Arctic Roadrunner

The food and milkshakes were good! Attention to detail to make sure the order was correct was great. They put your milkshake in a cooler once made, until your order is ready. The restaurant was cool inside and had a nice view of the stream by the window, or you could sit outside by the stream. Just a note, as mentioned. Cash only!

This place is a Landmark in Anchorage. We’ve been coming here for decades. The atmosphere represents a lot of what Alaska is all about. It’s always great to look around at all the many pictures and other neat things. The food is consistently great too with lots of choices.. A must visit place for local folks and visitors alike. It is in a convenient location and not far from the airport.

I visited here twice during a week long stay in Anchorage. First I had a halibut sandwich with a huge unsweetened tea(😍 was thrilled to have fresh brewed unsweet tea) and on my 2nd visit I had a bacon burger. Both of the sandwiches were good. The burger was sizable, I finished the second half the next day. Service was faster than expected from the given times when ordering online. They were VERY busy, but the staff clearly functioned well. Getting in and out of the parking lot with a left turn (in or out) is dicey - beware. A bit loud inside during the brief time I was there. Maybe quieter at tables further from the entrance.

If you are from Anchorage, odds are you have been here. If you are visiting, it is a perfect first stop. This classic Alaskan history heavy, burger stop has arguably the best burgers in town only to be rivaled by their milkshakes and atmosphere. The rustic interfering has more history than some museums and a beautiful creek view. If you are new and want the full experience I would highly recommend a burger, a milkshake and the house made onion petals. Just know this is an all cash establishment.

I absolutely adore Arctic Roadrunner—it’s classic Anchorage dining done right! From the moment you step inside, you're greeted with cozy Alaska charm: wood-beamed walls, quirky local photos, and a laid-back, welcoming vibe. Joe and I both had the Arctic Cheeseburger with fries and their famous onion pieces—and wow. The burgers were juicy, perfectly cooked, and full of flavor, and those onion pieces are completely addictive—crispy, savory, and unlike any onion ring I’ve ever had. The fries were hot, golden, and the perfect sidekick. I also love their self-serve condiment bar so you can make your burger exactly how you like it. Even without the fireplace on, the atmosphere was warm and inviting, and the friendly staff made the experience even better. If you’re looking for a classic Alaska burger joint with personality, history, and seriously good food—Arctic Roadrunner is it. We’ll definitely be back!

Great place to come as a family. The kids enjoyed playing in the creek! Also, be sure to try the blackberry shake! Be sure to bring cash, because no credit or debit cards are accepted.

CASH ONLY. Rustic, "authentic" Alaska experience. Place is covered in pictures of longtime Alaskans who frequented the place... And of their exploits. CASH ONLY. Strange place, but charming. And not inexpensive. Two sandwiches, one drink, one fry, and two extra small milkshakes almost cost 50 bucks. Did I mention CASH ONLY?

A uniquely Alaskan experience due to the location on the creek and the decor of the restaurant. Good food and variety of fish & burger selections.

Cool and classic atmosphere. There are even tables outside by the creek. Had the salmon burger and loved it

We snuck in early at 10:30 before the crowds. The young lady behind the counter was very friendly and helpful. The atmosphere has an old school dinner vibe. We decided on the Dagwood Burger - which was MAYO, LETTUCE, TOMATO, ONION, 1/2 SLICE EACH: HAM, BOLOGNA, SALAMI, MOZZ. AMERICAN CHEESE. Absolutely loved everything about this burger. The patty was seasoned perfectly. The American cheese and mozzarella were gooey melty and the subtle but prevalent flavors of the ham, bologna and salami make this burger a stand out. They offer special sauces as well for adding to your burger or fry dipping. If you want peppers or extra pickles they have an amazing condiment bar. You can enjoy a snack while waiting for your burger. This establishments also has THE BEST outdoor patio. You can literally sit by the creek while eating your burger.

Cheeseburgers are tasty. Plenty of seating inside and there's also outdoor seating alongside the creek. Peanut butter shake was delicious. Service was pretty quick.

