$100 Hamburger (sorta)

[bradcarr]

Ok Mooney folks I need some help.  I'm in Mississippi.  I'm Time building.  It seems to me all the $100 Hamburger threads online or books etc are all focused on places to eat actually on the field at the airport.  I'm by no means not willing to do that but it also starts shrinking the options.  For instance, Bessemer has "the hanger" on the field but at the same time a simple 12 min ride in an uber has you at the summit in Birmingham with 50 more options.

My first attempt was a true eye opener as I flew from M11 to KHOT.  Near 2 hour flight. No curtesy car and a 32 min wait on an uber.  So I walked .6 miles to the burger king and ate my first official $100 (more like $200) Hamburger.

 

Do you guys have places you just love to fly to?  Places where maybe a short drive or a curtesy car can or an uber can open up the options for places to eat or even places to explore and see for a few hours.

I'm sitting at M11, but really don't have much of a limit to how far I'm willing to go.  Obviously within a fueling distance would be preferred, but heck if you got the best spots ever I'll just make a stop, time is time and I don't mind earning it.

[IvanP]

It seems that courtesy cars are rather rare these days (at least at the airports that I have been to lately) as are decent airport restaurants. 

[NickM20F]

Super interested to hear the responses to this as well. 

I live in Houston and so far my favorite has been T82 in Fredericksburg, TX. Probably close enough for you to get without a fuel stop. Super cool little town 6 minute uber ride off the field, last couple times i've been I waited 5-10 mins on an uber. Courtesy car never available of course 

[bradcarr]

1 hour ago, NickM20F said:

Super interested to hear the responses to this as well. 

I live in Houston and so far my favorite has been T82 in Fredericksburg, TX. Probably close enough for you to get without a fuel stop. Super cool little town 6 minute uber ride off the field, last couple times i've been I waited 5-10 mins on an uber. Courtesy car never available of course 

Ok this is officially on my list.  May be tomorrow..... lol

[Scooter]

I use to fly into Baton Rouge. They had a car and Tony’s down on Plank road had some really good Cajun food. Best known for their catfish. Swimming on one end and fried on the other. Only problem was it was more of a take out and we would go back to the FBO and devour it there.

[hammdo]

2 hours ago, bradcarr said:

My first attempt was a true eye opener as I flew from M11 to KHOT.  Near 2 hour flight. No curtesy car and a 32 min wait on an uber.  So I walked .6 miles to the burger king and ate my first official $100 (more like $200) Hamburger.

Go back to Hot Springs as you missed out on Fisherman’s Wharf on the lake! Worth a taxi or Uber wait… I get a taxi much faster there.

https://www.facebook.com/5101spacity/

Also Monroe LA has good restaurants in the area within minutes of the airport…

-Don

 

[LANCECASPER]

5 hours ago, NickM20F said:

Super interested to hear the responses to this as well. 

I live in Houston and so far my favorite has been T82 in Fredericksburg, TX. Probably close enough for you to get without a fuel stop. Super cool little town 6 minute uber ride off the field, last couple times i've been I waited 5-10 mins on an uber. Courtesy car never available of course 

The Airport Diner at T82 is open Weds - Sun.  https://www.hangarhotel.com/diner

[Niko182]

Cedar Key. KCDK. I absolutely love it there. rent a golf cart and hang out.

[Will.iam]

9 hours ago, bradcarr said:

Ok Mooney folks I need some help.  I'm in Mississippi.  I'm Time building.  It seems to me all the $100 Hamburger threads online or books etc are all focused on places to eat actually on the field at the airport.  I'm by no means not willing to do that but it also starts shrinking the options.  For instance, Bessemer has "the hanger" on the field but at the same time a simple 12 min ride in an uber has you at the summit in Birmingham with 50 more options.

My first attempt was a true eye opener as I flew from M11 to KHOT.  Near 2 hour flight. No curtesy car and a 32 min wait on an uber.  So I walked .6 miles to the burger king and ate my first official $100 (more like $200) Hamburger.

 

Do you guys have places you just love to fly to?  Places where maybe a short drive or a curtesy car can or an uber can open up the options for places to eat or even places to explore and see for a few hours.

I'm sitting at M11, but really don't have much of a limit to how far I'm willing to go.  Obviously within a fueling distance would be preferred, but heck if you got the best spots ever I'll just make a stop, time is time and I don't mind earning it.

https://www.funplacestofly.com/fun-places-to-fly-by-zip-code.asp
 

Just put in your distance and it lists all sorts of places to go. You will go broke in paying for fuel alone before you run out of places. Having said that. I have always wanted to drop in at Jeremiah denton airport as it’s right on the gulf coast and would be neat. I used to go into lake charles in LA and get their shrimp poorboy sandwich which was excellent. Landing galvaston texas is neat too all of which are closer than Fredericksburg. But the airport hotel in Fredericksburg is unique as is the town and food. Along with the only japanese minisub on display at the naval museum there. 

[Will.iam]

1 minute ago, Will.iam said:

https://www.funplacestofly.com/fun-places-to-fly-by-zip-code.asp
 

Just put in your distance and it lists all sorts of places to go. You will go broke in paying for fuel alone before you run out of places. Having said that. I have always wanted to drop in at Jeremiah denton airport as it’s right on the gulf coast and would be neat. I used to go into lake charles in LA and get their shrimp poorboy sandwich which was excellent. Landing galvaston texas is neat too all of which are closer than Fredericksburg. But the airport hotel in Fredericksburg is unique as is the town and food. Along with the only japanese minisub on display at the naval museum there. 

