Alaska Spotlight: Club Paris

Club Paris in Anchorage, Alaska, is an iconic and long-standing steakhouse, deeply rooted in the city’s history and renowned for its quality cuisine and classic atmosphere.¹

What Makes It Unique

Club Paris stands out as a classic, old-school Alaskan steakhouse, offering an experience that blends an unpretentious, cozy ambiance with high-quality food.²

• Atmosphere: It has a distinct vintage Alaskan feel—dark wood paneling, leather booths, old-world charm, and a dim, intimate setting.³ Despite the high-quality food, it is generally considered a “come as you are” establishment with a casual dress code.⁴ The exterior is notable for its vintage 1950s pink neon sign featuring the Eiffel Tower.⁵

   

• Steak Quality: The restaurant is famous for its hand-cut steaks that are individually cut and aged on the premises, then char-broiled to perfection.⁶ They are consistently voted among the best in Anchorage.⁷

   

History

• Inception: Club Paris has been a downtown Anchorage landmark since 1957, making it the oldest steakhouse in the city.⁸

   

• The Building: The building itself is older, dating back to the 1920s, and previously served as a home, a furniture store, and even a funeral parlor before becoming the restaurant.⁹

   

• The 1964 Earthquake: A significant part of its history is surviving the devastating 1964 Alaska earthquake, which destroyed other nearby buildings, including the JCPenney store across the street.¹⁰

   

• Ownership: The restaurant has been owned by the Selman family since the 1970s, making it a true family business with some staff members who have worked there for decades.¹¹

   

Highlight Menu Items

While best known for its steaks, the menu also features fresh Alaskan seafood and other popular dishes:¹²

• Steaks: Their signature item is the Filet Mignon, often highlighted for its tenderness and flavor, sometimes served in a 4-inch-thick cut.¹³ The Ribeye and Prime Rib are also highly praised.¹⁴ Steaks are often served with house-made seasoning and the option for additions like blue cheese stuffing.¹⁵

   

• Seafood: Fresh Alaskan seafood options include Halibut (often noted as a favorite, sometimes served blackened), Red King Crab Legs, Scallops (often recommended sautéed in an orange sauce), and Steamer Clams or Escargot as appetizers.¹⁶

   

• Appetizers/Sides: Popular starters are the Shrimp Cocktail, and the signature Stuffed Mushrooms.¹⁷ The French Dip and the high-quality Hamburger (ground in-house from fresh beef) are highlights of the lunch menu.¹⁸

   

• Dessert: The Ice Cream Pie is often mentioned as a must-try.

Customer Feedback

Customer reviews are generally overwhelmingly positive, giving the restaurant high ratings, often 4.6 stars and above.¹⁹

• Praise: Guests frequently praise the exceptional quality and flavor of the steaks, the attentive and friendly service, the classic and cozy atmosphere, and the generous portion sizes.²⁰ Many appreciate that the restaurant has retained its old-school charm and tradition. Reservations are highly recommended, especially during tourist season, due to the high demand.

   

• Criticism (less frequent): Some less frequent comments have mentioned the occasional dish being over-seasoned or the interior being “old” (which others see as charm), or finding the prices on the higher end, though many feel the quality and experience justify the cost.

Significant Events

While the restaurant itself is not a location for major public events, its long history is interwoven with local and historical significance:

• Survived the 1964 Earthquake: This is arguably the most significant historical event related to the establishment, marking its resilience as a permanent fixture in downtown Anchorage.
• Serving the Community: The family and restaurant are known for their quiet involvement in the community and non-profit work.
• Supporting the Unexpected: One well-known anecdote recounts the restaurant staying open all night for the crew of the KLM flight that nearly crashed after its engines clogged with volcanic ash during the 1989 eruption of Mount Redoubt.

Club Paris Information