Lucky Wishbone

This IS ALASKAN fried chicken. It is good. It is historic. It has locals. It has soul. Albeit white veteran soul. It has a story. It has 60 years of history. (the chicken is fresh).
The fried chicken is done in a pan. So it’s not the super battered deep fryer style chicken That you might be used to. It is lightly breaded and pan fried. It shows in how one side is a bit darker. And because of this it arrives HOT and juicy. Yes the skin is not super crackling crispy. But it’s is flavorful. And unique !
The atmosphere is as it should be for an older establishment. Old locals have photos on the wall. Some of the WWII air force veterans are honored, there. It has history. So do the benches from the 80s. And the granite tops from the 90s. But it’s all in character.
I ordered a meaty momma. Which is three meatier cuts (1breast 1 thigh 1 something else. ½ breast+wishbone?) it was cooked as described above. And on a bed of shoestring French fries and a cornbread muffin all DELISHIOUS!!!
My other. Had the meaty junior 2pieces. Wishbone and thigh. Same underneath
All in all. I’m going to return. I might get a burger. They looked pretty good ! And everybody. Who thinks this is not real fried chicken. Re-​think your parameters. And open your minds. This is Alaska. And I happy to eat local fried chicken.

I saw a review of this place in ADN, which prompted me to research it on Unilocal further. I love fried chicken, and was excited to try out a new place. After reading through the reviews (skipping ones that read like advertisements), After reading many accounts of bland food, I quickly concluded that I should lower my expectations, but I was still curious.
My husband and I went for lunch a couple Saturdays ago, and was pleasantly surprised at how clean the establishment was. The service was extremely genuine and friendly — awesome! I loved the location, and was hoping that the food would also be better than expected.
I ordered the 3 piece fried chicken meal with cole slaw (I read that this was a must-​get from previous reviews). My husband got a burger and onion rings.
When my fried chicken arrived, there were 3 small squares. Upon inspection, I could not readily identify what part of the chicken any of them were, or why they were the exact same size, when clearly the menu said I’d be getting a breast, leg or thigh, wing or back. These are all distinct looking piece, yet all of mine were exactly the same, all non-​organic square shapes. Hmm…
I selected what turned out to be most of a thigh (hence the square shape — it had been cut by a clever to be that shape?). The meat was dry, and EXTREMELY BLAND. I NEVER add salt to my food, and this was a requirement. I admit — the chicken was nicely fried on the outside, but just incredibly bland, and I’ve never had a thigh that was dry like that. Disappointed, but I’m glad I had lowered my expectations prior to arriving. I was still let down.
My husband tried a piece, in what turned out to be maybe half of a breast. Seriously? Same thing — so bland. He commented on how he thought it tasted like what he’d imagine the food here tasted like when the restaurant first opened. So maybe that’s it — it’s original Anchorage fare? Definitely not «southern». This might also explain why so many establishments here are relatively bland — it’s what the older generation is used to?
The last piece turned out to be half of a back with no meat on it. Wow, could this place have gotten any cheaper with the cuts of chicken they gave me? I think not.
My husband’s burger was OK. Not anything impressive. The onion rings were nice and crispy, but still required salt. The breading they used was also very bland.
The best things about my meal were the cole slaw, and the corn muffin. I liked the pineapple in the cole slaw. Too sweet to eat all of it, but it was good. The corn muffin was average, but I could add butter and honey to give it flavor, and after only eating my small piece of chicken and some cole slaw, I was hungry.
I’m glad we went to experience this place for ourselves. Is this story of this place neat? Yes. Is the customer service great? Yes. Is the food good? No. Is it at least cheap and a good deal for what you get? No. Was the fried chicken, «The Best in Anchorage»? Absolutely not! Carr’s or Fred Meyer has better, and I’m not recommending either.

I remember going to the Lucky Wishbone as a child. Same great food that my mom used to order to go for our family (that was always special.) Today I went there and it left me feeling like some of the «friendly Alaskan service» is missing. I arranged to meet my sister there for her lunch. I made the terrible mistake of telling the truth that my sister was on her way. (yes there is a sign that says all parties to be there before seating). I’m not talking about a large party. It was a booth for two. The unfriendly hostesses (she really wasn’t nice to me at all) was obstinate about not seating me. I asked her if I had asked for a booth for one could I be seated as I wanted to order some iced tea. Her reply was «oh I’ve heard that before too late you already told me two». Wow! she said I could sit at the «counter» for the tea. Ouch! When my sister arrived we were given a table way in the back. The waitress we had was excellent! Friendly and efficient. Food was great like I remember. I heard the guy in the table next to us have an «unexpected 2^nd person arrive».
I get it now. Next time I’ll simply lie and ask for a booth for one so I don’t have to be tortured waiting.

