Came here on our way to Denali. Our tour bus stopped by, and we grabbed some coffee. There's a nice overlook of the area. The staff was super friendly and the coffee was reasonably priced. read more

Whenever we're driving up north, (or on the return journey) we stop in at Mary's for a bite. If you hit lucky, you won't coincide with a tour bus, disgorging its contents. However when that has happened, it has never affected how quickly we've been served food. And it also provides great people-watching opportunities - if you enjoy such an activity. It's a rustic interior, there is bar seating, booths, and tables. The servers are very cheery, I've always found. On a clear day, there's great views of Denali from the patio deck, just outside of the dining room. The coffee is refilled often, and the food is pretty good. It's not fine dining, it's average diner food, but it is served pretty fast, and it's freshly made. Husband had pea soup on our last visit, which I must admit, it was really good, I opted for BLT and fries, and the fries here are always above average. Hot, crispy, and freshly made. I can't stand limp, lukewarm fries, and would give a bad rating if something like a simple French fry cannot be cooked perfectly. Conversely, if the rest of the meal were not so good, should there be some form of well-cooked potato, and wonderful service, I would still give a good rating. There's a nice gift shop here too, I usually have a browse, rarely make a purchase. The bathrooms are somewhat basic, but functional considering there's not too many options on this particular road. I imagine that folk who are staying at the 2 nearest campsites, probably frequent this place quite often, and coming back from Denali Village, after camping, checkout being around 10am, we usually arrive here at approximately lunchtime. It's a welcome stop on the way back to Anchorage. read more

Mary's McKinley View Lodge - BLT and fries, with pea soup opposite - Vacation Rentals Near Me - Trapper Creek, Alaska

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Note, this review is for the LODGE, not the CAFE. When researching, we saw the avg. 4-star rating and thought it was for the lodge, so this review is to tell you about the lodge: the cafe was fine--diner-style food and friendly staff. Staff: Meets expectations - Welcoming and assisted in canceling the third night of our booking when we realized the state of the lodge. Basics/amenities: Generally substandard: - No wi-fi and very little cell service - Unpaved path to rooms - Dingy carpet (and no boot tray to save carpet by removing shoes at the door) - No overhead lights (only 1 lamp for entire room) - Only 1 bedside table for a queen-sized bed with an old mattress/frame - Bathroom vanity was not large enough for toiletries - No hairdryer (and when I inquired at the cafe if there was one available, since the lodge doesn't have a "reception desk," I was met with a "no," that's all) or shower cap - Ants on the floor of bathroom and spiders in most corners of all rooms - No towel rack in the toilet/shower room - No trash can in the toilet/shower room - Cracks around the shower surround (likely location of mold) - No air conditioning (or fan), only heat - Walls and floors so thin that we heard someone upstairs pee (i.e., the entire stream, with slight pause in the middle!) and then flush the toilet as well as every footstep and child's cry read more

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Lunch time at Mary's for my wife and I while traveling to Denali National Park! The place as a kind of timeless look for a place which has been here for awhile. The interior was a homey rustic place. The server greeted us warmly and we seated ourselves. She brought us waters and menus. She was very friendly, outgoing, and downright homey! I chose the burger w/all the fixings and my wife the patty melt. We both asked for side salads. My wife had the balsamic vinaigrette and I the Caesar salad. Our food came in a very reasonable amount of time. The burger was definitely Alaska sized. And tasted delicious, perfectly done too. The Caesar salad was plentiful and delicious. My wife's patty melt too was great, with plenty of salad. Our server checked on us regularly without being overbearing. My wife wanted a dessert when our meal was over and chose Cherry pie with Ice Cream. It too was really delicious. As advertised the meal was filling and didn't skimp on amounts. As we were leaving our server once again was pleasant and wished us a wonderful day!! This employee really made us feel at home and welcomed. This person is someone who can make or break a restaurant. For us she made it a delightful event and meal! read more

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Cozy and a nice place to stop for a hot meal. Not anything fancy, but a great cozy place with lots of admirable history. Mary Carey's story lives on here. read more

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This place is AMAZING! Such sweet staff, gave us coffees to go for no extra charge. Very nice atmosphere and welcoming. Food was basic but great and large portions for reasonable price! Can't beat the view it's absolutely stunning! read more

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Great deck for photo op on the way to Denali with Mt. McKinley and other beautiful mountains in the background. Rest rooms and cafe also. We were there in June when there was still quite a lot of snow on the mountains and the scenery was breathtaking! read more

What a great little place with a fabulous location, friendly people, charming decor, clean & neat. Wait till you see the view out the dining room window (& large deck)! Mary Carey, what a remarkable lady! Alaska is a place for a place for a woman - she moved to Alaska in 1962, reported on the earthquake in 1964...wrote a couple books. What a gal. What a legacy that her family still owns & runs read more

