The Double Musky Inn

Ventured onto the wet & cold drive to Girdwood, approximately 25 or so miles south of Anchorage to dine at a local eatery favorite. As soon as you pull into the parking structure, it was blanketed with fresh powder & drizzling with sum raindrops. To the opposite of the restaurant, is the Aleyska Restort mountaintop that has been well-​lit up along the skier slopes. Stunning from ground-​level, even during dusk hours too.
There’s a long, narrow hallway with no markers to indicate the hosting station until you reach the end of hallway. Décor is cluttered (like any hoarder) but all are organized on ceiling or walls with memorabilia of photos, collector items, heirlooms, etc… The space is incredibly small (tight-​fitted at best) and divdes the space into two (bar-​side & restaurant-​side. While waiting for our table for over an hour, we had sum appetizers (jack shrimp + idaho potatoes skins). Pounded with melted cheese on both dishes. Lacked any balanced seasoning. Also, a Musky Mule cocktail to spray it down whiched was «bleh» for me. Waiting staff was very attentive with all our needs. Hubs had their famed french peppercorn steak & i ordered the cajun pasta. Very good pasta but hubs wasn’t impressed with his steak. He said the gravy served with steak was just overkill plus steak cut was poorly presented. Both of our entrees was eaten a quarter of it & the rest was bagged for the ride back. Finally, save room for their decadent desserts — super devilishly food was the choco brownie mousse cake.

This place hit the spot! Service was amazing, along with the food! Definitely would recommend anyone driving through to stop by and get a taste of heaven!

I almost feel bad giving this Alaskan staple only 3 stars but honestly I was not impressed.
I came here after a long successful day of downhill skiing around 5:30pm on a Wednesday night. It wasn’t packed but tables were filling up, mostly with large parties.
After running through the menu a few times I settled on the crusted chicken. I know it’s not steak, but I wasn’t in the mood for steak and I wanted to try something new. My company did order steak so I felt like I could mooch of them if I really felt like it.
So we wait… And wait… We at least got their famous rolls, which are the size of my face, to snack on. Finally food starts arriving but I had to wait a good 10 – 12 minutes before mine showed up. The awkward «oh no, don’t wait for me! EAT» began but end when my chicken arrived.
I was not impressed. While the bird itself was good, juicy and flavorful I could not get over how terrible the crust was. It was soggy and in a pile on the plate, only partially covering my small chicken breast. The vegetables were scarce so I took some from my friend’s plate. For $ 25 I would have expected a lot more.
My friends dishes looked and smelled good and they seemed to enjoy their meals while they were still warm.
We got dessert, settling on carrot cake. While it was flavorful, it was dry as a bone.
Overall the atmosphere is pleasant. The service was decent but I think I’ll still keep my visits here to only once every 2 years.

This place is pretty neat and different! The area is beautiful and the building is adorable. Their food is pretty good but not the best I’ve ever had. We would come back while visiting the area though!!!
We had the steak tips, halibut and dessert!

You cannot go wrong here. Get the steak It is what they do best. Although all the meals the family had were prepared perfectly. Even put candles on dessert for my husband’s birthday. Be prepared to wait. Even mid week. This is a bustling, crowded place. Made it fun but if that is not your thing, just be ready.

A fabulous spot.
We have a group of nine guys from Seattle that make a Kenai fishing trip this same week every year for the past 8 years. This time we decided to hit the Double Musky for dinner on the way down.
The food was fantastic. From the Steaks to the Shrimp Étouffée, the bread and the appetizers were all great. The service was wonderful as well.
The only knock were the weak mixed drinks.
A unanimous decision to make this an annual stop on the way down to Cooper Landing!
Thanks for the great food!

