Post by dashtrash400 on Jul 16, 2005 22:21:03 GMT -5
Since I flew GA for some time in SoCal, let me pass along some of the better airport eatieries in the area:
1. Spirit of San Luis, San Luis Obispo (KSBP). Semi-formal setting, reasonable prices, good local wines. Popular with the locals despite being a bit out of town, which certainly says something. Park at Air San Luis & go through the gate just to the northwest of their ramp. Make sure you ask somebody the gate code before you leave Spirit of SL for your airplane.
2. Typhoon, Santa Monica (KSMO). Pan-Pacific dining; everything is good but can get a little pricey. Their Pad Thai is scrumptious but economical. The adventurous can order more exotic dishes up to and including fried ant soup. Yes, they're really ants. Park at the airport administration building on the southeast side of the airport. Note that there is also a good sushi bar on the 2nd floor.
3. Flo's, Chino (KCNO). Flo's is typical airport greasy-spoon fare, but with one critical difference: It's Flo's! It's a legend! They've been serving up chicken fried steak and hash browns in the same location since just about WWII. Take some time afterwards to visit Planes of Fame or at least meander among Chino's many homebuilts and warbirds.
4. Elephant Bar, Santa Barbara (KSBA). Park at Signature Flight Support, they'll point the way. Yes, it's a chain that you could just as easily visit at non-airport locations in Sacramento or Burbank. But you can't call yourself a SoCal pilot if you haven't flown into SBA to eat at Elephant Bar. Decent food, good atmosphere. The day after I proposed to my wife, we rented a PA28 and flew 3.3 hours roundtrip, during cold front passage, in driving rain and moderate turbulence, 3.1 hrs IMC and an ILS to 300 feet, to go celebrate at Elephant Bar. Dawn said it was worth it. I knew then she was a keeper. PS - land in similar conditions, the first plane to park in 5 hrs, and Signature will waive their ramp fee!!
4. Casa Machado, Mongomery Field, San Diego (KMYF). Park at the main terminal building. Mexican food is fine - the real treat is flying in San Diego. I'm going to suggest that you pass up the nacho appetizer and go straight for their fajitas. If you don't mind a cab ride, thingy's Last Resort in the gaslamp district downtown is a good alternative. Crazy chaotic fun, and killer food to boot!
5. Maniac Mike's Cafe, Cable Airport, Upland (KCCB). Cable is the busiest private airport in the nation. It's one of the craziest uncontrolled fields I've ever flown into. Consider yourself warned. Arrive on a weekend, and after dogfighting for a spot in the pattern, you'll get to wait for a spot in the Cafe. Is it the food? The ambience? The history? Just Mike? Perhaps a combination of all of the above.
6. In-N-Out Burger, LAX (KLAX!). Airline drivers, do not despair. You too, can participate in $100 Burger Mania - on your airline's dime! IF you have a break in LAX, catch a ride on the shuttle for The Parking Spot's Sepulveda Blvd location. You can't miss the shuttle. It looks like a holstein cow with jaundice. Their parking garage actually has a door labled "In-N-Out." Go enjoy a juicy double-double with their awesome fries and a fresh milkshake while you watch the arrivals on 24L and 24R. Tip the drivers well, so they'll continue to take us airline freeloaders there.
1. Spirit of San Luis, San Luis Obispo (KSBP). Semi-formal setting, reasonable prices, good local wines. Popular with the locals despite being a bit out of town, which certainly says something. Park at Air San Luis & go through the gate just to the northwest of their ramp. Make sure you ask somebody the gate code before you leave Spirit of SL for your airplane.
2. Typhoon, Santa Monica (KSMO). Pan-Pacific dining; everything is good but can get a little pricey. Their Pad Thai is scrumptious but economical. The adventurous can order more exotic dishes up to and including fried ant soup. Yes, they're really ants. Park at the airport administration building on the southeast side of the airport. Note that there is also a good sushi bar on the 2nd floor.
3. Flo's, Chino (KCNO). Flo's is typical airport greasy-spoon fare, but with one critical difference: It's Flo's! It's a legend! They've been serving up chicken fried steak and hash browns in the same location since just about WWII. Take some time afterwards to visit Planes of Fame or at least meander among Chino's many homebuilts and warbirds.
4. Elephant Bar, Santa Barbara (KSBA). Park at Signature Flight Support, they'll point the way. Yes, it's a chain that you could just as easily visit at non-airport locations in Sacramento or Burbank. But you can't call yourself a SoCal pilot if you haven't flown into SBA to eat at Elephant Bar. Decent food, good atmosphere. The day after I proposed to my wife, we rented a PA28 and flew 3.3 hours roundtrip, during cold front passage, in driving rain and moderate turbulence, 3.1 hrs IMC and an ILS to 300 feet, to go celebrate at Elephant Bar. Dawn said it was worth it. I knew then she was a keeper. PS - land in similar conditions, the first plane to park in 5 hrs, and Signature will waive their ramp fee!!
4. Casa Machado, Mongomery Field, San Diego (KMYF). Park at the main terminal building. Mexican food is fine - the real treat is flying in San Diego. I'm going to suggest that you pass up the nacho appetizer and go straight for their fajitas. If you don't mind a cab ride, thingy's Last Resort in the gaslamp district downtown is a good alternative. Crazy chaotic fun, and killer food to boot!
5. Maniac Mike's Cafe, Cable Airport, Upland (KCCB). Cable is the busiest private airport in the nation. It's one of the craziest uncontrolled fields I've ever flown into. Consider yourself warned. Arrive on a weekend, and after dogfighting for a spot in the pattern, you'll get to wait for a spot in the Cafe. Is it the food? The ambience? The history? Just Mike? Perhaps a combination of all of the above.
6. In-N-Out Burger, LAX (KLAX!). Airline drivers, do not despair. You too, can participate in $100 Burger Mania - on your airline's dime! IF you have a break in LAX, catch a ride on the shuttle for The Parking Spot's Sepulveda Blvd location. You can't miss the shuttle. It looks like a holstein cow with jaundice. Their parking garage actually has a door labled "In-N-Out." Go enjoy a juicy double-double with their awesome fries and a fresh milkshake while you watch the arrivals on 24L and 24R. Tip the drivers well, so they'll continue to take us airline freeloaders there.
you can usually park at the special restaurant parking area right in front of the restaurant (just ask Ground if you don't know where it is). Try the fish-and-chips (which my to my half-British tastes weren't half bad :-) ). And yeah, don't forget the code...