Crosswinds Restaurant — Restaurant in Payson

During our recent visit to Crosswinds, a restaurant that has been a staple for 20 years, we had the pleasure of experiencing a unique dining adventure. Located right next to Payson Airport, this restaurant offers a delightful combination of traditional American cuisine and aviation excitement. With planes taking off and landing in close proximity, it's an ideal spot for our little aviation enthusiasts to enjoy a delicious meal.

One of the highlights of our visit was the convenience of the Payson Airport. Many customers took advantage of the airport's proximity, flying in from various parts of the Phoenix area to relish a slice of pie before heading back. While the restaurant doesn't have direct flight line access, the ease of going back and forth added an extra layer of excitement to our dining experience.

The menu was extensive, encompassing both breakfast and lunch options. Another good part? The prices are incredibly affordable and reasonable, making it a great choice for those looking for a budget-friendly dining option. However, we found the food to be somewhat ordinary, and it fell slightly short of our expectations. We ordered dishes such as French toast, veggie omelette with potatoes, and mac and cheese for the kids. While they were satisfying, they didn't quite achieve the level of flavor and creativity that we had hoped for.

Despite the slightly disappointing food, the customer service was truly outstanding. Our servers, Codie and Sherry, went above and beyond to ensure that we felt welcomed and taken care of. Their attentiveness and helpfulness made us feel right at home, enhancing our overall dining experience.

The presence of Payson Airport provided an added element of excitement, especially for the kids. They thoroughly enjoyed watching the planes come and go while dining, making the experience even more memorable and engaging.

All in all, the Crosswinds offers a distinctive combination of aviation-themed dining and traditional American fare. While the food itself may be considered ordinary, the excellent customer service and the thrilling backdrop of the nearby airport create a unique and enjoyable atmosphere. Whether you're a plane enthusiast or simply looking for a friendly dining experience, this is...

Well folks, let me tell you something about Crosswinds Restaurant... The parking lot is on kind of a hill. Now I'm not complaining, because as soon as you get both feet on the ground after climbing out of your vehicle, gravity takes over. It pulls you down towards the restaurant quicker than walking, but I enjoy that it gets down and inside faster, that way I can get seated and start my order. It's a nice, cozy place, not big, not small, just right I'd say. Every table inside has a really nice view of the airport runways. Planes come in and fly out every so often, which makes it nice. You can watch some drive almost up to the restaurant, almost 100 or so feet from it. This is a very small airport, just little planes, 2 seaters mostly. Anyway, back to the food. Well, in the last, about 40 years of coming in, I have not once ever had anything to complain about. Not the food, service, or the people. It's a great place to eat if you're regular folk and don't mind that it isn't a suit and tie place. It's for good ol' boys are gals, their kids and even grandma's and grandpa's. You will not be disappointed by your food plate when it comes, because their helpings are very generous. Sometimes you're lucky to even see the plate from the amount of food you'll get. I love the place, I love the food and I love the people. The only thing that I don't like, is the walk back to my vehicle.... Up hill, ha ha. I hope that everyone enjoys Tradewinds Restaurant as much as my wife and I do. You have the beautiful Mogollon Rim and surrounding mountains to look at and enjoy while you have a great meal, plus the occasional little planes coming and...

We recently stopped at this unique airport cafe for lunch on our way to Pine, and I must say, it was an interesting experience. The place was packed which says a lot. The staff was friendly and accommodating, promptly seating us upon arrival.

The cafe is decorated with airplane items, giving it a distinct and charming atmosphere. Our grandkids talked about the decor most of our stay.

A highlight of our visit was witnessing a military helicopter fly in, which our grandkids found quite fascinating.

When it came to the food, however, I have mixed feelings. While it wasn't necessarily bad, it fell into the realm of mediocrity. We wondered if the cafe might be better known for their breakfast options which is served all day.

I had the BLT chicken salad and was a bit disappointed by the bacon. It didn't taste like “real” bacon, which was a letdown. On the other hand, my granddaughter enjoyed her spaghetti, which was loaded with goodies compared to the typical noodles and sauce found on most kids' menus. But the garlic bread that came with it was… awful. I even had a bite and agreed that it was awful.

My hubby had the Open Face Hot Roast Beef Sandwich which he said was good. Our grandson had the chicken strips which was nothing special but he ate all the chicken but left the fries and didn’t want to take them with us.

Despite the underwhelming food, I would consider visiting this cafe again, mainly for its charming atmosphere and friendly service. If you're an aviation enthusiast or simply appreciate quirky decor, this place will definitely appeal to you. Maybe we will come back and try the...