I got the Junior which was a couple of pieces of chicken, cornbread muffin, and either fries or cole slaw. Since I like dark meat, I was able to specify that and was presented with a leg and a thigh.
I specifically wanted to try the cole slaw. I’m having a fish fry and I was following up on a recommendation from a coworker. It was nice and light with some pineapple thrown in for sweetness.
The chicken was excellent, but I’m a salt-​aholic and I had to add some. The coating wasn’t overwhelming and the portion size was Goldilocks «just right». If I had to make a recommendation to the chef, I would probably say that the chicken could benefit with a four hour brine or so. Still… good eats!

I wanted to like this place! We ordered a Halibut sandwich and 3-​pcs of fried chicken. The Halibut was just ok and it was on an oversize bun. Their famous fried chicken was not good at all and the fries were hard as a rock. However, the service was superb, Miranda was an excellent host.

Had to try the fried chicken before we left Anchorage. Love the history behind this place, they even still have a drive through. This is said to be the oldest restaurant in Anchorage. It was a cute diner with good service and good food. The chicken was juicy and fresh, the fries were crispy, and the strawberry milkshake was so amazing!

This place has been around for years! It is still one of the best places in Ak to get some yummy fried chicken! It’s a must try!!!

Comfort food at its best. Been going here since the early ‘90s when they had a ciggarette machine in the lobby and Robi — their coin eating tip jar. Mom — all dark with a corn muffin. Need I say more?

Love their burgers/​sandwiches (I had the grilled pastrami)
Tried the mom 3piece pan fried chicken, it was nice and hot but I’d say 3 out of 5 stars.
Nice family feel, I notice this place is always crowded; servers are nice, parking is weird – still enjoyed the eats!

An Anchorage icon for the past 50+ years and a favorite of senators and old time Alaskans alike. Absolutely delicious home style fried chicken is my personal favorite. The décor is WW II pilot as that’s what the owner did before he and his wife came back to Anchorage to start this restaurant after the war. He’s now 93 and still comes to the restaurant every day to talk flying and golf with the locals that love him.

We have not had the food, only the milkshakes and they are quite tasty! Light but not thin. The small is the perfect size to leave you satisfied. I had a peanut butter + fudge malt and it was like a Reese’s peanut butter cup in milkshake form.

I love the BONE!!! it’s where the locals eat.
their burgers and chicken are the best.
huge portions on the chicken, suggest the smaller basket and the white meat (you get much more chicken that way) their chilli was good too.

My cousin took me here for lunch after I arrived from Seattle on an AM flight. I ordered the Halibut sandwich and he ordered the Chicken Sandwich. The fish sandwich was tasty, but served on a plain old white bun. It was still tasty and I enjoyed it. I was surprised that it didn’t come with fries, but maybe I just didn’t read the menu well enough.

Good chicken. Decent burgers. Overwhelming portions of fries. Old anchorage standard. A bit expensive but you know what you are getting.
Ate here dozens of times, I will be back dozens more.

There are two schools of Anchorage:
Old School: pre-​earthquake, muddy streets, weeks for supplies
New School: reconstruction, rapid paving, the influx of lower-​48 amenities
This place belongs to the first school.
Started in the mid-50’s, Lucky Wishbone is an Anchorage landmark. You’ve probably driven right by it numerous times, and perhaps not even noticed it (as I had).
Think of one of those 50’s burger-​n-​malt jams:
Ah, let’s go to the hop
Let’s go to the hop (oh baby)
Let’s go to the hop (oh baby)
Let’s go to the hop
Come on, let’s go to the hop
Lucky Wishbone is the hop, it’s Anchorage’s hop.
Although the emphasis is much more on friend chicken than on the burgers.
I’m no fried chicken expert, but the fried chicken here is very good. It comes in baskets, with fries. Baskets are arranged according to how many/​what type of chicken you’d like. The burgers are also very tasty and have that classic, old tymey charm (think, dare I say, «Steak n’ Shake»).
That staff here are always cheery and friendly despite the fact that the place is always bustling. Bustling with all types: families with kids, tourists, old Alaskan Sourdoughs, businessmen in suits, military lads in uniform, etc.
Definitely worth checking out!
(Note: I haven’t had the malts/​shakes that everyone raves about! I’m lactose intolerant, but I may roll the dice on one anyway!)