Probably one of the more highly over-​rated restaurants around Anchorage. I don’t understand why so many people love this place. Nothing great or special, aside from the fact that it’s in a gorgeous area (and it’s a cute building – waking in, you feel like you’re walking into a party), and it’s one of only a limited number of options.
I once waited for almost two hours to eat here for my first time (during Forest Fair). It was not worth waiting even half that. And I was crazy hungry, which usually makes anything I eat taste like the best thing ever.
The primary flavor for all the food is pepper. Everything tastes like pepper to me: fish, steaks, sides. It’s weird. The cuts of meat aren’t great, though the portions for everything are huge. The halibut Oscar I had the first time was overcooked and the fish flavor was overwhelmed by, again, peppers. The jambalaya was okay but not nuanced at all. The bearnaise on the steak was greasy and a little bland.
The one thing on the menu I love is the Double Musky pie. The hype is true. But I’m. It gonna go for that.
They do have excellent service from professional staff who navigate the insanity well. They also have a great sommelier. His recommendations are always spot on.
I’ve eaten there twice since the first time with friends who love it (and Scott realty loves it, too). And I only know one other person who agrees with me that it’s overhyped. Maybe it’s just that this place doesn’t fit my palate. But I love Cajun food and have enjoyed it in a variety of Southern cities, including New Orleans. Nothing ever tasted like what they serve here.
Add to that the expense – over priced for sure – and the fact that it is a madhouse even on weekends without the fair, and I would say skip it. There are better restaurants in Girdwood and better places for steak and seafood in Anchorage.

Let me sit back and think of how I can eloquently draft a ⁴⁄₅ star review on a restaurant that provides average cuts of beef… Alright I got it! In all seriousness, I’m huge fun of the Great Alaskan Double Musky Inn. Its a staple restaurant and whether you love the French Pepper Steak over hate it. This is just a restaurant that is must see stop if your visiting Anchorage.
Just 40 minutes away from downtown, the scenery during the drive will make it seem like the drive is only 10 minutes. Now, I’ll skip the Food Network recognition and all the must see comments, but I will say this. The experience is worth the wait. Other might say they are in disappointment, but here are the facts. This won’t be your wagyu quality beef as its extremely average meat. However, you will never have the French Pepper with gravy preparation any other way than this establishment. Serve with large cuts, I found myself slicing the outer edges of the steak to trying to finish my plate (which all of my 4 times I’ve gone to the Double Musky I have yet to finish the FP steak. Truth to me never finishing my steak is that the appetizers and drinks are their main attraction. To their ‘jacked shrimp’, gumbo, and other southern recipes, you will definitely be full before even taking a bite out of the shrimp.
What my main course of action next time I visit the Double Musky will be is buying all apps including their french pepper steak bites. That along with several other appetizers, Duckhorn wine, and dessert just be the best dinner approach!
My review can’t end without saying how selective the hours are for the Double Musky. With only being open 6 out the 7 nights for a mere 5 hours a night, I guess if you have the best restaurant in town that has a wonderful atmosphere and eclectic décor you can afford to have a successful business under those hours.
You know I’ll keep coming back.
GU Approved.
PS Double Musky has a cookbook that can be purchased on the web. I must have to purchase this to bring a little double musky in Seattle.

Excellent find. We are from New Jersey and spent the week in Anchorage. This restaurant is at the top of our list. The décor is unique and fun. The food is outstanding. It’s a must stop if you are in the area.

I was so excited to try this place after hearing so much hype about it. Sadly I was disappointed. I ordered the crab stuffed halibut and it came out ice cold:(Do you know how disgusting it is taking a bite of fish that looks cooked but is cold? Bleh! I let the waitress know and she sent it back to the kitchen. It came back out 10 minutes later. I then took a small bite off the edge and it was warm, but once getting more towards the middle of the dish it was still ice cold. How does something come out cold, get sent back and supposedly cooked again, then still come out just as cold. Very disappointing:(I left STARVING. The manager was good about taking the dish off the bill, but it still sucks that an hour car ride there, waiting 20 minutes for a table, and then being there 2 hours led to that. Dangit!

