Roadside Refreshment: A tour of out-of-town eateries.

• Author: Newman, Amy
• Position: SMALL BUSINESS

From top-notch burger joints to upscale fare, fresh seafood to fusion cuisine, Alaskans have no shortage of fantastic dining options--even outside of cities and larger towns. From roadside diners to intimate taverns and small cafes nestled in the woods, these small, locally owned restaurants along Alaska's road system provide a dining experience so big, they are a destination unto themselves.

Long Rifle Lodge, Glacier View

The sight of Matanuska Glacier from the Glenn Highway is enough of an excuse to drive almost two hours out of Anchorage. The Long Rifle Lodge in Glacier View, serving food to match the spectacular scenery, is an excuse to stay for a while.

Opened in the late '70s, the restaurant has grown from just a handful of tables to a 70-seat dining room. Locals, tourists, and Alaskans come for the views and the ale-house-style menu after a day of exploring, heli-skiing, or whenever they're in search of delicious, creative food.

"Great burgers, fish sandwiches, homemade black bean and quinoa burritos," owner Kate Riddles says of the restaurant's menu. "Our veggie burgers are made here too, [and] one of our summer favorites is our blueberry chipotle tacos." The lodge's pies, crisps, cinnamon rolls, and desserts are also all made from scratch daily.

The view is as impressive as the menu. The lodge, right along the highway, overlooks the blue-white terminus of the 27-mile-long Matanuska Glacier. And for those times when the wildlife doesn't make an appearance, the animals are on full display inside.

"We have black and brown bears, a Kodiak grizzly, a musk ox, mountain goat, Dall sheep, and many other Alaskan animal mounts on display," Riddles says. "It's a great place for tourists to come and see Alaska's animals up close and personal without getting bit."

The Long Rifle Lodge is located at Mile 102 of the Glenn Highway. Find it online at longriflelodge.co.

Flying Squirrel Bakery & Cafe, Talkeetna

Opened in 2009, the Flying Squirrel Bakery & Cafe is tucked into the woods on Talkeetna Spur Road, away from "the hubbub of 'downtown' Talkeetna," says owner Anita Golton.

"We try to offer something for everyone, including counter-service style breakfast and lunch, wood-fired pizza nights, and many options for vegetarians, gluten-free folks, and carnivores, too," she says.

The cafe--called "the Squirrel" by locals--offers creative breads, sandwiches, wood-fired pizzas, and pastries. Whenever possible, dishes incorporate Alaska-sourced and Talkeetna-grown ingredients, such as carrots, zucchini, rhubarb, berries, barley, and birch syrup, including fruits and vegetables from Birch Creek Ranch, which is run by Golton's husband Brian Kingsbury.

Breads are baked fresh daily in the wood-fired oven, which burns only locally harvested birch. The rotating schedule includes olive oil baguettes, bagels, Alaska barley bread...