Unearth The Voyage
Buckle up for a meal that takes flight before your first bite. At The Airplane Restaurant in Colorado Springs, you step into a real Boeing KC-97 tanker transformed into a nostalgic, family friendly diner filled with aviation history.
From cockpit photo ops to uniforms and memorabilia, every detail leans into the theme without feeling kitschy. Come hungry, bring your curiosity, and prepare for a sky-high experience you will talk about long after landing.
Dining Inside the Boeing KC-97
Slide into a booth aboard the Boeing KC-97 and you feel an immediate whoosh of nostalgia. The fuselage curves around you, windows framing the tarmac views and the hum of conversations echoing like an old hangar.
It is cozy, yes, but the immersion is the point, turning burgers and shakes into a memory you can touch.
Ask for a seat in the aircraft if possible, especially on weekdays right after opening at 11 AM. You will notice authentic panels, rivets, and placards that remind you this bird once flew serious missions.
Even if the aisle is tight, you will forget the squeeze when your fries arrive.
After your meal, step toward the cockpit for photos and a quick daydream at the controls. Kids light up here, but adults do too, fiddling with levers and imagining takeoff.
It is playful, educational, and surprisingly relaxing.
Aviation Memorabilia Everywhere
From the moment you enter, the place doubles as a mini aviation museum. Walls showcase uniforms, propellers, gauges, and model aircraft that invite you to linger between bites.
You can practically follow a timeline of flight while waiting for your Say Cheese sticks.
Memorabilia is not just decoration here. It frames the story of Air Force history in Colorado Springs and pays tribute to pilots and crews.
The collection sparks conversations with kids and grandparents alike, turning dinner into a cross generational field trip.
Look closely at placards and photographs near the hostess stand and bar. You will spot squadron insignias, historic photos, and restored pieces with scuffs that whisper real missions.
Every corner rewards curiosity, making seconds feel like discovery instead of a wait.
Cockpit Photo Op
The cockpit is the star attraction, and you will see why as soon as you peek inside. It is preserved with dials, levers, and switches that make even non-aviation buffs grin.
Snap a photo, take a seat, and let your inner pilot have a moment.
Parents love this spot because it keeps kids engaged before the food hits the table. Staff encourages respectful exploration, so little hands can point and ask questions.
You might even learn a fun fact about the KC-97’s refueling duties from a friendly host.
If the aircraft seating is full, do not worry. Guests dining in the main room can still visit the cockpit for photos.
It is a shared experience that anchors the restaurant’s charm and puts everyone on the same flight plan.
Signature Burgers and Fries
If you came for classic American comfort, the burgers are your runway. Juicy patties land with melted cheese, toasted buns, and toppings from guacamole to mushrooms.
Those fries are not standard shoestrings either, more like thick potato slices that fry up golden and addictive.
Reviewers rave about the Bomber burger and house sauces. Portions are generous for the price, which aligns with the $$ tag on the menu.
When in doubt, pair a burger with a soda or local brew and settle in for a very Colorado bite.
Ask for Cholula if you like heat, they have it behind the bar. The fries stay crispy enough to share, though you might not want to.
It is straightforward food executed reliably, the kind you remember as you pass the wing on the way out.
Bison Highlights
Bison shows up across the menu, a nod to regional flavors that feels right at home. Think corned bison for a Reuben, bison burgers, and occasional specials that lean hearty without feeling heavy.
The meat is lean, mildly sweet, and surprisingly tender when done right.
If you are curious but cautious, split a bison item with your table and compare bites. Many guests find bison satisfying with less grease than beef.
Pair it with those thick fries or a simple salad to balance the richness.
Colorado Springs locals appreciate the approachable introduction to game meats. You will taste something distinctive without venturing too far from comfort food.
It is a fun way to try local flavor while fully immersed in the aviation theme.
Kid Friendly, Pilot Approved
Bring the little copilots. Kids menus, cockpit visits, and playful touches make this an easy family win.
Even the restrooms join the fun with roaring engine sounds that might spark giggles and a tiny dash of drama.
Booths in the plane are close together, so strollers and high chairs are tricky in the fuselage. If you have a baby, request seating in the main dining room.
You will still get all the memorabilia and full access to the cockpit for pictures.
Servers are used to questions and patient with hungry explorers. The menu is broad enough to suit picky eaters and adventurous ones alike.
Families leave with full bellies, great photos, and a new aviation fan or two.
What To Order First
First timers, start simple and thematic. A burger or chicken tenders with those signature fries delivers the classic experience.
Add a starter like Say Cheese sticks or a quesadilla to share, then save space for dessert if you can.
Steak lovers often report a solid medium rare and hearty portions. Seafood appears too, but results vary, so consider asking your server what the kitchen is nailing that day.
Specials are posted and can be a pleasant surprise.
Pair with iced tea, a local beer, or a milkshake if you are in vacation mode. The goal here is comfort over complexity.
You will leave satisfied without second guessing your picks.
Best Times To Visit
The restaurant opens at 11 AM daily, with hours shifting slightly by day. Lunch on weekdays is your best bet for snagging a seat in the plane with minimal wait.