Love the burgers here, but today I had the Yukon Ham sandwich. It is a favorite of mine as well.... Delicious on toasted sourdough bread.

Arctic roadrunner is a classic burger place in Anchorage. They now only have this one location on international and Old Seward. I have been here many times, most recent was October 2023. I came in around 6:30 on a Wednesday night. They were not super busy, some people sitting down to eat, a great large group restaurant by the way, some people getting to go. You order at the counter and they call your number when it's ready. They also have seating outside for the summer. The vibe is rustic/60s because they post pictures of Alaska Families and Alaska, have a real fully functionaing fireplace, and it has not been remodeled since they opened in 1964. They train their employees really well too, lots of high school/college kids work the registers but they know how to do their job. I got a bacon cheeseburger, and it was just what I needed. Also a small fry. $13.45 total. This day and age I feel that is a steal! Fries weren't too many but they were only $3. Bacon was cooked perfect, cheese was melted, had mayo on it. I also got two cups of pickles from the toppings bar. The patty was kind of fat on one end and it wasn't cooked evenly but it still tasted fine. Come support local and come for the burgers! They also do a few shakes, onion rings, etc. not too big of a menu tho. BLT is your standard white sourdough bread with bacon lettuce and tomato.

Really big burgers and tasty as well, the onion rings are super good too. Also have a small condiment bar with jalapeños!!!

I stopped by a couple years ago said I can't pay with a credit card. I tried yesterday I had cash Over 9.00 for just a burger Not even a char taste wth? 4.00 for frys ha the size of a cup. I've been here for 45 years I won't miss this place at all

This is our go to place for authentic, handmade burgers. The burgers are hands down the best in Anchorage. Open year round but is especially fun in the summer with the creek next to the outdoor patio. Oh and the milkshakes are on point as well!

Simplicity and Fresh are two words to describe their food. Sometimes you just need to back to the basics and get a good burger no catch. Good service as well. Any dietary accommodations were available. The area had his own rustic vibe. If I'm ever traveling in Alaska, can definitely make a trip here.

stopped by for my monthly visit to an all time favorite of mine as well as most Anchorage residents. and like it has been lately, quite disappointing. Most of that has to so with the service. Young High School kids just don't know what service is and that tips should be earned not expected. I did tip and didn't even get an appreciative "thank you" or a smile. it than took 16 min to get my burger and fries. and another 5 min to get my shake, without a straw (the gal did bring the shake to my table). the burger was good. on the same level as Tommy's Burgers or WeeBee's. The service at Tommy's far surpasses AR for sure. I wish that AR gave me a good reason to come back for an $18 meal.

I'm so excited to go back here, which may strike some as funny, being a burger joint, but I haven't been back to Alaska for 20 years and can't believe The Arctic Roadrunner is still around! It brings back memories of growing up in Eagle River. Our dad loved going here, and it was so exciting for us kids when we got to go! A special treat. Great atmosphere, good food, but most of all, cherished memories. Thank you, Roadrunner!

The most overhyped burgers in town, didn't know it was cash only so it was inconvenient and annoying to have to pay an atm service fee. Cannot recommend, not likely to return either.

Great food, sometimes they get very busy so it helps to be patient. Try the blackberry shake

Stopped here for a quick burger and fries. Not so quick, but coming to expect crummy service. We tipped $5 but didn't get our order for 15 minutes when five orders came up at one time. The burger had a couple of chunks of fatty yuck. I never take photos cause we devour it. Not so much for the hand made onion pieces. Greasy and real overcooked. Didn't need the calories anyway!

