Big Lake Family Restaurant - Houston, Alaska

Rolland Grabbe

I ordered a hamburger with all the trimmings and asked if I could have it cooked rare. The waitress said yes. The thick patty arrived in a large bun that was dry without Mayo or butter. The hamburger was cooked well done and had no juices because it was obviously pressed had during cooking and all the juices were squeezed out. Hamburgers and steaks should never be pressed during grilling. I told the waitress to pass my complaint to the cook. I removed the large top of the bun. The bottom bun remained dry because there were no juices from the pressed, overcooked hamburger patty. The coffee was excellent and I liked the French Fries. We waited so long after being served water and menus that my wife phoned the restaurant and said we were at a booth in the restaurant and ready to order. We were the only customers there for quite a while. We live only 6 miles from the Big Lake Family Restaurant but seldom go there.

Taylor Phillips

We came in after the snow storm, so we basically had the place to ourselves. Immediately sat and served. We noticed all the great vintage decor, it definitely gives hometown Cafe vibes. Their menu is massive, with breakfast options all day long. We ordered two of the skillets with hasbrowns. Massive serving. The coffee was hot and fresh. When we make it back up this way. We will definitely be back to try the Mexican food from the menu- lots of options.

King I am

Last week I ate at a restaurant called Denali, it was highly recommended. It was mediocre at best. I tried big lake and was super impressed. The building is older inside but the food makes up for it. Chicken fried steak is the shit. I will be back for sure, side note, get your hash brown cooked crispy.

xL2Rx BLACKDOG

It has been many years since I've been here. Big changes and love the retro look and feel. The service was top notch and the food.... where to start. The Mexican food I ordered was excellent both in the amount and flavor. The onion rings are made on the spot fresh, YUMMY, best onion rings in the Valley in my opinion. My other half ordered the Original Philly and was larger then anticipated. Was good but a tad salty, I took a bite and agreed. Wait staff was excellent and not over bearing, 2 thumbs up there. I would recommend this place as a nice place and you get good food and is priced right. My food was worthy of tipping not only the wait staff but the cook got a tip personally delivered.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Maria Speers “Amy speers”

Quiet environment, clean, friendly, and a variety in the menu, you will not go wrong no matter what you choose. If you like Mexican food, don't forget to ask for the spicy salsa. It has a bite ?.

robert geiger

If you're looking for a hidden gem in the heart of Big Lake, Alaska, look no further than Big Lake Family Diner! Their Mexican pizza is an absolute must-try, bursting with flavor and topped with fresh ingredients. The handmade flour tortillas are a delightful addition that truly elevate the dining experience.

Breakfast is always spot on, cooked to perfection every time, and they offer several unique options you won’t find anywhere else nearby. The diner has a cozy, homey feel, embodying that classic small-town charm you’d expect from a family diner.

While it may not be a Michelin-star restaurant, the prices are unbeatable—likely the lowest within a 50-mile radius—without compromising on quality. The decor is filled with charming antiques, providing a lovely glimpse into the past as you enjoy your meal.

Whether you’re a local or just passing through, Big Lake Family Diner is a must-visit for delicious food and a warm, welcoming atmosphere!

MeMe R “Mary”

My friend and I drove from Wasilla to sheep Creek lodge. Sheep Creek Lodge was closed for spring cleaning. On the way back to Wasilla, we decided we’d stop in big Lake and have breakfast at big Lake restaurant. It was early afternoon and the waitress was really pleasant. As we waited I observed the atmosphere. My eye caught several things that certainly needed attention. We placed our order and my friend ordered eggs Benedict. Imitation crab ham tomato on a soggy English muffin. During our order she had asked for a crispy English muffin and crispy fries. Neither of those items were described as crispy. The bread was soggy and limp. The potatoes were barely browned. My breakfast was exactly as ordered. I noticed that there were some cleaning chores that should have been done. When you’re sitting at a table with your placemats out condiments out and waiting for your order you can’t help it notice what’s going on around the table? Photos of what we observed.
Our local restaurants are the heartbeat of our valley. The owner should take more pride in the product coming to you, clean hot and fresh. Broken down bench seats that made you feel like you were sinking to the floor. Overall. it’s sad because when you remember the place that was decent to eat and then all of a sudden you see this it’s very disheartening.

Kelsie

Good food, good service, but very dirty and dated. Was originally seated in a booth full of crumbs and straw wrappers(obviously had not been wiped down) and the back fabric was streaked black from dirt and wear. We opted to move, the table we settled on was sticky, the carpet flooring was covered in all sorts of food crumbs and debris and the bathroom had all broken equipment. Needs major cleaning and updating! Also 4 dollars for a 12oz glass of apple juice is insane!

Updating!
Got breakfast there to go this time due to the cleanliness issue we encountered last time. Order was almost ready when we arrived. While standing there waiting we witnessed the cashier/server, ring someone up and go directly from touching money/cards/the register to grabbing the biscuit for our biscuits and gravy order, splitting it with her bare hands and assembling our order into a to go container all without washing her hands! Absolutely disgusting! Will not be back!