Chena's Alaskan Grill

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Review

760 reviews

#8 of 190 Restaurants in Fairbanks$$ - $$$, American, Seafood, Vegetarian Friendly

+1 907-474-0286+ Add website

Hours

Sun

5:00 PM - 10:00 PM

Mon

5:00 PM - 10:00 PM

Tue

5:00 PM - 10:00 PM

Wed

5:00 PM - 10:00 PM

Thu

5:00 PM - 10:00 PM

Fri

5:00 PM - 10:00 PM

Sat

5:00 PM - 10:00 PM

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Ratings and reviews

4.0

760 reviews

#8 of 190 Restaurants in Fairbanks

RATINGS

Food

Service

Value

Atmosphere

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CUISINES

American, Seafood

Special Diets

Vegetarian Friendly, Gluten Free Options

Meals

Dinner

features

Location and contact

4200 Boat St, Fairbanks, AK 99709-4696

+1 907-474-0286

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Yes

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About

Nestled on the banks of the Chena River, Chena's Alaskan Grill, open for dinner is a favorite for local Fairbanks residents and tourists alike. Enjoy an incredible meal, sip your preferred wine from our extensive selection, while seated indoors or out on either our lower or upper decks and marvel at the tranquility of Alaskan nature that surrounds. There's no rival to the ambiance afforded our patrons at Chena's Alaskan Grill. The talented culinary team are all passionate about their "food" and it shows in the well prepared menu offerings. The best in Alaskan seafood, steaks and poultry combined with the friendliest service team await you for a dining experience like none other. Open for dinner from 5:00 PM - 10:00 PM. We look forward to welcoming you to Chena's Alaskan Grill right on the River. Bon Appetit!

CUISINES

American, Seafood

Special Diets

Vegetarian Friendly, Gluten Free Options

Meals

Dinner

FEATURES

Outdoor Seating, Seating, Parking Available, Free off-street parking, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Accepts American Express, Accepts Mastercard, Accepts Visa, Accepts Discover, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service

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4.0

760 reviews

Excellent

403

Very good

207

Average

Poor

Terrible

mnguru1

Edina561 contributions

Great food-fun atmosphere- they had live music when we were there

Aug 2021 • none

We checked them out after reading their reviews. They had great food and killer drinks. The bartender makes a mean lemon drop martini! The restuarant is very popular and we had a short 30 minute wait to be seated but our food came relatively quickly. We'd eat here again.

Written August 22, 2021

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Stuart N

Dear mnguru1, Thank you very much for the terrific review. We appreciate your business and so pleased that you enjoyed the food, drinks and overall dining experience.

Written August 29, 2021

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Cas[HEY]

New Mexico577 contributions

Good Food, Good Service, Kind of Pricey

Jul 2023 • couples

This is one of those places that we knew was a tourist trap, but wanted to see the appeal anyway. We went in a little worried because recent reviews said service was non-existent, but it proved the opposite. Everyone was so friendly and welcoming. The food was good. I think Alaska prices make it a little pricier than it typically would be. We wanted to try the salmon or halibut, but we are still new to fish and didn't want to dive head first, so we went with the seafood fettuccine as well as the elk meatloaf. My only complaint with the food was that my mashed potatoes were really cold. The rest of the meat and veggies were hot, but the potatoes even though they still tasted amazing; cold. The fettuccine was really good. There was large chunks of vegetables as well as good sized pieces of salmon, halibut, and shrimp. The house salad was a bit boring for the price. I think that could have used more toppings just because $10 is steep for just lettuce and a little bit of carrots. Otherwise, this was one of those places we have gone to and it was good, but nothing I need to return to. It wasn't bad, I just wouldn't have a reason to go back. You can eat inside or outside, but we chose inside because it's a hot, buggy summer. It overlooks the river though, so it is a nice setting.

