Sushi Ya

I got started on sushi relatively late in life, but I am fast gastro-learner, and I have come to love nearly every roll or style of sushi I have tried.  A couple of years ago some friends of mine introduced me to Sushi Ya and it is by far my favorite sushi restaurant in Anchorage.

The Nigiri sushi at Sushi Ya rivals rivals that I have had anywhere.  I have had the salmon, salmon roe, yellowtail, yellowfin tuna, bluefin tuna, eel, giant clam, shrimp, squid, octopus, and even sea urchin.  It is all great.  But what sets Sushi Ya apart is their rolls.

Their menu is chock full of the most artful and flavorful sushi rolls I have had.  From the basic rainbow and california rolls, to the more impressive boyfriend roll, the spicy dynamite roll, etc.  I have had around 10 different rolls over the years, and they are all worth trying.

In my mind, it is hard to be too disappointed with any of the sushi restaurants in Anchorage, but I would recommend getting over to Sushi Ya if you want the best.

Sushi Ya:

Address - 1111 E Dimond Blvd, Anchorage

Phone - 907.522.2244

Reservations - I have never needed any, but on a Friday or Saturday night, it might be a good idea to call ahead.

Overall Recommendation: There are many very good sushi restaurants in Anchorage, but Sushi Ya is my favorite.  It is the right size, has a friendly wait staff, and most of all, the sashimi and sushi rolls are amazing.

Guido's Pizza

My wife recently had a craving for the Guido's Greek Salad.  The Guido's Greek Salad is loaded with fresh mushrooms, onions, bell peppers, tomatoes, cucumbers, olives, sliced Canadian bacon, salami, mozzarella, and feta cheese and topped with pepperoncinis, and it is served with a loaf of piping hot garlic bread.  When your wife has a craving for such a heroic salad...you make it happen.


As it turns out, I don't really mind helping her get her salad fix, since I enjoy quite a few of Guido's menu items as well.  I have enjoyed Guido's pizzas, calzones, strombolis, and subs.  They are all quite good.  My favorite is the stromboli; a cross between a calzone and a pocket pizza, filled with pepperoni, onions, Canadian bacon, black olives, mushrooms, green peppers, mozzarella, and our special sauce. Fresh-baked to order, inside you'll find turkey, ham, pastrami, cheese, mustard, and mayonnaise with fresh lettuce, tomatoes, and onions.  It is impossible to walk away hungry after taking on one of these creations.

As a swim coach, I have taken relatively large groups of swimmers to Guido's for lunches and dinners.  It has alway hit the spot with them.  They have enjoyed the items above as well as the lasagna and pasta dishes.  It is a nice spot for children of all ages with a very casual atmosphere.  Having said that, it is not at all my first choice for a romantic meal.


All in all Guido's is a pizza/Italian restaurant that will appeal to a broad range of people...definitely worth a try.

Guido's Pizza:

Address - 549 W International Road, Anchorage

Phone - 907.563.2222

Website - www.guidospizza.net

Reservations - Guido's has a very large dining room, but you can call ahead for a reservation.  They are able to facilitate pretty large groups as well.

Overall Recommendation:  Guido's is not the top Italian restaurant in town, nor is it the best pizza.  Having said that, it is not bad either.  If you are out for a more casual meal with pretty good pizza, calzones, and salad, then check it out.

Humpy's Great Alaskan Alehouse

Humpy's Great Alaskan Alehouse is a downtown institution.  It is the brew pub that all other brew pubs want to be someday.  The combination of food and beer offerings make it one of Anchorage's top choices for a night out with your friends.

As a former downtown resident, I have to admit to that I have probably been to Humpy's at least 100 times over the years.  I can always find a beer that suits my "needs" and the hot wings are a staple...and maybe the best hot wings I have ever had (sorry Anchor Bar of Buffalo).

