Food

Perhaps because of all the early-morning commuters to Anchorage [1], Wasilla [2] seems to have an espresso stand on almost every corner—along with an equal number of gun shops. It sounds like a dangerous combination, especially with all those folks listening to Rush Limbaugh each morning.

Windbreak Café (907/376-4484, daily 6 a.m.–11 p.m.) is a good choice for home-cooked meals, prime rib, and seafood. Breakfast is served all day.

International tastes include Chepo’s Fiesta (731 W. Parks Hwy., 907/373-5656, www.cheposfiesta.com [3]) for Mexican food in a fun setting, Mekong Thai Cuisine (473 W. Parks Hwy., 907/373-7690, www.mekongthaiwasilla.com [4]), and Bombay Valley Indian Food (991 S. Hermon Rd., 907/376-9565, www.bombaydeluxe.com [5]).

Near Lowe’s, Pandemonium Booksellers & Café (907/376-3939, www.akbookstore.com [6]) is a fine bookstore with espresso, live tunes on Saturday evenings, and free Wi-Fi.

Mat-Su Lodge (1850 Bogard Rd., 907/376-3228, daily 3–10 p.m., $18–30) has a lakeside dining room specializing in angus steaks. The lounge has live bands Monday–Saturday nights.

Across from the museum in “old town” Wasilla, The Grape Tap (322 N. Boundary St., 907/376-8466, www.thegrapetap.com [7], Tues.–Sat. 5–10 p.m., closed Sun.–Mon. tapas $12–15) is the town’s fine-dining establishment, with a pleasant downstairs wine lounge and an upstairs menu featuring small tapas-style dishes of seared ahi, saffron chicken skewers, tenderloin, blue crab, and cheeses. Everything is homemade at this slow-food eatery. Sunday brunch includes apple pancakes and eggs Florentine.

Located near Settlers Bay Golf Course eight miles out Knik-Goose Bay Road, Settlers Bay Lodge (907/357-5678, www.settlersbaylodge.com [8], daily 5–10 p.m., entrées $22–26) is a destination spot for locals who appreciate the towering windows, deck-with-a-vista dining, and menu of steaks, seafood, and pasta along with daily specials.

Wasilla [2]’s Farmers Market (907/376-5679, Wed. 11 a.m.–6 p.m. June–mid-Sept.) takes place at the old Wasilla town site.