Alaska Bagel Restaurant, Anchorage

It all starts with unbleached flour and a recipe—free from trans fats—that's distinguished Alaska Bagel Restaurant since its original founding in 1994. From there, the restaurant's bakers make more than two dozen varieties of their signature item, bagels, which come in flavors such as asiago cheese, pesto, apple cinnamon, and sun-dried tomato.

Those circles of fresh-baked dough are only the beginning, however. Alaska Bagel's team might top them in a walnut-raisin fruit shmear or use the more savory varieties to construct its signature Mt. McKinley bagel sandwich, which layers together cream cheese, avocado, tomato, onion, and sprouts. The chefs can also grill burgers and load plates high with chicken and waffles.