Written July 26, 2023

Stuart Newmark

Dear GypsyJunction88, Thank you for your very kind review and 5 bubble rating. So pleased that you enjoyed your experience at Chena's Alaskan Grill. We appreciate your constructive comments as well. All the best and thank you for your patronage.

Written August 30, 2023

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Teardrop Trailer Traveler

United States783 contributions

Chena 's Alaskan Grill

Sep 2019 • none

We dined here while visiting Fairbanks. The food was okay. The service was slow, but this seemed to be the case everywhere in Alaska. By far, the highlight of this restaurant was the large outdoor dining area. The restaurant has an expansive deck which overlooks the Chena River. It's a very scenic spot. We watched the sunset and saw the northern lights appear while we were eating dinner.

Written August 30, 2020

StuartN346

Dear Teardrop Trailer Traveler, Thank you for your recent review of Chena's Alaskan Grill. We assume you dined with us in 2019 as unfortunately we were not open this current season 2020. Pleased that overall you enjoyed your experience last year and in particular the amazing scenery on the banks of the Chena River. We look forward to welcoming you back in 2021. Kind regards.

Written September 11, 2020

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Forrest N

2 contributions

Very So So

Jul 2021 • couples

We pulled into the Rivers Edge RV Park and we’re very happy with the accommodations. We decided to try the Chen’s Alaska Grill because we didn’t want to cook in the RV. The atmosphere was very upbeat and busy. People were being seated outside as well as inside. We chose outside but we’re told a 30 minute wait, so we ate inside. Then we see other people coming in and eating outside without waiting. Strike 1. The waitress came and took our order but she was very distant and did not seem to even know the menu. After looking at the prices (kind of high) my wife ordered the bacon cheeseburger with no onion and add sautéed mushrooms. The waitress was not sure they could do that. I ordered the seafood chowder and we also ordered the artichoke crab dip as an appetizer. The crab dip was blah. No other was to describe it. Strike 2. My wife got her burger with onions and the mushrooms were raw not sautéed. The chowder… a 19.50 entree is about 1.5 cups of bland Campbell chowder soup like substance with chewy shrimp and oyster crackers. That’s all the seafood I could taste. Strike 3.

Written July 30, 2021

Stuart N

Dear forrestn890, Thank you for taking the time to share your comments following your recent visit to Chena's Alaskan Grill. So sorry that your experience was not up to the traditionally fine standards in both quality of food and service as Chena's is known for. We take all of our patrons' comments to heart and follow up accordingly, as our commitment is to exceed our expectations at each and every opportunity. With regard to the young lady who was serving you, seems like she may have been a recent hire and still in training. Not an excuse and she should have been better versed on the menu, before waiting on tables independently. We do hope that when your travels return you to the area, you will afford us another opportunity to demonstrate what a terrific restaurant in all respects Chena's Alaskan Grill is. Thank you for your business.

Written August 7, 2021

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Gail C

3 contributions

Terrible experience

Jun 2022 • couples

Well we researched the restaurant before we went and it had pretty good reviews from last year but!!! Things definitely do change. We went for one of the delicious looking seafood dinners on their web site, but when we got there we told they are doing buffet only. At that point when we saw the buffet we should have just left. What a mistake. The salmon and halibut were total dried out and tasted fishy. The salmon fettuccine was fishy, chicken was dried and the crab cakes were just ok. And to add insult to injury when we received our bill they added a twenty percent tip to it because they said it was a buffet. We were two people!!! We would have left a tip on our own. Over priced and poor quality. Don’t waste your money !!!!!

