Chena's Alaskan Grill

This was one of our favorite restaurants last summer and we went a lot, sad to see that it is now just a buffet with mediocre food. Not worth going back again. Also wasn’t a fan of the fact they add a 20% gratuity to the bill. Our service was good and I was planning on tipping that much, but I didn’t like that I didn’t have any other option (except to add an additional tip).

Due to staffing shortage, Chena Alaskan Grill provided their menu as Buffet Style. Adult price $49.95 for children under 12 the cost is $29.95. It is a good price if you are indulging but not if you just came for a meal. There are a few other options as in dessert $12 and Soup and Salad for $25. Not many options on Fairbanks on a Sunday afternoon/evening period for Dining out. Thank you

My daughter and I chose Chena's as the location looked lovely (date of visit 27th May 2022). We are both from the UK and wanted a special last night after spending a wonderful 2 weeks exploring beautiful Alaska. Unfortunately, the experience was spoiled by the rudeness of the seating hostess ( I can see that there is another review a year ago saying the same thing which is sad to read that nothing has changed). We arrived and asked if we could sit outside. We were told that there was a 30 mins wait so we decided to take a window seat inside until an outside table became available. However, we were give a firm 'No' by the seating hostess when we asked if we could move outside when a table became available. She was very rude and said it '...was first come, first served' so anyone arriving after we had taken our indoor table would get the outside table. This seems totally unfair given we were actually 'first come, first served'! Not one for giving up I very politely asked again. The seating hostess was clearly upset dealing with another customer's request and was having a little 'tantrum' before she spoke to me. Her response was that '..she would have to sort it out!!!' She was certainly not at all happy to help. Thankfully we managed to get a table and had a lovely chap serve us which made up for the initial uncomfortable experience. Also not sure the food was worthy of the 50$ charge but we were happy to be eating our evening meal in the early evening sunshine. So unfortunate that one person can spoil what would have been a lovely experience.

Had my birthday dinner here last night. It was a wonderful experience. The cook who I found out was Robert McGee cooked my steak to the perfect rare it was beautiful and so tender it pretty much melted in my mouth. The mashed potatoes were hot which surprised me because most places they wnd up being cold. I felt very special the serving staff (everyone of them) came by my table and wished me a happy birthday. Our server Greg was the best (we have had him last year) he already knew that we would want creamer and sweetener with our coffee and knew to being the pot. Such a great guy love hearing some of his life stories. Told him that he should be wearing a black or a blue shirt instead of the green. Before the end of our meal Mr. Tongue, the chef Darren Biggs and the cook Robert McGee all came out and wished me a happy birthday. I was feeling just a little low this year I normally don't mind my age I usually embrace it but this year I didn't want to get that one year older. They all made me feel good to embrace being 47. Thank you to everyone last night for the wonderful memorable birthday I will have.