Local Flavors: Where to find the Best Food Trucks in Alaska

Alaska cuisine is notable for featuring the freshest locally caught seafood, foraged and farmed produce nourished by the midnight sun, innovative flavors, and inspiration from around the world. The good news is: you don’t have to go to a fine dining establishment to relish in Alaska’s best local flavors. Alaska is home to a vibrant food truck scene that continues to grow, offering mouthwatering quick eats that highlight Alaska’s bounty and local character. From fish tacos to reindeer hot dogs, and from cupcakes to cuisines from all over the world, you’ll find a wide variety of food truck options in some of Alaska’s top destinations. Read on to discover where to go for the best food trucks in Alaska. 

Anchorage

Alaska’s largest city is by far the food truck capital of the state, with food trucks located in practically every corner of the city. Downtown staples include El Green Go’s, serving up delicious Mexican food with locally caught salmon and halibut; and AK Alchemist, a shipping container-turned food truck that specializes in Alaska halibut and reindeer burgers. Speaking of shipping containers, don’t miss the Wild Scoops Cone-tainer (open seasonally) located outside of 49th State Brewing Co. for the best locally made ice cream with innovate Alaska flavors and Baked Alaska ice cream cones. While not an actual food truck, you’ll also find food carts serving up reindeer hot dogs, usually located on 4th Ave. downtown. 

To try a little bit of everything, head to the Spenard Food Truck Festival that’s held March through October every Thursday from 11am – 2pm at 2435 Spenard Rd. You’ll find a rotating roster of food trucks serving everything from BBQ, gumbo, Mexican, hot dogs, Turkish, cheesesteaks, locally caught salmon, and more. The Anchorage Museum also hosts a Lunch on the Lawn series with music and food trucks every Tuesday from 11:30am – 1:30pm from June through August, located on the lawn in front of the museum. 

Anchorage’s thriving local brewery scene is also on the food truck bandwagon. Double Shovel Cider Co, Turnagain Brewing Co, Onsite Brewing Co, and Anchorage Distillery, among others, host regular food truck rotations and special events. Check their websites and social media channels for schedules.  

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Girdwood

One of the best brewery/food truck pairings in Southcentral Alaska is Girdwood Brewing Company, located about 40 miles south of Anchorage. This ski-themed brewery in Alaska’s top ski town is a great spot to grab a craft beer and food truck fare year-round. The outdoor seating area with fire pits and picnic tables hosts up to 3 food trucks per day, serving up a wide variety of cuisines including Mexican, Turkish, Japanese, and Guatemalan, along with crepes, sandwiches, bagels, cheesesteaks, and pizza. Check out their website for their daily food truck calendar.  

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Homer

This coastal community located at the end of the Sterling Highway on the Kenai Peninsula is known as a foodie destination – and the food trucks here live up to the town’s culinary reputation. Head to the Homer Spit for a couple of delicious food trucks that highlight locally caught seafood and other fare. Siren’s Seafood & Street Food serves local oysters, halibut, seafood chowder, and more. Swell Tacos is a small walk-up food stand serving hand-made tortillas filled with seafood specialties like rockfish and halibut, plus vegetarian and meat options. Head to the local brewery, Grace Ridge Brewing Co, which usually has a food truck parked near the outside seating area. The town also hosts a culinary festival in May - the Taste of Homer - which kicks off with a Food Truck Festival. 

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Mat-Su Valley

The agricultural town of Palmer located in Alaska’s Mat-Su Valley is home to the Palmer Towne Food Court. This food truck lot hosts a handful of permanent and rotating food trucks at 127 S. Alaska Street. Continue heading north to the small town of Talkeetna for one of the state’s most beloved food trucks: Talkeetna Spinach Bread. Served out of an Airstream on Talkeetna’s Main Street, this food truck serves up its addictive namesake bread – hearty spent-grain breadsticks baked to crispy perfection with a cheesy garlic spinach topping – along with blueberry rhubarb crisp, burritos, and daily specials. You’ll also find Talkeetna Spinach Bread at Alaska festivals from the Girdwood Forest Fair to the Alaska State Fair to the Fairbanks Midnight Sun Festival. There’s almost always a line, but its worth the wait.

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Fairbanks

If you’re looking for a food truck in Fairbanks in Alaska’s Interior region, head to a brewery. The town’s lively local brewery scene pairs perfectly with its diverse mix of food trucks. The large outdoor patio at HooDoo Brewing Company is the perfect spot for a brew year-round, where you can enjoy the midnight sun in summer and stay warm by the fire pits in winter. A rotating list of food trucks includes pizza, cheesesteak, sandwiches, Middle Eastern, Thai, and more. Lat 65 Brewing Company, Black Spruce Brewing Company, and Midnite Mine Brewing Company also host a rotating list of food trucks.  

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Juneau

Another top culinary destination in Alaska is the state’s capital city: Juneau. Fresh seafood and innovative flavors can be found in the city’s many excellent restaurants and food trucks. Deckhand Dave’s is a must-visit food truck in Juneau, serving up sustainably caught local seafood like halibut, rockfish, shrimp, and oysters. Their specialties include fish tacos, fish & chips, grilled oysters, and ceviche. They have an inviting outdoor seating area bordered by several other food trucks. A year-round food truck park, the Juneau Vintage Food Truck Park, is located about 10 miles from downtown and hosts several dining options. Stop by the Alaskan Brewing Company Taproom, located 5 miles from downtown, to pair an Alaskan brew with food truck options like local halibut & chips, burgers, and wood-fired pizza. 

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Sitka

Our last stop is stunning Sitka, where the island-dotted waters of Sitka Sound produce delicious seafood that is featured at several local food trucks. As the name suggests, The Fresh Fish serves up fresh, locally caught fish at their food truck and poke cart. Their main food truck location is just a couple blocks from downtown and features seafood chowder, fish tacos, fish sandwiches, poke, and even a fish flight – where you can sample a variety of Sitka’s finest local fish. Their seasonal Poke Cart can be found right downtown and serves a smaller menu of seafood chowder, ceviche, and local salmon poke. Ashmo’s, also located in downtown Sitka, features all locally caught fish with favorites like smoked salmon mac & cheese, rockfish tacos, and fish & chips. If you’re craving some Asian-fusion street food, head to Enoki Eatery. Their menu features seafood options like black cod onigiri and smoked salmon cream cheese steam buns, along with meat, gluten free, and vegan options. Bon appétit!

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