AOPA Pilot Magazine - November 2022 - 30

BRIEFING
DEST INAT IONS /
homemade soups, quiche, prime rib, and
always fresh-made pie.
Lilo Hohmann Russell started Westside
Lilo's near the Seligman Airport (P23) in
Arizona on historic Route 66 in 1996. Germanborn,
Lilo makes hearty fare such as schnitzel,
hot beef, liver and onions, and country-fried
steak alongside her daughter Brenda. If you're
feeling homesick for family, the restaurant features
photos of family displayed throughout the
restaurant, or you can comfort yourself with
one of her giant cinnamon rolls or a big slice
of carrot cake.
At Block Island Airport in Rhode Island
(BID) you'll find " ma in the diner making
chowda " at Bethany's Airport Diner. Owned by
Bethany and Pat, there's a real mom behind all
that good New England fare.
And frequent diners at Tammy's Billard
Mom-made
Head over the river and through the
wood for meals like your momma makes
BY JULIE SUMMERS WALKER
NOBODY LOVES YOU like your momma. And no one cooks like her either. So, in
the interest of making sure you are well fed this month-Thanksgiving a.k.a Table
Season a.k.a. Friendsgiving a.k.a. November-here are several airport restaurants
where you can find mom-made cooking, narrowed down by if the mom in question
was willing to put her name on the establishment.
Let's start with a chef who makes pancakes in the shape of bears with chocolatechip
eyes and sausage noses. At Nancy's Airfield Café on the Minute Man Airfield
(6B6) in Stow, Massachusetts, Nancy McPherson excels in farm-to-table and locallysourced
food for her restaurant, which she has faithfully maintained since 1996.
So, in addition to fun bakery items, you'll also find homemade granola, fresh hummus,
quiche, steaks, and salads (see " In Praise of Airport Restaurants, " next page).
There's a Flo behind Flo's Airport Café in Chino, California. Flora Stack started
her café at the Chino Airport (CNO) in 1975. Serving home cooking such as chickenfried
steak, biscuits with country gravy, and enormous cinnamon rolls, Flo's was sold
to Donna and Paul Hughes who keep Flo's recipes cooking.
There's also a Donna behind Donna's Runway Café in Blairstown, New Jersey
(1N7). Donna was a waitress here for 17 years before buying the old-fashioned
hometown diner on the field. She and partner Jim serve up fresh food including
30
AOPA PILOT / November 2022
Airport Restaurant in Topeka, Kansas (TOP)
call ahead to find out " What day are you making
meatloaf? " to ensure the favorite is available.
Tammy's also serves patty melts, pancakes, and
breakfast and lunch buffets. Those same frequent
diners also remark on the delicious coffee.
You're not going to find Louise at Louise
Cafe on Thaden Field (VBT) in Bentonville,
Arkansas, because the restaurant is named
for aviator and record-setting pilot Louise
Thaden. But you will find a $100 hamburger
($15 for a single, $18 for a double), meatloaf,
and salmon salad.
In the mood for fried chicken? Then
watch out for fog as you fly to Katy's Fly-In
Restaurant in beautiful Great Valley, New
Lilo Hohmann Russell.
ELLICE WEAVER
AOPA Pilot Magazine - November 2022

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