Everyday Alaska

Everyday Life in The Last Frontier

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Where to Eat in Kenai, Alaska

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So you’ve found yourself in beautiful Kenai, Alaska, and you’re wondering where to eat. Well I’ve been there. And I’ve eaten there. And now that I’ve been there and eaten there (many, many times!)  I’ve got the scoop on where to eat in Kenai, Alaska! And if you’re looking for restaurants in neighboring Soldotna, too, click here!

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Where to Eat in Soldotna, Alaska

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Updated February 20, 2023.

Whenever I travel somewhere one of the first things I look for is where to eat. Do I want something fancy or casual, fast or dine-in, burgers or fish? What different options are in the area? Where should I go, what should I get? How much will it cost? Where do all the locals go? Well, luckily for you, I have the answers to all of your question about places to eat in Soldotna, Alaska right here! And if you’re looking to eat in nearby Kenai, check this list out!

Please note that this post contains affiliate links which I may earn commission from. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Commissions from these qualifying purchases help support Everyday Alaska at no extra cost to you. Please follow the instructions on all of the recommended items. All of the information provided is my personal opinion, unless otherwise cited or noted.

Kaladi Brother’s Coffee

Looking for a cozy spot to sip on some delicious beverages? Check out Kaladis location in Soldotna; with cozy seating, yummy beverages, and friendly service you won’t be disappointed.

What to order: I’m not a coffee drinker but the rest of my family is and they really enjoy Kaladi’s coffee. I love their rasperberry steamer, and my new favorite is a caramel steamer.

A delicious steamer from Kaladis.

Hooked on the Bean

Getting your caffeine on the run? Cruise over to Hooked on the Bean drive thru for a quick fix!

What to order: Grab a delicious Red Bull special for a pick me up or a London Fog on those chillier days.

Hot Dogs a la Carte

Hot Dogs Ala Cart offers a variety of hot dogs to choose from and plenty of contiments to stack on top at their quick-stop food stations.

What to order: A reindeer dog! When in Alaska, right?!

Jersey Subs

Here you’ll find filling subs that you can take with you on the go, dine at the shop, or call in for pick up (which I highly recommend doing during summer since they’re pretty busy, just make sure you call the right one since there’s one in Kenai, too!). You can go from mini to massive, whatever floats your boat! And speaking of boats, if you place an order for pick up they will special wrap it for you so your sandwich doesn’t get soggy if you’re heading out fishing and want to bring sandwiches for lunch!

What to order: Grab a turkey or a giant roast beef sando to go and head out fishing!

Fine Thyme Cafe

Looking to sit a bit and enjoy soup, sandwiches, and a relaxing atmosphere? Check out Fine Thyme Café for a sophisticated lunchtime snack with great service. And while you’re there, check out the shops next door as well!

What to order: Grab a Perky Turkey and a chai! They also have wonderful desserts; my favorite being the Yellow Submarine!

Dessert at Fine Thyme Soldotna, Alaska
The “yellow submarine” at Fine Thyme Soldotna, Alaska.

Odie’s Deli

If you’re looking for some good soup and sandwiches, check out Odie’s Deli. With a pretty chill vibe and good customer service, Odie’s is the place to go for your lunchtime cravings.

What to order: Any of the sandwiches are delicious, as are the daily soups. Make sure you grab a giant cookie as well to top off your tasty meal.

Yo!Tacos

Fresh and tasty, Yo!Tacos serves up some delicious tacos and more at their convenient location in the heart of Soldotna. 

What to order: Carne asada nachos. It’s enough to feed 2+ people! 

An Alaska-sized nacho plate from Yo!Tacos.

The Schnitzel Bomber

Their food is the bomb, pun intended. They have fantastic customer service, consistently delicious food, and a great variety of specials as well. This is a drive thru establishment, and it’s best to check their Facebook for the menu and specials, then call your order in to be picked up. 

What to order: Chicken schnitzel with mashed potatoes and cabbage, or any special with cheese curds in it. I’m not usually a big fan of bread pudding, but theirs is delicious, so add one to your order as well!

Their chicken schnitzle is truly the best!

