With NFL games starting at 9 a.m., Sunday mornings have most Alaska NFL fans waking up earlier than their Lower 48 counterparts.
To see your favorite team play, you either splurge on NFL Sunday Ticket at your house or you venture out to find a friendly, comfortable spot to watch all the action.
To help you find your way off the couch and into the right place, here's a primer of the best sports bars and restaurants in Anchorage for NFL fanatics.
SUPER BOWL CONTENDERS
These spots are the best Anchorage has to offer.
THE PEANUT FARM
Location: 5227 Old Seward Highway
Phone: 563-3283
Website: WeMustBeNuts.com
Doors: Original side - 6 a.m.; new side - 7:30 a.m.
NFL Sunday Ticket: Yes
Scouting report: The Farm claims to cover more games than any sports bar in the state, with more than 70 screens and 10 high-definition projectors.
The place can fill up by 8:30 a.m. for the early games. Certain areas and screens are set aside to accommodate certain groups, so if you come in rocking a Steelers hat, they'll point you in that direction.
The Farm rolls out a big traditional breakfast menu until noon, including hotcakes, toast, two eggs any style and your choice of hash browns or potatoes and ham, bacon or sausage ($11). If you're feeling gluttonous, add a biscuit and gravy for $1.50.
Extra point: The Peanut Farm is where the Duck Fart shot was invented in 1987.
CROSSROADS LOUNGE
Location: 1402 Gambell St.
Phone: 279-7218
Website: none
Doors: 9 a.m.
Sunday Ticket: Yes
Scouting report: One of the liveliest and friendliest options, Crossroads features 15 screens. With doors opening at game time, it can be a mad dash to get a seat, but there is plenty of standing room with good views.
It's truly a Packers bar, so when Green Bay is playing, expect a large cohort of green-and-yellow to dominate the crowd and talk plenty of trash to opposing team fans.
Breakfast, with a simple five-option menu, runs 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. or until it runs out. My favorite is the Super Bowl: steak filet cooked to order, with two eggs any style, home fries and wheat toast ($15).
Extra point: There's a $50 drawing after the noon games for those in attendance.
HUMPY'S GREAT ALASKAN ALEHOUSE
Location: 610 W. Sixth Ave.
Phone: 276-2337
Website: Humpys.com
Doors: 9 a.m.
Sunday Ticket: Yes
Scouting report: With 13 screens of various sizes, there aren't many bad views at Humpy's, but I opt to sit near the stage area where the most games are visible, including a gigantic projection screen on the stage.
Expect a crowd due to the more unique breakfast options, with pork chops and eggs ($12.99) and five different eggs Benedict options ($10.99-$14.99), including king crab cake, halibut and salmon. Not much beats the Humpy's Breakfast Special of a half-order of classic eggs Benny, three slices of pepper bacon and breakfast potatoes ($8.99).
Extra point: The build-your-own-Bloody-Mary bar ($7.50) allows you to get your hair of the dog just the way you like it.
EDDIE'S SPORTS BAR
Location: 6300 Old Seward Highway
Phone: 563-3970
Website: none
Doors: 8:30 a.m.
Sunday Ticket: Yes
Scouting report: Eddie's has a mix of newer flat screens and old school boob tubes, with plenty of sight lines to whatever game you fancy. It gets packed early on with a mixture of fans, but there is definitely a large Packers contingent present.
The breakfast buffet runs from 8:30 a.m. until 1 p.m., with a spread of scrambled eggs, French toast sticks, ham, sausage, bacon and eggs Benedict ($10.50).
Extra point: For the beer swillers, Labatt's, Coors Light and Pabst Blue Ribbon are $2.50 a pint, and pool tables provide distraction if the game is a blowout.
EXPANSION TEAMS
These three are finding their legs but have potential.
PLATINUM JAXX
Location: 901 W. Sixth Ave
Phone: 278-5299
Website: PlatinumJaxx.com
Doors: 8:30 a.m.
Sunday Ticket: Yes
Scouting report: Club by night, sports by day, Platinum Jaxx boasts 22 screens and a moderately priced but interesting breakfast menu.
The spread includes Great Harvest Bread cinnamon-chip French toast ($8) and the Hangover Cure: a 5 oz. top sirloin, battered and fried, then smothered in country-style pork gravy and served with two eggs any style and hashbrowns ($12).
Extra point: Like Eddie's, two pool tables provide a chance to stretch your legs. And like Humpy's, there's a build-you-own Bloody Mary bar for $8.