Written June 8, 2022

Stuart N

Dear M6483ZUgalc, Thank you for your comments following your recent visit to Chena's Alaskan Grill. For this season 2022, we have changed our model all due 100% to significant labor challenges/shortages. We were ready with our traditionally outstanding a la carte menu prior to the beginning of the season, consistent with years past, however due to our inability to staff a kitchen, we pivoted literally days before the opening of season and opted to go with a limited menu and a full dinner buffet. It was either that or not to open the restaurant at all this season. Indeed we are still managing challenges and working on enhancements each and every day. To that end, we are so sorry if you did not enjoy your dining experience. The dinner buffet includes a wide variety of salads, beef and seafood entrees, sides and of course desserts, priced reasonably based on the high cost of food in this challenging supply chain environment. All of the team members of Chena's Alaskan Grill who have stayed the course this season despite the many challenges and adversities are working their hearts out and appreciate the support of the traveling public. In fairness and support of the servers, we do add a gratuity to the check, which we know are appreciated by all. Thank you very much.

Written June 19, 2022

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

cordovapaula

3 contributions

Mediocre Food- Mandatory 20% tip on $44.95 pp Buffet

Aug 2022 • family

Avoid at all costs. Pretty terrible buffet at $44.95 pp which does not include a 20% mandatory gratuity on our party of FOUR. Old dried food, halibut and salmon hard and dry. This is a self-serve buffet and who charges a mandatory 20% gratuity in self serve? We are locals and this place will not be visited again. They also closed their outdoor seating weeks early forcing us to sit inside in their cafeteria style seating area.

Written August 22, 2022

Stuart Newmark

Dear Cordovapaula, So sorry that you were not satisfied with your experience at Chena's Alaskan Grill. We recognize that buffets are not something that everyone prefers or enjoys, however the lack of staffing, especially cooks/culinary in the local labor market, required that we opt for a buffet this season or not open the restaurant for summer tourists at all. With regard to food prepared, indeed all of the offerings were prepared daily based on fresh ingredients procured several times per week. The mandatory gratuity was put in place to ensure that the hard working servers would be able to realize a proper income level during the season as they had many choices to work in any of the area restaurants and we were indeed appreciative that they chose to work through the season at Chena's. We appreciate all of our locals and again so sorry that you were disappointed. We are hopeful that next season with imporved staffing and greater availability, that we can once again return to featuring our award-winning a la carte menu with entrees prepared a la minute. Thank you for your understanding and we look forward to welcoming you back next summer season.

Written September 29, 2022

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Moto S

96 contributions

Disappoint service and good food.

Jul 2023 • couples

Approximately 60% of the tables were closed resulting in a long wait. A sign said it was due to short staff, but as we waited it seems more likely it is due to declining business. Food was good with large serving of halibut. The wait staff members were awkward and inexperienced. Getting water refilled was a chore. The check tried to force you to select a predetermined tip, which was just a disappointing ending to a mediocre meal.

Written July 30, 2023

Stuart Newmark

Dear 566motos, Thank you for your review/comments of Chena's Alaskan Grill. So sorry for the service deficiencies that you noted. No excuses however staffing issues in the restaurant industry are still a challenge post Covid. Many of our servers are from other countries under a J-1 visa and certainly doing the best they can under the circumstances. In some cases, not their chosen profession. Pleased that you did however enjoy the food. We are hopeful that the labor situation improves in our industry and certainly throughout the state of Alaska especially during the busy summer season. Thank you again.

Written August 30, 2023

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Bianca D

4 contributions

No no no

Jun 2021 • family

The worst food we had on our 2 week long vacation. The staff was excellent so I do feel bad writing a poor review. The atmosphere was excellent and staff was very friendly. The food was just bad. The fish in our pasta tasted freezer burnt or something along those lines which was odd considering the reviews talked about “fresh” food. Noodles undercooked, I got one shrimp in the entire dish, and the appetizer was very greasy. For the cost of this restaurant I was expecting high quality, but unfortunately that is not what we received. Portions were pretty large so that is a plus. From reading the reviews it seems this doesn’t happen often but yeah.... it was rough.

