2015 Best of the Best $100 Hamburger Awards

[N4843W]

This year's awards just came out and it's a great list. I have used the book and website for years to find good spots in my travel. This year's Best of the Best list requires the airport to be ON SITE, not even across the street. That's what most are looking for. Good sites for local or regional fly-ins. I have been to . How many have you been to, and what place you just love did they miss? I have been to 5. (NOTE: I put them on a WORD doc in case you want to print and take with you or add your own to the list, attached.)

1. The Mesa Grill SEDONA, AZ (SEDONA - SEZ)
2. Gaston's Restaurant LAKEVIEW, AR (GASTONS - 3M0)
3. Harris Ranch Restaurant COALINGA, CA (HARRIS RANCH - 3O8) Best of the Best – Steak
4. The Perfect Landing DENVER, CO (CENTENNIAL - APA)
5. Jet Runway Café FT LAUDERDALE, FL (FT LAUDERDALE EXEC – FXE)
6. The Downwind Café DAYTONA BEACH, FL (SPRUCE CREEK - 7FL6)Best of the Best – Pizza
7. Pilot Pete's CHICAGO/SCHAUMBURG, IL (SCHAUMBURG RGNL - 06C) Best of the Best – Hamburger
8. Bistro Le Relais LOUISVILLE, KY (BOWMAN FIELD - LOU)
9. Nancy's Air Field Café STOW, MA (MINUTE MAN AIR FIELD - 6B6) Best of the Best – Breakfast
10. Pik-N-Pig BBQ CARTHAGE, NC (GILLIAM - MC CONNELL AIRFIELD - 5NC3) Best of the Best – Eastern BBQ
11. Sky Galley Inn CINCINNATI, OH (LUNKEN FIELD - LUK)
12. Tin Goose Diner PORT CLINTON, OH
13. Jake's Joint ARDMORE, OK (ARDMORE MUNI - ADM)
14. DeNunzio's Italian Chophouse and Sinatra Bar LATROBE, PA (ARNOLD PALMER RGNL - LBE)
15. Southern Flyer Diner BRENHAM, TX (BRENHAM MUNI - 11R) Best of the Best – Chicken Fried Steak
16. The Hard Eight STEPHENVILLE, TX (CLARK FIELD MUNI - SEP) Best of the Best – Western BBQ
17. The Basin Harbor Resort VERGENNES, VT (BASIN HARBOR - B06)
18. Spruce Goose Café PORT TOWNSEND, WA (JEFFERSON COUNTY INTL - 0S9) Best of the Best - Pie

Notes from John Purner on how to sign up follow:
They're all reviewed in the just released 5th edition of The $100 Hamburger - A Pilots' Guide. For a short time it is available to you for 50% off - JUST $14.95!

Click HERE or follow this link: http://amzn.to/1HB7bnT to get yours now!

This year I’ve added FBOs, rental cars, more museums, golf courses, resorts, hotels, campsites and beaches. There are still some out there that I don’t know about. Slowly but surely I’ll get them all.

On the very last page of the book you'll find a COUPON for a FREE Subscription to my website, www.100dollarhamburger.com. It’s my way of thanking you for buying the book. Use it or pass it along to a friend – PLEASE!!!!

 

[lovetwinprops]

Re: 2015 Best of the Best $100 Hamburger Awards

Interesting, thanks. I'm a little surprised the Waypoint Cafe at Camarillo (KCMA) isn't on the list. The place is always packed, and some on-line reviews I've read say that it might just be the best airport restaurant in the country.

Anyway, nice list, and I'll check out your website too!


Gerry

 

[FS]

Re: 2015 Best of the Best $100 Hamburger Awards

#9 on the list (Nancy's Airfield Café at 6B6) is definitely worthy of it's placement. Folks in the northeast should make that trip.

 

[N4843W]

Re: 2015 Best of the Best $100 Hamburger Awards

Interesting, thanks. I'm a little surprised the Waypoint Cafe at Camarillo (KCMA) isn't on the list. The place is always packed, and some on-line reviews I've read say that it might just be the best airport restaurant in the country.

Anyway, nice list, and I'll check out your website too!


Gerry

Just to be clear, that is NOT my website!!! That is John Purner. $15 for the new edition of the book and the web access is a great deal though. For most of the states, there is now a Map of the reviewed restaurants which really helps pick places out when flying cross-country. In the book and web it also includes places that are an easy walk or have transportation, not just those situated right on the field.

 

[JimParker256]

Re: 2015 Best of the Best $100 Hamburger Awards

I've eaten at Harris Ranch, in Coalinga, CA several times - all many years ago. They used to also have a meat market around the corner from the restaurant. It was one of the few places in the country where an "average Joe" could walk in and actually buy "Prime Beef" in pretty much any cut you wanted. And the prices were competitive with supermarkets, etc. Don't know if the meat market is still there or not, but it was a great restaurant, anyway.

