The concept of converting an airplane to a restaurant has lately fancied many around the world. “How is The Airplane Restaurant in Colorado Springs any different?”, one might wonder... Well, let’s dive right into it, shall we?

In today’s blog, we will talk about everything that you can find in this unique restaurant, why it is one of the best restaurants to try Colorado Springs, and why this place should be a must visit on your itinerary. 

Let’s learn a little bit about this mighty aircraft first...

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Key features of the KC-97: 

Size and capacity:

The KC-97 was a big plane, holding over 18,000 gallons of fuel. It could take several fighter planes in mid-air and fill them up with fuel, so it would be a very important part of the Air Force.

Unique design:

The KC-97 had a distinctive design, with a long, slender fuselage and four large propellers. Its “Stratofreighter” nickname referred to its ability to fly at high altitudes, above the weather.

Retirement and preservation:

After many years in service, the KC-97 was retired. Some of these planes ended up in museums; others were modified to be used for other purposes.

Dining inside the plane: 

The Airplane Restaurant is one where you sit inside a real KC-97 to eat. The interior of the plane has been converted into a dining space, but a lot of the original fixtures remain intact. 

You can see the cockpit, the crew compartment, and get this, even the refuelling boom that was used to pump fuel into other planes—how cool is that?!

The experience: 

Dining inside the KC-97 is a truly unique experience. It’s like stepping back in time and becoming part of aviation history. You can almost feel what it would have been like to be a flyer in this giant aircraft, and you can also admire the engineering and workmanship that went into building this.

Not only the atmosphere of the restaurant, but also the decorations of airplane related memorabilia such as pictures, models, and artifacts of the KC-97 and other aircraft. This will make for a cool and interesting setting that will attract aviation buffs and general diners.

The Airplane Restaurant Photos  

After learning a little bit about the history of the Airplane Restaurant, we are sure your curiosity to see what the interior actually looks like is at its peak. Well, wait no more and see how beautifully the aircraft has been converted to a restaurant: 

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We can go on and on with these pictures, but the idea is to spark a tiny bit of anticipation and not show you how the Airplane Restaurant in Colorado Springs completely looks like and ruin your on-site experience. 
We hope you got the gist of this fantastic place, yes? Awesome! 

The Airplane Restaurant Menu 

Now, wait up, we have covered the history of the aircraft, the experience, and even what the restaurant looks like. But why is nobody talking about the main thing people are coming here for?! Yes, FOOD!! 

Gosh, just thinking about what all they could possibly serve makes us drool.

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Well, no more wasting time; here are a bunch of the amazing things they serve at the restaurant:

Appetizers

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• Runway Crunchy Chicken Strips: Hand-breaded chicken tenders, seasoned with spices, and deep fried. 
• Stuffed Shrooms: mushrooms stuffed with crab and shrimp stuffing.
• Air Tower Nachos: homemade fried tortilla chips loaded with toppings.
• Potato Skins: Deep fried and baked with cheddar cheese, bacon, and green onions.

Soups & Salads:

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• Chili: Topped with cheese and green onion.
• Soup Du Jour
• French Onion Soup
• Caesar Or House Salad
• Cobb Salad: mixed greens, diced chicken breast, bacon, black olives, broccoli, avocado, tomato, mushrooms, egg, and crumbled cheese.
• Flying Fortress Fajita Salad: Tender beef or chicken served with olives, diced tomato, onion, jalapenos, and cheese.
• Blackened Salmon Caesar: Fresh North Atlantic salmon, blackened and served over tossed romaine.

Sandwiches 

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• Piper Club: Bacon, lettuce, tomato, smoked turkey, and American cheese.
• Guacamole Burger: Guacamole, Swiss cheese, bacon, lettuce, tomato, pickles, and tomato-basil mayo.
• Philly Flyer: Tender beef or chicken, sauteed onions, mushrooms, and bell peppers topped with melted Swiss.
• Teriyaki Chicken Burger: Grilled, juicy marinated chicken breast, topped with Swiss cheese and a grilled pineapple ring.

Phew, that’s a lot of food, right? Well, let’s keep going, shall we?

Pastas:

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• Flying Chicken Florentine: Tender chicken, spinach, artichokes, and creamy alfredo.
• Chicken Penne: Grilled chicken breast with sauteed peppers, onions, mushrooms, zucchini, and squash in a light rosemary-sherry cream sauce.   
• Chicken Alfredo: Grilled chicken breast tossed in creamy alfredo with fettuccine.
• Baked Spaghetti: Loaded with sausage, peppers, onions, mozzarella, ricotta cheeses, fresh basil, and marinara.

Seafood & Chicken: 

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• Grilled Honey BBQ Salmon: Grilled, fresh North Atlantic salmon, BBQ honey glazed, topped with corn relish.
• Salmon Neptune: Grilled fresh North Atlantic salmon, stuffed with crab and shrimp stuffing and finished with hollandaise.
• Chicken Marsala: Pan-seared chicken breast, simmered in marsala wine sauce. Served with garlic smashed potatoes and fresh, sauteed vegetables. 

Man! The Airplane Restaurant sure does offer a variety of food choices, and man are they aplenty! Be honest, which one made your mouth watery? Us, the flying chicken Florentine…sounds so yum! 
For a more detailed menu, though, we highly recommend you go ahead and check their official website to make sure your research is well done. 

Conclusion 

And so, the journey ends. As you step out of the Airplane Restaurant, you'll be left with a lasting memory of a truly unique dining experience. And also, a thing or two about aviation history, right? It is a fun way to enjoy with your friends and family in a different way.
Whether you're an aviation enthusiast or simply looking for a fun and memorable meal at a unique place, this restaurant has something to offer everyone.
Remember: The best flights are those that take you to new heights, and the Airplane Restaurant has certainly delivered on that promise.

Faqs

1. Where is the Airplane Restaurant located?

It is located in Colorado Springs. Here is the address: 1665 N Newport Rd, Colorado Springs, CO 80916

2. Who is the owner of The Airplane Restaurant?

Steve and Debbi Kanatzar are the owners. 

3. Is the restaurant kids friendly?

Yes, absolutely! 

4. Is there a parking lot? 

Yes, there is a huge space for parking available at the restaurant. 

5. How long is the wait time?

During peak days or weekends, you may experience longer waiting time. 

6. Can I make a reservation online?

Yes, you can. It is also recommended to make a reservation prior to your visit there.