While I have gotten by on just the hot wings, I have to say that the rest of the menu is also quite good.  On the top of my list of menu favorite are:

• Halibut and Chips
• Smoked Salmon Caesar Salad
• Portobello Mushroom Burger
• Garden Burger
• Humpy Burger
• Halibut Tacos
• Italian Fetuccini
• Almost any of the Gourmet Pizzas (avoid the smoke salmon pizza)
• ...and for dessert, the Berry Crisp

Humpy's is a social hotspot with great food and beer on the evenings.  Check out the Bloody Mary bar on the weekends.  With televisions throughout the bar, it is not a bad place to watch the college or NFL games during football season.  All in all, a great place to go with your friends.

Humpy's:

Address - 610 W 6th Avenue, Anchorage

Phone - 907.276.BEER

Website - www.humpys.com/anc

Reservations - none taken.

Overall Recommendation:  Humpy's can be very crowded and loud, but the pub food is almost always very good, the beer selection is phenomenal, and you will almost always see a friend or two while you are there.

Barbie's Cafe - A doll of a restaurant

I have driven by Barbie's every day for the last month or so, and told myself I need to check it out.  I needed to take some of my swimmer's out for breakfast recently and decided that it was time.

The interior is clean with a classic cafe atmosphere.  We were seat in a corner and were very comfortable chatting about our upcoming events and activities.  When our server came by for our orders we were greeted warmly.

I of course asked what the best breakfast item on the menu was.  She replied "the eggs benee", so I of course ordered the Eggs Benedict.  She even asked me how I wanted the eggs to be (runny, solid, half-way).  I am not too picky, but it was nice to be asked.

I love eggs benedict when they are made up properly.  The eggs were done just right, and the hollandaise sauce was great (I just love a good hollandaise).  I even liked the hash browns, and I am usually unimpressed by most hash browns.

Barbie's Breakfast Burrito

Two of my swimmers had the breakfast burrito.  As you know, I have a weakness for such things.  Next time I will give it a shot.

I noticed that the cafe actually has an espresso machine.  If I were a coffee snob, they could whip me up a fancily named coffe drink.  I am not, but the Diet Coke was very good.  Definitely worth the drop in.  Give Barbie a try.

Barbie's Cafe

Address - 68th & Lake Otis Pkwy, Anchorage, AK

Phone - 907.344.4100

Website - on Facebook

Reservations - None needed.

Overall Recommendation:  This is a nice, newly renovated diner/cafe.  Breakfast is very good.

City Diner - A Spenard Classic

I was out running errands this morning and needed to to some shopping at REI.  Dang!  They didn't open until 10a...but wait, I have been meaning to try out that shiny City Diner near by.  Not being one to pass up an opportunity I decided to stop by for a late breakfast.

The inside of City Diner is gleaming with that old classic diner style.  The wait staff is wearing bright white smocks and bright white smiles.  It definitely made me think about the way diners look in those old movies.  A person could walk up to a stool and eat at the counter or take a booth...I took the booth.

The menu is chock full of choices, but the meatloaf and eggs jumped out at me for some reason.  Twelve ounces of meatloaf served with a brown mushroom gravy, two eggs (I like mine over easy), and some cheddar grits...mmmmm!  Comfort breakfast food.

The meatloaf was great!  Moist and savory, it was complimented by the gravy perfectly.  The cheddar grits take me back to my youth when my dad would make up grits every morning.  Oh yeah, and the eggs were good too.

I have to say, that one of the highlights of the meal was the beverage service.  I am one of those guys who drinks Diet Coke for breakfast (I know, I am a freak).  I ordered my DC and got a half pitcher and a glass of ice.  Very classy!...at least for a DC drinker.

The place has all of the character you look for in a classically styled diner...and good food to boot.  Definitely glad I had some time to kill

City Diner:

Address - 3000 Minnesota Drive, Spenard (Anchorage), AK

Phone - 277-CITY (for orders to go)

website - www.citydiner.org

Reservations - none needed

Overall Recommendation:   Go for it.  It is a gem!