The most unusual thing I ate during my vacation to Alaska wasn’t the caribou gyro or salmon jerky. No, I didn’t let my lips touch a mummified toe from the Sour Toe Cocktail as fellow travel blogger Ben Reed of Adventures with Ben did during his trip (our Alaska trips overlapped). I’d have to say the most unusual treat I ate was sauerkraut pie from Rose’s Cafe in Healy, located about a 15 minute drive north of the entrance to Denali National Park.
Sauerkraut Pie? Yup. Sauerkraut Pie.
Rose (as in Rose’s Cafe) assured me it was very good and since she runs the show I trusted her with my dessert choice. It seemed the perfect end to my hot and delicious liver and onions dinner, one of the best I’ve ever eaten.
Rose’s sauerkraut pie wasn’t savory like shepherd’s pie but creamy and sweet either like vanilla or custard and topped with a golden meringue. The sauerkraut had a slight crunch like soggy shredded coconut and it wasn’t until after I chewed and savored my first spoonful did I taste a hint of slightly tangy kraut. Strawberry rhubarb and bumbleberry were some of the other pie selections along with a few more.
My traveling companions and I ended up at Rose’s Cafe upon recommendation of EarthSong Lodge (lovely place!), where we stayed. Henry’s Coffeehouse, the lodge’s onsite restaurant, wasn’t open that night so we were on the prowl for local fare.
From the outside, the cafe looked a little sketchy but inside was extremely clean. I’m guessing Rose has a thing for actor John Wayne since the walls were adorned with his photos.
And let’s talk about Rose. She’s a wonderful woman with a terrific sense of humor. She treated us just as if we were dining in her home.
Do You Have What it Takes to Make the Grizzly Wall of Fame?
Those with hearty appetites can earn a spot on Rose’s Grizzly Wall of Fame. All it takes is eating an entire 1 pound burger topped with an egg and slice of ham plus consume the side order of either french fries or potato salad.
Those with bottomless stomachs can try either two, three or even four pound burgers. One gentleman, affectionately recognized by Rose as the Grizzly King, ate a 5 pound Grizzly Burger. Check out the cafe’s website for the Grizzly Wall of Fame and be prepared to be impressed!
Rose’s Cafe is open 6:30 a.m. and 9:30 p.m. “Everyday for your dining pleasure,” the sign on the door reads. It’s reasonably priced for Alaska. Liver and onions was $13.95 plus the pie which I think was $4 plus change. Major credit cards accepted.
Rose’s Cafe
MM 249.5 Parks Highway
Healy, Alaska 99743
Tel: (907) 683-7673
www.rosescafealaska.com
