhouse Inn, but we didn't explore those. The Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge was very nice and had a great view of Mt McKinley. It had an awesome fireplace in the main lobby and very comfortable seating in the many public lounges.

 

The Anchorage Marriott was nice, and had exquisite beds, a great feature for the last night before returning home. We had breakfast at Muffin Man across the street on the recommendation of the land tour support folks, and this was a winner - great muffins, still warm from the oven.

 

One added note for those doing the post-cruise land tour: they can store bags in the motorcoach and leave them until the last night before returning home, so to take advantage of this consider packing your dinner seating "fancy duds" in one bag and your more casual clothes in another on the last night of your cruise. Nobody had advised of this in advance, so our first night in Fairbanks included a repacking episode.