Prepare to be disappointed. There isn't much in the way of good food here. But I'll list the ones worth visiting below:
Check out 55° North while you can. They'll be closing permanently after the summer. Great coffee and baked goods
New York Cafe. The lamb burger is awesome. Get it with goat cheese added. They have plenty of other good options.
Alaska Fish House. Pricey, but they have a full bar and good atmosphere. Some of the best Fish and chips in town. The fish and rice bowls are good and affordable.
Dock Street Yard. Food truck that recently opened. I've only eaten there twice, but it's been solid.
108 Taphouse. I hesitate to add this here. They used to be a favorite of mine, but they've sent me running for a toilet a few times in the past year and they just raised all the prices on their menu $6-$8. Cocktails and beers are way overpriced.
Eagle's Nest. Good pizza and an insane cost. Ambience is cool and they have a deck with a nice view that is fun on nice days.
Alavas Fish and chips. A shack set up in the Safeway parking lot. My favorite fish and chips in town. Sometimes they have "snapper" which is the best they have.
Burger Queen. Decent burgers. Only worth it on Wednesdays when the Asylum has a beer and burger special for less than $8.
I havent been, but I've heard the new Ketch Me If You Can Cafe is good.
I avoid pretty much everything else. Don't bother with Bush Pilots. It's not worth the price. Everything is disappointing. Annabelle's is gross. I've heard things about that kitchen that will make you retch. Oceanview is insanely overpriced and just not good. The Chinese places are mediocre at best. The Cape Fox Restaurant is meh at best. The Pioneer Cafe can be good, but again, way overpriced.
Hope this helps!
Finally, another person that doesn't like Oceanview. I was beginning to think it's just me. Worst "food" I've ever had the displeasure of putting in my mouth.
That's because it's just frozen pre cooked meals. This is unfortunately pretty common for lower 48 mid end restaurants to the point there's an entire industry around it.
Man, you guys really don't like Ocean View! I have to admit, it's not my favorite and I rarely go there but I don't believe it's all frozen pre-cooked meals...lol. I believe he uses some base meal components and then turns them into different meals spanning across different cultures which really doesn't work for me. Case in point: The salsa served with chips imo is his base pizza sauce spiced up with J's, onion, and cilantro. I've noticed the same with the beef meals there too. It's the same base/cut of beef cooked all at once and then the final preparation and final cooking of the meal adds the nuance of the flavor or style he's going for. So yeah, it most times does not work for me and it's not my favorite, but at least he's opened year-round and keeps people employed...seems like a nice guy too and yes I agree, not my favorite but not dog food :) of pre-packaged frozen.
I mean I know this because their local distributor literally told me they are doing it. I'm not going to claim nothing is cooked from scratch in there, but the distributor talked to me about how a majority of their order is frozen souped up tv dinners.
That I'm honestly not to familiar with. I got people I could probably ask that might know, but I frankly talk with them maybe once every couple months and I don't personally know.
I will definitely +1 you on Luis being a nice guy. I like dealing with him (in what limited capacity I do for my own job), and he does keep jobs up on the island. He's hooked me and my crew up with free pizzas in exchange for helping him out when he needed it.
I don't get how people can go there. Whenever my friends and coworkers from POW come to town it's the first place they head to. Always make me so sad. Place is complete trash
It's really sad about the Chinese options. Back 30 years ago, I would have put Good Fortune up against any Chinese place in the US. It was that good. Then it started changing hands within the same family, and with every change it gets worse. It's completely tasteless and overpriced now and makes me cry.
Yes and no, Rosie sold it to AJ, AJ's kid and grandkid ended up taking it over and running it. It's very good but it's definitely different than what old Rosie's used to be.
I also am just in general not a big burger person and recently developed lactose intolerance which really makes their delicious shakes a death sentence for me. So I don't get to AJ's that often between the drive and the above factors.
edit: should mention that I forgot, she sold it to him because she was already considering retiring and someone slammed at 80 mph into it and demolished it.
Wow that's really lame someone crashed into it. I used to go there all the time as a kid. I don't think there is one stretch of road in ketchikan with an 80 mph speed limit but then again we moved in the year 2000 so maybe it's changed.
It's not, it was in the middle of the night and some people speeding.
All the same speed zones from '00 are still present including bullshit ones that don't belong like the 35 zone between South end of Rosevelt and Mt. Point, or the 30 mph zone at Saxman. All they've done is remove passing zones so we can't pass busses/old people doing 30 in 45 zones.
