Came to Barrow for work in December around Christmas time and the first place that I ate was Pepe's North of the Border. Why? It's right next door to the Top of the World Hotel.
I've been to Bethel, AK so I wasn't expecting much. In Bethel, restaurants look more like makeshift rooms with mismatched tables and servers. So I was very surprised to walk in and find a very warm and inviting restaurant. To top it off, it looked like I had actually found Santa's house in the North Pole. The backs of all of the chairs were adorned with Santa hat coverings and there were Christmas decorations EVERYWHERE. Yes, there were a lot of knick knacks in display cases that the owner has collected from over the years. But as a guy originally from Chicago, I was very impressed with her collection of sports memorabilia from my hometown.
The food was pricey...but I was expecting that. I was here for work and I'm accustomed to pricey meals in Alaska and Hawaii. I had a taco plate (2 tacos, rice, beans), chips and salsa (free), and a Pepsi. The total was $22. I didn't freak out at the bill. I thought the tacos tasted fine. They reminded me of what they would taste like if I made them at home. The beans were great. The salsa...well, at first I was disappointed as it reminded me of Hunt's tomato sauce, however, then it packed a kick and I started to really get into it.
The food wasn't the best part though. The owner came up to my table and offered me the chance to fill out their guest book with the promise that she would be sending me a calendar for 2013 to my address. She then presented me with an Arctic Circle certificate (hard stock) that shows that I officially crossed! That might not seem much but it really made my night after traveling for 19 hours straight. If you're in town, be sure to stop by. It's worth it!
Like pretty much everywhere I've eaten in northern AK, food is expensive and you know, not necessarily what I would eat at home. Moving on!
Pepe's a like a crazy acid trip-- bizarro decorations EVERYWHERE (a wall of angels? Beanie Babies?), a proprietress who really wants to talk about UW football, free "Arctic Circle Club" certificates.
They open at a crazy early hour for breakfast. I think we went there around 6:15am one day, maybe. Reindeer sausage!
It's definitely worth a visit should you find yourself in Barrow, at the very least for bragging rights.
8 of us came for breakfast. It was a very satisfying meal, very friendly service! TE reindeer sausage and eggs, eggs and bacon, and waffles were all delicious. The toast was perfectly toasted, and the blueberry jam was great on the side.
We even got certificates and pens for crossing the Arctic Circle.
It makes sense other reviewers have called this place Touristy, considering it's right next to the Top of The World hotel. But it was worth a visit for breakfast.
Pepe's is as much a museum as a restaurant. Â I was in Barrow on a Saturday, and the Native American Heritage Center was closed, so I went to Pepe's for my obligatory "Arctic Circle Club Certificate" (presented by Fran herself) and an enchilada (still stuffed from my reindeer omelet at Brower's). Â Sure, the unaccompanied enchilada costs, what, $12? But it was fine. Â I signed the slapdash "guestbook" and Fran promised I'd get a Barrow calendar for next year. Â Then, sheltered from the sub-zero cold, I browsed the shelves and walls of photos, memorabilia, letters and notes and signed trinkets from former patrons...years and years of evidence of people just tickled pink to have had a taco or burrito in the northernmost American town. Â I'm glad I'm one of them -- and to think, I almost skipped it for being "too touristy." Â Then again, I was a tourist. So sue me.
Review Source:Is it possible to give no stars? Â If, somehow, you find yourself in Barrow, then pack a lunch. Â Pepe's is over priced and barely qualifies as Mexican food. Â I would wager money that it comes out of a can. Â I think you can find better Mexican food at 7-11 (seriously). Â Stay away. Â Oh, I forgot to mention, with all of the bad food and high prices, we had a server with an attitude.
Review Source:This place is overran with tourists and there are much better places to eat in walking distance of this location (if not cheaper and of higher quality). Â
The food is of editable and of reasonable quality, but overpriced -- but since tourists love mocking the outrageous prices of the bush (which this restaurant exaggerates to legendary levels), they love paying it anyway and framing the receipt when they get home. Â
Given the choice of going her vs. elsewhere, i'd probably pop something into the microwave at the Quick Stop instead. Â
BUT...thats if you don't want to stop and say hi to Joe the Water Guy! Â He's quite the Barrow legend. Â Ask him why he is in Barrow, or if you dare, ask to see his museum. Â But I haven't dared following him yet. Â Most people do live to tell about it.
oh i hate this place with a passion. the food is pseudo mexican in flavor, which is weird since the guys in the back are mexican. Â the owner is creepy as hell and to top it all off, she's mysoginistic. been there a few times and each damn time she stands there like a vulture looking to sidle in and grab at a man's attention. i guess ovaries under 90 years old are a threat to her. wednesdays was ladies night so 1/2 off on all dishes. only 12.50 instead of the 25! yay! no thanks.
Review Source:Had lunch here once. As others have said, not exactly authentico Mexican, but better than whale blubber... I assume. The bottom line is that there aren't a lot of food options in this town for people just passing through, and this place is plenty adequate.
If I'm ever back in Barrow again (here's hoping), I would definitely check out Pepe's again.
Tourists feel they HAVE to come here. Fran is getting mighty cranky in her old age and can be rather "snappish" at the locals. Her son Joe keeps it together and running. The food is just average and sometimes that's all you need if you live in Barrow. You can't go wrong with their BLT's and french fries. Nothing is really fresh though, most of it is Costco bought frozen stuff shipped north. The food is overpriced as is all bush food but what you don't know is that Pepe's is STILL overpriced, even for Barrow standards. Â The bathrooms are filthy and smell horrid. If you want salsa with your chips you have to ask for "fresh salsa" otherwise you get what is on the table - a hot, Tabasco type sauce. I think mostly people come here for the novely of (what passes to be) Mexican in the Arctic and the fact that the place is nicely (in a gaudy way) decorated, so it's sort of pleasant to sit there and eat. There are other places in Barrow that serve better, and less expensive food.
Review Source:WTF are we doing in Barrow...300+ miles over the arctic circle.
Barrow is the last place on earth, it is certainly the end of the planet...no need to go...rent the video..this town is dry, meaning you can't bring alcohol in..YIKES!!!
There are two motels in this outpost  so they really don't get a lot of visitors. Â
We go to Pepe's North of the border Mexican Restaurant..mexican Restaurant in Barrow,,,,calling this place a mexican restaurant is a stretch,,, but considering the meal we had in the sushi palce the night before this place was pretty darn good. Â
Like the other two reveiwers said...Fran, the owner officiates memberships in the polar bear club. Â What this is, is you leave your motel room and meet up across the street from the restarant and motel and you take a dip in the arctic sea...to get you certificate you have to actually dive in and have your whole body submerged even if for 2 seconds...
The restaurant is so so, but hey it's the best available in Barrow
The 5 best restaurants in the 2015 Denver Restaurant Week
3,607 Views | Category: Denver
The complete list of 2015 Denver Restaurant Week businesses
1,970 Views | Category: Denver
The tourists' guide to Portillos: 5 must have dishes
3,306 Views | Category: Chicago
Pho = Pronounced "fuh" not "foe" for pho-king sake
2,904 Views | Category: Denver
Indulgery selected to exhibit at Collision Conference
2,983 Views | Category: Press Releases
Not Logged In
BUSINESSES
Local Businesses
Near Me
My Favorites
SOCIAL
Blog & News
MY ACCOUNT
Login
Register
Contact Us
Add Your Business