GIRDWOOD, ALASKA: Few restaurants in the history of the culinary arts have ever come close to matching the fame and notoriety of the Double Musky and its signature dish, the Pepper Steak. This destination restaurant has galvanized the entire region with a sense of accomplishment and pride, and has been lauded from Conde Nast to the Food Network as a place not just to dine, but to experience.
Its location is a scenic one-​hour drive into the rugged Alaskan wilderness from anywhere «civilized;» no one ever just «shows up» or finds this place by accident on date night. Then begins your adventure of finding parking, usually against a grassy hill or adjacent dirt lot if you are lucky. Then you stand in line, potentially in sub-​zero weather, for an hour or two, in the middle of nowhere, on a Tuesday night, to get a seat beneath the kitschy Mardi Gras bestrewn décor of the packed dining room. The service is warm and casual.
FOOD
Pepper Steak (5+ stars): Due to the name and fame of this dish, I came expecting a mind-​blowing filet mignon with a pepper cognac reduction or similar. The reality is that the Pepper Steak IS THE KING OF ALL CHICKEN FRIED STEAKS. It is a ~14 oz. strip steak breaded in an amazing, thin crust, infused with black pepper, flash fried and coated in a black pepper gravy, just like a chicken fried steak. It is HEAVENLY. I ate about half of it before I could go no further, drove home, and BEGAN CRAVING IT AGAIN later in the evening and finished much of the extra. I have never done that before in my life. Not the best steak in my life, but honestly perhaps one of the most unique, creative, and crave-​able preparations I have ever had.
Jacked Shrimp Appetizer (5 stars): Bacon. Pepper Jack Cheese. Cream Cheese. Shrimp. Diced Jalapeños. Served as a smoking hot fondue/​spread. Dip a jalapeño cheese roll in it. ‘Nuff said.
Escargot Stuffed Mushrooms (4 stars): Delicious garlic butter mushroom caps and escargot. Mostly just tasted the mushroom caps; escargot was super subtle. Excellent.
Double Musky Pie (4 stars): Chocolate-​Pecan Pie hybrid with crime fraiche. Light, aromatic, flavorful.
Wow. This place has fought hard and well-​earned its massive success. There is no chance it deserves less than 5 stars with an exclamation point. The Double Musky Inn is more than the sum of its menu. Any reviewer who can’t see the essence of Alaskan zeitgeist captured by this restaurant doesn’t deserve to share an opinion on it.

This seems to be a popular place people stop to avoid the weekend summer traffic on the Seward Highway. It can be pretty packed, but I sat at the bar to get immediate seating.
The place kind of looks like a Joe’s Crab Shack. Lots of random paraphernalia all of the place. I came to try the coconut salmon appetizer, and that’s what I had. It sounds like an odd combo… pieces of salmon dipped in beer batter and coconut, fried, served with a plum sauce. I figured it was so weird sounding, it had to be great. It was just all right though. It was nice to try salmon a different way that toned down the salmony taste. I didn’t care for the plum sauce though. It came with fries, which were pretty good.
I had the double musky pie for dessert. It was kind of like a chocolate pecan pie. Pretty good, but very sweet and not something I’d get again.
I feel like I missed out by not trying some of the cajun fare or the stuffed mushrooms. I’d definitely come back, but I’d try other stuff for sure since my order wasn’t too exciting.

The Double Musky was featured on the Food Network’s «The Best Of: Appetizers» and that about sums it up.
The Scallop Stuffed Mushroom Rockefeller is to die for. They are served in a hot buttery garlic sauce. I could have licked the plate! We also ordered the halibut ceviche. It was good, but not traditional. They added green olives to the ceviche. What do you expect so far from Mexico? I saw some Idaho Nachos — basically potato skins — served at another table and they looked so good!
I ordered the French Pepper Steak, which is billed as the best steak in Alaska. The portion was outrageously large so bring a friend and split. The pepper crust was excellent, but the «spicy» burgundy sauce was more like a bland gravy. I think I would have been better off ordering another appetizer.
WARNING! This restaurant does not have a childrens’ menu — a bit odd for a restaurant with $ 40 average price for entrées.

