One of the best meals after a marathon is a diner meal. Adam (IE: The Boring Runner) knew of my diner reviews and when in Rome…go to a diner…right? This was a very unique diner that it was located at the Chandler Airport right outside of Phoenix. The Chandler Airport is a small regional airport. This made for a fun meal as we watched airplanes take off and land. Adam, T, Matt and I found ourselves at the Hanger Cafe the day after the marathon.
The Hanger Cafe has been rated as the best airport food before!
Atmosphere: B
The atmosphere was one of the most unique restaurants I have been too. We were able to watch planes land and enjoy our food. The Hanger diner is a true dive. Inside the diner is a full bar and open grill. It’s very festive decorated with various planes and memorabilia from the Chandler airport. It’s exactly what you picture when you think “greasy spoon diner.”
We sat at a table towards the back. The waitress forgot about us for a while, and we waited a long time before being helped (the reason the atmosphere went from an A to a B).
Coffee: B
The coffee was good but nothing to write home about. I was happy she refilled the coffee quickly. I don’t have anything to complain about the coffee, but there was nothing spectacular either.
Food: A
The menu is rather small, and they had about 5 different omelets, 5 types of pancakes and a few odds and ends such as oatmeal or French toast. It was certainly a smaller menu than I was used too.
I ordered the Spinach and Feta omelet with buttered rye toast. It was good, and I can’t cook omelets, so it tasted great to me. The portion was a little smaller than I would have liked, but then again I had run a marathon the day before. Rye toast is my favorite, and it was great. I really enjoyed the omelet a lot, and it seemed like everyone else enjoyed their food as well!
Cost: $
For Tim and I are two omelets and coffee, it was 17 dollars. That is the cost of one meal in New Jersey. So it’s one of the cheapest diner meals we have had.
Would I come back/Overall Thoughts:
If I’m in Phoenix again, I would probably come back. The diner is very unique, and the food was good. I would recommend going early when we left there was quite the wait time.
Cliff notes:
Atmosphere: Outdoor: A, Service: B
Coffee: B
Food: A
Price: $5-12
Questions for you:
What’s your favorite type of omelet?
What is the best “airport” food you have had?
I’ve always thought the price part of your reviews was interesting. Most diners in Michigan are so cheap but we are starting to get a few more expensive “farm to table” concept diners. It’s interesting to see how cost differs by region.
This sounds like such a fun diner! I love cheese omelets and eggs are one of my favorite post-race meals!
No whipped cream on the coffee I see. Boo!
I love omelets and order them out a lot because it’s something I fail at making. Yours looks really delicious, even with the smaller portion you can’t beat that price for 2 people. This sounds like a fun place to eat too.
I usually order omelets at diners. To paraphrase Ron Swanson, give me all the veggies and eggs you have!
I love small family type diners like that, and it seems to be the usual fare, though I think the biggest deal breaker for me is if I wait more than thirty minutes for a waitress to even check in with me- I always get frustrated and just leave at that point the few times it has happened, but maybe I’m just being fussy. But the atmosphere does sound pretty fun, so I might have stuck it out like you did.
The only thing I’m really needy with is when a diner is super slow. I’m also impatient so I understand your pain!
I love the diner part of your blog. We regularly go to Starliner Diner which is super close to where we live. If you’re ever in Ohio you have to check it out!
I also enjoy the price part. Some diners can be more expensive than you would think.
Do you have to ask for whipped cream on your coffee? I’ve never seen it come that way but your photos look good when it does 🙂
I do t have too but it’s what I enjoy. :-).
I’ll have to try the Starline, I am sure I’ll make it to Ohio at some point!