The Roadrunner has had iconic restaurant presence in Anchorage for over 60 years with the same owners. We have been going to the Arctic Roadrunner since 1969. They have had the one of the best burgers and fries in multiple locations in Anchorage. Now located at the intersection of International Airport Road and the Old Seward Highway. They have a high volume eat-in and takeout loyal customer base from all over Alaskas. They are always closed on Sunday and accept only cash in payment. As the pictures reflect they have recognized their customers with photos and posting on all the walls of restaurants. Many with the family histories or stories of the customers time and exploits in Alaska. The owner encourages customers to bring in their best photos and stories to join the story. Alaskans truly love the Roadrunner and even if they leave they will return to buy a burger or other sandwich, soap and Fries and onion rings if back in Alaska. In the summer many tourists will seek out this restaurant as one of the many outstanding places to eat and visit on their trip to Anchorage. I have taken many family, friends and visitors here so they can enjoy the food and spirit of this place. The food is freshly prepared after you order from the menu at the front counter. You receive a receipt upon payment and choose your table or wait for your takeout order. When it is ready they will page your receipt number to return to the counter to pick up your order. While waiting you can select your fountain drinks and small cups of condiments to include spicy pickle slices, sliced jalapeños, whole sport hot peppers and relishes prepared by the restaurant. The burgers, fish, French Dip sandwiches are prepared on fresh baked rolls with ample ingredients. The French Fries and onion rings are served crispy, hot, cooked to perfection and not oily or greasy. The soups and their famous milk shakes are handmade in the restaurant. I had a cup of split pea soup the was properly seasoned with small bits of ham, onion and carrots in a thick broth of mashed peas. I hadn't had this type of soup in a long while because I normally seek out Thai and Asian broth and noodle soups. But this restored my memories of days when my mother and grandmother would make it from scratch. This is no canned soup. I highly recommend it if you like full body split pea soup. Both my wife and I had the French Dip Sandwich served with a half cup of freshly prepared Au jus sauce. The thinly sliced roast beef excellent with flavor and tenderness in a generous amount. Melted mozzarella cheese, grilled peppers an fresh roll completed the sandwich. The sauce was hot, well seasoned and just the right complement to the beef. My wife ordered the hand packed Red Raspberry medium milkshake. She said it was delicious, thick with the presence of ground berries not syrup. She allowed me a few sips and I agreed the milkshake was wonderful. You pick up your own food and clear your table when done. A high light of this location is it is next to a small stream that has wild ducks swimming in it during summer and a few outside tables next to the stream. It is also a stream the red and silver salmon migrate up during their summer breeding seasons. It is shallow and clear and you can easily see the salmon migrating. Children love to eat outside and watch the wildlife. A few tables in the right place inside can also allow you to view the stream and the wildlife. This is good for families and groups. It has off street parking as both roads are very busy with no parking. It is not easy to access at times unless you know how. If you turn off of International road just before the gas station on the corner you can find the parking lot. There is no access from Old Seward Hwy. Lunch times and summer you may experience a waiting period but it is worth it.

No cards accepted, no call-in orders unless it's Uber Eats/Doordash, and their political stance slaps you across the face at every turn. Burger quality has gone down over the 20+ years I have experienced this place. I tried it again tonight on a whim because of my kids and it reaffirmed why I stopped going here.

I feel like Arctic Roadrunner was much better back in the day... but still a decent burger. Unfortunately, when we do go, I always feel a bit flustered and rushed into ordering and I settle or don't get my order right. And yes, I mean I don't get my order right by making a simple no Mayo request. This has happened a time or two and it's frustrating. I think Roadrunner is nostalgic for a lot of us that are from the ANC area, so we continue to patronize. A friend of ours has a family booth there, which I still think is so sweet how they did that back in the day. The burgers are good, like everything the prices are going up and unfortunately the service is somewhat slow during the lunch hour. It's still by far better than getting a fast food burger & fries!

The food was good but the service was poor. i ordered my son a bacon cheese burger with ketchup no veggies, and when i got the burger it was a plain burger . I brought the burger up front for them to fix an the lady in back kitchen was very rude an put a pice of cold bacon an cheese on a plate an presumed to say "we don't give out free food" . i was very displeased with this comment , she did not check in with front to see that they messed up the order instead she was rude an my son ended up having a cold burger . I won't be coming back if they are going to have poor customer service .

