Guest Author - Kimi Ross

Location: 4333 Spenard Road, Anchorage
Hours: Monday thru Saturday 6 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Sunday 8 a.m. – 9 p.m.

Gwennie’s Old Alaska Restaurant is conveniently located to a number of hotels in the vicinity of the airport. As a family style restaurant since 1971, Gwennie’s is a traditional stop for many locals and visitors. Its unique Alaskan décor – log cabin style architecture, stuffed and mounted Alaskan animals, and quirky wood carvings – is part of its attraction. The walls of the upper dining room are covered with photos of early Anchorage, when it was nothing more than a tent city in the middle of a vast wilderness. For atmosphere and historical photos, Gwennie’s might be worth a visit.

However, despite its long tradition of service in Anchorage and the cherished place it holds in the minds of many, the food is less than stellar. On my visit I ordered the Denver omelette, as Gwennie’s breakfasts are touted as being amongst the best in Anchorage. Portion size was generous – and like many reviewers, I could not finish everything on my plate. But not because there was too much food. Rather, I couldn’t stomach the highly processed ingredients staring up at me from the plate. The potatoes, I have to admit, were decent. Lightly cooked without being greasy, though with little flavor. The omlette, however, was . . . well, I have to admit I’m spoiled because we have laying hens and eat a lot of fresh eggs. Nevertheless, this omelette was spoiled not so much by lack of fresh eggs, but by being stuffed with canned ham (or so it seemed) and smothered in a cheese sauce that I suspect was either melted Velveeta or cheese whiz. While the service was good and the food arrived fairly quickly, it was quite a disappointment. I’m not a big fan of highly processed foods, and don’t expect to be served such fare at a sit down restaurant. If I wanted a meal of that sort, I would go to Burger King or McDonalds.

Breakfast (served all day) and lunch prices are average for Anchorage area restaurants, ranging from eight to fourteen dollars. Dinner menu items are on the high side ($20-30), especially considering the quality (or lack thereof) of food being served.

If you are looking for a unique dining experience in a very Alaskan setting, a meal at Gwennie’s may be for you. However, do not expect fine dining or high quality food. You might be better off grabbing a bite at the McDonald’s just down the street and spending the savings on admission to the Anchorage Museum.