Prey - Denali

The staff was wonderful, and the atmosphere was charming. I ordered the Alaskan cod fish and chips, and it was fantastic. There were at least 2-3 potatoes worth... read more The staff was wonderful, and the atmosphere was charming. I ordered the Alaskan cod fish and chips, and it was fantastic. There were at least 2-3 potatoes worth of fries, along with three generously-sized pieces of cod. The fish was incredibly fresh and had a delightfully crisp batter. To top it off, I enjoyed an ice-cold local beer, making for a delightful meal. Nova, who served as the hostess, bartender, and waitress, truly enhanced the experience and made it even more enjoyable.

The restaurant opens at 5 PM and fills up quickly, so the key is to get there early. If you see an open table, no matter how messy it may seem, grab it! Our fir... read more The restaurant opens at 5 PM and fills up quickly, so the key is to get there early. If you see an open table, no matter how messy it may seem, grab it! Our first night was a bit challenging due to the high demand and short staffing, but our second visit, after a later return from our Denali bus tour, was much smoother. Gayle particularly praised the bartender who made her gin martini the first night, as well as a waitress on the second night who was from Madrid, NM. It was amusing to think we might have encountered her at the Mineshaft Tavern and Cantina a few years back. In seasonal work, you never know who you might meet or where they hail from. After a long day of exploring—arriving by train the first day and by bus the second—a comfortable table to relax at, along with your favorite drink, can really enhance your dining experience and make waiting more tolerable. So, I’m giving Prey 4 stars, even though a true Alaskan fisherman might not have chosen the fish dishes like the Alaska Salmon BLT or the Halibut fish and chips that we enjoyed on our second evening. On the first night, I opted for a delicious bowl of chili while Gayle tried the Beast Burger, a blend of bison, beef, elk, and wild boar. In a small, popular restaurant, it’s important to stay cheerful when they run out of menu items. For instance, on our second evening, almost the entire appetizer section was out, including Philly Egg Rolls, Chicken Wings, and Kung Pao Brussels Sprouts. Though there were still plenty of options to choose from, it did disrupt our plan of starting with salads and appetizers.

Prey has potential, but it is severely understaffed, which was evident in the food quality. Our waiter prepared our cocktails, but we had to send them back, and... read more Prey has potential, but it is severely understaffed, which was evident in the food quality. Our waiter prepared our cocktails, but we had to send them back, and the dishes were missing key ingredients. We eventually decided to leave, mainly because we felt quite sorry for the staff.

After a long day in Denali, I visited this restaurant with some hesitation due to its corporate atmosphere and the fact that very few people were dining there.... read more After a long day in Denali, I visited this restaurant with some hesitation due to its corporate atmosphere and the fact that very few people were dining there. However, I’m really glad we stopped in. We ordered the Reindeer Buffalo Sausage Sampler, and it was a massive portion! We managed to eat it all between the two of us, even though it was probably too much. I’d suggest it could easily be shared among four people. My husband tried the mac and cheese with bacon and really enjoyed it. I had the Garden on Grain sandwich, which was perfect—filling but not too heavy, and really tasty. Our waitress was friendly and attentive, which added to the experience. I'd definitely return if I'm in the area again.

The food is outstanding! Like many restaurants these days, they are short-staffed, but as long as you can be patient, the delicious food and friendly staff make... read more The food is outstanding! Like many restaurants these days, they are short-staffed, but as long as you can be patient, the delicious food and friendly staff make the wait worthwhile!