Fairbanks, Alaska, truly lives up to its nickname, “The Golden Heart City.” If you find yourself on an Alaska cruise plus land tour (cruisetour), Fairbanks will most likely be a major destination. After your arrival in the city, you may be off to Denali National Park and possibly Canada’s Yukon Territory, or back to the coast.
In a place that leads to so many possibilities, it should come as no surprise that Fairbanks is home to a diverse array of dining options. There are plenty of restaurants that serve typical Alaskan fare, but there are many popular establishments whose existence in The Last Frontier may surprise you.
Here are a few places in Fairbanks that you may enjoy:
Big Daddy’s Bar B-Q – We know you folks from the Lower 48 may be raising your eyebrows. Barbecue in Alaska? New Yorkers can’t even do it right! But Big Daddy’s, which claims to be the “Northernmost Southern Barbecue Restaurant,” regularly exceeds many diners’ expectations. Great beef brisket, ribs and pulled pork have locals regularly coming in for more. They were also featured on Diner’s, Drive-in’s & Dives with Guy Fieri. If you want to hear good live music, this is also the place to go. Local bands play Thursday through Sunday.
Try the Pig Out Platter at Big Daddy’s Bar-B-Q
Lemongrass Thai Cuisine – Thai food in Alaska? Believe it or not, there are a large number of Thai restaurants in Fairbanks, and Lemongrass is considered by locals and tourists to be one of the best. It also recently received a 2013 Certificate of Excellence from TripAdvisor. The restaurant’s recipes stay close to Thai tradition, but also incorporate fresh and local Alaskan produce and seafood.
The Dragon Shrimp stir-fried in tamarind sauce is a favorite at Lemongrass Thai Cuisine
Pita Place – If you have have a hankering for Middle Eastern food during your time in the city, you must pay a visit to this little stand located near the University of Alaska Fairbanks. Nadav Weiss, an Israeli-transplant to Alaska, opened the stand in 2007 to expose more people to the food of his homeland. Although the restaurant is closed during the winter, it will open just in time for your Alaskan vacation.
Pump House Restaurant & Saloon – Located four miles from the center of Fairbanks, the Pump House is a National Historic Site that was actually a pump house during the Alaskan gold rush. As much as possible, the kitchen tries to source all of its ingredients locally. There is one exception, however – oysters. They are flown in daily from Seattle to serve guests at “The World’s Most Northern Oyster Bar.”
The Cookie Jar – Don’t let the name fool you – The Cookie Jar offers more that just a few sweet treats. While this is one of the best spots to get baked goods in Fairbanks, this cafe has an extensive lunch and dinner menu that includes steaks, seafoods and pasta dishes. For folks who can’t get enough of items like eggs and bacon, you’re in luck – breakfast is served all day!
During your time in Fairbanks we hope you have the opportunity to visit a few of these great restaurants and the other attractions that the city has to offer. Call a CruiseExperts.com agent today to get started planning your summer 2014 Alaskan cruise vacation. We can help with all of your travel arrangements and even find a way for you to spend some extra time in Fairbanks. Call 1-888-804-CRUISE (2784) or visit our website at www.CruiseExperts.com.
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