The hand cut fries and Oreo shake were great. Unfortunately, the burger was way overcooked and as a result, dry. I do love the vibe though. This is definitely the kind of place you'd expect to see on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. If you opt to eat outdoors overlooking the stream, bring bug spray. The mosquitos will likely eat you before your food arrives. I stopped in on a Sunday night. They were maybe half packed and my order took about 15 minutes. I'll likely end up giving this place a second visit, but I'm not rushing to return.

Food was terrible did not give whopper my little timmy loves their salmon burger but apparentely they put a toe nail in the burger a my timmy got sick because of that so never go back there they suck at food also there service is not great they have someone captured in the bathroom never going again it sucks

This place did not meet up to hype. The burgers were greasy and average. The service was not great but the creek view seating was nice.

Always great food and Alaskan atmosphere! Been a while since we've been there due to military transfer but miss it and Alaska very much! Better make sure you have cash on hand or you're SOL...unless they still have an ATM in there.

Place is fantastic. Great prices, great food, ok service. The rustic ambiance is perfect for the Alaska experience.

How in the world had I not found this place! Been to Anchorage ten times in last seven years and never found this gem till today which is my last day of a 14 day trip for work. This place is amazing! Service was top notch, kids working counter were nice polite. There was a line but that is a good sign! Will be back next trip for sure, amazing atmosphere all around. Burger was cooked perfect and bacon was abundant and not two little limp slices but six pieces of crispy bacon like it should be on a Bacon Cheeseburger!

First thing to know they only take cash! They do have an atm but just make sure you're ready to pay that way! The burgers were great! I got a regular cheeseburger and my friend got the western burger. Both were delicious and we both really enjoyed the fries. The order didn't take to long to be made but the staff wasn't super friendly. They weren't rude just kind of lethargic, but they also all seemed to be high school students so I cut them some slack for working a summer job. The place is really cute and resembles a wolf cabin. There are tons of pictures of lots of different Alaskan folk and it was cute to read the different stories from the pictures.

I really like ordering lunch from here. It's always fast and the food is consistently good. I pretty much always get the Attu burger add bacon and cheese. It's the perfect size for lunch, especially when you add an Oreo shake and onion rings. Yum! The onion rings are still hot and delicious even when I get the food delivered. The fries and baked beans are also good, but the onion rings are my fave. It's just a good, go-to spot!

The burgers here are Great! Lots of burger varieties to order; some are over-the-top huge. My friend likes the Kodiak Burger, and I like the Bacon Burger. You've gotta have cash to pay for your order. Orders are placed at the counter and you go back to pick it up when your number is called. This joint is Old Alaska kitschy but fun to come to for a great burger. And, service is usually quick. Lots of pickle condiments available at a couple of counters in the joint.

Best burger in Anchorage. Not a bad halibut burger either. They only takes cash, so make sure you bring some.

If you are looking for a great local restaurant this is the place. Fresh food and tons of history. This is not a chain just a great local establishment. Cash only

This place is a solid 3.5 out of 5. The ambiance in this place is very homey and welcoming. It's a seat yourself type place where you order in the front of the restaurant and sit towards the back. Service is ok; this is honestly the reason why I rated this place lower. Our order was larger, but a lot of the items we ordered was left out or we were given items we never ordered. There's a sign in the front that states to review your receipt, but it should also be the servers responsibility to make sure the order was put in correctly. Also this place is cash only, but they have an ATM inside. Portions in this place is huge. Food was good, and their sides (pickled peppers, pickles, and ketchup) was displayed clean. I got the bacon burger and while my husband and friend ordered the Kenai burger. We really had to work to finish the large portions but the food tasted good. I recommend trying everything, just know you probably won't finish! Overall, I recommend this place.

We, wife and I, went here for lunch while in Anchorage visiting family. Great atmosphere, and good burgers (better than average). We also had the homemade onion rings, delicious. If in town again, I would definitely eat here again. Service was good, average wait time for a burger joint.

