Old Town Diner

09/13/2026

Unfortunately we will be closed today due to maintenance issues, we will be back to normal hours next week, sorry for the inconvenience.

09/09/2026

Sorry guys, due to being short staffed we won’t be open today, we apologize for the inconvenience and will be open tomorrow!

08/31/2026

Tales From Our Tables

Meet Joe

One of the best parts of Old Town Diner is getting to meet people who find their way to Valdez from all over the country. Some are passing through for a few days, some come back year after year, and every once in a while, someone comes to Alaska and decides they aren’t leaving.

Meet Joe.

Originally from Galveston, Texas, Joe came to Alaska for work. This is his first time in the state, but when we asked what he does “back home,” his answer pretty much summed up how the trip has gone:

“This is my new home.”

Joe is now living in Alaska full time and has wasted absolutely no time getting out and exploring.

So far, one of his favorite experiences has been hiking along Mineral Creek here in Valdez. He’s also gotten out on the water with Saltwater Adventures and Captain Will, where he caught a bunch of fish around Busby Island.

One thing about Alaska caught this Texan a little off guard: how warm it can actually get.

He’s already found another local spot worth recommending, too. Joe says if you’re in Valdez, climb High School Hill, calling it one of the most beautiful places to get a view of the city.

And he’s certainly not finished exploring. One of the biggest items still sitting on his Alaska bucket list is a big one:

Climb Denali. 🏔️

Finally, we asked Joe what advice he’d give someone planning their first trip to Alaska.

His answer gave us a pretty good laugh. His experience has apparently left him with some strong opinions about cell service. 😂

Joe’s completely unofficial, based-entirely-on-his-own-experience advice:
“Get AT&T. T-Mobile sucks.”

For the attorneys potentially reading Tales From Our Tables: those are Joe’s words, not ours. Old Town Diner has conducted precisely zero scientific studies comparing cellular networks. Please direct all strongly worded letters to Joe. 😂

Welcome to Alaska, Joe. Thanks for stopping by, sharing your story with us, and officially trading Galveston for the Last Frontier.

We have a feeling you’re going to fit in just fine.

Every table has a story. Thanks for letting us share this one.

08/22/2026

08/16/2026

Unfortunately we will not be open today due to illness and being short staffed. We will resume normal business hours next week on Wednesday. Sorry for the inconvenience

07/30/2026

Sunday August 2nd

07/24/2026

Tales From Our Tables
Episode 2 | Meet Dan

One of our favorite parts of owning Old Town Diner is getting to know the people who stop through Valdez.

This week, we met Dan from Two Rivers, Alaska.

Dan is a retired coal miner who spent more than 10 years as an operator on Alaska’s North Slope. These days, he enjoys traveling Alaska with a camera, capturing the incredible beauty of the state he calls home.

For the past 15 years, Dan and his wife made an annual trip to Valdez, and every visit included a stop at Old Town Diner. After losing his wife last fall, this year’s trip marked his first return to Valdez without her. Even so, continuing the tradition they built together felt important to him.

When we asked about his favorite Alaska memory, he smiled and told us about one of those trips. While camping together, he and his wife woke up to find a lynx standing just six feet away. It’s a memory that has stayed with him ever since.

His advice for anyone planning their first Alaska adventure?

“Stay away from planned tours. Make your own way. Explore at your own pace.”

Dan also shared his photography with us. If you’d like to see Alaska through his lens, visit DanKingAlaskanPhotography.com.

Thank you, Dan, for sharing a little of your story with us. It was a pleasure meeting you, and we hope to see you again on your next trip to Valdez.

Every table has a story. Thanks for letting us share this one.

07/15/2026

🍔 We’re Still Hiring! Two Full-Time Line Cooks Needed! 🍔

Old Town Diner is looking to add two full-time line cooks to our team!

What we offer:
• $18 to $24 per hour, based on experience
• Tips
• Yearly performance bonus based on restaurant sales
• Paid Time Off
• Full-time, year-round employment

We’re looking for dependable team players who take pride in serving great food, work well in a fast-paced kitchen, and show up ready to work every day. Experience is preferred, but we’re willing to train motivated individuals with a strong work ethic and a positive attitude.

If you’re looking for a stable, long-term position with competitive pay, opportunities for advancement, and the chance to grow with a locally owned business, we’d love to hear from you.

📍 Apply in person at Old Town Diner or send us a message here on Facebook.

Know someone who would be a great fit? Please share this post and help us spread the word!