Best Fly-In Restaurants: Where to Find the $100 Hamburger in 2025

The $100 hamburger has gotten complicated with inflation and avgas prices flying around. As someone who has flown to more airport diners than I can count over 15 years of general aviation, I learned everything there is to know about fly-in dining. Today, I will share it all with you.

The $100 hamburger. You fly an hour out, spend $150 on fuel (inflation, you know), grab a $12 burger, and fly home. Its the most expensive meal youll ever love. And its never really been about the burger.

Pilot Petes – Schaumburg Regional Airport (06C), Illinois

Location: Terminal building, 905 W Irving Park Rd, Schaumburg, IL

This is Chicagolands only aviation-themed restaurant, and it shows. The place is packed with aviation memorabilia, signed photos of famous aviators, and model airplanes covering every surface. Huge panoramic windows overlook the active runway. I spent two hours here once just watching traffic and talking to other pilots.

The food: Their chicken fingers are legitimately famous. Caribbean Baby Back Ribs are solid. Voted one of Schaumburgs top 10 restaurants.

Hours: Mon-Thu 11am-9pm, Fri-Sat 11am-10pm, Sun 11am-9pm

The Hangar Restaurant – Albert Whitted Airport (KSPG), St. Petersburg, FL

Location: 2nd floor of terminal, 540 1st St SE, St. Petersburg, FL

Probably should have led with this one, honestly – its my favorite on the list. Opened in 2010, this place sits right above the Sheltair FBO with stunning views of Tampa Bay. Outdoor tables literally next to the planes on the ramp. Watch a Cirrus land while eating your eggs.

Pilot info: Tell Ground youre going to the restaurant. FBO charges $5 or 5 gallons minimum. Access through Sheltair, take the wide stairway to the 2nd floor.

Waypoint Cafe – Camarillo Airport (KCMA), California

Location: 325 Durley Ave, Camarillo, CA

One of Californias most popular fly-in spots. The outdoor patio gives you close-up views of airport traffic, and on Saturdays, Sundays, and Wednesdays, tri-tip sizzles on the outdoor grill. Thats what makes Waypoint endearing to SoCal pilots – you can smell the barbecue from the runup area.

The food: Smokehouse BBQ Burger is legendary. Massive cinnamon rolls. The tri-tip sells out early.

Hours: Tuesday-Sunday 8am-3pm (closed Monday)

Jet Runway Cafe – Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport (KFXE), Florida

Location: 5540 NW 21st Terrace, Fort Lauderdale, FL

Window seats directly on the runway. Watch takeoffs and landings while you eat breakfast. Their chicken and waffles earned a permanent place in my memory.

Hours: Mon-Fri 7:30am-3pm, Sat-Sun 8am-2pm

Planning Your $100 Hamburger Run

Tips from experience:

• Call ahead: Small airport restaurants have irregular schedules. Ive flown an hour to find a closed sign on the door.
• Fuel planning: Calculate round trip plus reserves. Some airports charge ramp fees waived with fuel purchase.
• Weather: VFR recommended for your first visit to any new airport.
• Wait times: Popular spots get crowded on weekends – consider weekday visits.

RIP: Southern Flyer Diner (Brenham, TX)

Worth mentioning: The Southern Flyer Diner at Brenham Municipal Airport was legendary. Won Best $100 Hamburger six years running. The 1950s-themed diner with waitresses in poodle skirts permanently closed in 2020 due to COVID. A replacement opened briefly in 2021 but closed a year later.

Im apparently sentimental about airport diners and losing Southern Flyer still stings. Pour one out for the GOAT of fly-in restaurants.

Why We Do This

Its not about the burger. Its about building cross-country time. Practicing navigation to unfamiliar airports. Meeting other pilots who understand why we spend stupid money to eat mediocre food at a noisy airport. Having an excuse to go flying on a Saturday morning.

Pick a restaurant within an hour of your home airport. Check the weather. File VFR flight following. And go.

Clear skies and full plates.