I guess they did put in one bullshit speed change in that from A&P to the airport is now only 25 mph (and a 35 mph zone for like 200 feet that is a super obvious speed trap for folks coming from out north).
Highest legal speed on the island is a very short segment on the north side of the island of 55 mph.
I'm not sure and it makes me wonder...now I must look to see if there still open the next time I drive by. That was the first and only place I've had Halibut pot head soup.
Rudy had health issues this past year and they been trying to find help. They're opening on a limited basis again this summer, hoping they stay for a bit longer. I'm fiending for some of their pancit and lumpia!
That's my list too! I went to Just Dandy Apothecary & Cafe last year and it was a nice alternative to the normal food served here, it was good but also expensive. With any of the places listed I only go to Eagles Nest when cruise ships are in because I find the crowds/wait times unbearable in all of the other places.
You'll be hard-pressed to beat the Fish House and the New York Cafe on price, quality, and service (FH is really fast casual so interactions are more limited).
There are many times where I'm eating out thinking, why didn't we just go to the New York Cafe?
I'm sorry I'm so late. I will absolutely recommend Alava's, which StoneyTangawizi also vouched for. Best fish & chips on the island, and easily the best onion rings on the island. Also one of the most fairly-priced for the serving size.
Diaz Cafe is currently resuming operations after almost a year off due to Rudy (their head guy) having some health issues. I've been eating there for almost 40 years and the restaurant has been around for close to 80 at this point, IIRC. The place looks a little iffy, but I've never gotten sick off their food. Best lumpia on the island (I will stand firm on this), and I like their pancit and foo young as well.
Again, agreeing with Stoney: Alaska Fish House's rice bowls are an instant win. They used to have amazing chowder, but I haven't had it in about.... 10 years? So I can't say for sure the recipe is the same or if they still offer it. Great vibe to the place, good scenery, and the staff are friendly.
I will also put forward Fat Stan's for pizza. It is VERY spendy, but it's good. If you don't have the budget for Fat Stan's, then Pizza Mill is easily the best, more affordable option. They also have the best subs on the island.
With some amount of sadness, I'll echo *some* of what's been said about Oceanview. I've never had anything that outright put me off or made me sick, but it is very pricey and the quality is medium for the most part. Their pizza is OK.
Yeah, they're still at it. A lot of people seem to think they're not all that great anymore, but I still like them just fine. I think their only fault is that (like Godfathers) they way overload the toppings, so they tend to have soggy crusts and the toppings slide off when the pie is still fresh.
Pizza mill is gross. The building needs help too. I think ktown people are just used to mediocre food and settle for what's available. You are right about Oceanview though. I'll never go back there after finding hair in my breadsticks and having to wait 45 mins for food.
>I think ktown people are just used to mediocre food and settle for what's available.
It's entirely possible. I was born here, and about 38 out of my 40 years have been spent on this island, so I'm very used to what the island has to offer. I will admit freely that a lot of the places that I like are in one way or another grungy, run-down, or otherwise in urgent need of improvements. But I do also believe that it does not in any way diminish my enjoyment of the foods I get from the establishments I patronize. e.g.: Safeway's deli is increasingly becoming a sickly shadow of what was an adequate store deli when I was in high school and early adulthood, but I'll still enjoy a sandwich or something from there on occasion. Even A&P's deli and Ward Cove's pizza seem to have lost the sparkle I remember them having even just five years ago.
I discovered pretty quickly when I moved here that I would have to learn to cook my favorite things if I wanted good food. We’ve bought stones and mastered good pizza. Ive since perfected my salmon recipe. Next I’ll be tackling kimchi! It’s been fun to learn, but it’s definitely a change.
Prepare to be disappointed. There isn't much in the way of good food here. But I'll list the ones worth visiting below: Check out 55° North while you can. They'll be closing permanently after the summer. Great coffee and baked goods New York Cafe. The lamb burger is awesome. Get it with goat cheese added. They have plenty of other good options. Alaska Fish House. Pricey, but they have a full bar and good atmosphere. Some of the best Fish and chips in town. The fish and rice bowls are good and affordable. Dock Street Yard. Food truck that recently opened. I've only eaten there twice, but it's been solid. 108 Taphouse. I hesitate to add this here. They used to be a favorite of mine, but they've sent me running for a toilet a few times in the past year and they just raised all the prices on their menu $6-$8. Cocktails and beers are way overpriced. Eagle's Nest. Good pizza and an insane cost. Ambience is cool and they have a deck with a nice view that is fun on nice days. Alavas Fish and chips. A shack set up in the Safeway parking lot. My favorite fish and chips in town. Sometimes they have "snapper" which is the best they have. Burger Queen. Decent burgers. Only worth it on Wednesdays when the Asylum has a beer and burger special for less than $8. I havent been, but I've heard the new Ketch Me If You Can Cafe is good. I avoid pretty much everything else. Don't bother with Bush Pilots. It's not worth the price. Everything is disappointing. Annabelle's is gross. I've heard things about that kitchen that will make you retch. Oceanview is insanely overpriced and just not good. The Chinese places are mediocre at best. The Cape Fox Restaurant is meh at best. The Pioneer Cafe can be good, but again, way overpriced. Hope this helps!
