Talkeetna, AK: Denali Brewpub & Shirley’s Northern Lights Ice Cream

Once we got to Talkeetna and toured a couple of shops, it was time to grab some grub. Wow, I sound so barbarian… grub. haha… Maybe I should say that we spent “so much” time at The Patchwork Moose Quilt Shop that dad and hubby were hungry and tired of waiting. Hubby sent me a text to find the best place in town. I asked Lori where she recommended and her first place was Denali Brewpub followed by a pizza place. Since we had pizza the night before, we decided Denali Brewpub it was. We made it to the restaurant in shifts… The guys led, I was somewhere in the middle and my mom was close behind. haha.

Denali Brewpub

13605 E. Main St
Talkeetna AK

Okay, first off, it was a beautiful day. They had seating mainly outdoors although there was some seating inside. We pulled 2 tables together and enjoyed the beautiful outdoors! It was gorgeous!! The high was 74 degrees. That is actually way cooler minus the humidity from what we were experiencing back home. It was lovely to sit outside in the sun and enjoy!

Lori recommended the Veggie Burger. We didn’t go with that… but it must be good if she recommended that and this place. I know she got the place right!

One thing about this place, they seemed a little short-handed. I have a feeling it is due to Covid-19. You walked in and ordered at the bar. They brought your food to you. Then they asked that you help by busing your own table. They came around and wiped them off. Lori told us on a normal day, this is a cruise ship destination town and that they have about 3K visitors a day. I know we didn’t see that many people.

Hubby had the Aleutian. Alaskan cod filet dusted with blackened seasonings and grilled to order. Served on a brioche bun with lettuce, tomato, sliced red onion, cheddar cheese, and tartar sauce. He had a cup some sort of seafood chowder. He said this was all amazing.

I went with the Ribeye Pretzel Dip. Prime rib, slow-roasted in house, sliced thin and piled on a pretzel bun. Topped with melted cheese of your choice (cheddar). Served with signature Matt Porter au jus for dipping. Can I just say… YUM! And not Red Robin yum, but holy yum.

So one of the other options I thought about… the older daughter went for… Fish ‘n’ Chips. I know… me saying I wanted fish. The world must be imploding. Look what 2020 is doing to us. A hearty portion of Alaskan Cod, hand-dipped in our house beer batter, deep-fried golden brown, and served with zesty tartar sauce and curly fries. Let’s just say, I might have eaten a whole piece of her fish. Like I said, look what 2020 is doing to us.

And how could I take a picture of everyone else’s food and not take a picture of the little’s food, right? Kids cheeseburger. Jucy all-beef patty on a soft bun with curly fries. Complete with smiley face, although I think she did that, having too much fun with the ketchup bottle.

Then my parents got dessert of Drunken Bread Pudding. Housemade bread pudding featuring Denali Spirits whiskey-infused cranberries, and vanilla ice cream topped with a whiskey sauce.

Shirley’s  Northern Lights Handmade Gourmet Ice Cream & Bakery

East Main Street and Talkeetna Spur Rd
Talkeetna, AK 99652

The rest of our group walked down to Shirley’s Northern Lights Homemade Ice Cream. It was after all July which is National Ice Cream Month.

So interesting fact… as we were driving down the road, we kept seeing people out on the side of the road with buckets and Walmart bags picking something. We kept wondering what it was but obviously didn’t have anyone to ask until… We ate Shirley’s Ice cream. 

In her list of flavors was Fireweed. We asked what that was and low and behold that’s what people were out picking alongside the road. Anyway, that’s what they told us and who are we to totally question that?

So of course they gave us a sample plus I got some. Yum!