The $100 Burger Club: A SoCal Pilot’s Guide to Flying for Food
Some people chase sunsets. Others chase waterfalls. Private pilots (and co-pilots)? We chase the elusive “hundred dollar burgers”. Looking for a hundred dollar burger SoCal pilot’s culinary guide? Read on!
This post is for Tony — my ex co-pilot in life and food. He went from clutching the armrests as a passenger during takeoff to confidently taking the controls over the rugged Hawaii coastlines. From getting queasy over Catalina to pulling off one of the smoothest landings at the famously dicey “Airport in the Sky.”
Our motivation? To fly for food. Not just any food. The best food SoCal general aviation airports have to offer.
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What on Earth is a Hundred Dollar Burger?
For the uninitiated: the “hundred dollar burger” is pilot slang for the meal you grab after flying somewhere just for the sake of flying. With the cost of fuel, rental, and parking, that $18 burger becomes a $100 meal with a view — and often, it’s not even a burger.
Sometimes, it’s a burrito. Actually, it’s a burrito most of the time. This is Southern California.
So whether you’re building hours, chasing coastlines, or just working up an appetite on short final, here’s our curated guide to the Best “$100” Burgers, Burritos & Beyond at and near Southern California GA airports.
1. Eureka Kitchen – Hawthorne Airport (HHR)
Our home base for a while. If you like your post-flight burger with a side of SpaceX engineers and maybe a Harrison Ford sighting, this is your spot. Great food, craft cocktails, and a breezy outdoor patio.
Bonus: the Beach Boys landmark is nearby for a post-meal stroll down memory lane.
Order: Steak salad, craft burger, or a Negroni on tap if you’re not PIC.
Plane spotting factor: 9/10 – You’re dining on the tarmac.
2. Cloverfield – Santa Monica Airport (SMO)
Best for weekend brunches. A stylish spot with a sun-soaked patio and pet-friendly vibe. Their salmon burger is elite. Sling Academy just opened here, so aspiring aviators and brunch classics now share runway space.
Order: Salmon burger + fries. We also love their nicoise salad. Freshly brewed coffee is a must.
Plane spotting factor: 7/10 – Great brunch crowd and vintage plane sightings.
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3. Airport in the Sky Restaurant – Catalina Airport (AVX)
If you land here, you’ve earned this burger. One of the most iconic — and challenging — landings in SoCal. The bison burger is legendary. For our veg friends, the bean burger holds its own. Gorgeous hikes begin right behind the restaurant.
Order: Bison burger, house made bean burger for the vegetarians, and chocolate chip cookies for dessert. Also pick up some merch – a landing there deserves an AVX hoodie!
Plane spotting factor: 10/10 – You’re on top of the island, literally.
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4. Casa Machado – Montgomery-Gibbs Airport, San Diego (MYF)
Tucked inside the terminal building, go up the stairs to find a cozy, traditional Mexican gem overlooking the runways. A favorite among the San Diego flying community. And a favorite of ours, too. Allow extra time to appreciate the extensive aviation memorabilia that line up the walls.
Order: Any burrito or breakfast plate. Later on in the day, you can’t go wrong with daily specials. And a mangorita (for the passenger).
Plane spotting factor: 10/10 – You’ll have front-row views of GA traffic but with chips and salsa.
5. Waypoint Café – Camarillo Airport (CMA)
Classic breakfast and lunch spot with outdoor seating and runway views. For something fancier (or saltier), Lure Fish House is just steps away for local seafood and cheeky oyster platters.
Order: Breakfast burger or cinnamon roll french toast.
Plane spotting factor: 10/10 – You’re basically dining under a Cessna.
6. Mezontle Grill – Torrance Airport (TOA)
Technically just off-airport, but Torrance is a foodie’s dream. We loved Mezontle for their no-frills, flavor-packed hearty burritos.
Omakase lovers? Treat yourself to Inaba for an unforgettable sushi night. This is where Tony began his flight training, so it’s extra nostalgic for us.
Order: Any burrito at Mezontle. Omakase at Inaba.
Plane spotting factor: 2/10 – Not at the airport, but you’ll feel the jet fuel in your soul.
7. Sr. Cliff’s Texas Style Burritos – Compton Airport (CPM)
Underrated gem. Massive burritos, cheesy goodness, and one of my favorite murals in LA. The small patio area is casual, friendly, and alive with community.
Order: Bean and cheese burrito with extra hot sauce.
Plane spotting factor: 2/10 – More soul than scenery, and that’s the point.
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8. Cristino’s Bakery – Santa Barbara Airport (SBA)
No seating, no problem. Grab one of their epic breakfast burritos and head back to the plane or the breezy Spanish-style terminal. The nearby Leta motel is a mid-century gem if you’re staying overnight.
Order: Any breakfast burrito.
Plane spotting factor: 7/10 – Bonus points for the beautiful architecture.
