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Hangar Hotel

The Hangar Hotel, an utterly unique fly-in destination, is next door.

Restaurant name: Airport Diner at the Hangar Hotel

Airport: Gillespie County Airport, Fredericksburg, Texas (T82)

Famous for: Authentic diner feel, attached to aviation-themed hotel

Restaurant tips: This is a classic diner, with chrome everywhere, black and white tile and 1940s music playing. As you would expect, it has a great view of the runway, so it’s the perfect place to watch airplanes land on a pretty day. The Airport Diner is also next door to the Hangar Hotel, an authentic aviation-themed hotel that’s right on the ramp at T82. This is an attraction in its own right, with World War II-style hangar construction concealing a surprisingly upscale interior. It’s unlike any hotel you’ve ever seen before.

The menu features diner classics at affordable prices, with plenty of meals under $10. Big breakfasts are popular here, from biscuits and gravy to steak and eggs. Lunch doesn’t disappoint either, with a large “Bomber Burger” and the aptly-named “Bravo Lima Tango” sandwich being the highlights. The milkshakes and malts also deserve mention (after all, what would a diner be without a milkshake?).

Airport Diner

The Airport Diner is right on the ramp at T82.

Check the hours before you go: the Airport Diner is closed Monday and Tuesday, is open 11am to 2pm Wednesday through Friday, 8am to 4pm Saturday and 8am to 2pm Sunday.

Airport tips: Fredericksburg is about 60 miles west of Austin and 50 miles northwest of San Antonio, making it a perfect $100 hamburger trip from many parts of Texas. It’s also the site of the National Museum of the Pacific War, an impressive museum that’s well worth visiting. Or take a 30 minute drive east, through Texas hill country, and visit the Lyndon Johnson State Historical Park.

The airport has a single 5000 ft. runway, with RNAV approaches to both ends. There is no tower, but the airport does have an AWOS. The FBO continually gets rave reviews, with helpful service and free crew cars. Avgas prices are competitive, with both self serve and full serve available.

Air Facts Staff
4 replies
  1. Joe Reavis
    Joe Reavis says:

    I made a hamburger run to Fredricksburg on July 4 and had a great time. There was a wait at the diner, giving me time to visit with other pilots, then I spent time in a rocker on the front porch of the hotel with more pilot talk.

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