Food options: 2/5

Restaurants visited: Market Juice, Hearth Artisan Pizza, El Dorado, Jack Sprat, Denali Brewing, Moose’s Tooth, and Middle Way Cafe

When I got the news that I was headed to Anchorage, AK for work, I immediately searched for restaurants. I quickly discovered that my options would be limited, so it was a must that I stayed at a hotel with kitchen. I mostly cooked during my 3-month stay, but I did find some plant-based meals after all.

I really missed making fresh juice to start my day, so I was excited to find Market Juice. With juices like Summer Love and Root Power, their cold-pressed juices provided a refreshing way to get a dose of fruit and veggies. They even offer nut milks from the traditional almond to unique Smoky Cinnamon Cashew Hemp Milk.

When there is pizza, I am happy. I loved that Hearth Artisan Pizza offered both a house-made vegan mozzarella and well-known brand of vegan cheese. Even better, I was able to swap the cheese on any pizza for a vegan option at no extra charge.

Honestly, I didn’t expect to find such fantastic Mexican food in Alaska. The veggie tacos with corn tortillas from El Dorado were some of the best I had in a while. The restaurant also took such great care to ensure that my meal was dairy free, which was appreciated.

The scenic drive to Girdwood was just as wonderful as the food at Jack Sprat. I was glad to see that nearly half of the menu was vegan. I enjoyed the nacho appetizer and mezze plate, but I was most excited about the cashew dream cake. And rosemary in water … where have I been? This was so delicious!

Known for its local beers, Denali Brewing was the last place I expected to find a plant-based meal. I figured I would only be eating fries, but I actually had my best meal in Alaska. Talkeetna is a couple hours north of Anchorage, but I seriously contemplated making the trip repeatedly just to enjoy their Thai coconut vegetable curry.

Pizza again … yes, I can’t resist a good slice. When I saw a pizza called “The Popeye” on the menu at Moose’s Tooth, I knew this was meant for me. I also found it very welcoming that a manager arrived with my food and shared how they updated their offerings to provide completely vegan cheese and crust alternatives.

Less than a 5-minute drive from my hotel and on the route from work, Middle Way Cafe became my most visited spot in the city. I ordered everything from entrees including a burger and veggie bowl to desserts like cupcakes and cobbler to smoothies. It was an added bonus that many of the items were gluten-free as well.

This food trip was more successful than I anticipated in an area with few options. It was nice to hear from locals that the plant-based options were definitely expanding. If I ever find myself in Alaska again, I imagine the there will be more equally delicious choices.

Plant-based Adventures: Anchorage, Alaska

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Plant-based Adventures: Anchorage, Alaska

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