Noisy Goose Cafe

I started going to the Noisy Goose Cafe several years ago as a breakfast as a place to conduct staff meetings.  We would meet in the mornings which meant I got to have a lot of breakfasts (maybe my favorite meal of the day).  It was not until after I began dating my wife (a Mat-Su Valley native) that I had a dinner at the "the Goose".  I have never been disappointed with any of my meals.

For breakfast I recommend the Eggs Benedict, Biscuits and Gravy, or an omelet.  I almost always have the Eggs Benedict, unless I am there more than once or twice a month....then I mix it up a bit.  For dinner I like the meatloaf or a gilled ham and cheese sandwich with tomato soup.

I would describe the menu as homestyle comfort food.  And I have to say, it is very comforting.  Be sure to stop by the next time you drive through Palmer, or the next time you head out to the Alaska State Fair.

Noisy Goose Cafe:

Address - 1890 Glenn Hwy, Palmer (across from the fairgrounds)

Phone - 907.746.4600

Website - on Facebook

Reservations - None taken, but I have seen a waiting list go up on the whiteboard.  It can be very busy around breakfast time.

Overall Recommendation:  This is my favorite Mat-Su restaurant.  Excellent breakfasts and very good lunch and dinner menu.

Don Jose's Mexican Restaurant and Cantina

I am a big fan of Mexican cuisine, and there are many choices in the Anchorage area, but there is only one Mexican restaurant in Alaska that is present in three different towns.  Don Jose's Mexican Restauraunt and Cantina is established in Anchorage, Kenai, and Homer.  Furthermore, I have eaten in all three.

As Mexican goes, Don Jose's is ok.  The restaurants serve decent food and there is good variety on the menu.  On my last visit I enjoyed the Southwestern Fiesta appetizer as well as the Chili Colorado entree'.  The portions were generous and the flavors good.  Having said that, I have had better Mexican within the Anchorage area.

I am not much of a barfly, but I think that Don Jose's Anchorage restaurant is as well known for it's Cantina as much as the cuisine.  Having said that, I can only say that I enjoyed the Negra Modelo that I had with dinner.

Don Jose's Mexican Restaurant and Cantina:

Address - 2052 E. Northern Lights, Anchorage
                205 S. Willow Street, Kenai
                127 W. Pioneer Ave, Homer

Phone - 907.279.5111, Anchorage
             907.283.8181, Kenai
             907.235.7963, Homer

Website - alaskadonjoses.com

Reservations - I have never needed them, but call ahead on Friday and Saturday nights.

Recommendation:  It is not bad, but I can think of better Mexican cuisine....in Anchorage anyway.

Jackie's Place - Good for the Bodybuilders and the rest of us too

My father was Mr. Alaska 1992 for the Masters division.  He was a bodybuilder, and whenever he was in Anchorage, he looked forward to eating at Jackie's Place.  With it's pictures of well muscled, oiled, and tan bodied covering one of their walls, it seems it it is a popular hangout for more than just my dad.

Many of the options on the menu reflect it's loyal bodybuilder clientele.  With egg white omelets, steamed rice, and brown rice they offer some lighter diner style breakfasts.  Some of the non-traditional meats in the omelets include chicken and turkey.  It definitely sounds a little unorthodox, but it really does work.  I don't eat there because of the healthy options...I eat there because the food is great!

My father is no longer a bodybuilder, but I still go to Jacke's Place regularly.  My favorite breakfast is JP's Omelet.  It is an egg white omelet with turkey, portuguese sausage, extra turkey, extra portuguese sausage, jalapeño, and mozzarella...hmm!  I like to get mine with steamed rice on the side with a little soy sauce.  I know it sounds different, but it works.

For those of you who are not really into the alternative fare, there are still the regular eggs and sausage, biscuits and gravy, eggs Benedict, etc.  There is also a large variety of sandwiches, pies, soups and salads.  All it all, a great diner menu, but get there for breakfast or lunch, they close at 3:45p daily.


Jackie's Place:

Address - 2636 Spenard Road, Anchorage (next to Play it Again Sports and across from the Bear Tooth)

Phone - 907.274.3211

Website - www.jackiesplacerestaurant.com

Reservations - Seat yourself.  There are tables, booths, and seats around a counter.  Other than that, you have to wait for an opening.

Overall Recommendation:  Jackie's Place is an institution.  The food is very good.  Go there soon.