LOCAL LOX, BAGEL & KOFFIE BAR OPENS
Contributed by Sam Laney
Alaskan Cold and Hot smoked Salmon on a locally sourced bagel, and Italian Roast Coffee, is what I have based my small enterprise on, but I also offer Italian Sub sandwiches as well as roasted Caribou Bratwurst, Avocado Toast, Hummus on Flatbread, Charcuterie, Panini Sandwiches, Black Cod on a Ciabatta roll and much more…
For a little personal background, I grew up on salmon here in Alaska, but went away to school inMaryland and stuck around the D.C. area working for the National Endowment for the Arts and Humanities. While on the east coast, I fell in love with Lox (Gravlax, soaking salmon belly meat in a salt brine for 3 months) and bagels…only to find Atlantic farmed salmon to be far inferior to our Alaskan wild-caught salmon. When I returned home to Alaska, I found an exceptional local bakery (North Star Bakery on the Palmer Wasilla Highway) and I had my pivot for a small foodie eatery based in the land I love while showcasing the bounty that sustains me in mind and spirit. You are what you eat, they say…
Look for my storefront on the right side of the Parks Highway as you are heading north out of Wasilla. I use premium cold-smoked Sockeye for the Lox and also have hot-smoked Coho for those who prefer that method. Smooth cream cheese on a variety of flavored bagels, red onion slivers, capers on top and crunchy fresh dill pickles really hits the mark! When tourist season gets going, I plan to sell bagels by the dozen, cream cheese blocks, and vacuum packets of salmon for take-aways on the journey North as there is not much available between Wasilla and Fairbanks.
Whether you're addicted to the taste of fresh lox on a good, locally made bagel (like I am), have never tried it before but are curious about the legendary combo, or are a tourist traveling through our area who has had one before in the Lower 48 but not with our superior, locally sourced salmon, here is your delightful opportunity to do so...!
Stop on by for the ultimate Alaskan gastronomic extravaganza… and support Wild Alaska Salmon in the process! Call 907-373-1474 for more information or to place an order. Open 7 days a week, from 6am to 3pm, in the Westside Center, 925 Commercial Dr, Wasilla.