Alaska Small Business Development Center

Deckhand Dave’s

Local Fisherman Opens Restaurant In Juneau

David McCasland hos opened his new business, Deckhand Dave's Wild Alaskan Fish Tacos, in Juneau.

Anyone looking for a fresh seafood meal when they land in Juneau should be on the lookout for Deckhand Dave’s. Locally owned and operated by former commercial fisherman David McCasland, Deckhand Dave’s has a great atmosphere where customers can dine on the waterfront on amazing dishes including Wild Alaskan Salmon, Rockfish and Halibut Fish tacos.

During his time as a commercial fisherman, Dave began cooking dinner for his crew; experimenting with recipes that used the fresh catch of the day. Over several years, he worked to perfect his dishes and used the passion he had for the industry and the culinary arts to open up his own restaurant.

As he worked to create a viable business plan for the restaurant, Dave decided to approach Ian Grant at the Alaska Small Business Development Center. With many years of experience owning and operating restaurants in the Juneau community, Ian was able to offer a wealth of knowledge as Dave began navigating this new set of challenges. From preparing the financial projections for a loan proposal, to picking out the right equipment to pricing his dishes and more, Dave sought input from Ian that could help set him up for success.

“SBDC helped me troubleshoot and formulate my ideas on paper which allowed me to get funding for my business,” said Dave. “Ian is an invaluable resource that any aspiring business owner should utilize”.

With a passion for sustainable fishing, Dave works closely with local fish processors to source all of the fish for Deckhand Dave’s fare and promote a local, sustainable food industry. Both toursists and locals alike have flocked to this nautical-themed restaurant both for it’s quality dishes and it’s comfortable and inviting atmosphere.To learn more about Deckhand Dave’s, check out their website or visit them on Facebook.