Peace on Earth: Unalakleet’s Iconic Pizza Haven at the Iditarod Crossroads
In a remote Alaskan village, a family-run pizzeria fuels community warmth and Iditarod mushers with love, tradition, and unforgettable pies.
Peace on Earth Restaurant: The Beating Heart of Unalakleet
On the windswept edge of Alaska’s Bering Sea, where the tundra meets the water and the sky goes on forever, lies the village of Unalakleet—a remote and breathtakingly beautiful place. Here, the Peace on Earth Restaurant stands as a beacon of warmth, delicious food, and local flavor, earning a reputation that extends far beyond the village limits. Known especially for its scratch-made pizzas, this establishment brings together locals, travelers, and, every spring, the determined mushers of the legendary Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race.
Table of Contents
- About Peace on Earth Restaurant
- A Remote Dining Experience
- The Hansons: Owners with a Mission
- Menu Highlights
- Pizza and the Iditarod Tradition
- Community and Culture
- The Visitor Experience
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
About Peace on Earth Restaurant
Peace on Earth Restaurant is a cozy, family-owned eatery nestled in Unalakleet, Alaska—a town inaccessible by car and reached only by plane, boat, or snowmachine. Founded in 1996 by Bret and Davida Hanson, the restaurant occupies a central place in village life, offering more than just food. Its mission is to serve satisfying, homemade meals and cultivate a sense of belonging for all who enter.
- Location: 107 West Beach Road, Unalakleet, Alaska
- Hours: Monday-Sunday, 11:00am-2:00pm and 4:00pm-8:00pm
- Specialties: Scratch-made pizza, hearty sandwiches, salads, appetizers, and refreshments
- Atmosphere: Warm, welcoming, and bustling—especially during major village and regional events
A Remote Dining Experience
The journey to Unalakleet sets the stage for a dining experience unlike any other. Perched on the edge of the Bering Sea, the village offers rugged natural beauty and a sense of isolation that makes everything here feel special—even a slice of pizza.
Being off the road system, every ingredient Peace on Earth uses must be flown or shipped in, which means:
- Fresh produce and meats come at a steep cost, reflected in menu prices.
- Local ingenuity is essential; the Hansons make pizza dough from scratch daily and create their own sauce.
- Limited supplies inspire improvisation and keep the cuisine rooted in the community’s needs and tastes.
Despite these challenges, the restaurant delivers high-quality comfort food—an achievement that stands out, even among Alaska’s famously inventive small-town eateries.
The Hansons: Owners with a Mission
This beloved restaurant is the labor of love of Bret and Davida Hanson, a husband-and-wife team whose commitment to their community is matched only by their dedication to a great pie. Their house sits just next door, a testament to how closely they live and work alongside their patrons. Bret and Davida spend long hours prepping, baking, and serving, especially during major events.
- They opened the doors in December 1996, quickly becoming a community institution.
- They view the restaurant as a place to nourish both body and spirit, infusing every meal with warmth and approachability.
- The Hansons tirelessly coordinate with friends, family, and outsiders—monitoring everything from supply shipments to the GPS trackers of Iditarod mushers.
The Hansons’ efforts go beyond cooking; they are supporters, cheerleaders, and friends to locals and visitors alike.
Menu Highlights
Catering to a range of appetites, Peace on Earth’s menu is classic, comforting, and a bit adventurous, reflecting both the resourceful spirit of Alaska and the Hansons’ culinary creativity. The menu features:
- Pizza – The star attraction, with fresh dough, light tomato sauce, and bubbling cheese. Create-your-own or choose from local specialties.
- Specialty Pizzas – Such as the “Combo” (pepperoni, Canadian bacon, Italian sausage, green peppers, onions, and olives) and the “Veggie” (green peppers, onions, artichoke hearts, olives, mushrooms, tomatoes, and sometimes zucchini).
- Greek Pizza – Featuring garlic butter crust, basil, oregano, parmesan, a medley of vegetables, salami, feta, and provolone.
- Appetizers – Including spicy baked Buffalo wings and homemade gyoza (pork and vegetable dumplings).
- Sandwiches & Salads – Made-to-order and perfect for lighter fare.
