Jet Runway Cafe – Fort Lauderdale, Florida

What’s for breakfast at the Jet Runway Cafe?

How about Eggs Benedict…with a side of JETS and HELICOPTERS…and Fried Bread Pudding for dessert?

I’ve always been fascinated by airplanes and airports. (I guess it’s in my blood.) My dad was a mechanic who worked on airplanes in WW2. Dad’s brother, Uncle George, was an airplane pilot and a flight instructor…and a CRAZY one, at that!

The stories I’ve heard about Uncle George and his daredevil stunts are epic! He was well-known in the community for flying his small plane UNDER bridges! Once he took a local man up in his plane during an air show near our small Iowa town. The passenger’s mother was in the throng of people watching as George and his passenger flew over the crowd. At an opportune moment, George threw a “dummy” (dressed just like his passenger) out of the plane! I’m surprised the man’s mother lived through the “show.”

Uncle George died doing what he loved…flying. His plane was struck by lightning and split apart somewhere over Oklahoma.

I’d been hearing rumors about this popular (yet hidden) cafe, so one morning Peepaw and I set out to find it. I pulled out my smartphone and I put my GPS, Stella, to the test as we headed into an unexplored section of Fort Lauderdale. And let’s just say Stella got quite a workout. This place really is hard to find!

It’s a unique location, to be sure, since it’s located at the Executive Airport. And even with Stella’s help we drove right past the building since ALL of the grey, one story buildings look like airplane hangars. And in fact, most of them are!

After our unscheduled drive-by (Sorry I didn’t trust you, Stella!) we pulled into the parking lot which was ringed by all of those low, grey buildings. I watched nearby as a man opened his car door and unloaded two huge Great Dane dogs. The owner was greeted by a smiling, uniformed man behind a gate. The gates were opened and the dogs were then each greeted by name, too. They were led through…apparently headed to their own private jet! I can only imagine where they were going. (It’s a dog’s life…at least for the rich and famous!)

We finally saw the Cafe sign on the adjacent  building (grey of course) but our search was STILL not over. We saw an awning, and a long, narrow walkway that seemed to lead right onto the runway.

We bravely continued walking until we saw these doors…  

And that’s when I realized we had finally found the entrance. And after the industrial park feel of the parking lot I was shocked by how elegant the cafe’s interior turned out to be! I loved the design since it made me feel like I was stepping onto an airplane. 

We chose a table by the windows so we could watch the hustle and bustle of the airport just feet away from our table. After checking out the breakfast menu, I ordered Eggs Benedict (surprise, surprise!), and Peepaw got his usual eggs, bacon, and toast.

My Eggs Benedict was good…not great. The flavors were spot on, but the eggs were somewhat overcooked. I think the best part of my breakfast was the small square of deep fried bread pudding on my plate. I’m told it’s served with every breakfast entree…and it was delicious. Our server told me it is made by the catering company that provides the food to all the private jets that come and go.

 

I thought the “sauce” sitting next to the bread pudding was probably a raspberry dipping sauce, but I’m glad I tasted it before I dipped that decadent dessert into the cup. It was KETCHUP! I’ve never eaten ketchup with Eggs Benedict OR Bread Pudding, so it went unused by me.

Our coffee was served in those small heavy “diner-style” mugs. It tasted good, but as I drank it I noticed how stained the inside of the cup was. And Peepaw’s was too. I wasn’t too concerned since I assumed it was because the cups were old. That is, I wasn’t concerned until I finished my first cup and rubbed the stain with my fingers, and the stain came off on my finger!

When the server came by to serve us a refill, I pointed out the stains and was told they bleach all the cups once a week…on Saturdays! Ugh! And since today was only Tuesday I asked for my refill in a “to go” cup.

All in all it was a very pleasant morning. And I kept thinking how much fun it would be to take our seven grandchildren there for breakfast. Because what little kid doesn’t like airports?

And those JETS and HELICOPTERS are the best side dish on the menu at the Jet Runway Cafe.