I like this place. We had three burgers to go, two Arctic cheese, one Mexican, and a large onion rings $31. The young man running the register is good at taking orders, new at making change. Luckily management is aware of this and has someone looking over his shoulder to make sure he gets it right. My son and I thought the burgers were great, my wife thought hers was slightly underdone. I disagree, and under protest I have to take half a point off because, well, you know. I'm taking another half point off because I thought they were a little skimpy with the onion rings. I bet I would have got the same amount if I would have ordered a regular size. They were good though. I like Tommy's Burger Stop better, but that's too much bother. The convenience and price of Arctic Roadrunner makes them a easy choice.

Want the best burger and milkshake in town?! You found it ! Summer time?! Come take in an amazing meal right along the water in the back yard and don't forget to bring cash as that's the way to pay!

Hamburgers were awesome and the onion ring were spectacular end very home made style. The whole ambience is very interesting and tells so many stories with their decor, photos and stories. Very Alaskan. They have an outdoor area by Campbell Creek for a nice sunny meal with friends or family.

It's so cozy in here and their food is delicious. Smoked turkey sammie is hands down still my favorite!

Stopped there on my way home last night. Picked up a free burger to go. Granted I had a drive before getting home, but do this with other places with no problem. The burger was dry, crumbly and had No seasoning. Wasn't what I was hoping for. I won't be back...even for a free burger.

Love this little joint! The cheeseburger is juicy (although they don't ask you how you'd like it cooked), well seasoned, and came topped with all my favorite things (lettuce, tomato, onion with just the right amount of mayo), and the fries were crispy (although a bit small of a portion for being "large.") Just in case those aren't your favorite toppings, they have a side bar featuring pickles, peppers, onions, etc. and a soda fountain (free refills). The location is also great - plenty of parking and backs up to the water in the summer with outdoor seating (we obviously passed on that this time around w snow still on the ground). It's cozy inside too - and they had the fireplace going too.

I have been eating here since 1978 and it has always pleased my appetite. Great burgers. Great staff. Great atmosphere. Always a good stop on my list

Quaint local burger stop. Bring cash! No cards accepted. Good burgers with a fun atmosphere. The outsole patio seating along a creek bank was pretty. Burgers run about $7-11, that does not include side or drink. Will definitely visit again!

For locals: take this review with a grain of salt. I come from LA county where amazing cheap burgers are plentiful, so my standards might be a bit higher than normal, haha! Came here at 7:00 on a Thursday with the fam. Got the Arctic Cheese burger (no tomatoes or lettuce) for $7 and split regular fries among the table for $2.50. My folks all got salmon burgers with various sides of coleslaw and baked beans. Food was ready in 10 or so. I thought my burger was fine but nothing special. The meat was cooked a little too well for my liking- not as juicy as it could have been. The cheese melt was nice. Overall it tasted fine, but not quite worth $7 for me. I don't mind spending $7+ for just a burger, but that burger better be huge and/or absolutely delicious. This was neither in my opinion. The fries I was disappointed with. As you can see in the picture, they were pretty pale. I think they were somewhat undercooked. They tasted alright, but the texture was lacking for me, no crunch at all. The unexpected star of the show were the baked beans my folks got. We had a couple sides of them so were able to pass them around and share. They were AMAZING! They were sweet in all the right ways, probably due to a brown sugar or maple glaze. Soft, sweet... so good. We also had coleslaw which I liked. Your standard fare Summary: - a decent burger, nothing special for me. Cooked a little too well. - not fond of the fries. Far too undercooked. Cheap though - baked beans- SO GOOD!! - decent coleslaw

A classic AK burger joint. Such cool ambiance, Alaska legends surrounding you all over on the walls and some sweet game. The burgers are done well. Good salty patty with some crispy bacon can hit reallll nice. The original onion rings are unconventional but delicious, fries are a nice crisp, and they got some delicious DR pepper in the pop machine.

