What Is Reindeer Sausage?
Alaska's signature street food, explained: what it is, what it tastes like, and exactly where to eat it fresh off the grill in Skagway.
🦌 What Is Reindeer Sausage?
Reindeer sausage is Alaska's best-known street food: a coarse-ground, smoky sausage traditionally made by blending reindeer or caribou meat with beef and/or pork. It's not a gimmick dreamed up for cruise passengers — it's been made this way in Alaska smokehouses for decades.
Ours comes from the Alaska Sausage Company, a long-established Anchorage smokehouse. We grill it fresh to order, right here at 3rd & State Street in Skagway, so what you get is a hot, smoky sausage off the grill rather than something reheated from a cart warmer.
👅 What Does Reindeer Sausage Taste Like?
Picture a richer, smokier cousin of a classic hot dog. The reindeer and caribou meat brings a deeper, mildly savory flavor, while the beef and/or pork in the blend keeps every bite juicy instead of dry or overly gamey.
Because it's coarse-ground, it has a satisfying snap when it hits the grill, with real char and smoke instead of a flat, mass-produced taste. We serve it on a stick or a bun, and you can add grilled onions for $1 if you want something to cut the richness.
Exact flavor can vary a bit between producers and blend ratios, but most first-timers are surprised by how approachable it is — smoky and savory rather than strongly "wild-game" tasting.
🤔 Is Reindeer Sausage Really Made From Reindeer?
Yes. Genuine Alaska reindeer sausage does contain real reindeer or caribou meat — it's just blended with beef and/or pork rather than sold as a 100% reindeer product. That blend is what gives it a juicier texture and a milder flavor than pure game meat.
Blend ratios vary by producer, so it's a fair question to ask wherever you're buying it. What we serve comes from the Alaska Sausage Company's traditional recipe — the real, long-established version, not a novelty item invented for tourists.
⚖️ Reindeer Dog vs. Classic Hot Dog
Can't decide? Here's exactly how our reindeer sausage stacks up against a classic all-beef hot dog — we grill both to order and serve them the same way.
| Feature | 🦌 Reindeer Dog | 🌭 Classic Hot Dog |
|---|---|---|
| Meat | Reindeer/caribou blended with beef and/or pork | All beef |
| Flavor | Richer, smokier, mildly savory | Milder, familiar |
| Texture | Coarse-ground, good snap on the grill | Finer grind, classic snap |
| Where it's from | Alaska Sausage Company, Anchorage | Standard all-beef supplier |
| Price at the Wagon | $12 on a stick or a bun | $10 |
🚢 Reindeer Sausage on an Alaska Cruise
Shore days in Skagway are short, and most cruise-port food is built for volume, not authenticity. Reindeer sausage is one of the few genuinely local foods you can actually eat during a shore excursion — no reservation, no formal sit-down, just a short walk and a hot sausage off the grill.
We designed our service around cruise schedules: expect about 5-10 minutes from order to food in hand, outdoor picnic tables with mountain views if you want to sit, and a grab-and-go option if your excursion or train is about to leave.
📍 Where to Try Reindeer Sausage in Skagway
What to Expect
- • Reindeer sausage on a stick or a bun: $12
- • Add grilled onions: $1
- • Meal deal with chips & a 16 oz drink: $19
- • Hours: 11 AM - 5 PM daily, May through September
- • Seating: Outdoor picnic tables with mountain views
- • No reservations — just walk up, 5-10 minute service
- • Women-owned local business, 5.0 stars from 125+ Google reviews
Getting Here from Your Dock
We're one block off Broadway at 3rd & State Street — a 5-15 minute walk from every cruise dock in Skagway:
- • Broadway Dock: 5–8 minute walk
- • Ore Dock: 6–10 minute walk
- • Railroad Dock: 10–15 minute walk
❓ Reindeer Sausage FAQ
What is reindeer sausage?
Reindeer sausage is Alaska's signature street food: a coarse-ground, smoky sausage traditionally made by blending reindeer or caribou meat with beef and/or pork. Ours comes from the Alaska Sausage Company, a long-established Anchorage smokehouse, and we grill it fresh to order at 3rd & State Street in Skagway.
What does reindeer sausage taste like?
It tastes like a richer, smokier cousin of a classic hot dog. The reindeer and caribou meat adds a deeper, mildly savory flavor, while the beef and pork keep it juicy. It's coarse-ground, so it has a good snap on the grill, with real char and smoke rather than a mass-produced flavor.
Is reindeer sausage really made from reindeer?
Yes. Genuine Alaska reindeer sausage contains real reindeer or caribou meat blended with beef and/or pork rather than sold as a 100% reindeer product. Blend ratios vary by producer, but the Alaska Sausage Company recipe we serve is the real, traditionally made version, not a novelty tourist item.
Where can I try reindeer sausage in Skagway?
At Skagway Weenie Wagon, 3rd & State Street, one block off Broadway. We're a 5-15 minute walk from every cruise dock, open 11 AM to 5 PM daily from May through September, with no reservations needed.
Can I get reindeer sausage during my Alaska cruise shore excursion?
Yes. Skagway Weenie Wagon is built around cruise schedules: we're a short walk from every dock, service takes about 5-10 minutes, and there's outdoor picnic seating with mountain views if you have a few extra minutes before you're back on the ship.
What's the difference between a reindeer dog and a regular hot dog?
A reindeer dog is made from reindeer or caribou meat blended with beef and/or pork, giving it a coarser grind and a smokier, richer flavor. A classic hot dog is all beef, with a milder, more familiar taste and finer texture. We grill both to order and serve them the same way, on a stick or a bun.
How much does reindeer sausage cost in Skagway?
Reindeer sausage on a stick or a bun is $12. Add grilled onions for $1, or get the meal deal with chips and a 16 oz drink for $19.