This Remote Restaurant In Alaska Will Take You A Million Miles Away From Everything
By Courtney|Published September 02, 2016
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Courtney
Author
Living and loving life in Alaska, Courtney enjoys living a happy life based on simple principles; work hard, be kind, stay humble. She is an avid dog lover with hobbies that include running, fly fishing, hiking & snowboarding.
There is a saying that goes something like this; good things don’t come easy. Truer words have never been spoken when you think about the fact that that getting to this delightful remote restaurant in Alaska usually means driving hundreds of miles for hours on end. If you live on an island or somewhere in Southeast Alaska, you might even need to take a boat or plane to get to the mainland before starting the drive to this incredible restaurant.
But when you get wild, natural, sustainable food with a staff that embodies true dedication to sourcing a ‘farm to table’ menu approach, it’s undeniably worth the journey to get to this destination restaurant – each and every time. 229 Parks Restaurant and Tavern is located off the George Parks Highway as you head north from Anchorage towards Denali National Park. Be sure to put this incredible place on your bucket list, ASAP.
If you live in towns like McKinley Park or Healy, this little roadside gem isn't as remote as it is for those living throughout the rest of the vast 49th state. With its location exactly 229 miles away from Alaska's largest city of Anchorage, visitors looking for some of the freshest and most mouthwatering food in the state can expect to drive for hours upon end before reaching this destination restaurant. But is it worth it? Anyone who has been here will scream a very loud "YES!" It's worth it each and every time. The food here is actually so good that you'll probably contemplate finding creative ways to relocate to the remote area, just to be closer to the food. Yes, it's literally THAT good.
While the food is no doubt top-notch, the service that is consistently delivered here is what really makes people fall in love. It all starts with the owner and executive chef, Laura Cole. She has been working in kitchens throughout Alaska for over 20 years, and her dedication to the craft shines through to each and every team member that is a part of this great operation.
As you pull up, you'll be greeted by a warm and truly beautiful Alaskan-style log cabin building. It's a picture-perfect image of what you think of when you drive hundreds of miles to a remote restaurant in Alaska.
As you step inside, the charm pours on thick. The warm cabin feel mixed with a brilliant mix of art on the walls (all from local artists) will have your eyes sparkling as you gaze in amazement. After you've digested all of the stunning beauty, you'll notice that your nose is next in line for the party. The bursting smell of so many different flavors will overwhelm your senses and make you want to dive in head first.
Before sitting down you'll notice that there is a delightful selection of wines and other beverages to pair perfectly with whatever menu option you select. Your educated (and super friendly) server will be sure to pass on any recommendations if you have a hard time choosing how to piece the perfect meal together.
As proud members of the non-profit 'Chefs Collaborative' they are dedicated to helping connect farmers, growers, ranchers and fisherman with chefs throughout the last frontier.
From eggs to morel mushrooms and boatloads of wild Alaska seafood, if they can get their ingredients from a local grower or small business, that is exactly what they'll do. The quality and freshness is abundantly apparent throughout each and every dish that they serve.
Salmon, rockfish, scallops, crab, halibut and so much more. 229 Parks Restaurant is dedicated to sourcing as much local food as possible, with wild Alaska seafood being at the top of that list.
Although their menu is ever-changing, let the thought of FRESH ALASKA OYSTERS from Halibut Cove, Alaska make your mouth water. This dish includes a ½ dozen shucked oysters cooked to order and served with lemon, cracked-pepper, and house made cocktail sauce. Drool worthy!
It's undeniable that their wild, natural, sustainable Alaska seafood game is totally on point... but their meat game is also super strong! Only the most organic, healthy options will be served to all beloved customers.
Last but not least, how could we possibly forget to mention the desserts here? Did someone say 'carrot macaroon ice cream sandwich with glazed bacon on top'? We think it's calling our name!
Or how about a homeade version of a wickedly delicious HoHo with Pop Rocks on top? We might as well just die and go to heaven right here and now. SWOON!
As if all that good stuff wasn't enough, this fabulous place also provides catering services both on and offsite on a limited basis. Do you have a wedding coming up? If so, you might want to consider ordering a scrumptious, decadent specialty cake from 229 Parks Restaurant in advance!
Due to the seasonal nature of this fantastic remote restaurant, those interested in hours, catering, art or more can always call them directly at 907-683-2567 or email them at info@229parks.com before making the trek out.
