MISSION ALASKA

The Search for the BEST Hamburger in Alaska

Searching for the BEST

Gannon—my grandson from Virginia—is hanging out with me in Alaska. He loves cheeseburgers. I’m a hamburger girl myself. So while he’s here, we’re on a mission: find the best burger in the state. We’re using a simple 1–10 scale (10 = superb) and jotting quick notes on flavor, fries, shakes, and vibe.

The Night It Started (and why I’m not driving in the dark again)

I picked up Gannon and Zach at Anchorage Airport around 8 p.m. and headed north for Talkeetna (2.5 hours). It was pitch-black, my beloved FJ’s headlights were not the best, and Parks Highway doesn’t exactly glow, plus it was raining. At Milepost 62 (I live at Milepost 96), traffic stopped cold—serious multi-car accident. After an hour, I drove ahead to ask a trucker on his CB what was happening (pro tip: CB's are good to have in Alaska). Road closed till midnight, he said.

We decided we were starving. So we turned around to go back to Wasilla and spotted a beacon: Burger King, Home of the Whopper.

Burger King (Wasilla)

Rating: 7/10 Why: Super clean, organized, and honestly the best Whopper any of us had eaten. Still fast food—but excellent for what it is.

By the time we looped back, the road was open and we rolled into Talkeetna at 1:00 a.m. In a couple of days, it was time for Zach to go back to Anchorage Airport for his 1:00 AM "dead-eye" flight back to Virginia.

Round Two: Sheep Creek Lodge (Parks Highway, Milepost 86)

Gannon’s rating: 8/10

Notes: “Good but not great.” Beautiful atmosphere, classic roadside Alaskan lodge feel.

Next I took him to one of my favorites:

Tommy’s Burger Stop - Spenard (Anchorage)

Gannon’s rating: 8/10

Notes: Tiny, always busy. I like it; Gannon loved this one, too.  But after eating at the next one, he decided it’s not a 10.

Finally I took him to this restaurant. My favorite and also an Alaska favorite:

Arctic Roadrunner (Old Seward Highway - Anchorage)

Gannon’s rating: 10/10

Notes: Day one: “solid 10 for burger, fries, and milkshake. Day two: It still held a full 10. Clean, inviting, and perched on a little river. Locals have long called it an Alaska favorite—Gannon agrees.

On Deck

Miller’s Café (Houston, outside Willow)

Status: Gannon hasn’t tried it yet.My take (from past visits): One of my favorites, but we’ll let the official tester decide when we go. Also has the best ice cream and my car will not pass this restaurant.  It turns in every time.

Current Leaderboard

1. Arctic Roadrunner (Anchorage): 10/10 – Fries + shake sealed it.

2. Sheep Creek Lodge: 8/10 – Good burger, great setting.

3. Burger King (Wasilla): 7.5/10 – Fast-food surprise win for the night.

4. Tommy’s Burger Stop: 9/10 – Gannon rated this a 10 until Arctic. He’s spoiled after Arctic.

5. Miller's Market (Houston): ??? Coming soon

We’ll keep tasting as long as Gannon’s in town and the FJ’s lights cooperate. Today, he wants Artic again. If you’ve got an Alaska burger we must try, send it our way.

Bon appétit.

Be Well ~ Be Safe ~ Be Happy

It's a Jungle Out There

&

REMEMBER to LOVE your LIVER