Captains Anchorage Big Bear review for steak and seafood

Prime rib and steak are the specialty, and reviewers repeatedly describe the service as top-notch.

The 1947 building has a cozy dining room and its own local ghost stories.

Captains Anchorage is a restaurant located at 42148 Moonridge Way in Big Bear Lake, California. The establishment occupies a former sportsman's tavern that was founded in 1947 by actor Andy Devine. Its initial construction featured log-cabin architecture, complete with fireplaces and a bar area.

The dining room at Captains Anchorage is furnished with red leather booths. It is adorned with memorabilia that connects to Andy Devine and the history of Big Bear Valley. The restaurant offers table-service dining within its main dining room.

The menu at Captains Anchorage includes a variety of dishes such as steaks, prime rib, and seafood. Guests can also find New England clam chowder and surf-and-turf combinations. The cuisine is described as steak and seafood.

For those seeking a different dining experience, Captains Anchorage provides an outdoor patio. This area allows patrons to dine among the pine trees. The patio operates seasonally, typically from Memorial Day through Labor Day, according to the establishment's official website.

Additionally, a private dining room is available for booking. This space is suitable for hosting celebrations and corporate dinners. The restaurant is situated about 0.7 miles from Snow Summit's main address.

Score breakdown

Our overall score for Captains Anchorage is 7.8 out of 10. This score is a weighted sum of four different criteria, each measuring a specific aspect of the dining experience.

Criteria analysis

Food and drink, which makes up 40% of the total score, measures the quality and range of what is served. Captains Anchorage received a score of 8 out of 10 for this criterion. Strengths include its prime rib and steak specialties, which reviewers repeatedly mention.

Value, accounting for 20% of the score, assesses what you get for what you spend. This category earned a 6.5 out of 10. A limit noted is that the prices are above what one would expect for a casual meal.

Service and wait, also 20% of the score, looks at how guests are served and how long the wait is. It scored 8.5 out of 10. Reviewers repeatedly describe the service as attentive and top-notch.

The final 20% of the score comes from Setting, which measures the room, the view, and the atmosphere. This received an 8 out of 10. The 1947 building features a historic and cozy dining room, complete with local ghost stories.

Our verdict is that Captains Anchorage offers strong food, service, and a historic room. However, the prices mean it is best suited for special dinners rather than a casual outing.

A gathering place with a past

Captains Anchorage's founder, Andy Devine, also ran a flight school at the nearby airport. The initial tavern was designed as a gathering place for pilots, local residents, and visitors from Hollywood. This history is part of the establishment's local lore, stemming from its earlier days as a lively tavern.

The restaurant has seen only two owners since its start and remains under family stewardship. In the late 1970s, it received its current name. Captains Anchorage states that its name reflects the establishment's purpose as a place of rest for those returning from activities on the lake, slopes, or trails.