9. Paso Robles Airport Wineries (PRB)
Not a single restaurant but a gastronomic safari. A few minutes’ Uber ride gets you into the heart of wine country. Pilot can’t sip, but passengers sure can. Treat yourself to a pairing menu, pick up a bottle for home, or stay the night at a charming country inn.
Order: Anything at The Hatch or Il Cortile in town. Gelato at Negranti.
Plane spotting factor: 1/10 – It’s all about the food and wine here.
10. The Landings – McClellan-Palomar Airport, Carlsbad (CRQ)
Reliable, low-key spot with solid burgers and breakfast burritos. Patio dining right by the action. Not flashy — but hearty and satisfying. If anyone knows the reason for the mysterious “dance at own risk sign”, please comment below!
Order: Breakfast burrito and peanut butter & bacon burger – channel your inner Elvis.
Plane spotting factor: 10/10 – Prime GA traffic views.
11. Chef Tanya’s Kitchen – Palm Springs International (PSP)
Outside the airport, but worth it. Vegetarian magic in sandwich form. Chef Tanya is an OG plant based chef in Coachella Valley, and previously the cofounder of SoCal’s beloved Native Foods.
If you absolutely can’t fathom the thought of veggie foods, check out Paul Bar/Food — a hidden speakeasy-style delight with killer cocktails.
Order: Vegan Cubano or meatless Reuben sandwich. Desserts are a must. Most things here are convenient for take out. Bring a picnic to the next destination!
Plane spotting factor: 3/10 – Not in view, but you’ll be too busy chewing.
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12. Asian Eats Around John Wayne Airport (SNA)
Some of the best Asian eats in SoCal just outside the airport. Think ramen, handmade noodles, Sichuan hot pot. We spent years exploring this area. It’s like a culinary flight plan.
Favorites nearby:
- HiroNori Craft Ramen
- Meiji Seimen (for udon dreams)
- Qin West Noodle
- YGF Malatang (for spice seekers)
Plane spotting factor: 1/10 – But your tastebuds will be flying.
13. The Copper Room at Yucca Valley Airport (L22)
Imagine sipping a perfect ice cold, stirred not shaken Aviation Martini in a historic retro bar overlooking the landing strip and marveling at the picture perfect Joshua Tree sunset. Sometimes with live music to top it off. 50s vibes all the way. One of the original Rat Pack hangouts.
Order: an Aviation Martini and spinach & artichoke dip, the same as Sinatra used to enjoy.
Plane spotting factor: 10/10 especially at sunset.
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14. Randy’s Donuts at Bob Hope Burbank Airport (BUR)
How about a hundred dollar donut for a change! Randy’s Donuts are an LA classic. The original location is actually near LAX. This is a smaller donut shop near a smaller airport, but the experience is just as epic.
Pro tip: pick up a boxed up dozen for the flight! And if you’re craving something more substantial, head to the Corner Cottage nearby for a legendary breakfast burrito in a retro spot.
Order: Crondy, Coffee Raised, Chocolate Long John… everything!
Plane spotting factor: 5/10 but all ayes are on the donuts anyways.
15. Beeps Diner at Van Nuys Airport (VNY)
Last but not least… Beeps might just serve the best actual burger on the list. This retro diner dates back to the 50s and checks all the boxes for how the hundred dollar burger flying club came to be in the first place. Not to be missed.
They also have a whole section on the menu for veggies and health conscious called “Bye Bye Beef”.
Order: Any burger and chili or gravy fries.
Plane spotting factor: 3/10 but you’ll be too busy devouring your juicy burgers and planning your next flight to VNY.
Honorable Mention: Long Beach Airport (LGB)
We know there must be gems near Long Beach. But we haven’t found that definitive $100 dish yet. Have one? Comment below!
Also looking for recommendations at or near:
- Oceanside (KOKB)
- San Luis Obispo (KSBP)
- Anywhere else you love in SoCal skies!
Hundred Dollar Burger: Final thoughts from the cockpit
Flying for food is about more than eating. It’s about adventure, community, and shared passions. For me and Tony, it was a way to bond, laugh, and sometimes cry (looking at you, Hawaii and Catalina crosswinds). It was about conquering fears and chasing joy.
So next time you’re staring at a sky full of possibilities and thinking, Where should we go today? — let your stomach be your flight planner.
Here is to blue skies and your next hundred dollar burger. Bon voyage and bon apetit!
Did we miss your favorite hundred dollar burger stop? What else would you add to the list of $100 burger SoCal pilots guide to food? Drop it in the comments below — the next pilot adventure might just begin there. You can also tag @eightyflavors on socials!
OUR TRIED AND TESTED FOOD TRAVEL RESOURCES: Book a hotel with Booking.com. Search for the best flight deals on Skyscanner. Find the best local food tours on Viator. Browse curated conscious group trips with GAdventures. Get your travel insurance with World Nomads.
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