Written June 27, 2021

Stuart N

Dear Bianca D, Thank you for taking the time to share your recent experience at Chena's Alaskan Grill in Fairbanks, AK. While we were pleased to learn that you found our staff and ambiance to be excellent, we are nonetheless disappointed in learning that you did not enjoy your meal. We most certainly appreciate your candid input as our goal is for all of our customers to enjoy their overall experience 100% of the time. We take great pride in delivering a wonderful culinary experience and certainly for what Chena's Alaskan Grill has been recognized for over the years. While our intent would never be to offer an excuse, we are confident that your experience is an aberration and as such not acceptable. We have reviewed your comments with our culinary team for ongoing improvement. Hope you will visit Chena's again, should your travels return you to the Fairbanks area. We appreciate your business and look forward to welcoming you back. Best regards!

Written July 13, 2021

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

April DC

15 contributions

Not customer oriented at all — avoid!

Aug 2022 • couples

I called the restaurant to make a reservation. The person that answered said that they don’t take reservations. I then asked if there are outside tables. They answered “yes”. It took us 20 mins to arrive. When we asked the host for an outside table, she said that they do not serve food outside. It’s early August, Alaska is now a hot bed of Covid, they have many many tables outside, but she wants us to sit inside. I said that I just called 20 mins ago and someone confirmed that you have outside tables — she got rude and lied that “no one here could have said that “. I even offered that we order inside and carry our dishes outside — nope. So we took our business elsewhere and will strongly discourage friends and strangers from coming to this place!

Written August 6, 2022

Stuart N

Dear IOvedOgz, Thank you for your review on Tripadvisor. So sorry that you were disappointed with your experience and decided not to dine with us. Further, we regret that there was a misunderstanding about outdoor seating. We had little to no choice but to refrain from seating our guests outdoors due to the significant labor challenges we have been faced with. Just not feasible with a limited service crew to seat customers outside. Of course if staff were available, we understand how lovely it is to dine on the upper and lower decks. We certainly hope the labor/staffing issues will make a turn for the better, especially in preparation for next season 2023. Thank you for your understanding.

Written August 15, 2022

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Sherre F

Hot Springs102 contributions

Excellent Alaskan Meal

Aug 2023 • couples

My husband and I had a wonderful dinner here! I can’t agree with the other reviews, I though the meal was fantastic. We shared a crab dip appetizer with baguette slices that was wonderful. My husband had the wonderful crab cakes; I had the honey lavender halibut that was perfectly cooked and the sauce was amazing. I ordered halibut four of the nine nights we were in Alaska and this was the best! Service was good even though our waiter was hard to understand. I would definitely recommend going here.

Written August 27, 2023

Stuart Newmark

Dear SherreFreeman, Thank you so very much for your comments and Five-Bubble review of Chena's Alaskan Grill. Delighted that you thoroughly enjoyed your numerous dining experiences at Chena's. That's what we all strive for in exceeding our patrons' expectations. Appreciate your business and hope to see you again in the not-too-distant future. All the best!

Written August 30, 2023

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

cflagunitas

Lagunitas2 contributions

Overpriced and Overcooked

Jun 2022 • none

Came here hungry as a horse just after 12 hours of flight with a couple of friends. They got the soup and salad after seeing the $50 price tag on the buffet. (Like the previous review stated, there is no functional menu.) I went for the buffet. The salmon and halibut looked good enough to justify the cost, and I needed more than soup and salad. But both the fish were quite overcooked. Clearly, this place in its current configuration should be avoided. Also, there was no outside seating because of the staffing shortage.

Written June 26, 2022

Stuart N

Dear cflagunitas, Thank you for your comments and so sorry that you did not thoroughly enjoy your dining experience. By all means our intention at the beginning of season was to open with a wonderful a la carte menu. Unfortunately, due to our inability to hire staff, especially culinary team members, we had no choice but to pivot to a buffet model. We understand that buffets are not necessarily the preferred dining option for some, however it was the only option this season due to staffing challenges plaguing the restaurant industry nationwide and even more so in high demand tourist destinations such as Fairbanks, AK. As for the price point, it is quite reasonable due to the high food cost from purveyors passed along to restaurant operators due to supply chain issues/shortages. Profit margins are quite small if any are realized at all in this current challenging environment. We are eagerly looking forward to next season, with hopes that we will once again present an outstanding a la carte menu that all of us prefer for many reasons. Thank you for your understanding and support.

