Under the radar

Surprising tastes await at small airport eateries

By John Lehndorff - April 24, 2024
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Flight Deck Grill at Vance Brand Airport in Longmont. Credit: John Lehndorff

No other Longmont restaurant has a view that can beat the panoramic sights at the Flight Deck Grill. Far from Broomfield’s retail districts, the Blue Sky Bistro boasts wood-smoked ribs and unimpeded foothills vistas. Brunch comes with a side order of Rocky Mountain scenery, F-18s and biscuits and gravy at Englewood’s The Perfect Landing. 

If you’ve never heard of any of these eateries, don’t feel too bad. These food destinations at small Front Range airports are mainly known to pilots from all over the region who fly in for fun, business and lunch, and parents whose kids are captivated by the take-offs and landings. 

Denver International Airport may win national kudos for the quality and diversity of dining offerings, but you won’t need to go through a body scanner to get an Italian sub at these high-flying spots.

Burrito with a view

When I visited the Flight Deck Grill, it became obvious immediately why so few diners have discovered it. “Off the beaten path” doesn’t quite nail it.  A long, narrow dirt road into Longmont’s Vance Brand Airport leads past high fences, unidentified metal buildings and empty lots. I would have turned around if not for the many colorful signs urging me on.

Once I got there, I understood the wow factor. The Flight Deck Grill is a food truck parked outside Longmont’s barely there terminal building. The patio tables are located feet from the runways. Beyond that is a full expanse of the Rockies under a perfect blue sky. 

While I enjoyed a burrito with a nicely edgy green chile, huge National Guard helicopters took off as well as small prop planes and business jets. It was ear-splittingly loud. 

The limited hours, wind and decibels don’t dampen the enthusiasm of the young and old airplane nerds who stop by for a bite and talk to the pilots. 

“We get a lot of people who fly in from all over,” says owner Alexa Coder. “On weekends, the airport gets busier with sky divers and gliders.”

Coder bought the 16-year-old business over a year ago. “I’d been in Longmont most of my life, and I had no idea that Flight Deck Grill existed.”

Breakfasts range from fresh biscuits and black pepper cream sausage gravy to pancake tacos and a chipotle chorizo quesadilla. Worth-a-flight lunch options include a scratch-made shredded roasted chicken salad sandwich and Coder’s cool chopped sandwich —— like a chopped salad, except the minced meats, cheese, veggies and dressing fill a big roll. On weekends, Coder says her dad breaks out the smoker to serve brisket and pulled pork with coleslaw.

Flight Deck Grill
Vance Brand Airport, 229 Airport Road, Longmont
Open 7:30 a.m. – 2 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday, typically later on weekends 

View from Blue Sky Bistro at Rocky Mountain Airport in Broomfield. Credit: John Lehndorff

Free fly-by entertainment

Broomfield’s Blue Sky Bistro isn’t nearly as tucked away as the Flight Deck Grill, but it’s still largely undiscovered by locals. The fast-casual eatery inside the terminal at Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport dishes breakfast and lunch. Whether sitting inside at second-floor tables or out on the spacious patio, you really notice the view and the fact that this is a rather large small airport. Commercial passenger jets are parked and taking off regularly, along with Cessnas and traffic helicopters. This is where many CU Boulder and visiting sports teams arrive and depart.  

My guest and I enjoyed a well-smoked beef brisket sandwich with a bright BBQ sauce and pickles, and a great daily special: a Hawaiian lunch plate loaded with teriyaki chicken thighs, mac salad and steamed rice. The menu includes breakfast bagels, oversized Monte Cristo sandwiches, salads and soups. 

Blue Sky Bistro
Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport,11755 Airport Way, Broomfield 
Open 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. Monday through Friday

F-18s and a muffin 

The Perfect Landing is not an under-the-radar restaurant. Locals and visitors long ago discovered the second-floor eatery with huge windows and a bird’s-eye view of traffic helicopters and business jets at one of the nation’s busiest civil aviation airports. 

F-18s and other military aircraft have been known to use Centennial Airport in Englewood, especially on weekends. That’s why brunch reservations are recommended to secure window-side seats and warm blueberry muffins. 

On a typically clear day, diners can see from Pikes Peak to Longs Peak. Sunsets are naturally spectacular here, paired well with a good wine list, oysters on the half shell and beef Wellington. 

The Perfect Landing
Centennial Airport, 7625 S. Peoria St., Englewood
Open 7 a.m. – 3 p.m. Sunday and Monday; 7 a.m. – 9 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday

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