On final approach to Cumberland AirportAnyone who knows, loves or is a general aviation enthusiast has heard the expression of the $100 Hamburger.  You see, general aviation pilots are hobbyists.  They fly because they love it, not because it is their job.  And as a result, they look for excuses to go somewhere new, or just fly in general.  A hamburger at, or near a regional airport's restaurant may be reason enough to go for a flight.  Sure the hamburger costs five bucks, but when you factor in the fuel it took to get there, it ends up being a $100 hamburger.

My husband and I sought out on Sunday to an airport in Cumberland, MD.  We were going for cheap fuel...that's excuse enough these days to go somewhere within 45 minutes or an hour flight.  When we got there, we heard pilots talking to Cumberland's Runway Cafethe ground operation staff about how they were going to grab lunch, then refuel.  My stomach was growling so I prompted my husband to find out where those pilots were going.

Turns out, there is a restaurant actually on the field!  It's the Runway Cafe.  You can literally pull your plane up to it and park, just like you would your car.  Of course they don't bring your food to you, but just imagine pulling up to a restaurant in a plane. 

We, not knowing about the restaurant's proximity to the main terminal, actually walked over.  It took us two minutes.  And there it was...the smell of home cooking in a quaint small town setting.  It was obviously a hang out for folks who enjoyed good food and the ever changing scenery of general aviation planes taking off and landing against the fall foliage covered mountains.

The cliche got even better when we looked at our menus and saw The Pilot Special: a $100 hamburger.  Look no further.  Cliches are us! 

Runway Cafe Pilot Special

Runway CafeThe hamburger was even better than my husband's homemade burgers (he admitted himself).  YUM!  I took a picture, but only in the Chris Ann tradition of having a few bites first.  Therefore you won't see the pic.  (Looked less attractive once I got my teeth into it.)

So if you ever find yourself in Cumberland, Maryland, I recommend the Runway Cafe.  Outstanding food, great views and some of the friendliest folks you'd ever want to meet.

Runway Cafe Menu

 

 

Chris Ann Cleland, Associate Broker- Licensed in Virginia, GRI, SFR, Northern Virginia Short Sale Specialist. Affiliated with Long & Foster, 7526 Limestone Drive, Gainesville, VA 20155.  To contact Chris Ann, call 703-402-0037 or email chrisann@LNF.com.  Or you can visit her website:  www.nvarealestate.net.

Header photos taken by Chris Ann Cleland.

The opinions expressed in this post are those of Chris Ann Cleland, not those of Long & Foster REALTORS®.

 
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8 Comments on Sunday's $100 Hamburger

NOV
04
2008
709,601 Points 48 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Chris Ann, this is intresting I have been to quite a few small airports and I must admit the Burgers are generally very good. Now I have learned I never knew that this was an insider joke. Thank you for the education:)
2:59am • #1
1,520,837 Points 112 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Endre:  I didn't know before I met my husband either.  You learn something everyday.  But the most interesting stuff I've learned via my husband's interest in aviation is weather related.  Pilots know an awful lot about that topic. 
8:43am • #2
3 Featured Posts

Chris Ann, it sounds like a fun day together. The great burger was just a bonus ;-)
12:10pm • #3
1,520,837 Points 112 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Lara:  I always love a good meal.  Having something like that at the end of the flight makes it less stressful for me.  I am a nervous flyer.
2:00pm • #4
467,812 Points 40 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Chris Ann, this is a great post. I grew up in West Texas where people still regulaly drive or fly a distance for a great meal. There used to be a Steak House way out in the middle of BFE called LOWAKE that had it's own landing strip!
3:58pm • #5
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Chris Ann...

There is an airport in Williamson GA that has a cafe that is so good that people DRIVE from all around to eat there! I did not see a $100 burger on the menu, though!

What kind of plane were you in?
4:04pm • #6
NOV
05
2008
1,520,837 Points 112 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Russell:  My mother-in-law dines regularly at a restaurant located at the Vero Beach Airport.  She says the food is great. 
11:14am • #7
1,520,837 Points 112 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Richard:  Same with the Runway Cafe.  They had their regulars and folks driving in for lunch to enjoy good food and the entertainment of seeing the planes.  As for the plane, we were in James' Piper Archer.
11:15am • #8


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Chris Ann Cleland, Associate Broker, Northern VA

Bristow, VA

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Long & Foster REALTORS®, Gainesville, VA

Address: 7526 Limestone Drive, Gainesville, VA, 20155

Office Phone: (703) 402-0037

Cell Phone: (703) 402-0037

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