Some reason the previous link did not work. Maybe this one will?

https://www.funplacestofly.com

[Will.iam]

https://www.funplacestofly.com 

third time is the charm. 

[Schllc]

KLFT 

Crew car to “t coons”

gas isn’t cheap but worth it for lunch. 

[Ragsf15e]

15 minutes ago, Will.iam said:

https://www.funplacestofly.com/fun-places-to-fly-by-zip-code.asp
 

Just put in your distance and it lists all sorts of places to go. You will go broke in paying for fuel alone before you run out of places. Having said that. I have always wanted to drop in at Jeremiah denton airport as it’s right on the gulf coast and would be neat. I used to go into lake charles in LA and get their shrimp poorboy sandwich which was excellent. Landing galvaston texas is neat too all of which are closer than Fredericksburg. But the airport hotel in Fredericksburg is unique as is the town and food. Along with the only japanese minisub on display at the naval museum there. 

Ha! We use to order the shrimp poorboys at lake charles on radio 2 while in the radar pattern doing approaches with usaf students!  

[Will.iam]

17 minutes ago, Ragsf15e said:

Ha! We use to order the shrimp poorboys at lake charles on radio 2 while in the radar pattern doing approaches with usaf students!  

Were you my IP?!?

[Pinecone]

https://flightsforbites.com/

List by distance from your home airport and also whether on the field, short walk, short drive or long drive away.

[TangoTango]

Here's another option with some good listings. I like the map format to this one: 

https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1ESeubCk9sDWafBt8iQ4dzXu97tftJBQ&hl=en&usp=sharing

 

I also use this site to plan stops with courtesy cars. That expands your options a little more:

https://airportcourtesycars.com/locations/

[bradcarr]

Well I flew into Chennault International Airport (CWF) yesterday.  Nice option to order food and have delivered and it's $1 but only if you getting fuel.  Hard to put 20 gallons of $6.72 100ll in verses a $10 bowl of red beans and rice.  Ramp fee etc total was $46.  But a nice easy trip and a gigantic bumpy runway.  My first time departing from halfway down a runway too.  On to the next

[Hank]

2 hours ago, bradcarr said:

My first time departing from halfway down a runway too.  On to the next

Just wait. I routinely do 1000' takeoff rolls from my 5400' home field. But my first similar departure from 10,000' runway was special in its own way.

I got my PPL and Mooney, and was based for 7+ years, at a 3000' runway with trees at both ends, and sometimes went 8 miles up the river to a 2000' grass field, so there's nothing special about short runways. Just went into a 2770 x 30 for Thanksgiving, winds were forecast for 10 knots, I landed on 32 with winds approx direct cross gusting into the 20s; took two tries, the first time I didn't allow enough room for turning without the wind blowing me away from the runway. 

Fly your Mooney often, go new places and enjoy the variation in runways--long, short, humps in the middle, slanting up or down like a ski jump, some are crooked, often can't see the other end much before midfield. It keeps you learning, and you won't be bored!

[bradcarr]

Ok so a trip yesterday with the wife to Branson KBBG resulted in the FBO offering a rental car for 55 a day so cheaper than an Uber 2 ways. And a short 20 min drive to Branson Landing area with tons of food shopping etc.  Also if you a golfer lord help me the airport may as well be on a fairway of some insane looking courses. Fuel reasonable and big runway.

 

Today to McKinney texas KTKI.  Runway shortened but still like 5800.  Very nice FBO with not so cheap fuel.  But a free courtesy car and 20 min to a million places to eat shop etc.  Probably spent the same as rental car or Uber.  

 

Will for sure be back to both.

[JohnB]

I don’t remember who, but someone made a foreflight overlay of airport restaurants a while back, probably not exactly current, I liked it quite a bit and helps when going cross country. 

[exM20K]

https://fly2lunch.com
Come on down to the Forgotten Coast KAAF Apalachicola, FL.  No taxi’s or Uber that I’m aware of, but rental and possibly crew cars available. Or PM me, and if I’m down there could get you for lunch.

-dan

[midlifeflyer]

12 hours ago, JohnB said:

I don’t remember who, but someone made a foreflight overlay of airport restaurants a while back, probably not exactly current, I liked it quite a bit and helps when going cross country. 

 

https://av8maps.com/ It’s a bit of an outgrowth of an airport restaurants facebook group. There are a few of these around but this is the only one I know that gets updated fairly regularly. You create your own overlay.
 

Edit. Just realized I posted instruction elsewhere. Here’s a copy/paste

It doesn't work on a mobile device because those send you to the maps app. So do it on a computer (I'm using Windows but I assume it will be the same on a Mac).

1. From the map on the website, click the "View Larger Map" icon on the upper right. This will bring you into the Google Maps page.
2. Once there, you will see the map and the information panel on the left. 
3. Tap the 3 dot "ellipsis" menu. Select "Download KML."
4. Send the KML to the EFB. I just email it to myself and share it to the EFB on my iPad. I assume you know how to do that.

 

 

 

[Flash]

On 1/2/2026 at 9:04 AM, midlifeflyer said:

https://av8maps.com/ It’s a bit of an outgrowth of an airport restaurants facebook group. There are a few of these around but this is the only one I know that gets updated fairly regularly. You create your own overlay.

Thanks.

For the original poster: Fun things to do if you have a Mooney based in Mississippi include landing at each of the airports in Mississippi. There were about 80 when I was based at KMBO until 2002. Fun places to fly include Gaston's (3M0), Lakefront (KNEW), Dauphin Island (4R9), Galveston (KGLS), Enjoy your plane!