When you're out in the middle of Denali National Park, restaurant options are limited so we wound up at this adorable cafe on the route to our hotel. McKinley offers not only a bar and food service but they also have a gift shop, which we went into and purchased a post card to send home. The place was very quiet, only one other party was in the bar area but after a moment we were seated and given a menu (they also have pastries and cookies if you just want a snack). They gave us water right away and we looked over the menu. My brother ordered coffee which has refills included. I wasn't particularly hungry so I only got a slice of pie (their Derby pie has pecans, chocolate and bourbon, reminded me of pecan pie but with a layer of chocolate). I had it heated up. My brother got their party melt but because he's a vegetarian he had them sub the meat out for their veggie burgers which they did (added a bit of extra money to the meal but he was okay with it). My pie was heated up a little too hot and burned my tongue but once I showed some patience it was good. The French fries were average, probably out of a freezer bag but still good. The service was fast and you absolutely cannot beat the views- you can see Denali from the windows. Highly recommend this little cafe if you need a snack on the road. read more

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I cannot count the number of times I've passed Mary's while driving between my family home in Fairbanks and our adopted home in Anchorage. Wrong side of the road, kids asleep, closed for the winter, too late at night, too early in the morning; you name it, we just kept missing it. I promised myself as I drove by once again, on my way north for a really quick trip to a birthday party that I WOULD stop on my way home the next day. I'm delighted that I did. I'm a lifelong Alaskan and the Alaska Range still stops my breath. Denali was partially out most of the drive but the summit had disappeared by the time I pulled into the parking lot. Even so, the view from the diner of the entire range is still spectacular. Fortunately, the service is attentive and the food is good, as well! I had the Yeti, a grilled turkey and cheddar on sourdough with jalapenos and tomato. My only suggestion is to add more peppers - it might even be better with pickled jalapenos - just something to consider. The potato salad was not insipid and mayonnaise-y - it was bright yellow with mustard. I am a real potato lover so would have enjoyed it more with a bit less mustard in order to let the potato flavor shine, but at least it made a statement. The only disappointment was the peach pie I took home and had as a midnight snack, but I'm not writing it off completely - It did spend several hours in a pasteboard box and slid around a bit. So, I promise to try again on my next trip and maybe just go straight to the pie. read more

We literally tripped across this place on our way back from Denali National Park. It is a gem, that offers amazing views of Denali (Mount McKinley) from the deck, along with all the birds and wildlife. The breakfast was delicious. The staff was friendly and knowledgeable about the area, even recommended a beautiful place for us to hike. Definitely give this place business, it has a great history and a glorious view! read more

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Was taking a day drive up to Denali, taking time along the way to stop at little shops. Most were nice in that they provided local hot coffee to-go, unique candies (would recommend Tori & Howard's Hard Candy), neat knickknacks, clean bathrooms, and the usual travelers needs. One place stood out, with a view of Mt McKinley behind it. Many pullouts were along the road for the same view, but we pulled in here in hopes of a quiet view over some warm coffee or small treat. Unfortunately this destination is very much opportunistic to unsuspecting travelers. A minimum card purchase of $10 is required (which is illegal and can be reported) for the most meager looking options. Generic coffee, dry cinnamon rolls, overpriced granola bars... biggest scam I've seen in awhile. If you're driving down the mountain I would recommend passing this place unless you want to stop here and take a quick photo of the mountains behind it. Just another ten minutes down the road you'll find other options to pull off for food and drinks as well as gas. read more

Mary's McKinley View Lodge - Vacation Rentals Near Me - Trapper Creek, Alaska

We loved this stop. I had the Reuben and a cup of the beef barley and they were both delicious. My sister had the enchilada soup and the spinach goat cheese salad. Everything was great. The restaurant wants everyone to know that if there's a tour bus out front, don't be concerned. Their kitchen isn't big enough to serve the buses lunch or dinner so you can still come in and be waited on. The groups are getting premade stuff and taking selfies. read more

What a great little surprise along the George Parks Hwy. This is a great spot to stop and have lunch or a coffee break. The little cafe features panoramic picture windows overlooking a magnificent view of Mt. McKinley. There is an outside patio to sit and enjoy the view outside and a small gift shop. Originally homesteaded by Mary Carey in 1962 - the place is still run by her daughter Jean Carey Richardson. In fact I purchased a couple of childrens books- Grumpy Grammy's Manners- written by Mary Carey. Her daughter Jean Richardon was gracious enough to autograph them for me. Definitely worth the stop whatever your reason. read more

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Closed 4/29/23 with "No Trespassing signs blocking entrance. And the website is out of date; still saying booking for Summer 2022. So don't count on this place. read more

I highly recommend stopping here and staying the night if you are traveling this way. The view of Mt McKinley from this side (south) is incredible! This place has such amazing history! If you can stop and talk with Jean, Mary's daughter... she is full of stories about her and her mother's adventures. Buy the book! Sit on the patio and enjoy the view! There is a little bar and restaurant here with great food! This was one of my favorite stops on our road trip to Alaska from California! read more

We had a great meal here! The burgers and fries were really good. One of us had a black bean burger and it was good. We also got the mozzarella sticks and they were perfectly cooked. They have beer and a large selection of wine. They've also got lots of pies. We had apple pie, warmed with ice cream. SO tasty. Overall, we weren't expecting much because it's all the way out here, but it was a really good meal! If you're stopping anywhere, stop here! read more

