Louise
Big city restaurant in a small town
Born and raised in Bentonville, Arkansas, Louise McPhetridge Thaden lived a full life as an air race champion, pioneering aviatrix, and friend and rival of such legends as Amelia Earhart and Pancho Barnes.
A few of Louise Thaden's accomplishments
- Women's solo record: 22 hours, 3 minutes, 28 seconds.
- Women’s speed record: 156 mph.
- Only woman ever to hold all three records simultaneously (altitude, solo duration, and speed).
- East-to-West record: 14 hours, 54 minutes, 46 seconds.
- One of the original founders of The Ninety-Nines.
And now, Northwest Arkansas honors its local legend in the name of its GA airport, Bentonville Municipal/Louise M. Thaden Field (VBT), and even in the name of the on-field restaurant, Louise.
Owned by a group with several restaurants throughout Bentonville, Louise’s diverse and high-quality, diner-style menu is on a big city level even in this small town. Offering both indoor and outdoor seating, and also serving food upstairs to flying club members, one highlight of Louise is the prime view of the runways. And while you can easily planespot all day here, the family-friendly restaurant is popular with both aviators and nonflyers alike, which is always a green flag about the quality of the food.
Menu highlights include the NY Landing Strip, Hangar Hash, and the adjusted for inflation and realistically named $200 bacon burger. Louise has a full bar and craft cocktails if you’re in the mood to judge landings from afar rather than make any yourself.
Louise is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and brunch on weekends.
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