Eye Tooth Brings Pizza, Art and Fire Pits to Anchorage

A Detroit-style deep-dish pizza has a certain way of announcing itself: a squared-off, substantial pan of dinner that makes a second meal seem entirely possible. At Eye Tooth in Anchorage, the 8 Mile is one of the hearty options on a menu built for people who may arrive craving pizza but are not necessarily stopping there.

Eye Tooth comes from the Moose’s Tooth restaurant group, bringing familiar favorites into a roomy, art-filled setting while adding dishes and drinks of its own. The result is broad enough for a quick lunch, a family table, a work gathering or an unplanned evening when everyone wants something slightly different.

The dining room has an open, spacious layout that avoids the squeezed-in feeling common at busy pizza spots. Murals and wall art give the restaurant a distinct Alaska-inspired identity, with enough visual interest around the room to make a table near the main dining area feel less generic.

There are booths for settling in, counter seating for a more casual perch, a bar area and the larger main dining room. That mix gives the place some flexibility: a pair can keep things simple, while a larger party can gather without the meal feeling like a logistical exercise.

Even when the room is active, service has a reputation for being friendly, patient and efficient. Larger groups are a regular part of the rhythm here, rather than an obvious disruption to it.

Pizza is the natural starting point, and the menu gives it more than one direction. Along with familiar Moose’s Tooth-style choices, Eye Tooth offers Detroit-style deep dish, a thicker, more substantial format that can take around 25 minutes to prepare.

The 8 Mile has been noted for its generous scale, the sort of order that may leave leftovers in the box. It is a useful choice when the table wants to share, or when dinner tomorrow sounds like an appealing bonus.

For a lighter contrast, the Margherita has been praised for a crust that lands between crusty and tender. Tangy marinara, with a mild spicy edge, keeps the familiar combination from tasting flat.

The appetizer list gives the table something to work on while a deep-dish pizza is in the oven. Chili-lime wings are a particularly lively option, bringing bright citrusy heat to the meal.

The burrata appetizer heads in a more unexpected direction, pairing the cheese with berries, honey and pistachios. It is a sweet-savory combination that sits comfortably beside a beer, cider or cocktail and makes a nice counterpoint to a heavier pizza order.

Salads are not an afterthought here. The kale and butternut squash salad gives vegetable-minded diners a more substantial option, while the garden salad has fresh greens and a light, flavorful house-made dressing.

Clearly labeled vegetarian dishes make the menu easier to navigate for mixed groups. That does not turn the entire menu into a vegetarian one, but it does mean a table of pizza eaters and vegetable-forward diners has more room to agree.

Burgers, large salads, appetizers and pizza give Eye Tooth the range that helps when one person wants a classic pie, another wants greens and somebody else is after a burger. There is no need for the whole group to order from one narrow lane.

That variety also makes the restaurant work well beyond dinner. A casual lunch can be as straightforward as a salad and a drink, while a social gathering can take its time with several shareable plates, pizzas and a round from the bar.

The bar has a broad drink selection, including cocktails and both draft and bottled cider. In a restaurant where pizza takes center stage, cider is a particularly useful option: crisp enough for a rich deep-dish slice and easy to pair with salty wings.

Among the named pours and cocktails that have appeared on the list are the Prime & Dime, Eye Tai, Rock Paper Citra and Double Shovel cider. The selection gives a group more to discuss than the usual question of red, white or beer.

Outside, seating is arranged around fire pits, creating a separate setting from the art-covered indoor room. It is a pleasant place to sit and talk before dinner or to keep a conversation going after the plates have been cleared.

The outdoor area adds a useful change of pace, though its availability naturally depends on conditions. Inside, the booths, counter seats, dining room and bar provide several alternatives when an outdoor table is not the plan.

One small touch says a lot about the restaurant’s relaxed, group-friendly approach: coloring sheets come with a crossword puzzle on the back. Children can stay occupied, but adults waiting on food may find themselves filling in a clue or two as well.

Eye Tooth can be busy during popular opening and evening periods, when waits may develop, while other times can be much quieter. Free parking is available in an ample lot, which removes one common downtown-style complication before the meal even begins.