Denise Dhein
Went there to have lunch with a girlfriend. A very cheery place..Christmas tree. Pointsetias on every table. Great menu and service. Also very clean. I had the prime rib sando and my girlfriend had the Big Bird turkey. Both delicious and ample. The onion rings were good. I’m bringing my girls group next month. Occasional noise from an air plane..hey. it’s an airport.
… moreRealtor Richard Calderon
The Flying Artichoke is a hidden gem and absolutely worth a visit! From the moment we walked in, the staff made us feel so welcome. Everyone was friendly, attentive, and genuinely seemed to enjoy what they do, which really set the tone for a great experience. The food was nothing short of amazing—everything we ordered was fresh, flavorful, and clearly made with care. You can tell the kitchen takes pride in their craft, and it definitely shows on the plate.
Beyond the fantastic food and service, the atmosphere is something truly unique. The restaurant overlooks a small airport, and we were treated to a one-of-a-kind view while we dined. Watching planes land and take off added such a cool vibe to the experience. We even spotted an osprey flying around, which was a fun surprise and added to the charm of the setting.
Whether you’re a local or just passing through, The Flying Artichoke is a place you don’t want to miss. It offers a perfect combination of great food, excellent service, and a scenic, memorable environment. We’ll definitely be back—and next time, we’re bringing friends!
… moreMegan Petersen
While looking for a spot to take a break from a roadtrip I thought to stop in here and YAY! Glad I did! It was not busy, super cute little spot. The fried artichoke is my new favorite food with the dill sauce. WHOA ❤️. The California burrito was top notch too! Great quality steak, the fries were very yummy and very fresh tasting guacamole.
The atmosphere is cool, I like the patio, ordered to go but sat outside with my dog. The woman who was serving was really awesome and checked on everyone frequently, really love this spot!
… moreDJ Skorpiuz
I was checking on a venue for a gig and crossed it’s path. When you walk into the lobby at Salinas Municple Airport you don’t notice immediately. But when you walk in you are quietly surprised by the view. It’s a nice little place.
I ordered A French Dip Sandwich. Ooooooooomg. It was the best FRENCH DIP sandwich in this area by far. I complimented the chef on such a divine creation, after I devoured it .
… moreKatherine Kramer
I really enjoyed by grilled cheese sandwich. What was truly outstanding was the fried artichoke hearts over Parmesan salad. I will come back just for this dish!
I enjoyed meeting the people there and seeing the airplanes too.
… moreHeather
This was a pretty bad experience and there were many problems. We ordered fried artichokes for an app. After 40 minutes we asked about how much longer it would be. After a full hour the waiter tells us they do not even have artichokes left and offered lumpia instead. We were in disbelief considering the restaurant has the word artichoke in it. How could they not know they didn’t have any after a full hour? We went on a Thursday around 1230pm. I understand places can get busy, but there wasn’t even any apology for the wait or an offer to comp our 2 drinks, which were also incorrectly priced on their menu. We said to cancel our entrees and we left. It was a huge waste of time and extremely disappointing.
… moreGerry Borts
When I visited this restaurant exactly 2 years ago, the deep fried artichoke hearts were nice and fresh and delicious. This time, not so much. It seemed like they either came pre-packaged and pre-cooked, then tossed in the oil to heat them up when I ordered, or they were cooked earlier in the day and then put back in the oil just before serving. They were rather overcooked and didn’t feel or taste fresh at all.
Our server was excellent, and the view of the runways out the window was very nice.
… moreEric Larsen
I had a nice meal here. It was not crowded since I arrived about 2 pm. Service was fast and my food was tasty. It looks like the menu is modern, there are plenty of choices and I look forward to coming back to try the other items. The portion size was just right. I got filled up, but did not waste a lot of food. Overall I would report a favorable experience. Salinas airport has always been one of my favorites. Long runways, not too busy.
… moreCheryl Ward-Kaiser
Great food and even better prices. So good we are going back next month.
… moreSteve Lisowski
What a great place! Went here for one of my students graduation parties. The food was quite good and it’s right next to the taxiway if you’re an aviation enthusiast like me. The owner was exceptionally pleasant.
If you like good food and planes, this is the place for you!
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