Sept. 16, 2025—Tim Wood and company know how to give a unique location liftoff.
See also: Woody’s at the Airport at Monterey Regional and Woody’s Del Mesa Carmel.
Each is triumphant in its own way, but read from the same script: rustic farm-fresh fare, easygoing service, generous portions—on plate and in the glass—and, yup, atypical settings.
Which is why the quirky but charismatic spot that was Ella’s at the Airport in Watsonville felt like a natural match.
Apparently airport staff, led by Airport Director Rayvon Williams, agree, because Woody’s at the Airport was selected Sept. 12 from a pool of three operators named finalists on the strength of proposals received a week prior.
Wood himself observes a potential outpost with on-brand personality.
“[The Watsonville Airport space] definitely has that character that makes you want to say, ‘Hey, let’s go for a ride and do something different,'” he says. “It’s a whole other part of Santa Cruz County.”
Not that the deal is done, however. Once the city-owned airport and Woody’s reps agree on lease terms, the Watsonville City Council must vote to approve it.
Airport staff—who note readers can follow along via public updates on the municipal airport’s RFP tab—tell Edible the optimistic timeline would have an agreement in place in time for the Oct. 28 council meeting.
“It’s a solid opportunity for us to do what we do,” Wood adds. “Be a neighborhood place for people who enjoy good food.”
More at woodysmontereyairport.com and the Watsonville Municipal Airport website.
About the author
Mark C. Anderson, Edible Monterey Bay's managing editor, appears on "Friday Found Treasures" via KRML 94.7 every week, a little after 12pm noon. Reach him via mark@ediblemontereybay.com.
