Our best lunches
We know it is called a $100 Hamburger, but our best lunches are generally not hamburgers. Yes, we have had a lot of those, but they don't stand out in our memory. Some of the places may well be good dinner stops because of the type of place they are. Virtually all of them are local establishments, we try not to eat in national chains when we are traveling.
As we were discussing the memorable places we had been prior to starting this page, it became obvious that a number of them were sandwich shops. It is hard to beat a good sandwich for lunch. There are also a few cafes with "blue plate specials". These are probably also good dinner stops.
Many of the places we don't have a name for, but ask the guys in the FBO. That is usually how we found them.
Arkansas
Stuttgart
FBO (6/24/03)
We arrived there for lunch and fuel to discover that Airnav and Flight Guide notwithstanding, there was no courtesy car. However, the FBO guy offered to fix us a hamburger. While I was gassing the bird, he fired up a grill in the hangar and fixed us two of the finest hamburgers we have ever eaten. Huge pattys done just right with limited but adequate fixins. He refused any payment, but I left him a good tip.
Don't count on this if you stop there. But it was a memorable lunch.
Monticello
A barbecue place (6/10/04)
Recommended by the local ABS (Airport Bum Society). On the road into town. Good BBQ with a spicy but not overpowering sauce.
Georgia
Savanna
The Cotton Exchange Tavern (3/13/06)
I had a bowl of clam chowder that was excellent.
The Grill on Tybee Island (3/14/06)
Good place to eat and watch a downpour. Full lunchtime menu with a limited view of the Atlantic Ocean.
Louisiana
Nachitoches
Mamas Oyster House (many times)
This is our lunch stop going either way if we will be close. Try the gumbo and sandwich.
New Orleans
Alex Patout's (3/7/04)
On the north shore of Ponchartrain in Mandeville. This was about the best gumbo I have ever tasted.
Minden
The City Bakery (3/17/06)
Try the sandwiches on home baked, fresh sourdough bread.
Mississippi
Natchez
The Carriage House (10/14/04)
On the grounds of Stanton Hall. The wait staff wears frilly dress shirts and cummerbunds. But the food was excellent and the price was more than reasonable.
Oklahoma
Pauls Valley
Downtown cafe (3/28/05)
A family run cafe. We had the "Blue Plate". My baked chicken was very good.
Chickasha
Jakes Ribs (6/23/05)
Good barbeque. Tender juicy meat, thinly sliced (for sandwichs), mild but tasty sauce. Everybody in town was there even though it was past lunchtime.
South Carolina
Barnwell
Winton Inn (3/12/06)
We did the Sunday buffet. Sandra still thinks the fried chicken was the best she ever ate.
South Dakota
Cheyenne Crossing
The cafe (6/19/05)
The hamburgers were nothing really special, but they had blackberry shortcake for dessert. All we can say is Wow!
Tennessee
Tullahoma
Downtown Cafe (6/14/04)
Another "Blue Plate" lunch. Food was good, then came dessert, strawberry shortcake. The cake was homemade yellow cake, the strawberries had never seen a freezer and the whipped cream did not come out of a can.
Texas
Fredericksburg
Airport Diner (3/10/05)
Authentic atmosphere of a mid 40s diner. Good food while you watch the ramp. What else can you ask?
Granbury
Sandwich shop (several times)
On the southwest corner of the square. They make a good sandwich.
Graham
Sandersons (11/30/02)
This is a full service restuarant and we ate there on a Sunday afternoon, so the dinner is probably good also. I had BBQ which was good lean brisket with a good sauce.
Longview
Johnny Cace's (several times)
Johnny Cace's, nuff said!
McGregor
The Coffee Shop (2/26/06)
Good downscale menu for lunch. Try the hot roast beef sandwich.
Stephenville
Hard 8 BBQ (11/30/03)
Hard 8 BBQ, nuff said!
Victoria
Mexican food (11/22/05)
Recommended by the FBO. Good authentic mexican food.
Waco
Catfish Plantation (4/24/05)
Good Sunday lunch if you can beat the church crowd.