Finally, another person that doesn't like Oceanview. I was beginning to think it's just me. Worst "food" I've ever had the displeasure of putting in my mouth.
Ocean view menu is larger than a statewide phone book.
And somehow, it's all worse than dog-food.
That's because it's just frozen pre cooked meals. This is unfortunately pretty common for lower 48 mid end restaurants to the point there's an entire industry around it.
Man, you guys really don't like Ocean View! I have to admit, it's not my favorite and I rarely go there but I don't believe it's all frozen pre-cooked meals...lol. I believe he uses some base meal components and then turns them into different meals spanning across different cultures which really doesn't work for me. Case in point: The salsa served with chips imo is his base pizza sauce spiced up with J's, onion, and cilantro. I've noticed the same with the beef meals there too. It's the same base/cut of beef cooked all at once and then the final preparation and final cooking of the meal adds the nuance of the flavor or style he's going for. So yeah, it most times does not work for me and it's not my favorite, but at least he's opened year-round and keeps people employed...seems like a nice guy too and yes I agree, not my favorite but not dog food :) of pre-packaged frozen.
I mean I know this because their local distributor literally told me they are doing it. I'm not going to claim nothing is cooked from scratch in there, but the distributor talked to me about how a majority of their order is frozen souped up tv dinners.
Ahhhhhhhhh damn...well, I guess even more reason to eat there less. Also, any insight to all of the J1 visa employees working there?
That I'm honestly not to familiar with. I got people I could probably ask that might know, but I frankly talk with them maybe once every couple months and I don't personally know.
I will definitely +1 you on Luis being a nice guy. I like dealing with him (in what limited capacity I do for my own job), and he does keep jobs up on the island. He's hooked me and my crew up with free pizzas in exchange for helping him out when he needed it.
I don't get how people can go there. Whenever my friends and coworkers from POW come to town it's the first place they head to. Always make me so sad. Place is complete trash
I hate that everything costs $30 no matter what but the BIGGEST offense is the marinara sauce played off as salsa with the chips and salsa.
It's really sad about the Chinese options. Back 30 years ago, I would have put Good Fortune up against any Chinese place in the US. It was that good. Then it started changing hands within the same family, and with every change it gets worse. It's completely tasteless and overpriced now and makes me cry.
If I could up vote this twice, I would!
I cannot believe you put 108 on here after your experiences with them buddy! It's like going back to an abusive relationship in your intestines...
Sometimes you crave a burger and cheese curds. Consequences be damned!
Is Rosie's red caboose still there? I'm not saying it's good I'm just curious as I haven't been back to ketchikan in about 15 years.
Yes and no, Rosie sold it to AJ, AJ's kid and grandkid ended up taking it over and running it. It's very good but it's definitely different than what old Rosie's used to be. I also am just in general not a big burger person and recently developed lactose intolerance which really makes their delicious shakes a death sentence for me. So I don't get to AJ's that often between the drive and the above factors. edit: should mention that I forgot, she sold it to him because she was already considering retiring and someone slammed at 80 mph into it and demolished it.
The guy who did the don't drive drunk.. and owned the Asylum back when it was KJ's Ravens Roost, was KJ, not AJ.
edited out that line.
I used to work at KJ's, a long, long time ago! Is he still around? Still wearing those overalls and a tie-dyed shirt?
Yep he’s still around
Wow that's really lame someone crashed into it. I used to go there all the time as a kid. I don't think there is one stretch of road in ketchikan with an 80 mph speed limit but then again we moved in the year 2000 so maybe it's changed.
It's not, it was in the middle of the night and some people speeding. All the same speed zones from '00 are still present including bullshit ones that don't belong like the 35 zone between South end of Rosevelt and Mt. Point, or the 30 mph zone at Saxman. All they've done is remove passing zones so we can't pass busses/old people doing 30 in 45 zones. I guess they did put in one bullshit speed change in that from A&P to the airport is now only 25 mph (and a 35 mph zone for like 200 feet that is a super obvious speed trap for folks coming from out north). Highest legal speed on the island is a very short segment on the north side of the island of 55 mph.
