Mark D.
Yelp
"Let's try a Duck Fart!" my partner said.
Me: big eyes emoji.
But I guess that's just what you do when you stop by Annabelle's Famous Keg & Chowder House in Ketchikan, Alaska!
On our 7-day Alaskan cruise, we decided to belly up to the bar to try this unique option. Made up of Crown Royale, Kahlua, and Baileys, this specialty shot is equal parts sweet as it is warm. We recorded the whole experience and share our thoughts on YouTube (https://youtu.be/eJBPf5-V0vM). To sum it up: I would absolutely recommend popping into Annabelle's to try this. Even if it's just to brag to your friends that you had a Duck Fart in Alaska!
What really stole the show for me though was Annabelle's Bloody Mary. Created with infused vodka (labeled "fire water"), the Bloody Mary had a wonderful taste with just a little kick. Accompanied with a pickled green bean, olive and lemon, the drink is fairly basic - but that's ok since it's tasty!
The bartender was the only one working to make drinks, seemingly deliver drinks, check food orders from the kitchen for to-go orders, and correct mistakes that were made. On top of this, he was printing out checks, processing payment, and grabbing the next drink order printing off behind the bar. He did an amazing job considering what he was up against, but you definitely want to make sure you have 30 minutes if you're going to commit - but that's only if you can get a spot at the bar. We overheard multiple patrons complaining they had been waiting more than an hour and their food still was nowhere to be found.
Overall, the ambiance can be summed up by one word: chaotic. This isn't a place where I'd go to enjoy a relaxing break or lunch. When we arrived, there was a line out the door. When we finally captured the attention of a worker, they had no idea what the specialty shot was or even if we could just walk up to the bar. Fortunately, a coworker overhead and said, "Oh, yes, that's very famous! Go ahead and just grab the open spot at the bar." Thankfully, a kind patron was willing to move down a chair so that we could sit together to enjoy the drinks.
Note: Our rating is based on bar service and drinks. Had we been pressured for time, I'd likely have knocked off another star.