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Fairbanks: Alaska Salmon Bake

Although I didn't hear about it until I arrived in Fairbanks, the Alaska Salmon Bake is a tradition in town. This outdoor, German beer garden style spot is located in Pioneer Park, itself a warmly regarded Fairbanks tradition. The service is all-you-can-eat. The food is quite good and the atmosphere is relaxing.
In an attempt at balance, I started with the salad bar, which offered a good range of very fresh fixings.
My next stop was the grill. I tried all three: prime rib, salmon, and cod. The prime rib was very tender and cooked just right. The salmon was cooked over an open fire to a perfect temperature. The grilling emphasized its tenderness and freshness. Cod has been the big revelation of this trip---it is plentiful here and superb. This fried cod was plump and meaty without a hint of fishiness. I went back for seconds on both the salmon and cod. I can get good beef in the lower 48 but this fish is special.
I finished up with a trip to the dessert hut. My big treat was the compotes, one strawberry/rhubarb and the other blueberry. After all this food, I worked off at least a few calories with a walk along the river and through Fairbanks' pleasant neighborhoods.
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