New airport restaurants in NorCal

MAKG1

MAKG1

Touchdown! Greaser!
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MAKG
Just wondering what's going on. Livermore is building a gorgeous new terminal building with obvious restaurant space being filled with restaurant equipment right now. Watsonville has talk of a new Italian restaurant. And Napa is rumored to have a recently opened restaurant called The Runway that's even open for dinner.

It's a real nice change from all the closures.
 
Thanks for the news. I live near Sacto and will try these out.


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I hope they last longer than the last ones that opened.
 
Looking forward to trying them out. Maybe we should do a Flyin. There are few dinner spots left. HAF, of course and maybe the Chinese place in Redding, but nothing else comes to mind. Maybe Harris Ranch, but that is a haul.
 
John221us said:
Looking forward to trying them out. Maybe we should do a Flyin. There are few dinner spots left. HAF, of course and maybe the Chinese place in Redding, but nothing else comes to mind. Maybe Harris Ranch, but that is a haul.
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Santa Rosa (STS) has a good restaurant. Monterey (MRY) has one that I used to like, but I haven't been there in quite a while, so I don't know whether it is still good or not.
 
Santa Rosa has the steak and sushi place that's open for dinner (and it is good -- both the food and the, ahem, "scenery"). But it isn't the only one. You can still get a B-52 burger at Petaluma or a Banana Special at Fenton's just outside Nut Tree. Plus the usual spots at Sacramento and Auburn.
 
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"Ella's at The Airport" is opening at Watsonville on Tuesday 3rd March. Ella's is already a successful restaurant in the town and this is a new venture for them. I understand they will be doing Brunch on Sundays.
Sure is nice to see some airport restaurants re-opening. Wish they would re-open Sicily's at Lakeport/Lampson, we used to really enjoy it there.
But our favorite is still Mezza Luna at Half Moon Bay.
Stephen.
 
Ones I know of that have restraurants.
Redding, Benton, Red Bluff, Willows, Auburn, Petaluma, Half moon Bay, Watsonville, Napa.
Columbia and Chester have some in walking distance.
Oroville had one under construction some time ago, didn't look like it would be much...
Tim
 
N175PT said:
Ones I know of that have restraurants.
Redding, Benton, Red Bluff, Willows, Auburn, Petaluma, Half moon Bay, Watsonville, Napa.
Columbia and Chester have some in walking distance.
Oroville had one under construction some time ago, didn't look like it would be much...
Tim
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At Oroville there is a taxiway to the Golf Course on the West Side of the airport which has a clubhouse with burgers etc. Supposed to be quite good, but since it is our home 'drome we never go there as we are always flying out to somewhere else.
South Lake Tahoe also has one on the field.
Ukiah has a Mexican just across the street and the Be-Bop Diner is a 10 minute walk.
Stephen.
Stephen.
 
Well, Watsonville is one of the two home bases, but I did drive out to Props several times while it was open and even went to Zuniga's once well before I was a pilot (didn't like it much).

San Carlos has the Sky Kitchen on one side and Izzy's on the other.
 
KHAF has their own on field restaurant but why would you eat there, with several good seafood places a short walk away.

I'd be keen to see what new restaurant is open at KAPC. I loved Jonesey's before it closed.
 
John221us said:
Now that is a bit short sighted, when you are blowing $100 in fuel to get there. It might be the best Reuben you ever had.:dunno:
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I know, I know.... I've just been in sticker shock lately at restaurant and fast food prices. It's starting to get over the top in general.
 
Sac Arrow said:
I know, I know.... I've just been in sticker shock lately at restaurant and fast food prices. It's starting to get over the top in general.
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True, I just had a $15 burger at The Source, yesterday for lunch, but it was worth it, just for the company I was with. We spent three hours on the deck, overlooking a lake just talking while they kept our waters full and we enjoyed sunny warm afternoon. Sometimes you are buying more than food.
 
