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Lodi Airport Cafe is a small, family-owned and operated restaurant, located at the Lodi airport, and is open for breakfast and lunch. The restaurant has been operating for over 25 years, with an aviation theme, which is natural, since the restaurant is located at the airport. I first heard of this cafe a couple of years ago, and have been wanting to pay them a visit, as I love good food, and I love to watch airplanes in action, as I enjoy a delicious burger. On Monday, April 18, 2016, I finally got a chance to enjoy a great burger at Lodi Airport Cafe, and watch airplanes in action.
Photo: You can drive, or you can fly to the Lodi Airport Cafe, but what ever method of transportation you choose, it's a Mecca for a great burger, and a great place to enjoy all things related to aviation. I love the propeller, with the restaurant's name painted on it, and the wind sock. General aviation parking is located near the restaurant, so if you fly in, you can tie down your airplane and take a short stroll to the restaurant.
Photo: The dining room is "L-shaped," and it revolves around the kitchen, which is located behind the counter. We arrived late Monday morning, about 1045, on April 18, 2016 during a very quiet time at the restaurant. By the time we left, and hour or so later, every seat was filled. The gentleman seated at the counter is one of the cooking staff, who is on break, and enjoying a meal before the lunch rush starts. As can be seen in the photo, and expected, considering the location of the restaurant, the decor is aviation-theme. I love it!
Photo: Every restaurant that is serious has a counter, with stools, and Lodi Airport Cafe is no exception, as our friendly hostess, Ashley, looks into the window to the kitchen, in anticipation of an order. In the center of the photo, there is a stack of books, all of them aviation-related, for your reading pleasure as you dine. If you're a local, it's sort of a mini "library," as you can borrow a book for a few days, and it's all on the honor system. This wonderful restaurant has been serving breakfast and lunch for over 25 years at the Lodi Airport.
Photo: As you wait for your food, you can watch the activities of a working airport, which is known as a "destination" for skydivers. We look out the window, and watch a group of skydivers boarding a plane, destined for the wild blue yonder. Lodi Airport is a general aviation airport, and has everything for your aviation needs.
Photo: Our friendly hostess, Ashley, brings our order of burgers to our table. She was very friendly, very efficient, and didn't mind the endless questions I asked, and didn't mind me taking photos. Naturally, before I started taking photos, I explained my "mission" to her, and she was good with it. It's a win-win situation for everybody, as I get to take photos, post a write-up, and the restaurant gets free advertising, as this web site gets over 1,000 hits a day from all over the world.
Photo: Sharlene ordered a "Swiss and Mushroom Burger," along with fries, which is the standard side to each burger. It's a hand-made burger, on a toasted bun, and includes Swiss cheese, sauteed mushrooms, lettuce and tomatoes. The menu states that "All burgers are cooked medium rare." We didn't notice that until after the fact, as the only complaint we had was the burger was under cooked. Sharlene considered sending her burger back to the kitchen, but she was hungry, and ate it "as is..." Aside from being slightly undercooked, the burger was delicious, and the fries were as good as fries get.
Photo: I ordered the menu's signature burger, "The Airport Burger," along with an order of fries. Since I was dining at Lodi Airport Cafe, how could I now order an "Airport Burger?" The burger is an "old-school" cheeseburger, which includes a hand-made patty on a toasted bun, "Our Special Sauce," lettuce, tomato, pickles and onion. Unlike Sharlene's burger, mine was cooked medium, which is the way I prefer my burgers to be cooked. Yes, the burger is "old school" and reminds me of the countless burgers I enjoyed while in High School, in the late 1960's. Ditto for the delicious fries. With the exception of the "special sauce," - I suspect it's Thousand Island Dressing - the burger arrived "dry," but no worries, as there is a galvanized pail on each table that includes mustard and ketsup, so I liberally applied mustard on my burger, and used a bit of ketchup - which brings out the "kid" in me - on my fries. What a delicious lunch!
Photo: Thanks to our friendly server, Ashley, for taking our photo. In addition to the burgers, Sharlene ordered an ice tea, and I ordered a Coke, and complimentary refills were on the house. The condiment pail can be seen at the rear of our table. I didn't realize it until I published this article, but the red vehicle, seen through the window, is our Chrysler "Town and Country" van. If you love good, "comfort food," or if you want to call it "diner cuisine," friendly people, and you like to watch airplanes while you enjoy your fine meal, Lodi Airport Cafe should be your next stop, whether you fly a plane, ride a bicycle, drive a big-rig, or drive a car. Great food, great people, and great airplane watching! Lodi Airport Cafe Copyright(c) 2016 eRench Productions, Inc. All rights reserved. This site has been on the web since December 22, 2002.
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