The Duck Inn

Really, how could you not want to go to a place with a catchy name like that! With a variety of food to satisfy everyone’s taste buds, The Duck Inn is a great one-stop eat for any group. Prices here are about what the average is around town. I’ve had Thanksgiving and Easter meals there, and they can really whip up a feast!

What to order: Give anything a try, there’s plenty to choose from!

Acapulco Mexican Restaurant

Looking for the best Mexican food in town? Check out Acapulco where the chips keep coming and you should order one of everything that has the words “carne asada” in it. Enjoy a fun, colorful, and festive atmosphere while dining on a variety of Mexican dishes and a scenic view.

What to order: They have delicious halibut, carne asada tacos, carne asada  burritos, and a must have chipotle sauce that you can order on the side. You can also order the Monster Burrito if you’re hungry for a ginormous burrito with a it of everything in it!

carne asada tacos at Acapulco in Soldotna, Alaska
The carne asada taco plate at Acapulco.

St. Elias Brewing

One of my favorite places to dine is St. Elias. With a little something for everyone, and at a reasonable price, St. Elias is a great for anything from a casual pizza night to a birthday celebration. They have indoor and outdoor dining, but being a local hot spot they can still get pretty busy and have a wait, but it is more than worth it!

What to order:  The Popeye for an appetizer, Chicken on the Ranch pizza for dinner, and rootbeer to drink! Don’t forget the Mt. Redoubt dessert.

St. Elias Brewing in Soldotna, Alaska
A fun booth view at St. Elias Brewing in Soldotna, Alaska.

Mykel’s Restaurant

If you’re looking for a fine dining experience, Mykel’s is your ticket. With a variety of delicious dishes, Mykel’s is the place to go if your’re looking for a classy night on the town. They primarily serve steaks and a variety seafood dishes. Be prepared to pay more for the expreicne, but the price is well worth it.

What to order: Crab dip fondue (I don’t even like crab, but I love their crab dip! It may be off the menu now, but I’ll keep you posted!), prime bites, and a double fudge brownie!

The prime bite appetizer at Mykels.

Bluebird Café

A short drive from downtown Soldotna into the community of Sterling is the Bluebird Café. Charming, immaculately clean, and staffed with wonderful and friendly people, it’s a must-stop.

What to order: I love their stuffed French toast, but if your not feeling breakfast give the blue cheese burger a try.

Stuffed French toast for me, and a bacon jam/blue cheese burger for my husband. Yummy!

I hope this list helps you find all of the go to places to eat in Soldotna, Alaska! Now that you have a list of all the local hot spots it’s time to head out and chow down. Check out the links for addresses, menus, pricing, and more. Enjoy!

Have you tried any of the places on this list? Do you know of any I missed here? Comment with your review, and let me know what you think some of the best places to eat in Soldotna, Alaska are!

30 Must Have Outdoor Summer Toys for Kids

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Please note that this post contains affiliate links which I may earn commission from. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Please read all warnings, directions, and age range suggestions on the following products for safety.

Before you shop, check out this link for Rakuten to get money back on your purchases and earn a bonus for joining. Also, don’t forget to sign up for the Amazon Prime free trial offer for 30 days of FREE Prime!

All my memories of summer are of outdoor activities. From fishing, to jumping rope, making mud pies, to playing in the sprinkler, I took advantage of the season and enjoyed it to the fullest.

Considering summer is on it’s way, I figured there was no better time then now to create a list of some of my favorite outdoor toys that your kiddos can use make their own summertime memories. Summer is only so long, so why not spend it outside!

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The Best (and Easiest!) Salmon Dip Recipe

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Easy salmon dip recipe Alaska
The final product.

If you love salmon as much as I do, you want to find as many recipes and ways to have it as you can. It’s healthy and delicious, so really what more could you ask for in a food? One of my favorite ways to have salmon is in salmon dip. You only need three ingredients and a mixer (or a little elbow grease!). So without delaying you any more, here is the best (and easiest!) salmon dip recipe ever!