Love their chicken! Their chocolate malt is sooo good but I highly suggest you indulge while still cold. For
Some reason when the malt gets warmer, it turns sweeter. Other than that, really good place to satisfy your chicken and milkshake cravings!

I have lived here for 34 long years and never once been to this Anchorage staple. Arguably *the” Anchorage food staple. One of my best gals always goes when her mom is in town visiting and I was lucky enough (get it) to tag along a couple weeks ago.
Though my companions ordered fried gizzards, burgers and a side of fries, I had to get the fried chicken as a complete wishbone novice. I ordered the mama meal, which consisted of 3 chicken pieces laying on a bed of fries. The fried chicken is quite good. They don’t use a drippy, heavy batter, but more like a shake and fry approach. It was just a surprisingly light and crispy exterior and piping hot, perfectly cooked chicken interior. I really don’t know how to explain it better. The gizzards and burger were ok, but I found much more satisfaction from my choice. I looked the menu over and was impressed to find a wide selection of hot and cold sandwiches. I also saw a huge chef salad being delivered and it looked amazing.
The restaurant did not have a fried smell as I anticipated, was very clean and the staff was attentive and prompt. Looking forward to enjoying this staple again, but be forewarned — it is a very happening lunch time place, so go early or late and avoid the wait.

The restaurant is an Anchorage Institution. The zombies who lurk in the surrounding neighborhood scare people off. Our last visit we encountered a zombie honeymoon couple were sitting in the front next to the drive in window. It was a good thing i was wearing my Three Wolf Moon shirt from Walmart (It still had the new Walmart smell), because the zombies looked afraid and fled to the alley on third avenue toward the Brother Francis shelter. I am guessing to go warn all the other zombies of the wolf shirt.
We after that strange encounter, the lady and I were promptly seated (wolf shirt people get VIP treatment), I ordered a Pop, a bowl of Chili, a corn bread, and a large Mt Dew. The food came quick and there was a long line at the register to pay, but the crowd must have been wolf shirt fans because they let us go to the front of the line and pay. Upon exiting, there was no signs of the zombies and out path to our 1988 Buick regal was clear. I felt we had the red carpet treatment. Thank you wolf shirt!!!

This place is just okay in my book. It is just a local old fashioned restaurant that has been here forever. I have been here twice, and while i haven’t been disappointed, I haven’t really been über impressed.
There shakes are okay, nothing special besides I do have to say they have the widest selection I have ever seen! I myself have had the oreo shake twice :) Lots of oreos in that shake, nothing special about the ice cream they use though.
I recently tried the fried chicken that everyone raves about. While it looks absolutely delicious upon receiving and you can smell the aroma outside and more inside the restaurant that makes you want to only have that chicken, i have to say it is just mediocre chicken. The batter on the chicken is definitely home made and is good, but really is lacking flavor. The chicken itself is good but a little on the dry side. If you can ever find a place that «steams» there chicken you should really try it out, its amazing!
Onion rings are definite must, they were my favorite. The french fries are nothing to write home about and are on the bottom of my list for fries I have ever had.
It’s worth stopping I suppose just for the atmosphere, i myself if craving a burger may come here and try one as they say its 100% lean burger which sounds yummy.

Went to an Anchorage icon restaurant to have the best fried chicken in town. This is an old diner and serves other items besides chicken. We sit down and see only three options, three, two and one pieces of chicken and select white or dark. I got one dark (leg) and one white (wing). Orders come very quick and see two pieces, corn bread roll, and a lot of fries. The chickens must grow small in Alaska for the pieces where smaller than the ones in the South. However it tasted very good and filled me up along with the fries and roll. Like a diner you pay on your way out and like all Alaska places, always ask you for id when using a credit card. Make sure to stop here on your trip or if a local try it.