- Ice Cream – For a cold treat on a long Arctic day.
| Menu Category | Popular Dishes | Notable Features |
|---|---|---|
| Pizza | Combo, Veggie, Greek | Made with fresh dough; unique local specialties available |
| Appetizers | Buffalo Wings, Gyoza, Garlic Bread | Homestyle, hearty, and perfect for sharing |
| Sandwiches/Salads | Various deli sandwiches, garden salads | Fresh, filling, and accommodating to preferences |
| Odds & Extras | Bread Styx, Salsa, Sour Cream | Homey snacks and side options |
Pizza and the Iditarod Tradition
Peace on Earth has become inextricably linked with one of Alaska’s greatest sporting events: the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. As teams of mushers and huskies cross nearly 1,000 miles of frozen wilderness each March, they pass directly through Unalakleet—a vital checkpoint on the route.
The Pizza for Mushers Program
- Family, friends, and fans from around the world place pizza orders for mushers by phone in the weeks leading up to the race.
- Each pizza is boxed with a personalized, handwritten message, ranging from words of encouragement to affectionate jokes, sometimes even in different languages.
- The Hansons track each musher’s progress in real-time, carefully timing the pizzas to emerge piping hot as racers arrive at the checkpoint.
- These pizza-and-message deliveries provide cherished moments of connection and comfort after hundreds of miles on the trail.
For many exhausted mushers and their teams, these hot pizzas—and the feeling of connection they deliver—are essential to boosting spirits and giving the racers a lift at one of the toughest stretches of the Iditarod.
Inside the Kitchen During Iditarod
The scene in the kitchen is lively and intense. Bret and Davida form a well-orchestrated team:
- They roll out dough and layer on homemade sauce and premium toppings.
- Ovens run constantly, ensuring pizzas are made to order and delivered quickly.
- Each box’s surface becomes a canvas for artful hand-lettering, capturing messages of love and endurance.
- The Hansons dash between their home and the restaurant, balancing logistics with care and hospitality.
Community and Culture
Peace on Earth is a place where strangers become friends and where tough winters are softened by food and camaraderie. The restaurant goes far beyond being a simple pizzeria—it is a social hub for Unalakleet’s 700 residents and a gathering spot for visitors and tourists alike. Some highlights include:
- Hosting live music and dancing at various times, fostering a lively, upbeat atmosphere.
- Serving as a space for small celebrations, meetings, and impromptu gatherings.
- Encouraging a policy of warm hospitality, where newcomers are welcomed, and the regulars are remembered by name.
The establishment’s quirky character is reflected in its décor and the friendly banter that fills the air on any given day.
The Visitor Experience
Travelers who make the trek to Unalakleet are often surprised by just how good Peace on Earth’s pizza is. “Even full-on pizza snobs won’t thumb their nose at the thin-crust pies coming out of the ovens,” according to one enthusiastic review. Here’s what makes a visit stand out:
- Atmosphere: Rustic, bright, and always lively, with a mix of locals, visitors, and sometimes mushers in racing gear.
- Pizzas: Perfectly balanced crust, the right amount of cheese, and a light, zesty sauce.
- Attention to detail: Handwritten notes, local stories, and a palpable sense of care in every meal.
- Unique context: Enjoy your pizza while watching dog teams come in from the tundra, or gazing out at the icy edge of the Bering Sea.
Yes, the prices reflect the cost of doing business so remotely, but most diners agree the experience and taste are well worth it. After all, few places on Earth can offer fresh, out-of-the-oven pizza at the literal end of the road system.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Where is Peace on Earth Restaurant located and how do I get there?
A: Peace on Earth is in Unalakleet, Alaska, accessible only by air, sea, or snowmachine. There are no roads connecting Unalakleet to the state highway system.
Q: What makes the pizza here special?
A: The Hansons make dough and sauce from scratch daily, using the freshest available ingredients despite high shipping costs. Local specialties, creative combinations, and careful execution set their pizzas apart—even for serious pizza aficionados.
Q: How does the restaurant support the Iditarod mushers?
A: Fans pre-order pies for mushers, often weeks in advance. Each box arrives with a custom message of encouragement, offering morale and nourishment to racers at a critical checkpoint.
Q: Are there menu options for non-pizza eaters?
A: Absolutely! The restaurant offers salads, sandwiches, appetizers like wings and gyoza, as well as desserts such as ice cream.
Q: Is Peace on Earth open year-round?
A: Yes, Peace on Earth typically operates year-round but check in advance if traveling in the deep off-season or during inclement weather.
Final Thoughts: Alaska’s Warmest Slice
Peace on Earth Restaurant is much more than just a place to eat—it’s a lifeline in winter, a celebration during Iditarod, and a steadfast part of the fabric of Unalakleet life. For those who visit, it’s a reminder that the best meals aren’t always in big cities—instead, sometimes they’re found, hot and heartfelt, at the edge of the world.
