Visit Anchorage: Snow City Cafe

Our flight into Anchorage landed just after 5am, and after getting our car, we ended up at Snow City Cafe - one of the few places open for breakfast really early.

It turned out to be a really busy spot!

OMG Stuffed French Toast

The French Toast was topped with OMG Bacon, which is candied, peppered applewood smoked bacon.

Golden Buttermilk Pancakes

Breakfast Burrito

The Breakfast Burrito was stuffed with scrambled eggs, chorizo, hash browns, cilantro, green chile, red onion, and tomato, and topped with pepperjack, ranchero sour cream, and salsa.

Mushroom & Caramelized Onion Omelet

I had the Mushroom & Caramelized Onion Omelet (and added bacon), and it was delicious. The chevre gave it a nice tang that really elevated the omelet.  

Bacon Me Crabby Omelet

We decided to try the "World Famous" Pecan Sticky Bun and Cinnamon Roll.

Pecan Sticky Bun

Cinnamon Roll

They were both great, but I enjoyed the Sticky Bun more.

Reindeer Sausage

Service was great, despite a minor mistake with the pancakes (my son ordered chocolate chip pancakes, but it was plain. After mentioning it to our server, she gave us a small container of chocolate chips on the side).

Highly recommend Snow City Cafe for a great breakfast in Anchorage.

Snow City Cafe

1034 W 4th Ave

Anchorage, AK 99501

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Visit Anchorage: 49th State Brewing

49th State Brewing is one of the busiest restaurants in Anchorage.  With multiple floors and outdoor seating, the huge space was always packed with a line whenever we passed by.

The restaurant was also where I had my favorite meal while in Alaska.  

King Crabby Grilled Cheese

The King Crabby Grilled Cheese with a seafood chowder was the highlight.  The sandwich consisted of a crab meat blend, Appenzeller Swiss, and cream cheese.  The chowder was amazing, as well as the accompanying Brewpub fries.   It was comfort food at its finest. 

Award Winning Smoked Wings

World Famous Yak Burger

Crab Artichoke Dip

Baked Mac-N-Cheese

Highly recommend adding steak and bacon to the Baked Mac-N-Cheese (extra charge) for a hearty meal.

Mexican Street Corn

We loved everything, and the service was excellent too. 


49th State Brewing
717 W 3rd Ave

Anchorage, AK 99501

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Roy's Ko Olina

Roy's Ko Olina is a fave of mine.  We’ve always had outstanding service there, and a recent visit only exemplified the service level there.

When our food arrived, everyone’s dishes were placed in front of them except for mine — I was given a salad, which I didn’t order. Turns out, the chicken sandwich I ordered was taking longer than expected, so they gave me a salad to eat while I waited for it.

Most other places would have just apologized for the wait — and that would've been totally fine with me, because keeping guests informed is key IMO, but the Roy's team took it a step further, and I really appreciated that gesture.

Fried Chicken Sandwich

Big Island Burger

Ko Olina Club Sandwich

Ko Olina Dragon Maki

Chinatown Chicken Spring Rolls

Island Fish & Chips

And we were doubly surprised at dessert! We ordered two desserts, and were given a third complimentary. Then when the bill came, our server said they took care of all the desserts!

The Chocolate Soufflé

Chocolate Chip Cookie Skillet

Banana Bread Latte Crème Brûlée

I never found out why, but I do know that I can always count on Roy’s Ko Olina for great food and service!

Roy's Ko Olina 

92-1220 Ali'inui Drive

Kapolei, HI 96707

(808) 676-7697

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Visit Alaska: Palmer Alehouse

We went to Palmer Alehouse after visiting the Reindeer Farm.

Pretzel & Beer Cheese

Bacon Mac and Cheese

Steak Tacos

Raspberry Habanero Wings

Philly Burger

Chicken Bacon Ranch Salad Wrap

The food was typical bar type food.  I had the wrap, and it was good!  It was stuffed with chicken, tomatoes, red onion, bacon, and cheddar. 

It did take a very long time for our food to come out, however.  The Pretzel & Beer Cheese came out 25 minutes after we ordered, but our meals came out nearly 45 minutes after we ordered.

I did notice other tables had lengthy wait times too.  I just wish there was better communication from our server.  

Palmer Alehouse
320 E Dahlia Ave
Palmer, AK 99645

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Visit Anchorage: Simon & Seafort's

 I wanted to eat Alaskan Black Cod, and Simon & Seafort's had it on the menu.

Pan Seared Black Cod

You can opt for a variety of Alaskan Catch - black cod, wild king salmon, copper river sockeye salmon, and halibut, to be prepared grilled, baked, pan seared, or blackened.  The fish is topped with a beurre blanc and is accompanied by an herb couscous and veggies.  Everything on the plate was delicious - the cod was so tender and mild.  

Wild King Salmon

The menu also offers fish prepared in a variety of other ways if you prefer.

Oven-Roasted Chicken Dijon

Surf & Turf

The Surf & Turf included char-grilled sirloin and garlic shrimp, along with mashed potatoes and asparagus.

Grilled Honey Chipotle Shrimp

The food, view, and service were all great!

Simon & Seafort's
420 L St,

Anchorage, AK 99501

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Shiro's Saimin Haven

I love Shiro's Saimin Haven.  I’ve been going to Shiro's in Waimalu ever since I was a little kid . . . it was a spot where my friends and I would go to for dinner during high school, and it’s still a go-to spot for whenever I’m craving comfort food.

I’ve always ordered either a Saimin or Wun Tun Min, and only in my adult life did I start ordering French Fries + Gravy on the side.

Wun Tun Min

French Fries with Gravy

Talk about comfort food!

Double Hula Bacon Burga

Orange Bang Float

It was nice to see so many local families dining, spanning generations, and loved how there were so many people running into others they know.

Shiro’s is a true community fixture . .

Shiro's Saimin Haven

98-020 Kamehameha Highway

Aiea, HI  96701

(808) 488-8824

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916 Grill St. & Shabu Zen

I recently met up with @melissa808 at 916 Grill St. & Shabu Zen, who said I needed to try the Honey Toast there.

They feature yakiniku and hot pot deals, or you can simply order a la carte or appetizers, like we did (plus dessert).

Banchan

All the appetizers were delish and I would order them all again.  If I had to choose a fave, it would be the mandoo.  They were extra crispy on the outside with a tasty, savory filling. 

916 House Fried Rice

Fried Mandoo

Agedashi Tofu

Honey Toast

The Honey Toast was enormous, topped with multiple scoops of ice cream, fruit, and drizzled with chocolate syrup.

I look forward to returning with the family!


916 Grill St. & Shabu Zen
94-818 Ukee Pl
Waipahu, HI 96797

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Visit Big Island: Volcano House Restaurant

Volcano House offers lodging at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, and also has an onsite restaurant perfect for whether you're staying at Volcano House or just visiting the Park.  We dined at Volcano House Restaurant after exploring the Park a couple months ago. 

Tomato Bisque & Cheese Toast Points

Nothing really appealed to me on the menu, so I got the Tomato Bisque & Cheese Toast Points.  Unfortunately the bisque was very under-seasoned and the cheese toast points were squished and tough. 

Big Island Burger

Grilled Chicken Sandwich

Ahi Poke Stack

Hawaiian Style Fish & Chips

The Fish & Chips were "Hawaiian Style" because the fish was crusted with mac nuts and coconut. 

Everyone else loved their food, fortunately.

Service was great, and you get amazing views of the crater (perfect during an eruption).

Volcano House Restaurant
1 Crater Rim Drive

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, HI 96718

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