Last month we started looking at the best $100 hamburgers our members have ever sunk their teeth into. This month our exploration of the best fly-in restaurants, across the United States and around the globe, continues. You’ll find recommendations for each region in the United States and one for another country. Perhaps your travels will allow you to venture out and try one of these places.
West:
The Waypoint Cafe
Camarillo Airport (KCMA)
Camarillo, California
Website: thewaypointcafe.com
Hours: 8:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m., Tuesday-Sunday
Dine indoors, on the cozy patio, or bring a blanket and picnic on the grass on a sunny day and watch the planes come and go as you eat. Known for their Smokehouse BBQ Burger, Spicy Chicken Sandwich and their milk shakes.
What Our Pilots Are Saying:
“It isn’t the atmosphere per se. It is the consistent quality along with the great atmosphere.”
Randy Stabler
Scottsdale, Arizona
“Great restaurant on the field.”
Nicholas Nemirsky
Huntington Beach, California
Southwest:
The Airport Diner
Gillespie County Airport (T82)Fredericksburg, Texas
Website: www.hangarhotel.com/diner
Hours: 11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m., Thursday
8:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m., Friday-Sunday
The Airport Diner is a classic, vintage diner located next door to the Hangar Hotel and immediately adjacent to the Gillespie County Airport aircraft parking ramp. From the booths, you can watch planes and other aircraft come and go while enjoying great sandwiches, breakfast any time they’re open, and the daily blue-plate specials.
What Our Pilots Are Saying:
“This is a great spot to fly in and have a nice lunch or stay the night at the Hangar Hotel. You usually see tons of GA airplanes and the occasional war bird stopping in.”
Daniel King
San Antonio, Texas
“Right on the ramp, 50’s-style diner. Lots of interesting GA traffic with the occasional BA jet.”
James Decker
Austin, Texas
Midwest
Pilot Pete’s
Schaumburg Regional Airport (06C)
Schaumburg, Illinois
Website: www.pilot-petes.com
Hours: Sunday-Thursday, 11:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m.
Friday-Saturday, 11:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m.
Voted one of Schaumburg’s top 10 restaurants in 2022, Pilot Pete’s offers a relaxed, pilot-themed atmosphere with runway views. Known for their chicken fingers, Caribbean baby back ribs and other comfort foods.
What Our Pilots Are Saying:
“The food there is great. Been going there 20+ years and never had a bad meal. The entire restaurant is aviation themed. Even in the waiting area, the chairs are from the first class section of a commercial airliner.”
Jim Griffin
Chicagoland, Illinois
“Great food. Nice airport.”
Joe Sener
Galena, Illinois
Northeast:
The Gelston House
Godspeed Airport (42B)
East Haddam, Connecticut
Website: www.gelstonhouse.com
Hours: Wednesday-Saturday, 11:30 a.m.-9:00 p.m.
Sunday: 10:30 a.m.-9:00 p.m.
Open any other time there’s a performance at the Goodspeed Opera House.
The Gelston House offers a “taste of New England” and a beautiful location. Their lunch menu features pub fare while their dinner menu offers a variety of steak and seafood options. Expect a wait on evenings there’s a performance at the opera house. It’s the most popular restaurant in town.
What Our Pilot Is Saying:
“Great restaurant. A five-minute walk from Godspeed Airport. A very scenic arrival located right next to the Connecticut River. Burgers are great but there are so many other great things on the menu. Beautiful outdoor patio during the warm weather.”
Don Kugler
Frenchtown, New Jersey
Southeast:
The Hangar Restaurant
Albert Whitted Airport (KSPG)
St. Petersburg, Florida
Website: thehangarstpete.com
Hours: Daily, 8:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m.
The Hangar Restaurant has wonderful food and outstanding views. They offer nice indoor seating and an open-air deck. The menu includes breakfast fare, sandwiches, seafood and more.
What Our Pilots Are Saying:
“The restaurant is on the second floor of the FBO, overlooking the ramp and runways as well as Tampa Bay. Food is perfect for a “foodie” with a restaurant that has great atmosphere.”
Dennis Solomon
Odessa, Florida
“The restaurant is downtown, St. Pete at Albert Whitted Airport. The restaurant is known locally and thrives without fly-in customers.”
Robert Haase
Largo, Florida
“Very GA friendly with pleasant tower controller. Over-water flight. Can see ramps and runways from your table inside restaurant or from table on the veranda (weather permitting). Also, the food is consistently good; strongly suggest the “chicken ‘n waffles.” Please check your W&B if you can eat everything on your plate.”
Boyd Cantrell
Ocala, Florida
Also Worth a Visit:
Recommended by:
Austin Goodwin: Mesa, Arizona &
Burton Brokaw: Tuscon, Arizona
Sky Rider Café
Marana Regional Airport (KAVQ), Marana, Arizona
Details at: www.facebook.com/skyridercafe
Recommended by Tim Exbank: Bonaire, Georgia
Barnstormers Grill
Peachstate Aerodrome (GA2), Williamson, Georgia
Details at: www.facebook.com/barnstormers.grill
Recommended by:
Mark Broulliard: Avon, Indiana
Final Approach Restaurant
Putnam County Airport (KGPC), Greencastle, Indiana
Details at: www.putnamcountyregionalairport.com
Recommended by:
Donnie Campbell: Lawrenceburg, Kentucky
Cloud 9 Café
Big Sandy Regional Airport (KSJS), Davella, Kentucky
Details at: www.facebook.com/cloud9cafeatbigsandyregionalairport
Recommended by:
Eric Winston: Canby, Oregon &
Kurt Holstein: Bellevue, Washington
The Buzz Inn Steakhouse
Harvey Airfield (S43), Snohomish, Washington
Details at: buzzinnsteakhouse.com
International:
Final Approach Restaurant
Qualicum Beach Airport (CAT4)
Qualicum Beach, British Columbia, Canada
Website: finalapproachrestaurant.ca
Hours: Wednesday-Friday, 11:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m.
Saturday-Sunday, 10:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m.
The Final Approach Restaurant is ideal for lunch, dinner or a weekend brunch. This family-friendly restaurant offers a varied menu in a warm indoor atmosphere or, when weather permits, on a cozy patio.
What Our Pilots Are Saying:
“Great food on a small airport with a great flying community!”
Patrick Horsfield
Qualicum Beach, British Columbia
A big thank you to everyone who took the time to send in your favorites!
*This article is not excerpted from nor related to John F. Purner’s book, The $100 Hamburger.