This is a local favorite homemade burger place, and the inside is covered with pictures and stories of loyal customers. You could spend a lot time in here just looking at all the pictures! Each table has a plaque on it with a name of a loyal customer. They do have a cash only policy which I found a little different but there is an ATM machine inside. Not being from Alaska I wanted to try the Halibut burger, I had fries and coleslaw with it. It was delicious, as a signature touch they add a pickle slice to the top of your bun! They also have a little pickle bar so you can add condiments to your burgers! It was busy but the service was still fast, I can see why this is a local favorite !!

I want to start off by saying my family and I like their burgers and this is one our favorite places to go. However, my issue today was their complete disregard to many of the safety standards majority of other businesses have adapted during the current pandemic. Arctic Roadrunner chooses to be a cash only business, which is already an issue when dealing with multiple people handling money. I personally witnessed the cashiers handle my money, and then walk over to the milkshake station and touch the inside of the cups before putting the milkshake inside, touch the wrappers of the food, and our napkins they placed in our bags. They did not wash hands in between customers. If you did not bring cash in, they have an atm available, which I did not see them sanitize once while I was in the restaurant, and several people used it. They also have a notepad to write our names on, for tracing purposes in case they have a positive case. This is a good thing, but not when you have everyone using the same pen, and do not have a place for sanitized pens and a place to put used pens that need to be sanitized. I realize this is a lot of work, but every other business I have been to has adapted safety measures such as going cashless, constantly sanitizing objects people frequent, and overall taking extra precautions. This is for the safety of your customers, your employees, and your business, in hopes that you do not have to shut down and potentially lose thousands of dollars. I also think they have had 4 months to modernize their business model to fit the current issues at hand, and going to a more digital model would greatly benefit them. Being able to place orders online as well as pay online would greatly reduce many of the issues above, as well as possible having people available to run food outside to cars, which would protects crowds gathering near the register area of people waiting for their food. I am sure there will be an argument of the cost of running credit cards, which is rarely more that $.05 per dollar, and I for one would not mind a slight increase in food prices to make up for this if it is needed to keep everyone safe.

This place is awesome. Fantastic vibe and great food. Handmade burgers that are quite large and reasonably priced. Fries are good. The condiment bar is a huge draw here too. It's like what every burger place should be.

This building has a ton of history. It's got a lot of "stuff" on the walls, but unlike a major chain restaurant, it's all pretty meaningful: local climbers, mushers, and adventurers. In the winter they have a fire crackling and there's a small creek near here in the summer. The burgers are fine. They are smaller, more fast-food-style burgers. I didn't find anything objectionable about them, but nothing really wowed me either. Cash only, order at the counter.

An Alaskan icon and local favorite among locals, you won't be disappointed with Arctic Roadrunner (or Arctic burgers, as locals will call it.) They have homemade milkshakes, fresh made burgers, homemade-style onion rings, and homemade pickles that you won't want to miss out on. Their soups are also fresh and homemade. The menu doesn't change offerings too often and everything is simple and delicious. One thing to remember- they accept CASH ONLY. There is an ATM inside for anyone who forgets this. There is an excellent outdoor seating area for the warmer months. Campbell Creek runs through the outside and you can often see kayakers and people on inner tubes floating by.

I have lived in Anchorage for 2 1/2 years and have never stopped by. I am moving next month and decided to try it before I left. Now I am glad I did but mad that I waited so long. Their burgers are hand formed I am very flavorful. The fries were good but a little mushy, couldn't stand to be cooked a little longer. Ordered on door dash and was surprised that it arrived is still hot. Thanks so much!

The best place to treat the family for burgers. Arctic Roadrunner has been my favorite since I was a child, the Attu burger is great for young kids. My favorite burger of all time is the Mexican Burger with the green chili pepper and salsa. So many great burgers, along with a topping bar with extra pickles, spicy peppers, and the usual condiments. Remember, cash only, there is an ATM with a fee for withdrawing cash.

Probably the best burgers in town. Food comes out quick and excellent. Great shakes as well