John Purner of www.100dollarhamburger.com just sent us the results of the “Best of the Best” Fly-In Restaurants for 2015. He notes that, “all tastes are served and every imagination fulfilled; some are very, very impressive high dollar white tablecloth uptown style cafes, others are downhome spots. Each is special. Every region of the country is represented. All of us can look forward to having a meal at an award-winning restaurant this year. They are just a flying adventure away.”
It takes four things for an airport to make the Best of the Best list, according to Purner.
- First — and most importantly — it MUST be located on an airport. “Close doesn’t count — even across the street is too far away,” he says.
- Next, it MUST have a five star rating.
- Then, a large number of www.100dollarhamburger.com subscribers MUST recommend it.
- Finally the site’s Awards Committee meets (over lunch) and decides.
This year the award committee’s job became a good deal tougher as a few special recognition categories were added, he notes, including:
- Best of the Best – Breakfast
- Best of the Best – Burger
- Best of the Best – Eastern BBQ (pig)
- Best of the Best – Western BBQ (cow)
- Best of the Best – Chickenfried Steak
- Best of the Best – Steak
- Best of the Best – Pizza
- Best of the Best – Pie
The list is presented below in alphabetical order by state and city within state. “Pay no attention to their position on the list or the number beside them,” he advises.
Want to weigh in on the selections? He asks that you send in your thoughts via email to [email protected]
- The Mesa Grill
SEDONA, AZ (SEDONA – SEZ) - Gaston’s Restaurant
LAKEVIEW, AR (GASTONS – 3M0) - Harris Ranch Restaurant
COALINGA, CA (HARRIS RANCH – 3O8)
Best of the Best – Steak - The Perfect Landing
DENVER, CO (CENTENNIAL – APA) - Jet Runway Cafe
FT LAUDERDALE, FL (FT LAUDERDALE EXEC – FXE) - The Downwind Café
DAYTONA BEACH, FL (SPRUCE CREEK – 7FL6)
Best of the Best – Pizza - Pilot Pete’s
CHICAGO/SCHAUMBURG, IL (SCHAUMBURG RGNL – 06C)
Best of the Best – Hamburger - Bistro Le Relais
LOUISVILLE, KY (BOWMAN FIELD – LOU) - Nancy’s Air Field Cafe
STOW, MA (MINUTE MAN AIR FIELD – 6B6)
Best of the Best – Breakfast - Pik-N-Pig BBQ
CARTHAGE, NC (GILLIAM – MC CONNELL AIRFIELD – 5NC3)
Best of the Best – Eastern Style BBQ - Sky Galley Inn
CINCINNATI, OH (LUNKEN FIELD – LUK) - Tin Goose Diner
PORT CLINTON, OH - Jake’s Joint
ARDMORE, OK (ARDMORE MUNI – ADM) - DeNunzio’s Italian Chophouse and Sinatra Bar
LATROBE, PA (ARNOLD PALMER RGNL – LBE) - Southern Flyer Diner
BRENHAM, TX (BRENHAM MUNI – 11R)
Best of the Best – Chicken Fried Steak - The Hard Eight
STEPHENVILLE, TX (CLARK FIELD MUNI – SEP)
Best of the Best – Western BBQ - The Basin Harbor Resort
VERGENNES, VT (BASIN HARBOR – B06) - Spruce Goose Cafe
PORT TOWNSEND, WA (JEFFERSON COUNTY INTL – 0S9)
Best of the Best – Pie