Fly-in Eateries:    Burger Main Menu

Reader picks for a $100 Hamburger

October 12, 2006

Dear Ralph:

June 1, 2006

Dear Ralph, 

I've been working out of Poplar Bluff (MO - KPOF) for a few months and found a great BBQ place that has just opened. It's called Paul's Place and it has some of the best BBQ I've had in a very long while. To find it turn west as you leave the airport then left on Business 60 for about 2 miles. (If you get to Hwy 67, you've gone about 2 blocks too far). Paul's Place is on the right side of the road and well worth checking out!  

Happy and Safe Flying,

Bob Ecton 

Dear Ralph, 

Here are some nice $100 Hamburger locations. 

Lincoln, MO. (OR2) Nice 2900' grass strip, usually well kept.  It is inside the Truman B MOA area, but seldom any problem check local NOTAMS. One and half block away Papa Joe's Restaurant, regular old hometown type restaurant, nothing fancy just good food! Open seven days I believe 6:00 AM-- 8:00 PM, only on occasion are they closed. We usually go for breakfast. Their phone 660-547-2706 

Cottonwood Falls, KS. (9KO) N/S 2300' runway very smooth and very wide. This is our favorite old hometown restaurant fun stop.  The Emma Chase Cafe is your only place to eat.  Breakfast is the greatest, no menu you just tell them what you want and they bring it to you. Don't worry when they bring the check you'll be pleasantly surprised. Don't go too early as they don't open till 9:00AM. The only down side is that the airport is about seven blocks from downtown and no services. However if you circle over town a couple a times usually someone will come and offer you a ride or  if you call the cafe  they can usually come and get you. We usually walk down and someone always offers a ride back. They also have one of the most beautiful and unusual courthouses in Kansas, also several interesting old small town shops. Enjoy! Their Phone 620-273-6020 

Boliver, MO. (M17) 3400' paved. Restaurant in FBO office, simple, but usually good, buffet on weekends. Ph. 417-777-6080 

Topeka, KS. Billard Municipal (TOP) Control tower, many paved runways and services, but usually minimal traffic. The restaurant is on field, buffet or menu on weekends. 

Paola, KS.--Miami County (K81) 2800' paved. We-B-Smokin BBQ on field. Self serve fuel usually most reasonable in the whole area. Food is great, complete view of air ops. while dining. Only downside, due to the above they’re usually a lot of traffic with only Unicom and some w/o radios and no taxiway. Also restaurant has some strange hours and is closed without notice on occasion, best to call ahead  but it's still worth the trip, just be safe! Ph. 913-256-6802 

Mike Jackson 

Dear Ralph 

The restaurant at Teramiranda (79F) near Grove (OK) is now serving Mexican
cuisine. Open at 1100 daily, closed on Mondays. The grass strip is in pretty
good shape - just walk east towards the lake a few hundred yards and
you're there. 918-801-3174

Don Williams

March 14, 2006

Ralph 

Check out the Blue Pig in Ardmore Oklahoma.  http://www.airnav.com/airport/KADM Good BBQ right on the airport with precision and non-precision approaches. 

Blue Pig BBQ (current local weather)
620 General Drive, Suite 6, Ardmore, OK 73401
Phone: 580-389-5555
Airport: Ardmore Municipal (ADM) (Airport Info - Sectional) 

Brandon Pogue

February 7, 2006

Hi Ralph!

Just checking your website about the $100 Hamburger idea!  We have in Cushing, OK (where I keep my 3 flying machines),  have TWO (at least) great restaurants that are worth mentioning!  First, I might point out, that Cushing, OK (pipelines crossroads of the world) has MORE privately-owned, NON-chain restaurants than most any town west of Mississippi!!

But back to the subject: First, I'd like to mention Rodolfo's Mexican Restaurant! It's owned by a second-generation Mexican restaurateur, Daniel Hernandez, and the food is simply OUTSTANDING!  The cooks and wait-staff are Hispanic, and the food is authentic.  It's well worth the flight to Cushing just for this restaurant alone!

AND... on the other end of Main Street, we have Naifeh's Deli and Grill!  Owned by Joseph Naifeh (who is also a second generation professional cuisine-king) this restaurant has without-doubt some of the BEST hamburger variations known to mankind!  He is also widely-known for his wife's secret recipe for Tabouli! 
Our local airport is open 7 days a week with low-cost fuel and we have TWO visitor's cars for our guests!  Recently our Airport Support Wing donated a NICE Chrysler New Yorker to the airport for public use! 

