Gwennie's Old Alaska Restaurant — Restaurant in Alaska

What to say about Gwennie’s… from the building, to the atmosphere, to the food, there’s a whole lot of effort in looking spectacular while disappointing expectations.

Apparently this place is very popular with the locals and is part of tradition and lore among Alaskans and I think it’s gotten so used to being a staple that maybe their effort is now lacking.

When you com upon Gwennie’s the building is very exciting. There’s a lot of character and they have a cool model of an old car sitting out front. When you walk in it’s warm and inviting and there are trinkets and fun things to look at everywhere. The building is very visually stimulating on such a good way. It truly makes you want to come back again and again just to see all the unique and fun things in the place.

And that’s where the positive review ends.

We were seated on the second level and our food came to us in about 20 minutes. The staff weren’t unfriendly but they did seem like they were just going through the motions.

Then the food came. I can only give a solid review of my own meal but I will comment on how the other food looked. My buddy got the eggs Benedict and the hollandaise sauce broke. Some of the toast look burnt.

Another friend got the chili and the waiter said it was from a can. We thought it was a joke until the chili came out and we tried it. It was literally warmed Hormel chili. Another friend got halibut pieces and they were piping hot but lacked flavor which is disappointing for Alaska.

For my meal I got the reindeer sausage, eggs, and grits. The eggs were over medium and I think there may have been 4 or 5 of them, which is great. And these were cooked perfectly but had zero seasoning. The grits were cooked respectably but they were instant. Being a Texan I can say that no self respecting southerner uses instant grits. Again no seasoning.

But that sausage, oh my goodness. We don’t get reindeer sausage in the lower 48 but I’m pretty sure it’s not supposed to be overcooked and dry. Thank goodness for the runny yolk of the eggs. The flavor was amazing but dang they were dry. What made it more disappointing was that there was so much of it. It’s like they left it out overnight and wanted to use it up fast. With the proper salt and pepper I probably could’ve cleaned the plate but eating dried hard sausage bits isn’t too appetizing.

Some comments from the others in my group was that the food was entirely too oily or greasy and the flavor was seriously lacking.

The only thing going for this place is the atmosphere and that people know it exists. I’m giving it 2 stars because I won’t be going here again unless I’m really hungry and I happen to be at the Harley Davidson shop across the street. Even then I might look for something else nearby.

Go there if you want but if you don’t, you won’t be...

As an Alaskan, Gwennie's has long since been a staple for locals and tourists since I was born. Everyone loved it genuinely, including me. Even as a small child, I would happily pick Gwennie's over something like McDonald's or Pizza Hut any day of the week. However, after not dining there for over a decade, so happy to return to my once loved and cherished restaurant, I sadly realized all of the terrible horror stories I'd heard over the years about Gwennie's had become true. The food is horrible. I really don't like giving horrible reviews like this, but I'd heard about the back of the kitchen going to hell, and the food was no good anymore, and I didn't believe anyone. This restaurant was legitimately a part of my childhood and I refused to believe what people now told me about it today. Now it's just as bad as any other corporate chain restaurant like anywhere else in the country. My waiter was extremely polite and sweet, and even refunded my meal when I explained my sadness. She was very understanding, and I tipped her the entire cost of what I would have paid for my comped meal, well knowing that the cash tip would go directly to her, and her excellent waiting service had nothing to do with the quality of my horrible meal. She was the only redeeming quality of the experience, which I expressed to her happily. I had to make this review not to complain or whine about a small mistake, but to express how sad I was that one of my all-time local favorite childhood restaurants is now nothing more than an overpriced tourist trap that sells gas station quality food and claims to be an "Alaskan staple that the locals love." It was at one point, I promise you. Sadly that time is gone now.

R.I.P. Gwennie's. I'll love and miss you forever. I'll always remember what you were, and never...

Someone who had grown up in Anchorage referred my family to this restaurant. Perhaps in the past this place was a "gem". Not any longer. The waitress we had, who's name escapes me, was rude. When I say rude, I mean, she acted as if it was a chore to take our orders and didn't want to be there doing her job.

The "bus boy", an older thin "gentleman", was hostile towards us when we asked for clean glasses, as ours were dirty with specs of food on them. It wasn't just one or two, it was 4 out of 5 glasses on the table.

After we put in our order, the "bus boy" brought creamer to our table. The creamer was taken from a previously vacated table and poured into our creamer container. We informed our waitress of the issue and she went into the "back" area, which was close to our table, to get new creamer. We could hear her complaining about us. Once that happened, we cancelled our order and left.

In general the restaurant presents an unhealthy atmosphere both for food and socializing. The layer of dust is on most non-table items reminds me of place that is only fit for a hoarders garage sale. The lack of cleanliness of the dishes and habits of the staff is sure to bring the attention of the Health Department if they happen to visit.

If I could put a Zero Stars, I would. I'm sure the "Local Guide" reviews are given a discount or something. I truly don't understand any good review regarding food or cleanliness of this place.

I would NOT recommend this restaurant for any visitor until they clean and train their...