Denver Centennial has had the Perfect Landings restaurant for years and that place is always packed for lunch and Sunday brunch. It's a beautiful sight to see, except that I never get a window seat overlooking the ramp and runways!
 
Stockton also has a restaurant in the terminal but it was just "meh" when I was there.

Outside of KHAF, Santa Rosa is my next favorite.

Looking forward to Ella's opening at KWVI...cuz that's home for me!
 
There are also cafes at Lodi, Merced, Fresno Chandler, Red Bluff and Salinas in addition to what's been mentioned. Some better than others and some more expensive than others, but I go to them all and really don't care about the prices. I just like having different places to go and have breakfast or lunch and hope they all stay in business. I'm glad some are coming back and I have heard from the locals that there are people interested in opening the restaurant at Lampson too.

I will be going to Napa. Last time I ate there it was Jonesy's. That was a while ago for sure.

Oh yeah, food at Truckee too! I just remembered.
 
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Shawn said:
Stockton also has a restaurant in the terminal but it was just "meh" when I was there.

Outside of KHAF, Santa Rosa is my next favorite.

Looking forward to Ella's opening at KWVI...cuz that's home for me!
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Stockton does have a restaurant and it used to be easy to fly in and eat, but TSA and airport management closed the public transient parking that used to be closest to the terminal. Now you have to pay to park at Atlantic and hike over. However, there is a work around. Ask the guys at the Mooney shop, Top Gun Aviation, if you can use their ramp to go eat. They have no love for TSA, Atlantic, or the airport management and will let you park free of charge and arrange your in and out of the fence. They are right next to where the transient used to be, so they are closest too.
 
colojo said:
Denver Centennial has had the Perfect Landings restaurant for years and that place is always packed for lunch and Sunday brunch. It's a beautiful sight to see, except that I never get a window seat overlooking the ramp and runways!
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Long way from NorCal. :)

Wish they were closer, it would make my life easier!
 
Sac Arrow said:
KHAF has their own on field restaurant but why would you eat there, with several good seafood places a short walk away...
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I eat there sometimes when I'm in the mood, and have never found reason to complain.
 
Sac Arrow said:
Okay I just Googled the restaurant at Napa and got its menu.

Holy f that place is expensive. Fifteen bucks for a Reuben sandwich, f that!
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I'm going to their other flagship restaurant for my birthday. It's $170 per person, fixed menu. This will be my 3rd time there, and it's the best food I've ever had. Once, while I was in the back talking to the chefs, the waitress found me. She mentioned she just served my next course, but not to worry, when I'm done hanging in the kitchen, she will have them re-fire me a new course. It's basically eating in the chef's house and they welcome guests to linger wherever they want.

I'll bet that Reuben sandwhich will be one of the best ones you've at any airport.
 
Sac Arrow said:
Okay I just Googled the restaurant at Napa and got its menu.

Holy f that place is expensive. Fifteen bucks for a Reuben sandwich, f that!
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Heh. I just spent $12 today at Wendy's and got the full "people of walmart" experience. I'll drop 3 bucks to get a chair instead of an eating station, a textile napkin, and condiments that I didn't extract from a scuzzy pump-trough that Loqueesha's fifth WIC-funded crotchfruit has been playing in for the last 10 minutes.

Jonesy's before it wasn't exactly cheap fare, and it was like an ancient rotary club meeting in that place, complete with "I'll be your waitress this afternoon, Skeletor... can I bring you a drink from the 1950s?"

