Spinz - Anchorage

I spotted this place while waiting in line at McDonald's and thought it would be a healthier and more budget-friendly option. It turned out to be one of the bes... read more I spotted this place while waiting in line at McDonald's and thought it would be a healthier and more budget-friendly option. It turned out to be one of the best decisions I made that day! The chicken was incredibly juicy, and the skin was perfectly crispy. The flavors were fantastic, and the sides were surprisingly tasty. They even gave me a few sampler cups to try other dishes, which I really appreciated! I'd definitely choose this spot over KFC, Chicken Shack, or Raising Cane's. If you haven't been there yet, you’re really missing out! The corn in the display looked delicious too!

We had lunch here today and it was fantastic! My husband and I shared a half chicken with two sides, and it was more food than we could handle, all for a very r... read more We had lunch here today and it was fantastic! My husband and I shared a half chicken with two sides, and it was more food than we could handle, all for a very reasonable price of just $22, which included a drink and a premium side. The owner was incredibly friendly and even let us sample the sides before we made our decision. We will definitely return!

Wow! My boss brought me some of their corn, and it was huge and absolutely delicious. They cook it with the chicken, allowing all the drippings to soak in, crea... read more Wow! My boss brought me some of their corn, and it was huge and absolutely delicious. They cook it with the chicken, allowing all the drippings to soak in, creating a buttery, spicy flavor that’s just irresistible. You absolutely have to try this place! It’s locally owned, and the staff is fantastic.

When I arrived around noon, the place was bustling with a mix of regular customers and military personnel from Elmendorf Air Force Base patiently waiting in lin... read more When I arrived around noon, the place was bustling with a mix of regular customers and military personnel from Elmendorf Air Force Base patiently waiting in line to order. I had placed an order through the Toaster Takeout app for 12:15 PM, but I still had to stand in line rather than head to a designated pickup area. To my delight, when it was my turn at the register, I discovered that they prepare your pickup order at a prep station right next to the registers. The wait was only a couple of minutes, which was much better than having my food sit on the counter and get cold. I ordered the 1/4 Dark Rotisserie Chicken with Cilantro Mojo Chicken Salad—a Latin twist on chicken salad featuring cilantro, tri-colored peppers, garlic, mint, extra virgin olive oil, and the restaurant's signature spice blend—as well as the Peperonata Criolla (a sofrito with bell peppers, garlic, tomatoes, onions, chilis, and assorted veggies). The Peperonata Criolla was absolutely delicious, especially with the sofrito mixed in. Initially, I mistook the sofrito for a side of salsa until I realized it was meant to be mixed into the dish. The Mojo Chicken was equally impressive, with the garlic and cilantro standing out and complementing the other ingredients beautifully. The Rotisserie Chicken was incredibly tender and moist, having been brined and slow-cooked for 12 hours according to the restaurant’s website. The Salsa Blanca I chose was a mild option that focused more on flavor rather than heat. They do have spicier choices like Salsa Aji Amarilla and Fry Sauce. Peruvian-style cuisine is rare in Anchorage, and as someone who has lived in Florida, I really appreciate the demand for more diverse options in town. I can't wrap up this review without mentioning some other tempting items on the menu, which I look forward to trying on my next visit. Notable dishes include the full-rack or half-rack Baby Back Ribs with your choice of jerk marinade or house-smoked seasoned rub, the Spin of the Day, and daily specials like the Lamb Sandwich (thin-sliced smoked lamb with garlic aioli, caramelized onions, and fennel on a French roll) available on Thursdays. They also serve White Chicken Chili and their signature Chicken Tacos, which feature tomatoes, dried plums (an interesting twist), olives, and onions with spices and their Spinz sauce. For family dinners or office gatherings, larger meat portions like Rib Roast, Leg of Lamb, and Smoked Turkey Breast are priced at market rates, and catering is also available as a selection of menu items. I hope they consider adding a seating area in the future, as it would likely increase their business substantially.

Over the next half an hour, I attempted to call Spinz multiple times (see screenshot #2). It was around noon, typically a busy time for restaurants, but there w... read more Over the next half an hour, I attempted to call Spinz multiple times (see screenshot #2). It was around noon, typically a busy time for restaurants, but there was no answer. I began to worry that their website might have been hacked and checked my credit card's fraud information page. They recommended contacting the vendor before taking more serious actions, so I took a deep breath and tried calling again. This time, someone picked up! A male voice explained that they were busy, which didn't sit well with me as I have over ten years of restaurant experience. He assured me that my order had just been approved and would be ready at the designated time. When a friend arrived to pick up the order later, the staff helped him carry out the large order. Once everyone gathered, we started unpacking our feast, and immediately noticed some issues. Despite ordering plenty of sauces—hearing that they were one of Spinz's highlights—I had even paid an extra $10 for additional sauces, but we only received eight tiny 0.5oz containers for two whole chickens (see screenshot #3). Eight sauces were supposedly included with the chicken itself, so I’m not sure what happened to my extra $10 worth. You can only imagine the looks on the faces of the three of us trying to figure out who could stretch the sauce to go around. Now, about the chicken—it was very good. For the pieces that did get touched by sauce, the combination was fantastic. The amarillo and vinegar green sauces were particularly noteworthy, though there may not have been enough of the others to really understand their flavors. The sweet plantains were delicious, and the rice and beans combination was intriguing, although the white beans alone were pretty bland. The agave lime coleslaw tasted mainly of cabbage and might have been responsible for some digestive issues we all experienced later that evening (it was the only uncooked dish). I disagree with one comment I read about the cost. Had everything I ordered actually made it into the bags, I would have considered it reasonable. However, not all my order was included, and from my experience, an order over $100 (see screenshot #4) should receive better attention—it wasn’t just a case of “lemme get one rib!” If you decide to try Spinz, I recommend going in person to ensure you get exactly what you’re paying for. On April 11, 2024, I didn’t have that option.