I had the coconut salmon, halibut ceviche, and French pepper steak. All I can say is the food is amazing. The coconut slam on had a flavor of both salmon and coconut without over powering each other’s flavor. It was deep fried, but surprisingly had a very light and crunchy texture. The halibut ceviche was both light and full of flavor. The steak was something new. It seemed to me it was deep fried with a gravy on top. It was cooked to perfection.(medium rare)

I am forced to up this place a star, based on service alone.
I recently went here with an out-​of-​town visitor.
My thoughts on the food remain largely the same: simple food that is handsomely-​priced with an over-​reliance on butter, cream, and large portions.
But, my goodness, the service.
I wish I could remember the guy’s name. He was tall, thin, and good-​looking with that «silverfox”/salt-n-pepper look.
He was very warm, friendly, attentive, and helpful without being overwhelming.
I can confidently say this is the best service I have had, anywhere, since I was born.
I sometimes exaggerate, but I’m really not.
He was wonderful.
Still not big on the food though.

For this review we need to pretend we are the Blues Brothers singing «Raw Hide.» Work with me. get em in get em out. This place is a factory with no service, just focused on turning a table in 1 hour with just ok food; not sure what the Food Network saw or maybe success has ruined this place.
Showed up at 4:40 for the 5pm opening because we heard it filled up and there was a line at the door already. At 5pm sharp, almost like in Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory the door opened and we proceeded to our table. All started normal and the waiter asked us if we wanted a cocktail, we said yes and he brought us one. We noticed that he then went to each table and took drink orders, all cool. Drinks came and he asked if we were ready to order, we said can we see a wine list. From there the wheels fell off. He went to the next table and took their order… get em in get em out. Bread then came from the kitchen for those that had placed an order… Get em in get em out… salad then came for those that had placed an order… Get em in get em out… eventually a wine list showed up, no waiter to take an order or ask if we needed anything. The other tables in the assembly line continued to get served… Get em in get em out… they got food… We asked for a waiter to take our order and one showed up, we placed our order. The assembly line of food service with no service continued… get em in get em out… dessert shows up for the assembly line tables, no food for us, but we now get bread and salad, nearly 45 min in. Checks come for the other tables, tables cleared, ready to seat next seating, about 1 hour turn, not bad if making money is your objective at the cost of service and quality. Food quality, ok. Some good, some bad, nothing spectacular.
You get it. Big hype, ok food, oh the wine list, want to spend $ 500 — $ 2000 on a bottle of wine, then you came to the right place. Give me a break. How about having a list that is approachable. Just disgusting behavior all around. Food Network please come back!

I was not as thrilled as the Food Network critic was. The pepper sauce steak was extremely tough the sauce was amazing though.
The restaurant was a weird New Orleans meets Alaksa theme, pretty expensive

I have been in AK now for 6 months, and this is by far the best meal I have had. We arrived at 4 on Saturday. The line was already formed as they don’t open until 4:30. Go early for sure! If you miss the first seating you will be stuck waiting until round 2.
We got a little booth next to a party of about 30. We didn’t mind since the noise goes perfect with the Cajun themed restaurant. We both got the French Pepper Steak. It was perfectly cooked medium rare and melted in your mouth! Their jalapeño biscuits are to die for. Light and fluffy in the middle and golden brown on the outside.
The best part of the meal was our waiter. I wish we would have gotten his name. He did an outstanding job managing us and his big top tables. He never forgot about us and made sure our food order got in before the 30 top so we weren’t waiting.
Try the double musky cake! Really rich and great for chocolate lovers.