Written July 4, 2022

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

christine

The Villages23 contributions

Brief but sweet

Jun 2024 • family

My husband and I have dined here twice. The first night we arrived very late ( at 9:30 and they closed at 10pm) but they seated us immediately and had their delish creamy seafood chowder followed by the bread pudding dessert with pecan ice cream topped with fresh basil: enough we only needed one dessert with two spoons. Food we experienced was excellent in quality and sufficient in quantity. Extra points for allowing us to finish AFTER closing hours without kicking us out!!

Written June 9, 2024

Stuart Newmark

Thank you for your five bubble review. So pleased you enjoyed your dining experience at Chena's Alaskan Grill. We appreciate your past patronage.

Written July 10, 2024

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Dan C

Edmond1 contribution

First Meal in Alaska!

Jul 2024 • family

We just got off the plane, checked into our lodge room, and ate here at the restaurant. The service was excellent, the setting and decor very relaxing. The food was very, very good. We ordered two entrees, fish and chips, and seafood chowder. The waitress (excellent server named Aleks) accommodated our request for another plate and extra spoon so we could each sample the two entrees. We followed those superb entrees with bread pudding and ice cream. It was a great meal to have for our very first dinner in Alaska. Very enjoyable! We are going back tonight!

Written July 28, 2024

Lisa Simons

Thank you very much for your five-bubble review. We're all delighted that you enjoyed your dining experience at Chena's Alaskan Grill. We appreciate your business and hope to welcome you back again. Hope to see you again if your travels bring you back to Fairbanks in the summer.

Written August 3, 2024

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Jackie C

Charleston79 contributions

First visit to Fairbanks

Jun 2024 • family

First impression was great but once we sat down, things went bad. First my husband told the waitress to bring him a beer when she brought his dinner. He ordered the stuffed shrimp. Well the beer came way before our meals. Then we all get our food except for my husband. Obviously she messed up and blamed the kitchen. By the time she got around to telling him there was a mess up, the rest of us are done. He tells her just to take it off the bill, he doesn’t want it. A little while later, here she comes with the meal. He tells her once again he doesn’t want it. Maybe she gets it this time but no she comes back with a dessert menu and gives it to him first. Now why in the world would he want dessert when he didn’t eat. I tell her we don’t want dessert. We wait and wait on the bills. Finally my daughter in law says could we please have our bills? Wait some more and then wait some more. Finally we can go. No manager asks us anything about what went wrong. It’s too bad that we had more than 6 of us and the gratuities were already added because she would not have gotten much at all from us. My crab cake was good but I would have loved to have tried his shrimp.

Written June 28, 2024

Stuart Newmark

Thank you for taking the time to share your experiences recently at Chena's Alaskan Grill. Clearly your server did not provide the level of service nor attention to detail that is expected. We are all so sorry that your dining experience was disappointing. This should not have occurred and we will endeavor to improve based on your comments.

Written July 10, 2024

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Mito G

13 contributions

Not excited about selection

Jun 2024 • couples

We found this restaurant mediocre . Not bad but also definitely overpriced for the food provided . My husband had seafood chowder which he said was good; I had the salmon which was small dry and not the best . The service was good and didn’t have to wait but couldn’t sit outside even though there were tables outside . They had good music. We had expected much better experience with their food .

Written June 3, 2024

Stuart Newmark

Hello Mito G, Thank you for your comments following your dining experience at Chena's Alaskan Grill. We endeavor to provide a five-bubble experience and sorry that you did not rate us as such. The season has just started and only open for a few weeks, hence the reason for lack of seating on the outdoor deck. As more staff joins us from around the world, we will be staffed sufficiently to serve outside. Enjoy your summer and thank you.

Written June 5, 2024

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

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