Sheepy Hollow Ranch Airfield

Let's set expectations right away: Sheepy Hollow Ranch Airfield (AZ40) is a private, no-frills grass strip tucked into the sun-baked desert outside Salome, Arizona. There are no terminals, no food courts, and certainly no airport cafeterias. What you will find, however, is the kind of honest Western hospitality that makes a simple meal feel like a genuine experience. Pilots and visitors typically plan ahead, packing coolers or stopping in Salome proper before or after their arrival.

Salome itself is a small but surprisingly characterful desert town along old U.S. Route 60, and it punches above its weight when it comes to casual, satisfying eats. Local diners and roadside spots serve up hearty Southwestern fare — think green chile breakfast burritos, hand-pressed burgers, and homemade pie that tastes like it belongs in a Route 66 romance novel. The Southwestern staples here lean toward Sonoran-style flavors, with plenty of beans, slow-cooked meats, and fresh tortillas that remind you how close the Mexican border really is.

If you're flying in, the smartest move is to treat the food experience as part of the wider Salome adventure. Grab a cold drink and a loaded burrito from one of the town's no-nonsense spots, find a shady picnic area, and let the Sonoran Desert do its magic. The nearest convenience stores and small eateries are just a short drive from the airfield, making it easy to fuel up before or after your flight. Out here, the meal is always secondary to the landscape — but it's never an afterthought.