I’m normally not a person who has any interest in running to my computer and writing a review immediately after visiting, but for this place I’ll make an exception.
I had been told numerous times, because I was staying in the area, to visit here so I was pretty excited. This was going to be my one special dinner that I generally have when I travel; the kind that is more expensive and nicer than all the rest. Well, thanks, Double Musky, you ruined that in spectacular fashion.
I walked in through the bar accidentally and asked the bartender if I could sit where I wanted. He said only in the bar. I asked where I could get seated, and with a hand flick pointing the way said, ‘over there.’ I said, ‘over where?’ Again, ‘over there.’ By that point I was finished with that little embarrassing game and wandered until I figured out that the sign stating that I needed to wait to be seated was ‘over there.‘
Was greeted by a matronly lady who seemed nice. The restaurant wasn’t empty, but by no means was it full.
I was seated in a corner and was very, very close to my neighbor, but it wasn’t terribly uncomfortable. The décor is a sort of shabby chic. More shabby than chic, not sure how it related to New Orleans, but I rolled with it.
I checked in on Unilocal!so I knew that by the time I got my drink that I ordered (Diet Coke) it had been 20 minutes. It wasn’t a great start, but I am pretty forgiving if everything else flows.
I ordered the Idaho nachos, essentially potato skins with nacho toppings. I asked that the onions and tomatoes be left off. I was greeted with a plate full of potato skins (literally, like NO potato at all) with onions and tomatoes. The matronly lady delivered them while cautioning me that they were VERY hot. I couldn’t eat them anyway because they came out with all the things I asked to be taken off. Mind you, we’re well into me being here 45 minutes and I STILL have nothing to eat. Never mind that my drink stays empty practically the whole night. It was okay, though, when the potato skins came out with the same admonishment (hot, hot!) they were actually lukewarm, lukewarm! They were also slathered in sour cream, they weren’t hot, but tasted okay. They need to ease up on the sour cream, though, it made it a mess.
By the way, they do this nifty trick where they bring your soda out with stir sticks to drink through. I’m pretty sure that’s so they don’t have to be concerned with filling your glass so often. I finally had to ask someone if they even had straws. Surprise, surprise, they did! (jerk move, DM) I am pretty sure, however, that the service sucks no matter what you drink through.
I had ordered my meal, a steak with shrimp and the waitress didn’t put the order in. I asked about it and was asked ‘you aren’t in a hurry, are you?’ Uhm. Well. No, I guess not if I want to eat.
Finally my meal comes out. The steak is cooked perfectly, but the vegetables are cold and really peppery. My mouth could barely take it. Yikes. I looked at my plate and realized something was missing. My shrimp. My waitress tells me she didn’t hear me say that. Maybe she needs to get her hearing checked. She seems to not be hearing anything I say. So, the matronly lady comes out like the shrimp weren’t left off my order saying ‘sorry that the kitchen had to redo these.’ Huh? Redo? Why? I realize this lady is completely ignoring the horrific service. Bad idea.
I finally get so pissed off that I ask for my check. The matronly lady comes out and I pay. She brings it back and says ‘I hope you have a better night,’ as though I’m just being irritable for NO REASON.
I don’t need a discount, I don’t need free food, I need acknowledgement that you ruined my evening, that your food was below par, that your service was abhorrent and then I’ll leave a nice tip and go on my way. That didn’t happen ON ANY LEVEL so, no tip. And that is SO not my style. I would have given 20% (as is my custom) had I just been made to feel like all this wasn’t somehow made up in my head.
If you want to hang out at a place that’s been around awhile and so you can say you did, go here. If you want good service for their exorbitant prices, go somewhere else, you won’t find it here.
Bad, bad, bad.

This place is totally worth the wait. If you get here right when it opens, the wait isn’t too bad. But if you arrive just a few minutes after opening, you might be in for a long wait. But it is totally worth any amount of wait.
The service, from hostess to server, is fabulous. Attentive, friendly, pleasant, and knowledgable.
They have a great cocktail menu with some Alaska twists. The hot cocktails were particular standouts. They also have an fairly extensive wine list.
We had a horrible time deciding what we wanted because everything sounded so yummy. We opted for several appetizers — ½ Alaskan king crab, cajun peel-​n-​eat shrimp, and pepper steak tips. And there was the complimentary jalapeño cheese bread.
Yumminess! Deliciousness! The jalapeño cheese bread is fab. The Alaskan king crab was the best I’ve ever experienced. The shrimp was darn tasty. And the pepper steak was definitely unique.
The vibe and ambiance is wonderful. This spot is full of charm. Lots of decorations to look at. A truly unique and fabulous experience.