Golden Saloon - Copper River

This place is super lame. On the bar side, you have all of the locals, who think they are God's gift to the human race. All of the local merchants who make a living off of the tourism hang out there while the tourists tend to hang out on the bright side. Didn't bother to eat there. Went in for beers. The first time, the bartender copped a big attitude so I didn't give her a great tip. The second time, the other bartender copped a tough-guy attitude so I didn't give him a tip at all. The locals are lame and the workers are seasonal so I don't really get down with the tough-guy attitudes toward the people who they basically live off of. Just remember: The Locals are Lame.

It's a straightforward yet incredibly welcoming spot. The food is delicious, and they have a fantastic selection of beers.

I visited this BBQ restaurant after hearing they had invested in a new, expensive smoker. I ordered the brisket with a mustard-based BBQ sauce, but I was quite disappointed. The brisket arrived barely warm, rubbery, and difficult to cut. Having lived in BBQ-heavy states like South Carolina and Texas, I was hoping for at least a decent dish. Unfortunately, the brisket wasn’t cooked to the right temperature, which left it tough rather than tender and juicy. The fat hadn’t been rendered at all, making the meat rubbery and completely lacking in moisture. As for the mustard sauce, it tasted like a mix of French's mustard with cumin—not very appealing. As for the sides, I had corn salad and potato salad. The corn salad was just corn with some tomatoes mixed in, while the potato salad was acceptable but nothing special. Overall, I was quite disappointed with the meal.

Head here for drinks and live music at night, but for everything else, I'd recommend The Potato. I'm giving this place 3 stars overall. The food is decent, but it's quite pricey. If it were solely a dining option, I'd suggest steering clear. My top recommendation in McCarthy is to enjoy all your meals at The Potato; it's cheaper and tastier. However, the drink scene here is fantastic! They offer a great selection of local beers on tap, and the lively nights filled with live music make for an enjoyable experience.

The lunch food was excellent, and the waitress was very friendly. It seems like a fantastic spot for a night out!