Visitors are encouraged to fly-in, dine at one of our fine restaurants, the visit the Oklahoma Skydiving Center, where you can sit front-stage and watch student and professional parachuters in action.  Guided tours of the entire facility are available!  It's fun to visit the video room and watch the editing of the skydivers' take-home videos!  We welcome our aviation friends to make it a day -- at the Cushing (OK) Regional Airport.

Thanks for your consideration!

John H. Ward
crzypilot@hotmail.com
owner,
Best Pawn & Trading Company
Stillwater, OK
405 624 2274
 

December 1

Dear Ralph:

There is a diner in the 50's design with the usual diner type food on the airport at (11R) in Brenham, TX.  For more info go to  http://www.brenhammunicipalairport.com/. 

Thanks,

W.R. (Bill) Widner
Kerrville, Texas 78029
 

December 3, 2005

April 12, 2005

Dear Ralph:

I have two suggestions: One, already mentioned in your $100 Hamburger series, is Lambert’s Café in Sikeston, MO (SIK). Great food, home style atmosphere, and they will pick you up and bring you back. Flight crews get to go to the front of the line. Large portions, throw'ed rolls, and don’t forget the fried okra. 

Suggestion #2 is the Plane Good Restaurant in the FBO at Fayetteville, AR’s Drake Field (FYV). This is the second incarnation of a Restaurant there, but the ladies that do the cooking know what they are doing. They have a buffet line, but the best hamburgers I have had in a long time. They are open for breakfast, but closed on Sundays. The FBO is run by the City of Fayetteville, and they have full service as well as self serve fuel and very friendly service. 

Rick Bailey

via E-mail 

March 25, 2005

Dear Editor:

We have several top notch restaurants are within a short walk or courtesy car shuttle ride from the airport (William T. Piper Memorial Airport, Lock Haven, PA).  These include the Graystone Cafe (walking distance), Hangar 9, The Village Tavern, and Dutch Haven, all a short ride from the airport.  The airport is attended 8 AM- 7 PM M-F and 10 AM- 6 PM Saturday and Sunday.  Plan to visit the Piper Aviation Museum as a side excursion to your visit.  The Museum is open M-F 9 AM- 4 PM, Saturday 10 AM- 4 PM, and Sunday 12 PM- 4 PM.  A low cost rental car is also available, $10 for a local day trip; or $25 out of town or overnight plus fuel.  Reserve the rental car by calling Ed Watson, Airport Manager 570-748-5123 or email edwatson@kcnet.org.

March 10, 2005

Dear Editor, 

We have a great restaurant here at the Coles County Memorial Airport (MTO) in Mattoon, IL!  The "Airport Steakhouse" is home of the giant Elephant Ear Tenderloin.  Owner Ron Bean hand slices the pork loin along with mushrooms and onion rings, don't forget the homemade pie.  Pilots will receive top notch service and they can taxi right up to the Steakhouse.

Open 7-8 daily--specials everyday and breakfast all day long!

217-234-9433

Visit the Airports website for airfield information:  www.colescounty.net/airport 

Coles County Airport Authority
Andrew Fearn CM, Airport Manager
432 Airport Rd
Mattoon, IL  61938
217-234-7120
217-234-7116 fax
airport@advant.net
www.colescounty.net/airport

February 16, 2005 - The Hinshaw family has been making guests welcome for over 70 years, whether you come by car or plane .. for a single meal or several ... for one day or more. This enchanting Inn of 30 rooms, nestled on a 100 acre estate, is a gracious oasis amidst the excitement of Central Florida attractions, catering to discriminating guests of all ages.  MORE...

Via E-mail

Ralph, 

If you are looking for a $100 Hamburger location, go to the Hanger Hotel at www.hangarhotel.com.  It is located in Fredericksburg, TX (T82) Gillespie County.  It is a great $100 Hamburger location.  You can taxi right up the door of this hotel and 1950’s diner.  The theme inside is South Pacific World War II.  The phone number is 830 997-9990. 

Hilltop Lakes is another good $100 Hamburger location.  It is 100 nm SSW of Tyler (TX), about 40 nm NNE of Bryan (TX).  It is 16 miles from Leona VOR.  Tie your plane down and walk in to a real nice restaurant that overlooks several small lakes.  They have golf and overnight accommodations.   

