The Pump House

March 1, 2010

Written by Michelle McKinley, Fairbanks reporter for RateitFairbanks

Established in 1933, The Pump House has been a mainstay for food lovers in Fairbanks, Alaska. The restaurant offers a beautiful view since it's situated on the Chena River. In the summer months, diners can bask in the sun, watching the ferry float by as they dine on brunch, lunch, or dinner entrees. The restaurant provides arguably ones of the best scenic views in Fairbanks.

If you happen to travel through Fairbanks on a Sunday, be sure to check out The Pump House brunch special. Visitors can expect to pay a bit for the fresh seafood that lines the menus at The Pump House. It's not the cheapest place to eat in town, for sure. The daily menu offers select Alaskan seafood, like Dungeness crab, shrimp, oysters, smoked salmon, prawns, and tuna. All their seafood comes straight from the waters surrounding Alaska.

So what can you expect to pay for a fine dinner meal at The Pump House? The cost depends on the entree selection. If you dine with a guest, then the cost could come close to $100, so the drinks you order play a big factor. The Pump House does offer a Premium Wine list, with per glass prices between six to eight dollars, and bottles shooting up to a hundred dollars. The wine list includes favorites from California vineyards, like Kathryn Hall Napa Valley and Justin Isosceles from Paso Robles, CA. The Pump House also offers wild game meals, like Reindeer Tenderloin, priced at $30.50, or Elk Meatloaf, priced at $19.95.

In addition to seafood and wild game meals, the menu also offers traditional meat selections of chicken, pork, and beef. The fresh cut steaks include Prime Rib at $23.50 for a 10oz cut, Alder Smoked Bone in Rib Eye Steak at $26.95 (this cut is smoked in-house in their custom smoker), a 10oz Filet Mignon for $34.00, and a Beef Medallion with Prosciutto-Wrapped Skewered Scallops for $29.95. The four choice meat selections give a good view of the variety available at the restaurant. Any given time of year, specials may appear on the menu. All steak orders come with their au gratin potatoes, steaming hot and ever so cheesy.

The Pump House is situated on the Chena River overlook. The old style building has a tin roof. The building is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. So if you visit The Pump House, be sure to check out the architecture of this historic building, the view of the Chena River, and enjoy the stellar food selection.