For the second time since July, South Alabama Regional Airport has increased its prices at the Heliport Café.

In July, SARA Co-Director Jed Blackwell said that the café would offer a larger variety of choices on its menu.

Then, the prices for buffet increased from $6.99 to $7.99.

Effective Oct. 11, the civilian lunch and dinner buffet meals will be $8.99 per person and breakfast buffet will be $5.99 per person.

“SARA’s decision to offer the buffet meals at one price for civilian customers is necessitated by the costs to operate the Heliport Café and by SARA’s primary purpose of the Heliport Café being a place for quality, quick meals to attract military and other customers who utilize SARA for aviation and fuel products and services,” Blackwell said. “SARA will continue to extend discounted prices to its aviation customers, all in accordance with SARA’s established practices and procedures.”

Blackwell said he is sorry for any inconvenience this change may cause.

“However, SARA’s goal is to continue to provide its aviation customers and local civilian customers with a quality meal and service in the best environment as possible,” he said. “Your continued support is greatly appreciated.”

For those unfamiliar with the Heliport Café, there is a variety of options on the buffet.

“We have increased our food menu and quality of food,” he said. “Our food menu now consists of Southern cooking choices to include fried chicken, barbecue ribs, fried catfish, hamburger steak, barbecue pork chops, home cut fries, homemade chicken casserole, turnips, butterbeans and fried cornbread among others.”

For healthier eaters, Blackwell said there is a full salad and fruit bar.

These wares can be found at the Heliport Café Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 11:30 p.m.

“One of our specialties is homemade chocolate chip or peanut butter cookies. They seem to go over really well with our customers.”

The café serves more than just the pilots who fly through as many people throughout the county enjoy eating at the buffet-style restaurant.

“This is where I always take people to eat,” Irene Butler said. “I think it’s the best tasting food in Covington County.”

Others said that the restaurant brings back old memories.

“I always think of my dad when I come out here,” Sue Bass Wilson said. “He was on the city council when they put in the first runway. I still have a picture he took of the first runway being dug out here.”

Butler said that the sights at the airport make for an interesting meal.

“I love it when there are little kids out here eating,” Butler said. “They just love to go up to the window and watch the helicopters, and their eyes just get so big. At 90 years old, I guess I still have a little kid in me as well because I like to watch the helicopters landing taking off as well.”

Besides the hearty main courses offered, the Heliport Café also offers a variety of desserts.

“They always have a big choice of food that are always very good,” Butler said. “The desserts are also wonderful.”