The drive from Wasilla to Anchorage is only 43 miles, but no good road trip goes in a straight line. We’ve spent the better part of the past decade filming across Alaska for National Geographic, Discovery, Disney, and more, and some of the best meals we’ve ever had weren’t in Anchorage or Wasilla themselves, they were at the food trucks, dive bars, and roadside pie shops scattered along the Glenn Highway in between. This is our full route: 10 stops, from Cajun food trucks to zigzag pool tables to a pancake house that’s been feeding road-weary travelers for decades.
So skip the drive-thru. Here’s where to actually eat between Wasilla and Anchorage.
Quick Guide to the Restaurants from Wasilla to Anchorage
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Route | North Glenn Highway (Alaska Route 1) |
| Distance | 43 miles |
| Total Stops | 10 restaurants, food trucks, and bakeries |
| Starting Point | Wasilla |
| Ending Point | Anchorage |
| Detour Towns | Palmer, Chugiak, Eagle River |
| Best Breakfast | Mat-Su Family Restaurant or Missy’s Spot |
| Best Splurge Stop | Lime Leaf (Eagle River) |
| Alternative Option | Alaska Railroad, 4x daily, $55–188, ~1hr 8min |
My Experience Driving From Wasilla to Anchorage.
Wasilla is rarely the destination for tourists or, in my case, film crews. It’s usually a hopping-off place for something greater. Wasilla is a Mecca of resources in the middle of a vast place that is better off for not having too many niceties. The Wasilla Home Depot and Walmart Super center, while the bain of small town quaintness, is also the troff that many travelers seek when ending up in Wasilla.
I first arrived in Wasilla to plan an aerial shoot in Talkeetna. We needed snow shoes for the entire crew, snow machines, and a small plane outfitted with skis for landing gear. Wasilla did not disappoint; we found everything we needed and a friendly community happy to help us out. Wasilla also has plenty of restaurants and hotels, making this an easy spot to crash and regroup. The downside is all these conveniences make it just like every other spot you are familiar with in the lower 48. So, like I did when filming near Wasilla, get what you need and get out. There are adventures to be had down the road from Wasilla to Anchorage.
Welcome to Wasilla, where the road trip begins with the promise of exploration and, if we’re being honest, the anticipation of escaping the talons of a town that could be anywhere in America Made Great Again; it’s not surprising that the realty-tv-queen and politician Sarah Palin calls this piece of Americana her home town.
So, without further ado, here’s a list of restaurants, coffee shops, bars, and bakeries to visit on your drive from Wasilla to Anchorage.
Mat-Su Family Restaurant
Mat-Su Family Restaurant – A traditional diner that customers say does not disappoint. If you are seeking fuel for the rest of your road trip from Wasilla to Anchorage, this might be your spot, with large portions and friendly service. Everything from eggs benedict to breakfast steaks.
401 W Parks Hwy Wasilla, AK 99654 / 907.357.7017
Missy’s Spot
This is a great place to start your road trip from Wasilla to Anchorage. They serve breakfast all day and have dine-in, take-out, delivery, and curbside options. While Alaska has many places to get coffee, Missy’s is the only place I’ve seen that offers mushroom coffee. Breakfast includes egg bowls, breakfast quesadillas, burritos, yogurt parfaits, french toast sliders, and breakfast combos/platters. So, whatever you are in the mood for, Missy’s will have something for you and a great way to start your trip from Wasilla to Anchorage!
340 N Lucille St, Wasilla, AK 907.315.6382
So we will make a slight diversion from the direct route from Wasilla to Anchorage. We will swing over to Palmer, driving north on route one before heading back down south towards Anchorage. While I know we are driving from Wasilla to Anchorage, no good road trip goes in a straight line. It’s the diversions that make it an adventure delicious.
Nonkie Be’s
Cajun in Alaska? Why not? Nonkie Be’s menu has everything from fried shrimp Po’Bos and boudin balls to fried catfish and crinkles. This is a food truck, so it’s difficult to pinpoint where it will be or if it’s operating seasonally. It looks delicious and is worth the diversion, but check in to ensure they are open and operating before driving the extra miles. According to their website, they are currently parked at the American Legion Post 15 in Palmer; they also offer online ordering if you are in a rush.
1550 Mystic Circle Palmer, AK
The Butte Burger Place
The Butte Burger Place – This place looks seriously legit. They do not have their menu online currently, but I can tell you that last summer, they were selling “freedom burgers” to celebrate the Fourth of July; they were hamburgers consisting of one pound of beef, one pound of bacon, one pound of cheese, on an 8 inch bun. Clearly, Jose at the Butte Burger Place isn’t messing around. Check their Facebook page to see their current hours.