Evenings and weekends see more families and aviation buffs, so plan accordingly.
Friday and Saturday run until 9 PM, while Sunday closes at 8 PM. Monday through Thursday also close at 8 PM, so do not push late dinners.
Arrive a little before peak and you will glide right in.
If you are coming from the nearby aviation museum, stack both experiences in the same day. The host can sometimes offer quick history snippets as you are seated.
That small orientation adds lift to the visit without taking extra time.
Service With A Smile
Staff lean into the aviation theme with uniforms and lighthearted banter. Even on busier days, servers tend to stay upbeat and communicative about delays.
When the kitchen is backed up, a quick update keeps expectations grounded and moods high.
Hosts sometimes offer mini tours or airplane history tidbits as they walk you in. It is a small touch that delivers big immersion.
You will feel welcomed whether you are a plane nerd or just hungry.
Owners are often present and hands on, greeting guests and snapping group photos. That energy sets the tone for friendliness across the crew.
You walk out feeling like you visited a community staple, not just a themed spot.
Atmosphere: Cozy, Not Claustrophobic
Inside the fuselage, seating is snug. Booths line the windows, and conversations float like cabin chatter.
If tight aisles make you nervous, the adjacent dining room offers more space without losing the theme.
Two fireplaces in the main room give it a lodge-like feel on cool days. You still get great views of model planes, maps, and artifacts.
It is a softer, roomier way to enjoy the same menu and vibe.
Either way, the restaurant feels like a memory factory. The novelty draws you in, but warmth and friendliness keep you there.
You will forget you are in a tanker and remember you are with your favorite people.
Location, Parking, and Phone
Find it at 1665 Newport Rd, Colorado Springs, CO 80916, just minutes from the airport and museums. Parking is straightforward in the shared lot, with clear signage pointing toward the aircraft.
If you need directions or to confirm wait times, call +1 719-570-7656.
The website posts hours and a glance at the menu. Use it to plan your visit around peak times.
The location makes it easy to swing by after the National Museum of World War II Aviation.
Set your maps to 38.8067398, -104.7262954 if you like coordinates. The sight of that big KC-97 parked out front is impossible to miss.
You will know you have arrived the second you spot the wings.
Budget and Value
This is a solid $$ spot where portions justify the tab. Burgers, steaks, and shareable apps deliver comfort without sticker shock.
Families appreciate that kids can be fed well without blowing the budget.
Factor in the included entertainment value. The cockpit, memorabilia, and uniforms create a mini museum visit baked into the meal.
That makes it easy to recommend for birthdays, visiting relatives, or first time tourists.
Tip your crew generously when the plane is packed and the kitchen is hustling. You are paying for a unique setting and plenty of smiles.
The memory-to-dollar ratio feels high, which is the best kind of math.
What Locals Say
Locals call it a must for aviation buffs and an easy crowd pleaser for out of town guests. Many praise the fries, burgers, and baked spaghetti, with mixed reviews on seafood.
Service gets kudos for friendliness, even when short staffed.
Expect comments about tight seating in the plane and louder cabin energy when full. That is part of the charm for most, though some prefer the main room.
Families mention repeat visits during vacations and birthdays.
Overall impressions lean positive: 4.2 stars across thousands of reviews. People come for the plane and stay for the welcome.
You will likely leave agreeing it is worth the detour.
Tips For A Smooth Visit
Arrive near opening if you want a guaranteed seat in the plane. Put your name in and explore memorabilia while you wait.
If you have a stroller or high chair, request the main dining room for easier maneuvering.
Ask your server what the kitchen is doing best that day. Specials and steak temps can vary when it is slammed.
Keep snacks handy for kids in case there is a small delay during peak times.
Bring a charged phone for cockpit photos and videos. The lighting is surprisingly flattering for group shots near the windows.
You will want proof of your time in the captain’s chair.
Nearby Pairings
Make a day of it by pairing lunch with the National Museum of World War II Aviation. It is a short drive and deepens the context for the KC-97’s story.
You will carry that history back to dinner, connecting exhibits to the plane you just sat in.
Colorado Springs Airport is close if you are greeting visitors or killing time before a flight. Hotels like the Radisson are nearby, making this a natural first night stop.
The convenience is part of the charm for traveling families.
Round out the day with a sunset drive toward the foothills. Nothing beats landing a meal like this with Front Range views.
It is an only-in-Colorado combo you will remember fondly.
Final Approach: Why It Works
The Airplane Restaurant succeeds because it is unapologetically itself. American comfort food meets living history inside a real aircraft, and the result feels joyful.
You get a themed restaurant that respects its theme and welcomes everyone aboard.
It is not fine dining, and it does not pretend to be. The magic is in the fries, the cockpit grin, the uniforms, and the owner saying hello.
That combination leaves you happier than you expected to be.
Next time you are in Colorado Springs, plot a course to Newport Road. Open at 11 AM, friendly crew, memorable atmosphere.
Fasten your seatbelt and enjoy the ride.
