AK Alchemist

I’ve been here a few times. This morning I got a blueberry white chocolate mocha quad shot. It was spot on. Not too sweet or bitter, just right to on the money.
I’ve also had the halibut quesadilla…
The 4 stars balances out my other visits.
They may just steel me away from my regular spot.

Since my review awhile ago the manager/​owner reached out to me and I couldn’t believe it. Completely changed my opinion. Great way to run a business and be a stand up guy.

Friendly staff, fresh made-​to-​order coffee and food. Chicken quesadillas are great. I think calling in your order is a great idea, it gets busy. I got lucky, I showed up when no one was there, but it quickly became busy.

Very friendly staff and delicious looking food menu. Got a peppermint white chocolate mocha and paid my $ 6 for it (before tip.) Gave it a three stars due to the overpriced drink that didn’t really taste any different than any other, cheaper spot. Will go back but only to try their food.

Love this place. They have great Fraps and the staff is always freindly. This is one of the best coffee shops in town.

This was my first stop here and the service was great and the coffee was very good, I’ll be back.

Okay, been meaning to stop by here for a while. Finally got the chance on the way home from the gym today. I had high expectations from the previous Unilocal reviews. It was solidly A-​OK. My decaf Americano was good – the beans had a nice mellow roast. The kid’s Italian soda looked decent. What killed me were the chicken tacos. Dry, bland meat with iceberg lettuce, shredded cheese, a few tomatoes, and some red cabbage. The rice was tasteless and the beans were (ditto) straight from the can to the microwave. I’m getting tired of places in Anchor town that put up a cool, hipster-​esque logo and expect the masses to come flocking. For $ 19 I expect much, much more. At least a little flavor. Likely won’t return. At least the employees were friendly.

This was my first visit. Stopped for a coffee & decided to try the halibut tacos. Excellent choice they were delicious. I will definitely recommend & return to try other menu items.

I was extremely excited to try this place. Was hoping it would be like the food trucks I’ve eaten at in L.A., San Francisco, Portland, and Seattle. It had great reviews, the place looks cool, and I was craving fish tacos.
Unfortunately, this was yet another case of AK Unilocal letting me down.
I had the halibut tacos and my husband had the carne asada tacos. I love fish tacos, but these were dry and bland. Looking at them, there was no sauce! My husband lamented the same thing about his. I was also expecting the double corn tortillas, not single flour ones. The rice was dry or maybe old — it was crispy in some parts. The beans were straight out of the can.
And we spent over $ 30 for the two of us.
I am SO TIRED of hearing that that’s just the price of living in Alaska. Uh, no it’s not. After I left AK, I moved to cities that have much HIGHER costs of living, the last being Hawaii. Even in Hawaii, you can get lots of cheap eats that are really good! In Hawaii, electricity is over 2X as expensive, housing is 3−4X as expensive, and they get most of their food shipped in. We can do better, Alaska — don’t accept mediocre food at high prices as being typical, or even good.
This place has so much potential. It just needs to make better food and lower the cost. It looks like they spent more time and effort on the building, than on their chefs. Owner: please take a short flight to Seattle or another west coast city, try some food trucks, learn, and come back and improve what you offer.

I tried this place out with a couple groupons I got and was hoping that I got a deal. I was a little floored by the prices here. The groupon was only good for food and I get that they are trying to promote that aspect of their business. Both times, I got a breakfast burrito and iced latte. The iced latte was a dollar more than you would pay at kaladi’s or a similarly established coffee house. Admittedly, the service was nice & prompt and the latte delicious, but that should be expected, no? 5 dollars for a latte was too much. Maybe I was charged incorrectly, I don’t know. The burrito was decent, but nothing to write home about. The first one I got was clearly pre-​made and re-​heated. The tortilla was very dry & chewy on the ends and the cheese inside a big, coagulated mess. The second time I went, it tasted freshly made. But again, 9 dollars for a breakfast burrito? yikes. I just can’t justify it. I had read previous reviews about the halibut tacos and may still try to give those a go, but I am nervous that for the shocking sticker price of $ 15 I will be disappointed.
Maybe a good place for tasty coffee, but not so much for food unless you’re in a pinch. Just my two cents.

I’m not giving a 5 just because I’ve only had one drink here, but my oh my it was incredible. I had a medium white mocha – I wish I’d gotten larger. Friendly barista put a sticker over the lid opening, which was great for walking. I usually wait a few minutes before drinking for fear of burning my mouth, so it was great to not worry about the drink sloshing out.

I can only speak to the coffee, but it was FANTASTIC. This shop served (by far) the best coffee/​espresso that I found in Alaska. There was great natural flavor in the espresso and standard brew. A must have for those looking to escape the Starbucks dominion that is the tourist/​cruise ship centers.

AK Alchemist is a splendid experience if you’re looking for a restaurant with an eccentric blend of Alaskan cuisine. I was amused by the apparent amalgamation of foods one can find just below the border — south of Texas that is. Nevertheless, I ordered the halibut taco and reindeer burger with fries and was pleasantly surprised.
Definitely worth a try if you’re ever in the area. Great staff, interesting building and location, and food you probably won’t find anywhere else!

Daniel and Kristen were awesome great fast friendly food. We were going to go to another restaurant which had an hour wait. They service was extremely friendly and quick and easy.

So good! Latte was great and breakfast burrito was perfect. Really wanted to come back for the tacos but didn’t get to have a chance… Next time.
The young girl behind the counter was super nice and friendly!

Since I’m from AZ and have my choice of amazing taco shops, I was a bit skeptical when I saw tacos on the menu. But I’m a sucker for good carne and I’ve never had reindeer so I rolled the dice. I was impressed! Carne was good! Not the best I’ve had but darn good. Reindeer was mild and tasty. Taco plate was well done, especially for what amounts to a trendy looking roadside coffee shop!

This unique Food /​coffee establishment was excellent for its food & customer service! I have the reindeer burger & fries the price was great the portions were hearty. Very tasty food. It was busy both with customers inside and driving thru to get food or coffee.

Really good food! I like their Alaskan-​Mexican fusion food. Great location, something to eat for pescatarians, and generous portions. Service is good if they’re not busy, like the lunch rush. Very nice people. I recommend going through the drive-​through for convenience and service.
Their Halibut Tacos & Salmon Quesadillas are delicious. They give you generous amounts of meat. They do not skimp out.

Alchemist? Do they make their coffee from coal? Their halibut from helium?
Nope, turns out this is a coffee shack that is much more than… just a coffee shack!
Meaning they have food… and more than just your typical «scones and cupcakes» that so many other coffee shacks have. We’re talking breakfast sammies, breakfast burritos, and tacos (do you want halibut or reindeer?).
Seems weird to say this about a coffee shop, but, these are some of the best halibut tacos in Anchorage! NO JOKE.
Also a bonus, they open at FIVE AM. Great place to stop in at if you have to work/​skip town/​leave the country early in the morning. And the girls here are, miraculously, always peppy and smiling. When you leave here, you will be too!
PROTIP: in the winter, the side-​ramp to get in here is not plowed well. It can be a challenge. If you don’t have snow tires you might need to get a «running start» to clear it, good luck!

Definitely the best cup o’ joe and food cart grub in Anchorage! The espresso, halibut tacos, and reindeer burgers are to die for! The shop has a convenient drive through and also a walk in area to sit down and sip on your espresso or eat your food, definitely the most unique coffee shop in town