4376 S Old Glenn Hwy, Palmer, AK 99645 / 907.745.3288
Lucie Mae’s
Lucie Mae’s – What’s a road trip without a great bakery and some sweets? This Chugiak bakery offers 20 different pies: apple crumble pie, S’more Pie, Key Lime Kie, and Blueberry Pie, to name a few. They also have gourmet cookies and some pretty fancy desserts; their sweet rolls come in multiple flavors and shouldn’t be missed. Lucie Mae’s also sells gelato, coffee, and a few savory delights, like a chicken pot pie.
20905 Eastside Dr #2 Chugiak, AK 99567 907.582.4623
Birchwood Saloon
Birchwood Saloon – Bring a designated driver because the next stop on this road trip from Wasilla to Anchorage is the Birchwood Saloon. Located about halfway down route one on your trip from Wasilla to Anchorage, this pub is worth the stop. Beer on tap, a pool table, and German food, what’s there not to love!P.S. the pool table is zigzag-shaped!
20146 Pilots RD, Chugiak, AK 907.688.2827
Belle Vista Pizzeria
Bella Vista Pizzeria – Alaska has many good pizza joints and plenty to choose from when driving from Wasilla to Anchorage. Still, Bella Vista stood out with its full menu. Bella Vista has all the traditional pies you would expect but also serves burgers, sandwiches, and fried seafood. They have a range of Italian entrees: chicken alfredo, veal marsala, veal parmesan, spaghetti, and Sacampi De LA Casa. Be sure to check out their Greek Pizza, featuring gyro meat, spinach, and feta.
20908 Bill Stephens DR Chugiak, AK 907.688.2221
Garcia Cantina & Cafe
Garcia Cantina & Cafe – A local favorite in Eagle Creek, Garcia and Cantina & Cafe has been in the community since 1985. It is currently owned and operated by two guys who started at the restaurant as dishwashers. Check out the basket of mini chimis when ordering some apps to go with one of their margaritas. The dinner menu has all the usual Mexican fare but also includes halibut tacos; when in Alaska, get the halibut! (happy hour Mon-Fri 3-5 pm).
11901 Business BLVD #104 Eagle River, AK 907.694.8600
Lime Leaf
Lime Leaf – When traveling across Alaska, you can get tired of all the burger and steak joints; I always love finding something new to check out, like this Asian fusion restaurant. When driving from Wasilla to Anchorage, be sure to stop at Lime Leaf to mix it up. This place is a bit more upscale than other spots on our road trip. They have an eclectic sushi menu, including a tuna tower topped with strawberries and a lava roll served with potato chips on top. If you’re still craving a steak, don’t worry; they have a New York Strip Terrakyi. 17051 Mercy Drive, Eagle River, AK 907.696.7222
As you pass through Eagle Creek and are pulling into Anchorage, we are going to finish this road trip where we started it, with breakfast. Anchorage has so many good restaurants and great bars, but that is for another article for another day. So we will finish this road trip from Wasilla to Anchorage, right at the edge of the city, grabbing breakfast at Flo’s Pancake House.
Flo’s Pancake House
Flo’s Pancake House – On the north side of town as you drive from Wasilla to Anchorage, you’ll find Flo’s Pancake House. This place may look weathered and a little rough around the edges, but so do you, after making your epic food trip from Wasilla to Anchorage. This place has all the warmth, comfort, and ease you want for a place serving fluffy pancakes with warm coffee in red boothes. This is the kind of place I look for in every town I travel. Affordable, reliable, and friendly.
335 Muldoon RD, Anchorage, AK 907.339.2440
Best Restaurants driving from Wasilla to Anchorage, Alaska (Post Summary)
To recap, here are some of the best restaurants to try when driving from Wasilla to Anchorage.
- Mat-Su Family Restaurant 401 W Parks Hwy Wasilla, AK 99654 / 907.357.7017
- Missy’s Spot 340 N Lucille St, Wasilla, AK / 907.315.6382
- Nonkie Be’s 1550 Mystic Circle Palmer, AK
- The Butte Burger Place 4376 S Old Glenn Hwy, Palmer, AK 99645 / 907.745.3288v
- Lucie Mae’s 20905 Eastside Dr #2 Chugiak, AK 99567 / 907.582.4623
- Birchwood Saloon 20146 Pilots RD, Chugiak, AK / 907.688.2827
- Bella Vista Pizzeria 20908 Bill Stephens DR Chugiak, AK / 907.688.2221
- Garcia Cantina & Cafe 11901 Business BLVD #104 Eagle River, AK 907.694.8600
- Lime Leaf 17051 Mercy Drive, Eagle River, AK 907.696.7222
- Flo’s Pancake House 335 Muldoon RD, Anchorage, AK 907.339.2440
Road Trip from Wasilla to Anchorage, Map
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