Where to Eat

WRANGELL-ST. ELIAS NATIONAL PARK

No matter your dietary preference, delicious food is easy to find in McCarthy and Kennecott

MCCARTHY

Dine-in and To-Go food services accompany a thriving nightlife for park visitors

The Potato

This is the locals’ favorite and the best place to eat in town. It has great food, a wide selection of beers, hard ciders and even some wines.

While the menu is built around their hand-cut curly fries, they have a rotating dinner menu and they focus on using local produce and made from scratch ingredients. Try the Potatohead Burrito. It’s my favorite!

The Potato isn’t just known for its great food though. Sometimes it hosts Live Music events at night that are filled with dancing, singing and guaranteed good times!

The Potato has two locations: McCarthy and Valdez.

The Golden Saloon

Affectionately referred to as “the Bar” by locals, it has the only fully stocked bar in town with a variety of beers, liquor and wine. The limited food menu is very typical of classic American pub food.

The real appeal of the Golden Saloon is its thriving nightlife. They often have live music, a weekly trivia night and open mic every Thursday evening. The atmosphere is warm and cozy and will give you a true remote Alaska bar experience.

The Salmon and Bear Restaurant offers a fine dining option and is located right next door. All I can say is the food is absolutely phenomenal and you’ll be amazed to find 5-star dining in the middle of the Alaskan wilderness!

Both the fine dining restaurant and saloon are co-owned and operated along with Ma Johnson’s Hotel and Lancaster’s Backpacker Hotel.

KENNECOTT

Daytime food services with limited hours

Kennicott Glacier Lodge

Breakfast and Lunch is served everyday and welcomes walk-in dining.

Dinner is by reservation only and features a different menu every day. Guests share a family-style meal at shared tables. There are no private tables.

I highly recommend trying a muffin or cookie. They make a variety of both that are all delicious. And the cookies are massive!

The Meatza Wagon

A food truck style restaurant where all of the food is made from scratch. They obvious focus on meat but also have vegetarian and gluten-free options.

I highly recommend eating here. It’s absolutely delicious and the views of the Kennicott Glacier and Mt. Blackburn are stunning!

SNACKS

MCCARTHY

McCarthy Center Store

Known locally as “The Mercantile” or “The Merc”, it has a small selection of most food items including fresh produce, cheese and meat (even vegetarian options). They even have ice cream cones! You can also find some basic hardware items and they have a small liquor store stocked with beer and boxed wine.

NOTE: Shopping here is quite expensive so don’t plan to do your food shopping in McCarthy. If you are camping or planning to cook during your stay be sure to buy groceries in Anchorage, Palmer, Valdez or Fairbanks prior to departing for Wrangell-St. Elias National Park.

KENNECOTT

Kennecott Trading Company

Along with a wide variety of local Alaskan gifts and souvenirs, they have a very small selection of basic snack foods including candy bars, granola bars and soda.

It also has a coffee and espresso cart and makes the best coffee in town!

Located next to St. Elias Alpine Guides and right across from Kennicott Glacier Lodge.

COFFEE

MCCARTHY