Tucked behind big wooden doors, Prey looks pretty unassuming from the road—you might even miss if you weren’t looking for it. But this restaurant at the Denali Cabins—not too far from the Denali National Park entrance—is a gem with both tourist and locals.
Roadhouse Revival
Located at Denali Cabins—a lodge of 46 cabins at mile 229 of the George Parks Hwy—Prey first opened in 2012 and was named after the sharp-taloned-owl flag featured on the lodge's banner. Decorated with warm, polished woods, a huge stone fireplace, and accented with lanterns and antlers, Prey has a rather roadhouse-chic vibe.
Alaskan Cuisine with a Global Twist
The menu, too, reflects a thoughtful twist on classic Alaskan fare. Breakfast starts at 5:30 am—ideal for anyone doing full-day tours into Denali, since they tend to start early—and features a hearty buffet of fresh fruit, baked goods, eggs, breakfast meats, oatmeal, cereal, along with coffee and fresh juices. You can pick up a box lunch to take with your for the day—such as a Huckleberry Chutney ham and cheese sandwich on a fresh-baked roll with a homemade chocolate chip cookie, fruit and a pouch of Alaskan granola.
Or, you can dine in for lunch or dinner on such classic pub fare as fish ’n’ chips, a ½ pound burger of USDA Choice beef, mac ’n’ cheese (topped with bacon if you like) or zesty options such as the Triple Pork Cuban (a combo of crispy fried pulled pork, bacon and ham, with Swiss cheese, fried pickles and house mustard on a hoagie) or the Vietnamese Banh Mi Sandwich (roasted chicken or Tempeh, with Asian slaw and cilantro on a baguette). You can wash them down with a selection of Alaskan-brewed beers, or other cocktails from the fully stocked bar.
Friendly Atmosphere
You’ll likely be dining with other cabin guests, as well as a fair number of locals, who like that it’s just enough off the beaten path, and a little more mellow than some of the properties around the canyon area. Prey has the kind of vibe that makes it easy to start chatting—and the food is good enough that you’ll happily come back for more.
