Alaska’s Congressman Nick Begich invited Norann Kriner to join him as a guest for President Donald Trump’s State of the Union speech on Feb. 24 in Washington, D.C.

Norann and her late husband Andy founded Kriner’s Diner back in 2010, serving classic, all-American comfort food while becoming a formidable cornerstone in Anchorage’s culinary and political scenes.

In 2020, the Kriners became a lightning rod when they doggedly refused to bow to then-Anchorage Mayor Ethan Berkowitz’s order that all indoor dining operations shut down due to his Covid mandates.

Despite the imposition of heavy fines and legal fees, the Kriners were determined to stay open in the face of what many viewed as tyrannical government overreach. At the time, Alaskans came from all over the state just to buy a burger or biscuits and gravy from the Kriner’s. Conservative politicians joined in, and the parking lot filled to capacity with lines forming outside as Alaskans came from as far away as Homer for a bite to eat.

For a few days, the Kriners were able to pay the city fines thanks to generous donations from their loyal patrons. Eventually, however, they were forced to cease indoor dining as Berkowitz’s administration threatened to fine the Kriners as much as $15,000 a day if they remained open.

Andy Kriner passed away in 2024, but at the time, he said he was overwhelmed by the community support that surrounded his wife and family.

“The support from the community, I can hardly even explain to people,” he said in 2020. “I just want to thank everybody for coming down and, you know, people handing us money every day. And that money is going towards fines.”

He added: “We wish we could be open longer but we just, you know, can’t afford that much money.”

Kriner’s was one of at least four restaurants that stayed open in defiance of Berkowitz’s burdensome emergency mandates, which eventually crippled local businesses, shuttered churches and closed schools.

In the wake of the controversy, the Kriners emerged as local heroes in the eyes of many residents who considered the Covid mandates far worse than the virus itself.

On Feb. 23, Congressman Begich announced that Norann Kriner would be his personal guest to the State of the Union address.

“I’m incredibly honored to be Congressman Begich’s guest,” said Norann Kriner. “After losing my husband in December of 2024, coming to work every day and seeing the faces of our customers and staff has meant more to me than I can put into words. Carrying on my husband’s legacy through generosity, hard work, and serving others is something I take to heart every single day.”

She praised President Trump’s policy to let servers keep their tips.

“When I see our staff able to keep more of their hard-earned tips and support their own families, that’s personal to me,” Kriner noted. “That’s why policies that support working families and small businesses matter so much in Alaska.”

Following her husband’s unexpected passing, Norann has continued the Kriner’s Diner long-standing tradition of serving free meals on Thanksgiving Day, ensuring families across Anchorage have a meal and a place to gather during the holidays.

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