Prey - Denali

I enjoyed the half house salad and the Beast burger sub with sweet potato fries. The salad had just a small piece of walnut, but the feta cheese was well-balanc... read more I enjoyed the half house salad and the Beast burger sub with sweet potato fries. The salad had just a small piece of walnut, but the feta cheese was well-balanced. The burger was quite substantial in size.

What a charming place with an amazing atmosphere! I thoroughly enjoyed the fries, even though I didn't get to try any of the food. We stopped by for drinks two... read more What a charming place with an amazing atmosphere! I thoroughly enjoyed the fries, even though I didn't get to try any of the food. We stopped by for drinks two evenings in a row, and the cocktails from the bar were quite remarkable! I highly recommend visiting if you're in Denali National Park.

I was really impressed by the unique recipes; they weren't the usual options you find everywhere. Our server, Maulie, was fantastic! We ordered two Pilsner beer... read more I was really impressed by the unique recipes; they weren't the usual options you find everywhere. Our server, Maulie, was fantastic! We ordered two Pilsner beers, the Bourbon Salmon, and the Curry Roasted Cauliflower. The desserts were especially delicious, particularly the blueberry cheesecake, which tasted homemade and included fresh blueberries. We also had the apple crisp with two scoops of vanilla ice cream. Everything was amazing!

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.