You drive out past the edge of "real" Fairbanks, where the roads start to curve through the birch trees and the cell service gets a little spotty, and suddenly you see it. There is a giant sign. On top of that sign, for reasons nobody fully explains, sits a parking meter. Welcome to Ivory Jacks, a place that calls itself "Fine Dining in the Heart of the Goldstream Business District"—which is hilarious because the "district" is basically just trees, miners, and a few cabins tucked into the permafrost.
This isn't your polished tourist trap. Honestly, if you’re looking for a white-tablecloth experience where the waiter uses a crumber, you’ve turned down the wrong Alaskan road.
Why Everyone Talks About Ivory Jacks Fairbanks AK
People in the Goldstream Valley are... different. They’re "unusual," as the restaurant’s own website proudly admits. At Ivory Jacks Fairbanks AK, the vibe is a chaotic, heartwarming blend of New York Yankees obsession and Elvis Presley shrine. The walls are a fever dream of newspaper clippings, sports memorabilia, and historical oddities. You’ll see rows of baseball caps above the bar that look like they’ve been there since the pipeline days.
Jack O’Brien, the original "Ivory Jack," started this whole thing. He was a Utah-born entrepreneur who built the Goldstream General Store and the restaurant before eventually selling it in 1980. He was a legend, a guy who fought a battle with lymphoma later in life but left behind a legacy of "welcoming weirdness" that Fairbanks locals guard fiercely.
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The name often confuses people. Are they selling ivory? Is it a jewelry store? Well, there is another Ivory Jacks—a world-famous jewelry company founded by Kurt Tripp that specializes in prehistoric woolly mammoth ivory. Kurt grew up in Fairbanks, playing with tusks his grandfather found on the Yukon River. While the restaurant and the jewelry business share a name and a hometown history, one is for eating reindeer sausage and the other is for buying 10,000-year-old fossilized earrings. Don't go to the bar expecting to buy a mammoth tusk, though the history of the region is baked into the very floorboards.
The Food: From Anchovies to Reindeer
You can get a can of anchovies for 99 cents at the attached liquor store. That’s a real thing. But if you actually sit down in the restaurant, the menu is surprisingly legit. They do a 12-ounce New York Strip that'll hold its own against any steakhouse in the Lower 48.
- The Crab Stuffed Mushrooms: These are the local "must-order" appetizer. They don't skimp on the crab.
- The Reindeer Sausage: It’s Alaska. You’re going to eat reindeer. It’s spicy, savory, and usually served with eggs if you hit the weekend breakfast.
- Gluten-Free Thursdays: This is a weirdly specific local tradition. They serve GF lasagna and halibut, and they even keep gluten-free beer on tap.
- The Drinks: The cocktails are famously "Alaskan strength." If you order a drink here, you've probably earned it by surviving a -40 degree morning.
The place is a hub for "snowmachine" (don't call them snowmobiles) riders in the winter. You'll see them pull up in the parking lot, gear covered in frost, ready for a burger and a brew.
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What Most People Get Wrong
One major misconception? That Ivory Jacks is a great place to watch the Northern Lights. Look, it’s out in the valley, so it’s dark, sure. But it’s a bar. There are lights in the parking lot and neon signs in the window. If you want the Aurora, drive five miles further up the road to a dark pull-off. Come to Ivory Jacks for the community, not the sky.
Another thing: the hours. In Fairbanks, "standard business hours" are more of a suggestion. Most days they open at 4:00 PM, but they do breakfast on Saturdays and Sundays starting at 10:00 AM. If you show up on a Tuesday at noon, you’re going to be staring at a locked door and a parking meter on a sign.
The interior is a museum of Fairbanks life. You’ll see "Robert Service" style poetry at the tables. You’ll see plaques for locals who recovered from illnesses or got married. It’s the kind of place where, by 5:30 PM on a Monday, there isn't a single bar stool left because every regular in a five-mile radius has checked in to share a laugh.
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Practical Tips for Your Visit
- Check the Sign: Seriously, look at the marquis sign out front. It usually has some snarky comment about free parking or the price of anchovies.
- Bring a Designated Driver: Goldstream Road is winding, dark, and frequently inhabited by moose that weigh 1,200 pounds. Don't mess with the "strong" cocktails if you're the one behind the wheel.
- The Yankees Thing: If you hate the Yankees, maybe keep it to yourself. The owner is a diehard fan, and the memorabilia is everywhere. Just nod and enjoy your steak.
- Cash is King (Usually): They take cards, but in rural Alaska, having a few 20s in your pocket is just good manners.
How to Get There
It's at 2581 Goldstream Road. From downtown Fairbanks, you head north on the Steese Highway and then cut over. It’s about a 15-20 minute drive depending on how many moose are blocking the road.
If you want to experience the "real" Fairbanks—the one that isn't filtered for cruise ship passengers—this is it. It’s loud, it’s quirky, it’s a little bit dusty, and it’s exactly what Alaska should be.
Next Steps for Your Trip
Before you head out to Goldstream, make sure you check the weather; if it's below -30°F, ensure your vehicle is plugged in and running well, as the valley sits in a cold sink that is often 10 degrees colder than the city center. You should also call ahead at (907) 455-6665 if you’re bringing a large group, as the "business district" gets packed fast on weekends.