Another quick one is Cedar Mills on Lake Texoma…  Taxi right up to the cabins and enjoy a waterfront restaurant. 

Bobby Olson

E-mail 11/04

Hi Ralph:

Santa Fe, New Mexico (SAF), is a nice place to visit.  The town is a beautiful old town preserved very well.  The airport is modern up to date.  The Grill, a restaurant located in the terminal has a very good breakfast burrito. From inside The Grill you can see the runway.  The food is good and reasonable.  It will make a good $100 Hamburger flight on just about any day.  You can park at Santa Fe Jet Center and walk to the terminal.  It is a short walk from the FBO.  Enjoy the town and the food.

Jerry K. Simpson

11/09/04

E-mail November 2004

Dear Editor

E-mail November 2004

Dear Editor

While traveling over southwest Missouri this month I discovered a very good sod strip that had it all.   It is close to a golf course, rental cabins and rooms, a restaurant, and great airport.  The prices at the restaurant are most reasonable for the great quality.  Identifier is MO00...  really Mike Oscar Zero Zero or MO00.  Turkey Mountain Airport Grill... Turkey Mountain Estates, Shell Knob (MO) try it out.

Denver Jones

Email August 2004

Dear Editor:

There is a moderately priced steakhouse serving aged black angus steaks, burgers, chicken, fish, and shrimp.  Located in the land of leather, about 100 miles from San Antonio and Houston.  Just 40 miles from Victoria.  It is the Leather Capital Steakhouse, 123 W Grand in Yoakum, TX   361 293-9339..  Use the Yoakum Municipal Airport T85.                       

Email  June 2004

Dear Editor,

 There is a rather good place to travel and receive that pilot $100 Hamburger.  If you’re near Kansas, the Cattleman’s Restaurant on Inman Ave (Main Street) in Sublette, KS stop in.  The airport has a 4,500 feet runway and 24 hour fuel.  The identifier is 19S.  A couple of other locations in KS include “We-B-Smokin’ at Paola, KS airport and Billard Café at the Billard Airport in Topeka.

Unsigned E-mail - March 2004

Ralph,

Barnstormers Restaurant is now open at Woodring Airport  Enid, OK.  Right now they are
under new management and are only open Monday through Friday 0800 to 1400.
Check our website,  www.flyenid.com  for more informaton  about them.

Keep promoting aviation!!

Bill Blunk

Via email - March 16, 2004

Dear Ralph,

I like your newspaper! Our FBO receives it (Shelby Co <EET>-Calera, AL). I have attached a picture of our 1975 Warrior. We make numerous trips each year to Little Rock, AR, St. Louis and West Plains, MO. On weekends that we aren't on a trip we usually try to find some place to go for our $100 Hamburger “fix”. A suggestion of a great place to fly and eat is Calloway Gardens, GA. (Pine Mountain airport <PIM>) The restaurant will send a shuttle bus to pick you up and take you the short distance to their lodge/hotel for lunch or dinner.

Another $100 Hamburger location you need to list is Sammy's Touch & Go Restaurant at Pell City, AL. Sammy's is located right on the field at the Pell City (St. Clair Co. Airport --PRL).

They have excellent food and great service.

John E. Barnes
Calera, AL

Dear Ralph,

There is a new barbecue restaurant located at Stephenville, TX, that is definitely worth flying for.

Plan your flight to Stephenville Clark Field (SEP) and bring your appetite. The Hard Eight Pit BBQ is about 1 mile away right out the main road to the airport. You can either walk it or take advantage of the very friendly service of the Hard Eight's owner. He has parked a new EZ Go off-road golf cart at the airport terminal just for pilots and friends to visit his restaurant. Be sure to read the instructions on the windshield before departing. The food is great. You select exactly what meats you want from the pit out front, just like Cooper's BBQ in Llano, TX (6R9). Once inside, you pick any side dishes and dessert (blueberry, apple, cherry, or peach cobbler). Just in case your eyes overloaded your stomach, they have large rolls of foil and takeout containers for you to pack the leftovers for your flight home.

Michael Reddick
Hicks Airfield (T67)
Fort Worth, TX

Dear Ralph,

I really enjoyed your newspaper. I picked it up at Raytheon A/C Services in Wichita, KS.

