Geraldo's - Fairbanks

We arrived at 6:30, and the restaurant was busy and chaotic. Two different hostesses approached us to ask for our name; one said we would have to wait 10 minutes, while the other claimed it would be an hour. It was confusing! There didn’t seem to be a floor manager present. I noticed two waitresses sitting at the bar, one still in her apron, while a small child was climbing on the chairs and sitting at the bar. Every new arrival was greeted by both hostesses, but they provided conflicting information. Even though it was Labor Day, the restaurant was clearly understaffed. Many customers left frustrated, and several commented that the waitresses at the bar should either assist or take care of their little one.

While perusing the menu, we noticed the dishes being served to other tables. Our server was friendly and professional, ensuring we were well taken care of. Soup or salad was included with dinner, so I opted for the French Onion Soup, while my wife chose a salad. My soup was hot and flavorful, and the salad was excellent. The salad bar was well-stocked and presented, offering a fresh selection. For our main courses, I had the veal marsala, and my wife chose chicken but swapped the pasta for extra vegetables. We both found our meals to be delicious, with generous portions that clearly were freshly cooked. My only minor critique was that my pasta could have been served a bit hotter, but it didn’t impact our overall enjoyment. We would definitely consider dining at Geraldo's again. The ambiance is somewhat old-fashioned and has its quirks, but we were well looked after, and the food was quite good. While it is on the pricier side, which is understandable given the location in Fairbanks, I felt we received good value for our money and enjoyed a pleasant dinner.

The sign outside said the restaurant has been in business since 1984, but based on our experience, it won't be around much longer. Our first impressions were disappointing. The restaurant felt very outdated, and our table was extremely sticky. The service was incredibly slow—there seemed to be just one server on duty, and she was working hard. The pizza was mediocre and light on toppings. The chicken Marsala was served in a very small portion and was nothing like the traditional dish I've had before; the sauce was overly wine-flavored and not properly reduced. The noodles were oddly inconsistent in temperature, almost as if they had been mixed up with another dish. Overall, it was an expensive and disappointing meal, and we won’t be returning.

We ordered a pizza and spaghetti with meatballs. I was a bit anxious about the food, given the mixed reviews—especially since I have Italian heritage and usually make my own pasta from scratch. I could taste the wine in the sauce, which made me wonder if it hadn’t been cooked long enough to blend in properly. When it comes to sauces, flavors can vary significantly by region; for instance, Sicilian sauce often features sweet basil, while others might add sugar to mitigate the bitterness from tomato seeds. The sauce at this restaurant had a rich flavor that I wasn’t accustomed to, yet I still enjoyed it. As travelers, we should keep in mind that restaurants might adjust their recipes based on local ingredients. Was it fantastic? Nothing can compare to my aunt's sauce, but it certainly wasn’t bad either. The ambiance and the friendly staff contributed to a positive experience, and I’d definitely consider dining here again on our next visit. I finished my spaghetti, while my friend kept her pizza for a delicious late-night snack after our trip to Denali.

Great local Italian restaurant. Tasty pastas, pizzas, and breads, with a large salad bar and good service. Well worth it for a nice night out.