For Alaskans, the Lucky Wishbone diner is more than just great fried chicken—it’s a piece of history, a place where families have shared meals for decades, a site where (usually conservative) political activists and pilots gather, and a gentle reminder of the enduring power of good food and community spirit.
Now, the James Beard Foundation has announced Lucky Wishbone as the recipient of its prestigious 2025 America’s Classics Award for the Northwest and Pacific region. The award, presented by HEINZ, recognizes locally and independently owned restaurants with enduring appeal that are deeply cherished by their communities. That’s Lucky Wishbone.
Since its establishment between Elmendorf Field (now JBER) and Merrill Field in 1955, Lucky Wishbone has been a cornerstone of Anchorage’s culinary and aviation scene, serving up timeless comfort food with a side of Alaska history.
Known for its signature fried chicken, hand-formed cheeseburgers, and homemade malts, the restaurant remains a beloved institution through generations, with a drive-thru service offering white cardboard boxes filled with golden-fried delights.
Lucky Wishbone is a taste of nostalgia and community that has lasted since before statehood. It was founded in 1955 by WWII pilot George Brown and his wife Peggy Brown. It weathered the 9.2 magnitude earthquake of 1964.
George, who built the restaurant himself from the ground up, was a familiar face in the dining room until his passing in 2018 at the age of 96.
Today, the legacy continues under the stewardship of co-owners Carolina Stacey, an employee since 1994; Heidi Heinrich-Lervaag, the restaurant’s first hostess hired in 1979; and Patricia Brown-Heller, daughter of the founders, who began her journey in the restaurant peeling potatoes before school.
Anchorage pilots and aviation enthusiasts enjoy Lucky Wishbone’s aviation-themed interior, reflecting its ties to the Air Force base and the state’s rich history of small aircraft pilots.
The menu remains a testament to its roots, with a fried chicken recipe that spans over a century. Accompanying staples like BLTs, fried chicken giblets, and corn muffins with honey have made Lucky Wishbone an Alaskan landmark.
The award places Lucky Wishbone among 100 restaurants nationwide that have received the America’s Classics Award since its inception in 1998.
The honorees will be celebrated at the James Beard Restaurant and Chef Awards ceremony on June 16 at the Lyric Opera of Chicago.
WONDERFUL!!! They have remained an old historic part of Anchorage for which has seen less changes. Yes, they’ve revamped the menue, but still remains the same with a few new changes since the recovery of covid.