My donation to the ($100 Hamburger) cause is We-Be--Smokin' at Miami County Airport, Paola, KS. The airport is newly renovated and the hard surfaced runway lengthened; I don't know if the grass strip is still open. Although it is a BBQ place, it is also open for breakfast. Mmmmm-good.

Another good cafe is the one at Billard Field, Topeka, KS. I don't know the name. I would recommend the hamburgers and breakfast, not necessarily the tenderloin sandwich.

Contact both for details.

Thanks again,
Connie Troyer

Dear Ralph:

I received a flyer from the Cedar Creek Golf club, which is located at Shell Knob, Missouri (MO00). They have a 3500 ft grass strip there and a café. You can also play 9/18 holes of golf for $11/$16. Carts and Pull carts are available to rent. This would make a nice Saturday lunch sometime soon. I’ve been there in the past and they are nice people to visit with.

The email address for the club is cedarcreek@mo-net.com. It is also know as Turkey Mountain. The phone number is 417 858-9119. Café hours are 8 am to 2 pm, Tuesday through Saturday, and 10 am to 3 pm on Sunday. They are closed on Monday.

Ken Doyle

Hi Ralph,

The Aviate Cafe in the new Beaver Lake Aviation FBO on the Rogers (AR)
airport is an excellent fly-in location for breakfast or lunch. Featured
daily is a plate lunch special with drink for only $5.00. Sandwiches,
salads, and yummy desserts are available as well. Hours are 0530 to 1330
Monday - Friday.

Don Williams

Ralph,

A great place for a good meal is Sammy's, Pell City, Alabama. The restaurant sits on the north end of the field and is adjacent to the grass strip. You can taxi up to the door. The food is great and very reasonable. The only sad part of the story is the owner, Sammy Moore, was killed in a Breezy (ultra light) accident earlier this year. His wife and daughter continue to run the restaurant and are doing an outstanding job. The atmosphere is casual and inviting with lots of memorabilia on the walls. Pass it along; it is worth a detour on any trip to give it a try.

Thanks and keep up the good work,

Rick Seymour
Via E-Mail

Dear Ralph:

Enrique's Mexican Restaurant
Ponca City Airport
Ponca City, OK 74601
Phone: (405) 762-5507
Airport ID: PNC

Located on the airport.
Excellent Mexican food. Very authentic, great quality, low prices.
Runways 6200'
Popular gathering place for pilots on weekend evenings.

Joe Cunningham
Via E-mail

The following is a list of airport café’s you might wish to add to your website. I have not been to all of them, but it might be worth listing on the website for comments by others. I liked the idea of a list on the front of the website with additional references to favorites. But I almost missed looking at the favorites thinking they were also on the front-page list:

Lincoln, MO OR2—Great little grass strip. Papa John’s is about a block away. It’s a family operation with great food, especially the breakfast ham.

Warsaw, MO 56M—About a mile from Lincoln, it is a new airport near two café’s. A bit far to walk, but the local FBO operator will give rides or call the Café for a pickup.

Horseshoe Bend, AR 6M2—Across the street from the airport.

Vinita, OK HO4—Next door is a large McDonald’s spanning the turnpike.

Bolivar, MO M17—Café is right on the field. Friendly locals hangout there. Food is good and reasonable.

Pipers Grill (Tulsa) Jones Riverside Airport

McGehee's (OK-Texas border) T40

Ada, OK (ADH)

Jefferson City, MO

Topeka, KS TOP

I picked up a copy of Fly-Low at Gaston’s (Lakeview, AR) on November 23, 2002. Thanks, I always enjoy reading the articles and educating myself with the advertisements.

Ken Doyle
Springfield, Missouri

Try "We B Smoking" at the Miami County airport, K84 in Kansas. Nice parking ramp, great, cheap food (many classic planes fly in Saturday and Sunday morning for breakfast). 2200 foot paved runway 3-21, with a cross grass strip that is good when mowed.

I fly out of Downtown Kansas City (MKC). I have a 1980 Decathlon with a 150 Lycoming with a CS prop.

Via email
Joe M Gensheimer

The Main Hangar Restaurant is a unique aviation-theme restaurant with an outstanding view of the Decatur Airport. Airplane enthusiasts will enjoy the large viewing windows, which offer an excellent opportunity to watch “touch-and-go” landings. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served daily, as well as lunch and dinner specials. The Main Hangar offers fine dining in a casual, country club atmosphere. Check out our signature menu items, as well as our appetizers and extensive wine list. A Sunday buffet features breakfast from 8:00 to 10:30 am and brunch from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm. Quality food with seating for 100 in the main dining room make the Main Hangar an exceptional choice for your dining experience. Kids are catered to with items such as grilled cheese sandwiches and cheeseburgers.

