Chair Five is as local as Girdwood gets. Here, you'll find folks in tie-dye and Carharrts at the bar, and families with small children on the more sedate side of the restaurant. Plenty of people make the drive down from Anchorage to visit Girdwood and "just happen" to end up at Chair Five; it has that kind of magnetism. Of course, some of the best pizza and burgers in the state might have something to do with that.
Conceived on a rainy night in 1982, Chair Five first opened January 23, 1983 on Crow Creek Road. After a fire burned the building to the ground in 1987, it moved to its present home, near the Post Office. All of their food is prepared to order from scratch using the freshest ingredients available. "This takes a little time, so sit back, relax, and enjoy your visit," their website states. Besides, even if your salad isn't in a rush to get to you, that's ok, because there's an ample supply of good beer, including Black Butte Porter, Alaska Amber, and Guinness on tap (about $4/pint and $13 - $15/pitcher). You'll also find ciders, wine, and single malt scotches, not to mention many other beverages.
Appetizers run from $6 - $10. The nacho platter is huge-perfect after a day rafting the Six Mile River. The spinach-walnut salad is a full meal if you're not that hungry, or if all you did was, say, jump off a mountain in a paraglider. The British burger (about $8) is a favorite among local avalanche experts. There are also steaks, halibut, and shrimp (ranging from $15 - $20). But since this is basically a burger joint, one with a lot of Alaskan ambiance, succumbing to a burger is your best option.
