“Where should we go eat dinner?” I asked my husband, Jon.
“The Airplane Restaurant!” he said.
“Ugh, no no, not tonight,” is what I told him time and time again.
I’ve heard the food at the restaurant isn’t all that great but you really go for the atmosphere. We all know restaurants like that. Even though my husband was turning 29-years-old I knew the five-year-old within him was twitching to eat in a plane; and not on a regular modern day plane but a retired Texas Air Guard Boeing KC-97.
I knew what I needed to plan for his birthday this year…a trip to The Airplane Restaurant.
I knew the minute I hopped on Powers Boulevard that Jon would know where we were headed. We typically don’t stray far from the house due to the vast selections in our part of town when we choose to dine out, so I blew my “surprise” but it was quite alright. Any time I get to see the giddy smile on my husband’s face I feel like I’m witnessing the smile of our future little boy–super cute!
I’m digging the actions I applied to the photos…feels very Pearl Harbor in style.
When I made the reservations I specifically asked if we could sit in the plane. Part of the restaurant is in the actual plane and the other part is in a building that’s attached and decked out in plane memorabilia and the left wing of the plane actually cuts through dining room.
I spy a smiling birthday guy
Notice the left wing of the plane crossing into the dining room with the propeller and engine in the background
I wish I had a better quality photo of the interior of the restaurant. By the time I took this photo it was 8:00pm, the lighting was extremely low and my settings in the camera were off so I tried my best in post-processing.
My adorable scruffy husband checking out the sights
Tabletops are covered in topographical maps
Menu at the restaurant is set up like a newspaper, including history about the plane.
The best airplane chair color…ever.
Other than the photo of my husband up above I think this photo of the plane’s wing with the light coming up from below is another favorite.
In all the food was a bit of a disappointment, except the nachos(!), but we still had a good time! Jon especially had a great time looking the plane over. My husband, a little boy at heart, I love him so! The large collection of photos, parts and pieces, model planes, you name it the restaurant feels like a little museum. One thing I found hilarious–if you use the restroom while there you’ll experience the sounds of jets taking off and landing. I didn’t expect that and if there was a camera watching me at the sink washing my hands I’m sure the footage was priceless!
Have you ever been to a special themed restaurant? If so, what was it?
So much fun! I can totally see the little boy in your husband in some of the pictures! It stinks the food wasn’t all that great, but like you said the atmosphere & the look on your husband’s face was worth it!
I can’t think of a special themed restaurant I’ve been too. I tried going to Mars2112 back when my nephew was little & loved aliens, but after an entire day in the city, by the time we went there for dinner they were closed for a private party – ugh! I’ve heard the same thing about them too – horrible food….
Happy Birthday Jon!