When you’re looking for a quick and easy meal on the go, there are many must-visit stops in towns across the Yukon and Alaska. Sometimes that hole-in-the-wall eatery or off-the-beaten-path food truck is the best way to get a taste of the local flavor while traveling. We’ve hand picked a selection of stops that should satisfy any craving and keep your wallet happy to boot!
Anchorage – Start the day with a hearty breakfast at Judy’s Café. This no-frills eatery features diner classics like pancakes, eggs and bacon in very generous portions. It’s your typical hometown restaurant and makes for a cheap and delicious date. Want some variety at lunchtime? The food truck movement that has become ever so popular in the Pacific Northwest has made its way to Alaska. Try some of the many rotating food trucks at K Street Eats or the Spenard Food Truck Carnival in Anchorage. There you’ll find local options like Eskimo tacos at Bear Mace Bites or dessert waffles at Sugar House Waffles, all for under $10.
Denali – You’ll actually want to find yourself in the doghouse if it’s the Denali Doghouse! This place cranks out bacon waffles, breakfast burritos, poutine and coffee in the mornings and all-American hot dogs and burgers at lunch and dinner. If you’re in the mood for Asian cuisine, the Thai & Chinese Trailer at Denali has moved out of its original trailer into a small building at the end of the boardwalk on the gulch. It offers inexpensive but high-quality take-out noodles and rice, prepared as spicy as you like!
Sitka – Ludvig’s Bistro in Sitka is an over-the-top dining experience, but all you need to taste is the chowder to understand what all the hype is about. Keep it cheap and simple by visiting the chowder cart in the historic Mill Building. Ludvig’s steaming-hot, creamy chowder has just the right spice and is loaded with seafood. You might also give the Homeport Eatery a try for a four-in-one, food-court-style experience featuring a coffee shop, juice bar, crêperie and deli.
Whitehorse – If you’re in Whitehorse, Yukon, at any time during the summer months, check out the Fireweed Community Market (May 19- Sept. 8). The outdoor market features local produce, baked goods, live plants, local meats, Yukon art, handcrafted treasures and food vendors serving hot bites. One standout vendor is Garlic A GoGo, which serves Mediterranean dishes like shawarma, pita wraps, kebabs and Egyptian falafel. Perhaps most importantly, it is rumored to have the best fries in town. Faladi Ethnic Foods is also at the market and features authentic falafel made from scratch by the one and only Chef Gadi. He also sells Turkish coffee, Arabic teas and Jewish bagels. These are all cheap, fresh and fast eats.
Skagway – The Lemon Rose Bakery in Skagway is a smalltime bakeshop with a variety of homemade goodies. Fresh bread, bagels and pastries are all baked with love here and serve as the foundation for some awesome sandwiches. Ever eaten in a brothel? Built in 1897, the Red Onion Saloon operated as one the finest bordellos in Skagway. Today it serves up great food and cocktails. Indulge in pizza, sandwiches, nachos, soups, salads and a large selection of wine and Alaska brewed beer. What’s more, everything on the menu costs less than $13.
Fairbanks – Pita Place in Fairbanks is an prime spot to get a good meal for a great value in the Interior. It’s a busy falafel stand with outdoor tables and a gazebo. The long line moves quickly as staff turns out huge falafel pitas and veggie sandwiches to fulfill even the hungriest of guests, for just eight bucks!
Let this be your guide to finding a budget-friendly meal in the Yukon and Alaska, and don’t forget the cardinal rule of traveling if ever in doubt: always ask a local!