FIRETAP (TIKAHTNU)
Location: 1148 N. Muldoon Road
Phone: 332-2337
Website: FireTapAlehouse.com
Doors: 7:30 a.m.
Sunday Ticket: Yes
Scouting report: A new kid on the block, the newest FireTap location offers 12 big screens and a full breakfast menu, including biscuits and gravy, French toast and breakfast burritos.
With fewer options on that side of town, Eastsiders who want to save on gas and time should check out the gleaming new structure. Management says the turnout has been pretty good so far but is far from packed. That's good news for fans who want less hassle finding a seat and more attentive service.
Extra point: The southside FireTap doesn't cater to football quite like the new location. With only five screens and no Sunday Ticket, it doesn't open until 11 a.m. on game day.
CRAZY HORSE SALOON
Location: 16th Avenue and Gambell Street
Phone: 279-1231
Website: none
Doors: 9 a.m.
Sunday Ticket: Yes
Scouting report: First thing's first -- there are no dancers during Sunday football watching. Now that we've got that out of the way, the Crazy Horse is making a push into the sports bar market with 10 screens, including a 72-inch big screen on the stage.
Like Eddie's, Crazy Horse does breakfast buffet-style until noon ($10).
You can load up on biscuits and gravy, scrambled eggs, sausage, bacon, yogurt, toast, muffins and cinnamon rolls. Also on the economic side, a bucket of four Miller Lites is $10.
Extra point: Hold 'em poker fans can play for a cash prize starting at 6:30 p.m. during the Sunday night game.
ONE-WAY PLAYERS
Without one or another thing lacking, this group can't offer the whole experience but can still be fun.
SEA GALLEY
Location: 4101 Credit Union Drive
Phone: 563-3520
Website: SeaGalleyAnchorage.com
Doors: Noon
Sunday Ticket: No
Scouting report: With no morning games and only five big screens, you'll be limited in your viewing, but all appetizers are $6.99 during games. There's also the ever-popular Alaskan Ice Tea to turn to if you're team gets blown out.
Extra point: The restaurant opens its doors to the Arctic Vikings fan club at 9 a.m. and serves them breakfast. I'm unsure how to become a member other than showing up and being a purple-clad Vikings fan.
LONG BRANCH SALOON
Location: 1737 E. Dimond Circle
Phone: 349-4142
Website: None
Doors: 9 a.m.
Sunday Ticket: Yes (Editor's note: See comments for explanation of change.)
Scouting report: The small bar gets pretty full despite having only five screens, including a lone big screen. The breakfast menu (9 a.m. until noon) is expansive and affordable, with highlights including seven omelets ($9.75) and a New York steak with three eggs, home fries and toast ($13.75).
Extra point: After noon, you can order one of the Branch's award-winning burgers on their fresh, house-made buns.
DARWIN'S THEORY
Location: 426 G St.
Phone: 277-5322
Website: None
Doors: 10 a.m.
Sunday Ticket: No
Scouting report: There are only four screens, but there isn't a bad seat at Darwin's and the conversation is sure to be lively. Barbara Jean's burritos and the always-stiff drinks make for a good option if you're met with a crowd at the other downtown options.
Extra point: Uncle Joe's pizza by the slice next door.
PIONEER BAR
Location: 739 W. Fourth Ave.
Phone: 276-7996
Website: None
Doors: 10 a.m.
Sunday Ticket: No
Scouting report: Six big screens in the small bar mean there are plenty of good seats. Hot dogs and chili are typically joined by debate on the day's games and who made the worst fantasy football moves.
Extra point: Monday Night Football is when the bar focuses more on football. Current specials include 100 oz. super-tube pitchers with a personal tap for $18 and two Sailor Jerry rum or Stoli vodka cocktails for $10.
F STREET STATION
Location: 325 F St.
Phone: 272-5196
Website: None
Doors: 10 a.m.
Sunday Ticket: No
Scouting report: With only three screens, the kitchen doesn't roll out its famous-in-Anchorage eggs Benedict ($10.50 with home fries and reindeer sausage) until 11 a.m. and it ends at 2 p.m. You can always raid the Tillamook cheese block and candy jars.
Extra point: The bar does have NFL RedZone, so if you're a fantasy football player, it can be a nice change of pace from full-game action.
Want to rave or pan? Write your own review of these restaurants or any other recently reviewed place at adn.com/dining.
By BARRY PISER
Anchorage Daily News