 

[Commander91gm]

Re: 2015 Best of the Best $100 Hamburger Awards

Don't agree with number 1 - Most locals wish the old restaurant was still there.
Fly in on a Sat morning and you will find few if any planes on the tarmac.
They are quite overpriced for an airport restaurant. Yes the views are spectacular but that's not a reason to give the restaurant high marks.
Most of us locals, would much rather fly into Payson (PAN) which is just up the road.

 

[VGIAMPA]

Re: 2015 Best of the Best $100 Hamburger Awards

I've eaten at Harris Ranch, in Coalinga, CA several times - all many years ago. They used to also have a meat market around the corner from the restaurant. It was one of the few places in the country where an "average Joe" could walk in and actually buy "Prime Beef" in pretty much any cut you wanted. And the prices were competitive with supermarkets, etc. Don't know if the meat market is still there or not, but it was a great restaurant, anyway.

Yep, the meat market is still there, only expanded somewhat to include wines, gifts, etc. Their beef is hard to beat.

Harris Ranch is still a favorite destination for aviators for breakfast, lunch and dinner, especially if staying overnight at the resort hotel.

In fact, I'll be going up there in October for an annual reunion of some old USAF buddies.

 

[Sherman]

Re: 2015 Best of the Best $100 Hamburger Awards

I treally miss the 94th Aero Squadron Restaurants- One at CGS (College Park) killed by 9-11 Bushwack Aviation policies, and the one in NJ. as a regular weekend finale for us: Great Steaks/ Seafood, great desserts (Chocolate Mousse with Rasberry drizzle) view of the Runway, Facility like WW1 converted French Mansion -bunkerized. We had a regular Sunday night table in front of the Big Fireplace, perfect after 'return flight, getting mentally ready for 'WOIK WEEK' the next day.

Have been looking at Arizona & California 'Places to fly' as motivation to continue Westward after K15.

 

[Frank]

Re: 2015 Best of the Best $100 Hamburger Awards

#18 Spruce Goose is famous for its pies. It is also an airport with some beautiful views as it sits at the base of the Coast Range mountains

Bremerton has an outstanding Sunday Brunch. And a good trip is to have brunch at Bremerton and pie at Spruce Goose as it is just a short hop further North.

In addition to the food the trip through Puget Sound is always outstanding!

 

[barrett2]

Re: 2015 Best of the Best $100 Hamburger Awards

In agreement with Gerry. Waypoint Cafe in Camarillo KCMA is great. They smoke grill the tri-tip for their sandwich and salad specials practically on the Tarmac. I swear you can smell it on short final. Nice outside patio. Be sure to order a shake or malt in a chilled chocolate covered glass. Always packed and closes around 3, so plan accordingly.

 

[N4843W]

Re: 2015 Best of the Best $100 Hamburger Awards

One of my favorites that did not make it is Mattoon, IL, KMTO, The Mattoon Airport Steakhouse. (This would be a great meet-up lunch for folks going to MO for the Fly-In.) If you have never had a classic "Elephant Ear Tenderloin" (mostly an Indiana, Illinois, Iowa thing) as big as a large dinner plate, well, you have to try it once. They also have good, inexpensive steaks there and excellent fried mushrooms.

BTW, that list is not in any particular order.

 

[plight]

Re: 2015 Best of the Best $100 Hamburger Awards

Gang,

I personally have eaten at the Jet Runway Cafe. It's really good. I noticed that there was a South of the Border slant to the list. You might want to add the Katana Cafe (London CYXU) to the list. Awesome food.

 

[N4843W]

Re: 2015 Best of the Best $100 Hamburger Awards

Good stuff, Phil. I did not know there was a good one at London.

I encourage everyone to send their input, good bad or otherwise, to:
jpurner@purner.com
He really does respond. And you can go to www.100dollarhamburger.com to submit your reviews. This stuff all comes from pilots and their experiences, so please contribute.

 

[jmcb]

Re: 2015 Best of the Best $100 Hamburger Awards

Good stuff, Phil. I did not know there was a good one at London.

I encourage everyone to send their input, good bad or otherwise, to:
jpurner@purner.com
He really does respond. And you can go to www.100dollarhamburger.com to submit your reviews. This stuff all comes from pilots and their experiences, so please contribute.

Purner is very good about responding. I also queried him about the Waypoint Cafe not being on the list. I would rate it one of the "best in the west" and if you have seen the gals that work there...all I have to say is HOLY COW!

 

[lovetwinprops]

Re: 2015 Best of the Best $100 Hamburger Awards

Just to be clear, that is NOT my website!!! That is John Purner.

Sorry for my misinterpretation! Thanks again for sharing this with us.


Gerry