Anchorage Lucky Wishbone Memories
An Anchorage, Alaska favorite
“A great, true Alaska story” Roger
It all began far from Anchorage, in Denver, Colorado, when George Brown met Peggy Krause.
George was so taken by Peggy that he asked her to marry him on their first date.
Hey, Let’s Start A Restaurant
In 1946, George and Peggy opened a restaurant in Wisconsin, called “Brownies”. By the way, while George had no restaurant experience, Peggy had at least worked in one before.
Alaska, Here we Come
In 1951, George and Peggy must have been feeling adventurous because they packed up and drove the ALCAN (Alaska Canadian highway), and headed for Anchorage, Alaska and the Last Frontier.
The First Lucky Wishbone
Fast-forward to November 30, 1955, when the Lucky Wishbone first opened in Anchorage.
On the first day, the restaurant made a whopping $80 dollars.
Should we or Shouldn’t we?
In 1990, George’s mother passed away from cancer.
Wanting to honor his mother, George wanted to make the Lucky Wishbone, Alaska’s first smoke-free restaurant. Peggy thought that if they went smoke-free, the restaurant would end up going out of business. The two had a strong disagreement.
But after all was said and done, the Lucky Wishbone became smoke-free. And Anchorage loved it.
“This Lady”
In 2002, the Lucky Wishbone was named, Alaska’s Small Business of the year.
Peggy Brown flew to Washington, DC to receive the award.
Senator Ted Stevens introduced Peggy to President Bush by saying, “this lady makes some of the best fried chicken in the country.”
Yes, You can Share This Edition
Imagine how happy your friends and family will be when you share this edition with them.
They will be so happy, they will give you a free, one year supply of fried chicken, from the Lucky Wishbone… well, it could happen.
That’s a Lot of Spuds
Patricia Brown - Heller was in the 8th grade when her parents George and Peggy gave her the job of peeling potatoes every morning before school.
Patricia remembers peeling 150 to 200 pounds of spuds a day to be cut into french fries.
It’s Not Just a Restaurant
Over the years, the Lucky Wishbone became dear to the hearts of not only the people of Anchorage, but people all over Alaska.
George and Peggy cared about their customers, and it showed.
We’re Headed for the Lucky Wishbone
Mary of the Anchorage Memories Club has this memory:
“When I was a sophomore at East High School, and my brother Norman was a Senior, we would drive our 1968 Camero to the Lucky Wishbone for an after school snack.”
BONUS
You’ll enjoy Mary’s whole story.
Take a look at Wishing for a Lucky Wishbone Lunch and remember when.
And you’ll love our interview with Patricia Brown - Heller, where you’ll learn the entire Lucky Wishbone story.
Take a look at The Lucky Wishbone Story and remember when.
From our North Stars (that’s you)
From our Anchorage Kid’s TV Shows edition.
Johnny has this memory:
“I played my accordion on the Buckaroo Show.”
Karen shared this:
“My father, Ralph Walker, was an engineer who helped to build and run many of the radio stations in Alaska. We lived at KENI and were often available as audience members for KoKo the KENI Klown show.”
Lynn had this comment:
“I really enjoyed the Anchorage Kid’s TV Shows edition. It brought back fond memories.”
Connect with Mike and Mary
Are you hungry for some Lucky Wishbone Chicken?
We sure are.
Our thanks to Patricia Brown - Heller for letting us interview her about her father, and mother, George and Peggy Brown and the Lucky Wishbone in Anchorage, Alaska.
Do you have a comment?
You can also reply to this email.
Or you can Contact Us to say, “I love the Lucky Wishbone.”
Until next time
Mike and Mary
Anchorage Memories Club
My Dad, Neil Sagerser, was the 3rd airport policeman ever hired in Anchorage, Alaska. One day in the mid 50’s my Dad was moose hunting near the Anchorage Airport (which was legal then) and shot a moose. He was so excited! He hiked back to the moose and just as he arrived another gentleman came from another direction. My Dad said “I just shot this moose” and the other gentleman (who was Mr. George Brown) said, “I just shot this moose”. They both laughed and decided as true Alaskan gentlemen that they would just share the moose so they could feed their families. My father and Mr. Brown were friends for many years. Even after being gone from Alaska for 40 years, I ( Neil’s daughter)walked into the Lucky Wishbone and Mr. Brown recognized me! He said with those blue eyes you know it is a Sagerser! A true Alaskan dearly missed!
I grew up treasuring a cheeseburger from Lucky Wishbone as a break from moose! Our family business, Reynolds Equipment, was just across the empty field next to Peggy’s Airport Cafe. For about thirteen years I ordered my lunch cheeseburger and fries from Lucky Wishbone. All I had to say was my name.
I live in Portland now, but my first two restaurant stops on my last visit were for a Wishbone burger and shrimp at Mam O’s.