As mentioned, it's a $100 hamburger nee Reuben. Pay the man. :D
 
Dav8or said:
Stockton does have a restaurant and it used to be easy to fly in and eat, but TSA and airport management closed the public transient parking that used to be closest to the terminal. Now you have to pay to park at Atlantic and hike over. However, there is a work around. Ask the guys at the Mooney shop, Top Gun Aviation, if you can use their ramp to go eat. They have no love for TSA, Atlantic, or the airport management and will let you park free of charge and arrange your in and out of the fence. They are right next to where the transient used to be, so they are closest too.
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You haven't been here lately. They have re-opened the transient walk-through gate. It is painted bright red so you can't miss it. The restaurant also has a new owner and staff and stays very busy. You should give it a try, and stop by our hangar when you're here to say hi! :D
 
craigvince said:
You haven't been here lately. They have re-opened the transient walk-through gate. It is painted bright red so you can't miss it. The restaurant also has a new owner and staff and stays very busy. You should give it a try, and stop by our hangar when you're here to say hi! :D
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No, I haven't. It's probably been three years. That's good news and a welcome change for the better! I guess sometimes things do get better at airports. I will return. :thumbsup:
 
craigvince said:
You haven't been here lately. They have re-opened the transient walk-through gate. It is painted bright red so you can't miss it. The restaurant also has a new owner and staff and stays very busy. You should give it a try, and stop by our hangar when you're here to say hi! :D
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Sounds good. If you ask for "transient parking near the restaurant," will that get you anywhere near that gate?
 
Bonanza said:
But, like many others, I understand it is closed on Sunday and that is generally the only day I get to go flying.
Stephen.
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Yeah, I hate that. The other thing I hate that applies at lots of places, is the "closes at 2, or 3 pm" stuff. Oh well, it is what it is and I totally understand their reason.
 
I went to the new restaurant in Napa a month or so ago. The BLT was inedible and the service was sketchy. It was also expensive. Otherwise, it was fine.
 
Bonanza said:
Probably a good thing that it is closed on Sundays then !!!
Of course Americans don't know what real bacon is, so any BLT is a disappointment.
Stephen.
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I have to agree with you on the bacon. The first time I had breakfast in Britain, the bacon was a revelation. Grilled tomatoes for breakfast was a bit weird, but the bacon was to die for. I have yet to find anything like it in the U.S.
 
Kristin said:
I have yet to find anything like it in the U.S.
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You can't. I have given up even trying to explain it. "Oh. you mean Canadian Bacon?"
No I don't, I mean real bacon.
Last Christmas my wife bought me a half pound pack and got it sent over from Ireland. Bacon, Eggs and Fried Bread on Christmas morning... This one is a keeper. The only thing missing was the black pudding.
Stephen.
 
Bonanza said:
You can't. I have given up even trying to explain it. "Oh. you mean Canadian Bacon?"
No I don't, I mean real bacon.
Last Christmas my wife bought me a half pound pack and got it sent over from Ireland. Bacon, Eggs and Fried Bread on Christmas morning... This one is a keeper. The only thing missing was the black pudding.
Stephen.
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I may have to check these guys out.

http://properbritishbacon.com/
 
Bonanza said:
You can't. I have given up even trying to explain it. "Oh. you mean Canadian Bacon?"
No I don't, I mean real bacon.
Last Christmas my wife bought me a half pound pack and got it sent over from Ireland. Bacon, Eggs and Fried Bread on Christmas morning... This one is a keeper. The only thing missing was the black pudding.
Stephen.
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Yup, Kiwi bacon is excellent. You can keep the %#^* Marmite, though. That stuff is NASTY.
 
craigvince said:
You haven't been here lately. They have re-opened the transient walk-through gate. It is painted bright red so you can't miss it. The restaurant also has a new owner and staff and stays very busy. You should give it a try, and stop by our hangar when you're here to say hi! :D
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Hi Craig,


Is the SCK restaurant still closed Sundays?


Paul
 
Fullerton KFUL onfield restaurant is now open with new tenants. I have not yet eaten there so cannot vouch for the fare.
 
I live in Redding CA and am getting back into flying. I will pay for anyone's fuel and meal if they pick me up to go anywhere in Northern CA. Thought the line about the WIC funded scuzzy ketchup dispenser was hilarious.
 
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