A Taste of Juneau
A Good Place to Eat in Juneau? These Days, Everywhere.
There’s an old joke about dining in Juneau. Q: Where’s a good place to eat around here? A: Seattle. Well, not anymore. A new batch of culinary artists has sparked a recent Renaissance, serving up proof that, these days, Juneau’s food scene is no laughing matter.
ALASKAN BREWING CO.
In 1986, Marcy and Geoff Larsen brewed the first batch of Alaskan Amber for local purchase. Today, Alaskan Brewing Co. crafts eight year-round and four seasonal varieties, and distributes nationally. Okay, it’s not new, but it’s arguably the most successful food/bev company in the whole state. Pick up a downtown shuttle for a brewery tour and guided tasting.
5429 Shaune Dr, 907-780-5866
Alaskanbeer.com
TRACY’S KING CRAB SHACK
The shack that launched an empire… Ten years ago, Tracy LaBarge opened a small stand specializing in Alaska king crab legs and her trademark crab bisque. Since then, national acclaim and commercial success have allowed LeBarge to move her “shack” into spacious new waterfront digs and open four other restaurants: upscale Salt, Saffron (Indian “comfort food”) and two locations of McGivney’s sports bar.
406 S. Franklin St, 907-723-1811
kingcrabshack.com
COPPA
Yes, the menu lists fresh breakfast/lunch items and coffee drinks, but it’s Coppa’s homemade ice cream the locals really scream for. Here, vanilla and chocolate meet flavors like spruce tip, devil’s club and pear blue cheese. Most popular: rhubarb sorbet, crowdsourced from neighborhood gardens (in summer, you’ll see kids paying with rhubarb). 917 Glacier Ave #102, 907-586-3500 coppa.biz
PANHANDLE PROVISIONS
When James Beard-nominated chef and Rookery Café co-owner Beau Schooler couldn’t find certain ingredients in town, he opened his own gourmet shop: Panhandle Provisions, which offers (among other specialty items) house-cured charcuterie, including Alaska pork salami and reindeer prosciutto. Schooler and business partner Travis Smith also operate The Taqueria and In Bocca al Lupo (wood-oven pizza).
224 Seward St, 907-586-2032
JUNEAU FOOD TOURS
Local food blogger and columnist Kelly “Midgi” Moore runs a walking and tasting tour specifically designed to “go where the locals go.” Stops include new favorites and old standbys, like the historic Alaskan Hotel and Bar, built in 1913.
juneaufoodtours.com
