Food has long ranked among the top motivators for pilots planning trips. Whether we are searching for the perfect $100 hamburger or something a bit more creative, there are so many airport restaurants across the country that we may never run out of potential destinations.
I have also found that a savory meal is a great incentive for convincing family members and friends to climb into a little airplane and fly for a couple of hours. I find airport eateries to be reliable sources of good food, and a little research can uncover real gems with inspiring menus that will help take your mind off the price of avgas.
The following are a few of the spots we would like to visit in the coming months, with fare ranging from traditional to novel.
Crosswinds Restaurant
Payson Airport (KPN)
Payson, Arizona
The breakfast menu features classics like biscuits and gravy and a range of omelets, and it’s served all day. Beyond the expected burgers, lunch includes a signature roast beef sandwich with cheese, tomatoes, peppers, and mushrooms on a sourdough bun and an open-face steak sandwich on Texas toast. Crosswinds is also known for pies, like orchard pie filled with apples, blackberries, strawberries, and rhubarb for a combination of sweet and tart flavors.
East Ramp Wood-Fired Pizza
Fairbanks International Airport (PAFA)
Fairbanks, Alaska
I am mentioning this airport for the second time in several days because, while I have yet to fly to Alaska, I can picture arriving in the dark, a bit later than planned and very hungry. I can also imagine how relieved I would feel to find wood-fired pizza right on the field. Pizzas range from Class G (two toppings) to Class A (seven toppings). The previous mention came up because of Fairbanks’ on-field camping facilities.
Louise
Bentonville Municipal Airport/Louise M. Thaden Field (KBVI)
Bentonville, Arkansas
Like the airport, the restaurant is named for aviation pioneer, record-setter, and Bendix Trophy winner Louise Mc Phetridge Thaden, who was born in Bentonville in 1905. She received her pilot’s certificate in 1928 with a sign-off from Orville Wright. Diners can watch airport operations while taking in breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Menu items range from traditional to signature dishes like Hippie Hash with squash, mushrooms, tomatoes, onions, feta cheese, fried potatoes, and two eggs.
Cherry Ridge Airport Restaurant
Cherry Ridge Airport (N30)
Honesdale, Pennsylvania
Big windows across the front of the building give a sweeping view of the nearly 3,000-foot runway and the wide ramp just a few steps from the entrance. A visit last month brought pleasant recollections of restaurants I loved to visit while growing up in the 1970s. Model airplanes hang from the ceiling and photos of aircraft and pilots decorate the walls. The menu includes several aviation-themed dishes including the Spruce Goose – a four-egg omelet with bacon, ham, sausage, mushrooms, peppers, onions, tomatoes and cheese, served with home fries and toast.
C.J. Cannon’s Restaurant and Lounge
Vero Beach Regional Airport (KVRB)
Vero Beach, Florida
If Southern comfort food is what you seek, Vero Beach is just the place. In business for 36 years, C.J. Cannon’s offers fulsome breakfast, lunch, and dinner menus with enough variety to keep most diners happy. In addition to traditional brunch dishes you will find breakfast casserole, Eggs Savannah, and Eggs Louisiana. Southern specialties also highlight the dinner menu, including beef liver, chopped sirloin, meatloaf, slow-cooked pot roast, and more. You can also look in on Piper Aircraft, which is based at the airport.