Hours are Monday through Saturday 6 am-9 pm and Sunday 6 am-2 pm
910 Airport Road
Decatur, Illinois
Phone 217-429-5956

Joe Romaneo

Dear Ralph:

A great place to go for the fabled $100 burger is Dansville, NY (DSV)--on the Detroit Sectional.

A McDonalds is adjacent to the FBO parking. Subway, Burger King and Arby's are less than 500 feet. There was a Truck stop of America with a nice restaurant within 1/4 mile with an excellent sandwich menu.

It's a nice field--even can watch glider operations before heading for home. Enjoyed the trip.  I live in Lansing, NY and fly out of Ithaca/Tompkins County Airport (ITH)

Brian Weaver
N1654V
Cessna 140

There is a great little restaurant on the Miami County airport, K81, which is south of Paola, KS.  3400' paved, 03-21.  122.8.

The We-Be-Smokin restaurant is located adjacent to the parking ramp.

Their specialty is barbecue.

They are open: Tue-Fri for lunch & dinner. Sat for breakfast, lunch, & dinner. Sun for breakfast till 2:00 pm. They are closed Monday.

Rick Neuer
Montrose, CO Texaco Truck Stop
(next to FBO)

Farmington, New Mexico, has a Mexican restaurant on field in the terminal.  It is known for having some real authentic Mexican food.  The name is Senor Peppers (505 327-0436)  Now Closed 05/01/04

We need more Western $100 Burgers!

Merle “Ric” Lynch
1V9 Delta Colorado, Blake Field 

Great list, but I would suggest two more:

Mary Lou's Airport Restaurant on field at Dyersburg (DYR) TN
Open 6:00AM - 2:00PM, closed Saturday
Noon Buffet

Lambert's Restaurant (Home of the "Thrown Roll")
Sikeston (SIK) MO
Shuttle service (free) between airport & rest.

David Timms 

I believe Ozzie's Diner in Norman, OK is worthy of mention.  Located in the terminal building at Westheimer Field (OUN), they open at 0600 with all-you-can-eat breakfast and they are BUSY.  Lots of locals, mostly non-aviators, and some times spill out into the terminal area. 

Steve Allen 
N6516R Beech Sport
Shawnee, OK

There is the "Glasshouse McDonald's" that stretches over I-44 and Vinita (H04); OK.  The airport is just a few steps away.

Also, a good Mexican restaurant at Ponca City, Ok (PNC) airport on the field.

(Anonymous Email)

People who live around Hicks Airfield (T67) in Fort Worth, TX sing the praises of the Rio Concho Aviation Restaurant.  People fly in from the entire North Central Texas area just to have their “Pies To Fly For”.  Kevin and Barbie Brunson have owned and operated the Rio Concho for over 10 years.

Their hours are Tuesday thru Friday, 8am to 5pm, Saturday and Sunday, 8am to 3pm.

Besides their famous pies, the Rio Concho boasts excellent hamburger meals from $4.95, outstanding omelets starting at $4.25 and creative daily specials.

Hicks Airfield adds the extra luxury of 24 Hour Fuel and pay at the pump Phillips 66 service.

Mike Reddick
Fort Worth, TX

Just wanted to drop you a quick line. There is a new restaurant in Martinsville, Va. Identifier is MTV. The new Runway Cafe opened in April of 02. Chef is a gourmet cook who managed a five star place in Fla. Hours  are Tues.-Sun, 11:00 - 3:00 also Fri and Sat. 5:00 PM - 10:00 for fine dining. Reservations are recommended for dinner. Phone is 276-957-2233.

(Anonymous Email)

Dear Ralph:

Tyler Pounds Regional Airport (KTYR) Tyler, TX. has a wonderful $100 dollar hamburger stop called the Rose Capital Cafe. Located in the main terminal. Tyler Jet Aviation can provide transportation, as transient aircraft are not allowed to park at terminal area due to security concerns.  Please contact FBO for more details. (903) 597-1334

Thank You,
Robert Tackett
Via E-mail

Do you have a favorite "$100 Hamburger" location?  If so, e-mail us at airmail@fly-low.com