Easy salmon dip recipe Alaska

The Best (and Easiest!) Salmon Dip Recipe

With three simple ingredients you can make the best salmon dip!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Course: Appetizer, Snack
Cuisine: American
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • 8 Oz Cream Cheese You can use a block of cream cheese and leave it out to soften before whipping, or buy prewhipped cream cheese.
  • 4 Oz Canned Salmon
  • 1 Tbsp Garlic Pepper

Method
 

  1. Gather all of your ingredients and begin by putting your cream cheese in your Kitchen Aid and whip until smooth. 
  2. Drain your can of salmon and add it to the whipped cream cheese. Stir in the salmon until it is evenly mixed with the cream cheese. 
  3. Once the cream cheese and salmon are mixed together, add the garlic pepper, tasting the mixture as you add the garlic pepper till it suites your taste. 
  4. After all ingredients are throughly mixed together, grab some Ritz, scoop up some salmon dip, and enjoy!

Our Trip on the Alaska Marine Highway System

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Valdez Alaska Ferry on the Alaska Marine Highway
Heading out of Valdez on the Ferry

If you are thinking about using the Alaska Marine Highway System (aka the ferry) to travel around Alaska and would like a little more information about what the experience is like, you’ve come to the right place! After being on a few ferry rides myself, I feel like I can give a little insight to what your trip may be like, what is available on the ferry, and what you can expect on your ferry adventure.

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The Ultimate Stocking Stuffer Gift Guide

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Picking out the perfect gifts for your friends and family can be difficult. Will they like it, will they use it, is it within your price range? And then there’s stocking stuffers. It’s always fun to find unique and helpful gifts to fill those stockings or to give as small gifts, but it’s usually hard to do that. In the gift guide below, you’ll find a stocking suffer or gift for everyone on your list!

Before you start shopping, check out this link for Rakuten to get money back on your purchases and earn a bonus for joining. Also, don’t forget to sign up for the Amazon Prime free trial!

Please note that this post contains affiliate links which I may earn commission from. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Commissions from these qualifying purchases help support Everyday Alaska at no extra cost to you. Please follow the instructions on all of the recommended items. All of the information provided is my personal opinion, unless otherwise cited or noted.

  • HotHands-Help your friends and family keep their hand and feet toasty warm with some HotHands.
  • Flashlight-Good for emergencies, winter walks, and more!
  • First Aid Kit–Keep your friends and family safe and prepared with this comprehensive first aid kit that they can keep at home, in the car, or while traveling.
  • Books–Give someone a break from the screen with a good book!
  • Gloves-This the season for colder weather, so gloves will always come in handy!
  • Hand Lotion–Dry winter weather can do a number on your hands, so giving a gift that keeps them nice and moisturized is both thoughtful and useful!
  • Hat-Keep their noggin nice and warm with a good hat.
  • Socks-You wear them everyday, so why not give them as a gift? Useful and fun!
  • Notebook–It may seem like an odd stocking stuffer, but you can use this notebook on outdoor adventures since it works in the rain!
  • Boxers-Boxers? Really? Yes, really. Underwear may seem like an odd stocking stuffer, but he will definitely thank you for these ones!
  • Jerky-Who doesn’t love a good snack?
  • Neck Gaiter-During winter walks, shoveling driveways, or going to the store, a neck gaiter will come in handy.
  • Fishing Tackle-A small and relatively inexpensive gift that will make long lasting memories when it’s used.
  • Lip Balm-Useful everyday, and you can get it in fun colors and flavors. Who wouldn’t want that?!
  • Windproof Lighter–Good for anything from emergency kits to camping trips.
  • Magazine Subscription–Whether in paper or on a Kindle, it’s always fun to learn new things, read stories, and see pictures of different places in a good, old fashioned magazine.
  • Tool Kit–There’s always little projects or things to fix around the house, and it’s handy to have a little tool kit to keep in your drawer for unexpected chores.
  • Movies-Eveyone likes a good movie or tv show, so why not give one as a gift? Whether it’s comedy, a documentary, or action, there’s a good DVD for everyone.
  • Headlamp–Useful for any outdoor activity, a headlamp is the perfect gift and fits easily in stockings!
  • Pocket Knife–Something everyone needs is a good pocket knife. And when will it come more in handy then during Christmas when they’re opening gifts!
  • Hallmark Ornaments-You can really find an ornament for anyone on your list from Hallmark. I love collecting them and giving them, as they are fun to collect and bring cheer every year!

Hopefully this stocking stuffer gift guide has given you some helpful ideas to help fill those Christmas stockings with goodies that will be used throughout the year!