F Street Station, a long-standing and well-loved establishment in downtown Anchorage, Alaska, recently found itself at the center of a social media storm. Known for its unpretentious food and classic ambiance, this popular spot became the target of online criticism following a message posted on its chalkboard. The message, a somewhat provocative commentary on contemporary social issues, ignited a wave of reactions, highlighting the complexities of free speech in today’s digital age.
The now-controversial chalkboard at F Street Station displayed the words: “We now live in a world where your kid cannot pretend to be an Indian … But a grown man can pretend to be a woman.” This statement, while intended to be a clever observation, was perceived by many online as insensitive and transphobic. Immediately, social media platforms became a battleground. Critics called for boycotts and flooded online review sites with negative feedback, while supporters rallied to defend the bar’s right to express its views.
Chalkboard sign at F Street Station with the controversial message
The backlash was swift and intense. Social media users mobilized, urging others to take action against F Street Station. Calls to action included contacting the bar directly and leaving negative reviews. One online commentator explicitly called for “allies” to “do your thing,” sharing the bar’s phone number and implicitly encouraging disruptive actions. Another comment questioned the ethics and values of the staff, suggesting that employees should quit if they disagreed with the chalkboard message, unless they were “racist and transphobic too.” The terms “transphobic” and “racist” became central to the online criticism, reflecting the core accusations leveled against the establishment.
Even local figures weighed in on the controversy. The Mudflats, a blog known for its left-leaning perspectives, addressed the situation, albeit with a slightly milder tone than some other critics. They suggested that those offended by the message should learn to make their own French onion soup, a dish F Street Station is known for, implying a boycott without resorting to overtly aggressive language. Furthermore, there were suggestions for more formal repercussions, such as calls for the Anchorage Chamber of Commerce to expel F Street Station from its membership. An LGBTQ+ focused nonprofit organization in Anchorage also used the moment to launch a fundraising campaign, aiming to capitalize on the controversy to raise awareness and support for their cause of “Celebrating Queer Alaskans.”
The online fury manifested in a barrage of negative reviews on platforms like Yelp and TripAdvisor. The volume of negative feedback, often from individuals who likely had no actual experience with F Street Station, became so overwhelming that Yelp had to temporarily disable reviews for the establishment. A warning message on Yelp indicated that the review section was locked due to “recent event that has attracted media attention,” and a surge of reviews that didn’t reflect genuine customer experiences.
TripAdvisor followed suit, suspending new reviews on its F Street Station page. Despite the restaurant holding a strong four-star rating based on nearly 1,000 reviews, TripAdvisor cited the “recent event” and the influx of inauthentic reviews as the reason for the temporary suspension. This action by both Yelp and TripAdvisor underscores the significant impact that online social media storms can have on businesses, regardless of their actual reputation and customer satisfaction. Even former gubernatorial candidate Les Gara joined the online discourse, urging F Street Station to issue a sincere apology, further amplifying the pressure on the establishment.
However, amidst the online storm, F Street Station also found support, particularly from its loyal customer base and those who champion free speech. A 2015 review by now-Rep. Zack Fields in the Anchorage Press resurfaced, highlighting the enduring appeal of F Street Station. Fields, known for his discerning palate and not one to easily offer praise, especially to those with differing political views, lauded F Street Station as “consistently flawless.” He described the ambiance as timeless and the food as “unpretentious and impeccable.” His detailed praise of dishes like the roast beef sandwich and the Friday French dip, which he declared “the best I’ve eaten in Anchorage or anywhere else,” painted a picture of a restaurant dedicated to quality and consistency.
Fields emphasized the restaurant’s long history, dating back before Alaska statehood, and its commitment to fresh ingredients and expertly prepared, albeit simple, dishes. He noted the limited menu as a strength, ensuring freshness and quality, and remarked on the lack of a website or social media presence as almost unnecessary given its consistent popularity. His review serves as a powerful testament to the enduring appeal of F Street Station, suggesting that its reputation is built on more than just fleeting opinions, but on decades of serving quality food in a welcoming atmosphere.
F Street Station’s current situation highlights the delicate balance businesses must navigate in the modern era. While facing criticism for expressing a controversial viewpoint, the restaurant’s long-standing reputation for good food and its defenders emphasize the importance of free expression and the potential for online reactions to be disproportionate to the reality of a local establishment. F Street Station remains, for now, a downtown Anchorage fixture, continuing to serve its classic fare while weathering the storm of public opinion.