Surprised there aren't more reviews on this place, since accommodations and restaurants are literally few and far between along the Parks Highway. In addition to a charming cafe with a spectacular view (when the mountain shows itself of course), this place has a fascinating history and is worth a stop. I had the standard burger and fries and it was just fine, but there is much more on the menu. read more

Mary's McKinley View Lodge - Vacation Rentals Near Me - Trapper Creek, Alaska

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This review is for the cafe. Was visiting Alaska with family and found this quaint place off Hwy 3 going towards Denali National Park. The hospitality here is great, the service was on point and the food was amazing. Everything is cooked fresh and taste delicious. I had the club sandwich, my boyfriend and sister in law had the burger with fries and my mother in law had the grilled chicken sandwich. We were all amazed at how wonderful the food was for being a diner in the middle of the hwy. I would definitely recommend this cafe. We already have eaten here twice on our road trip through Alaska and its been the best place we've eaten our entire trip. read more

Mary's McKinley View was great. We were seated promptly on a big deck with an awesome view of Denali! Little did we know, it would be our only view of Denali. The grand mountain is difficult to see at the park itself and wildfires and Smokey skies to make matters worse. Mary's had great food and great dessert. The server working was the only one most of the time but she never got overwhelmed or stressed. Friendly, smiling and offered great service! We've already told everyone heading that direction in Alaska to stop for great food, service and the view! read more

The omelets were delicious and fair priced. Coffee was great. Service was fast & friendly. Best view of Denali we saw while in the area. Highly recommend and would stop here again read more

My Grandson was married in the new Interpreter Center and camping facilities in Daneli National Park and he reserved all eight rooms in Mary's lodge for out of town guests. It is such a charming facility with amazing views of Daneli. My daughter is in a wheelchair and the wing we were in had two steps to get to that level. We couldn't manage the steps by ourselves and were assisted by Mary's niece who was so nice. Later, two men from the kitchen helped us leave. By the end of the day, workers had built a ramp for her. The service is fantastic!! The gift shop is ideal with real authentic items, handmade by local artists. We also enjoyed two meals in the resturant. In addition to the tasty food, we enjoyed the lovely views of Daneli and the entire Alaska range. We would certainly stay again when visiting Alaska. read more

Buyer beware... I called to cancel a labor day weekend reservation made for my employer on the Tuesday prior to that weekend. Spoke to a younger woman and repeatedly told her that I was cancelling my entire reservation for that weekend. She simply replied, "Ok." I made certain to ask her if that was it/all that was required and to confirm that the entire reservation was cancelled and she just replied, "Yes" very curtly. That was the end of the conversation. On the Friday of the weekend that I had cancelled the reservation for, my boss received a phone call stating that there was some "confusion" regarding "his reservation"--the very one I had cancelled completely on that Tuesday. Jean, the owner, went on to tell him that they somehow still had a reservation on the books under his name and that they would be charging him cancellation fees for that reservation. We were later told that he was "lucky" that they weren't charging him the full amount for the rooms and that "legally" she could make him pay the full amount. I called on Tuesday morning to try to sort this issue out and find out why they hadn't taken the reservation off the books on the previous Tuesday. Jean was extremely rude and kept changing her story. At first she said that my boss had called on Friday to cancel his reservation. When I told her no, that was not true and that we had the phone records showing that they had in fact called him, she backpedaled and said that yes, they had called my boss, not vice versa--meaning that he hadn't called to cancel Friday as she originally tried to claim. When I mentioned the younger woman with whom I spoke on the Tuesday before the weekend of the scheduled reservation to cancel, she knew exactly of whom I spoke and confirmed that such a young woman did work there but was not yet in to work, but when I asked to speak to that young woman later that day, she refused, saying that she was working elsewhere in the motel and could not come to the phone. My boss asked for a copy of their cancellation policy and was told that they could neither fax it (she claimed she didn't have a fax machine) nor could we find any such policy posted anywhere on their website. She said that he could drive up to Denali from Anchorage to see the policy in writing there--ridiculous, as she well knew. My boss asked for her to send a copy via mail and to withhold any charges until he was able to view their cancellation policy--which she now in this last conversation said was to charge cancellation fees for cancellations a week or less prior and the full amount with cancellations made 24 hours or less prior, which was the first we'd ever heard of this policy from anyone there during this entire process--and she refused, saying that his card had already been charged. So, in summary, the younger woman working there neglected to take his reservation off the books when I called to cancel at least four days prior to his scheduled reservation and made zero mention of any cancellation policy. Then the lodge called stating that there was "confusion" on their end regarding the (cancelled) reservation that Friday and charged my employer's card for cancellation fees, stating that my boss was "lucky" that they weren't charging him the full amount. Neither my boss nor I were ever informed of any cancellation policy via phone and no cancellation policy is posted anywhere on their website. The attitude of the entire staff was extremely rude and the customer service was dismal and unprofessional. Would not recommend whatsoever. read more