Utqiaġvik, Alaska (formerly known as Barrow) is at the top of the world. It is the northernmost city in the U.S. and temperatures remain freezing from October to May. The over 4,000 residents of Utqiaġvik, and the many visitors who travel there for work and adventure, know the best cure for the cold: the warm welcome at Sam and Lee's Chinese Restaurant.
This restaurant is famous from Juneau to Nome as the best Chinese food in Alaska. Everyone seems to agree that the food is delicious in this classic Chinese restaurant, but truly it is the warm smiles of the owners that make it a favorite of Alaskans and visitors alike.
If your passion for Chinese take-out is strong enough, you may want to travel to the northernmost city in the U.S.
Sam and Lee's has been serving the most delicious Chinese food in Alaska for 34 years. The diner has lots of seating, both upstairs and down, and large booths so it's great for families or work crews. It's handicapped accessible, too.
There’s something special about Ray’s Place: Vietnamese Cuisine. Tucked away in Anchorage, this family-owned spot has been my go-to for over 15 years. From the moment I step inside, the warm, welcoming vibe makes me feel like I’m part of the Ray’s Place family. It’s the kind of place where you know you’ll get a hearty meal made with love—and let me tell you, Ray’s doesn’t disappoint.
Ray’s Place has a loyal following for a reason. The restaurant’s interior is cozy, with an old-school charm that reminds you of the many family dinners and friendly catch-ups it’s hosted over the years. My family, including my five-year-old daughter, loves it here. She’s practically grown up on Ray’s food, and these days, we find ourselves eating Ray's a couple of times a month. Their takeout is just as good as eating in-house, which is hard to perfect.
On our most recent visit, we ordered some of our favorites—and even tried a few things I’d been meaning to get for a while. First up was the Fried Egg Rolls, a perfect mix of bean thread noodles, ground pork, green cabbage, and assorted veggies wrapped in a crispy shell. The rolls come with a side of sweet and sour dipping sauce, and they’re crunchy and perfect. My daughter always insists on having a few for herself, and I can’t blame her!
Of course, no visit to Ray’s would be complete without a steaming bowl of pho. This time, I went with the Chicken Pho, which has a delicate yet flavorful broth made from a blend of beef and chicken bases. The pho has all the usual fixings: fresh bean sprouts, a lime wedge, jalapeño slices, basil, and cilantro. I love the ritual of building my bowl just the way I like it, adding in a little bit of this and a little bit of that until it’s just perfect. The broth at Ray’s is rich without being overpowering, and the rice noodles soak it up beautifully.
For something a bit heartier, I ordered the Beef Fried Rice. I love the fried rice here. Ray’s fried rice is anything but basic; it’s loaded with vegetables and fried egg, plus your choice of meat (I went with beef this time; it was my first time trying it!) This dish's combination of textures and flavors is amazing—every bite is a mix of tender beef, slightly crispy rice, and perfectly cooked veggies. My family practically fought over this plate!
I also tried the Tofu Sautéed Noodles, which came with egg noodles and an assortment of vegetables. Normally, I get this dish with their curry sauce—one of my absolute favorite things on the menu—but I forgot to order it this time. The curry sauce at Ray’s is creamy, rich, and just the right amount of spicy, and I’d highly recommend it to anyone visiting for the first time. Even without the curry sauce, though, the noodles were delicious, and the tofu was perfectly cooked, with a nice balance of firmness and flavor.
And what’s a meal at Ray’s without a couple of Vietnamese Iced Coffees? I can’t get enough of this sweet, strong, and refreshing drink. The iced coffee is rich and creamy, with a deep coffee flavor that’s perfectly balanced by the sweetness of the condensed milk. It’s my go-to drink here; on this trip, my husband and I each had one. There’s just something so satisfying about sipping on iced coffee while digging into a big, comforting bowl of pho.
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Aside from the food, I love how Ray’s Place has stayed true to its roots as a family-run business. They don’t need flashy decor or fancy frills—just great food and a welcoming atmosphere that keeps people coming back. They’ve been serving the Anchorage community for years, and it’s clear that they’re passionate about sharing their Vietnamese heritage through every dish they serve. They’re all about providing a taste of Vietnam to locals, and they’ve certainly succeeded. Whether you’re craving a classic bowl of pho, a plate of fried rice, or one of their famous curry dishes, Ray’s is a must-visit for anyone who loves authentic, comforting Vietnamese food.
Give them a try Monday through Friday, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Looking for more great restaurants? I love these unique restaurants in Alaska. Don’t want to dine out? Grubhub has some great options for delivery!
According to a TripAdvisor ranking, Moose's Tooth Pub & Pizzeria is one of the best pizza places in the country. This is an incredibly popular pizza place in Alaska's largest city where the pizza is divine, the beer cold, and the folks friendly. Work up an appetite on an Alaskan adventure, Moose's Tooth pizza and beer are the best of the best. There is always a line, but that's because the delicious menu is worth the wait. If you haven't been, head to Moose's Tooth Pub & Pizzeria, some of the best pizza in the country found right here in Alaska.
The bright and sunny dining room is open for lunch and dinner daily. There are comfortable indoor and outdoor places to wait for a table. It has the best pizza in Alaska!
The menu is full of side and entree sized salads to add a kick of vegetables to your pizza dinner, or for the lighter appetite. These salads are creative and remarkably fresh and zesty. Moose’s Tooth has a great selection of menu items.
Smoked Salmon spread is one of the wonderful appetizers that will help you wait for your pizza. Shrimp is also available on pizza as well, because of course this is Alaska and we eat seafood whenever we can.
There is an endless variety of meat and chicken pizzas with excellent ingredients and reindeer sausage for some Alaskan flair. Pizza bases have a variety of gourmet sauces slow cooked each day in the kitchen. This place, hands down, is one of my favorite pizza places in Alaska.
There are a huge variety of vegetarian options with fresh vegetables, fine cheeses and a lot of flexibility for getting the pizza of your dreams.
Other options include oven-baked sandwiches for the non-pizza lovers. There are also daily homemade soups daily and the fan-favorite Diablo Breadsticks with red pepper flakes.
They even have gourmet desserts to top off your decadent meal. Ice cream, cheesecakes, pies and elegant specials are all ready to satisfy your sweet tooth.
They exclusively serve their home brew from Broken Tooth Brewery. The wide variety of these delicious microbrews are available at all the locations: Moose's Tooth Pub & Pizzeria, Bear Tooth Theatrepub, and the Bear Tooth Grill.
The first Thursday of every month they introduce a new beer with the First Tap series featuring live music local and national bands.
They also have a great outdoor waiting area with a firepit.
You can grab a drink at the bar and relax around the fire while you’re waiting for your table.
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If we can get it, we always love to sit in the ski lift chair.
It’s a fun place to sit that is the perfect amount of space away from the fire, and the kids always love it.
Moose's Tooth will never disappoint. Hot, fresh, tasty pizza made to order, local beer on tap, and a lively place to enjoy it all await you at this Alaskan pizzeria.
