The Reindeer Sausage Crawl is a self-guided food itinerary through Anchorage's downtown district, centered on one of Alaska's most distinctive and beloved street foods: grilled reindeer sausage. The crawl begins at the Anchorage Saturday Market on East Ship Creek Avenue, an open-air market operating May through September that draws local vendors, produce stalls, and sausage carts offering reindeer links, caribou snacks, and Alaska-smoked meats. Reindeer farming has deep roots in Alaska, tracing back to indigenous Inupiaq communities in the late nineteenth century, and the sausage remains one of the most accessible ways to taste a genuinely Alaskan food tradition.
From the Saturday Market, the suggested route moves through downtown Anchorage to Moose's Tooth Pub & Pizzeria, a celebrated local brewpub known for wood-fired pies and a rotating tap list that regularly wins regional and national beer competition awards. The crawl then continues to Glacier Brewhouse, a mid-sized craft brewery and restaurant with a full kitchen focused on Alaska-sourced ingredients including wild salmon, halibut, and seasonal vegetables. With individual stops priced between $8 and $12, the total crawl costs approximately $30–40 — making it an accessible way to sample the city's street food culture without booking a structured tour.
The entire route is walkable within central Anchorage and takes roughly two hours at a casual pace, covering approximately 1.5 miles of flat terrain. No booking is required, no guide is needed, and there are no language or group-size restrictions. The Saturday Market operates on Saturdays from May through September, making that the optimal time for the full crawl experience; Moose's Tooth and Glacier Brewhouse are open year-round for partial visits outside the market season.
What is included
- Reindeer sausage at Saturday Market carts
- Moose's Tooth brewpub
- Glacier Brewhouse
Good to know
- Operator
- Self-guided
Location
Start at Anchorage Saturday Market, 330 E Ship Creek Ave, Anchorage
61.2218, -149.8954 View on map
Highlights
- Sample grilled reindeer sausage links from multiple vendors at Anchorage's popular Saturday Market
- Continue to Moose's Tooth Pub & Pizzeria for award-winning wood-fired pizza and locally brewed craft beer
- Visit Glacier Brewhouse, one of Anchorage's flagship craft breweries, for Alaska-sourced food and rotating taps
- Self-guided walking itinerary through downtown Anchorage priced at $30–40 total with no booking required
Tips for visiting
- The Saturday Market operates on Saturdays from May through September; plan the full crawl on a Saturday morning for the best vendor selection
- Arrive at the Saturday Market between 10 a.m. and noon for the widest range of sausage vendors before stocks sell out
- Moose's Tooth is popular and may have a wait on weekend evenings — arriving for lunch avoids the longest queues
- Wear layers; Anchorage summers can be cool even in July and August, and most market stalls are outdoors with no shelter
- Most reindeer sausage products are blended with pork — visitors avoiding pork should ask vendors directly about ingredients
Frequently asked questions
When does the Saturday Market operate?
The Anchorage Saturday Market runs on Saturdays from May through September, typically 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. A smaller Wednesday Market also operates during summer months.
Is reindeer sausage available outside the Saturday Market?
Yes — reindeer sausage is sold year-round at several Anchorage delis, specialty food stores such as New Sagaya's Market, and on the menus of some downtown restaurants.
Is this a guided tour or a self-guided itinerary?
The crawl is entirely self-guided with no booking required. Visitors follow the suggested route at their own pace and pay individually at each stop.
How far is the walk between stops?
The Saturday Market to Glacier Brewhouse route covers roughly 1.5 miles on flat terrain through downtown Anchorage, taking approximately 20–30 minutes of total walking time.
Can the crawl be done in winter?
Moose's Tooth and Glacier Brewhouse are open year-round, but the Saturday Market closes after September. A partial version of the crawl is possible in winter, though the full sausage-cart experience is seasonal.