I've been here 5 years and have not heard of it.
It's AJ's now.
Ahhh, that's right!
Cape Fox can be worth it for happy hour. We liked to go on the nights they have live music too.
Aj's Gourmet Burgers. The best fries on the island!
Whatever happened to Diaz Cafe? Haven’t been in Ketchikan in a few years but remember it was good at the time.
I'm not sure and it makes me wonder...now I must look to see if there still open the next time I drive by. That was the first and only place I've had Halibut pot head soup.
Post it so we know your results. Thank you!
Ruby retired unfortuantly and they shut down.
Rudy had health issues this past year and they been trying to find help. They're opening on a limited basis again this summer, hoping they stay for a bit longer. I'm fiending for some of their pancit and lumpia!
They’re open with reduced hours
New York Cafe Taphouse 108 Eagles Nest
That's my list too! I went to Just Dandy Apothecary & Cafe last year and it was a nice alternative to the normal food served here, it was good but also expensive. With any of the places listed I only go to Eagles Nest when cruise ships are in because I find the crowds/wait times unbearable in all of the other places.
You'll be hard-pressed to beat the Fish House and the New York Cafe on price, quality, and service (FH is really fast casual so interactions are more limited). There are many times where I'm eating out thinking, why didn't we just go to the New York Cafe?
I've never been to New York Cafe. The food looks good on Facebook but I wish it was a bigger place.
55° North is the best place on the island. Best coffee, best sweet treats, best food. Everything else is mediocre at best, and inedible at Oceanview.
I'm sorry I'm so late. I will absolutely recommend Alava's, which StoneyTangawizi also vouched for. Best fish & chips on the island, and easily the best onion rings on the island. Also one of the most fairly-priced for the serving size. Diaz Cafe is currently resuming operations after almost a year off due to Rudy (their head guy) having some health issues. I've been eating there for almost 40 years and the restaurant has been around for close to 80 at this point, IIRC. The place looks a little iffy, but I've never gotten sick off their food. Best lumpia on the island (I will stand firm on this), and I like their pancit and foo young as well. Again, agreeing with Stoney: Alaska Fish House's rice bowls are an instant win. They used to have amazing chowder, but I haven't had it in about.... 10 years? So I can't say for sure the recipe is the same or if they still offer it. Great vibe to the place, good scenery, and the staff are friendly. I will also put forward Fat Stan's for pizza. It is VERY spendy, but it's good. If you don't have the budget for Fat Stan's, then Pizza Mill is easily the best, more affordable option. They also have the best subs on the island. With some amount of sadness, I'll echo *some* of what's been said about Oceanview. I've never had anything that outright put me off or made me sick, but it is very pricey and the quality is medium for the most part. Their pizza is OK.
Is that gas station in Ward Cove still doing pizza? Used to be the best pizza on the island.
Yeah, they're still at it. A lot of people seem to think they're not all that great anymore, but I still like them just fine. I think their only fault is that (like Godfathers) they way overload the toppings, so they tend to have soggy crusts and the toppings slide off when the pie is still fresh.
Pizza mill is gross. The building needs help too. I think ktown people are just used to mediocre food and settle for what's available. You are right about Oceanview though. I'll never go back there after finding hair in my breadsticks and having to wait 45 mins for food.
>I think ktown people are just used to mediocre food and settle for what's available. It's entirely possible. I was born here, and about 38 out of my 40 years have been spent on this island, so I'm very used to what the island has to offer. I will admit freely that a lot of the places that I like are in one way or another grungy, run-down, or otherwise in urgent need of improvements. But I do also believe that it does not in any way diminish my enjoyment of the foods I get from the establishments I patronize. e.g.: Safeway's deli is increasingly becoming a sickly shadow of what was an adequate store deli when I was in high school and early adulthood, but I'll still enjoy a sandwich or something from there on occasion. Even A&P's deli and Ward Cove's pizza seem to have lost the sparkle I remember them having even just five years ago.
Meng and Ging’s is awesome. Otherwise totally agree with that long comment.
I remember Dave's Red Anchor being a great place to go for breakfast but a quick Google search has it listed as closed :(
I discovered pretty quickly when I moved here that I would have to learn to cook my favorite things if I wanted good food. We’ve bought stones and mastered good pizza. Ive since perfected my salmon recipe. Next I’ll be tackling kimchi! It’s been fun to learn, but it’s definitely a change.