Steve Kanatzar, managing partner of Solo’s Restaurant, was flying high after hearing that producers from the cable television’s Food Network wanted to feature his eccentric eatery in the show, “Secret Life of Meals on the Move.”
Part of his restaurant, famous among El Paso County air buffs, is housed inside a Boeing KC-97 aircraft tanker parked at 1665 N. Newport Road in Colorado Springs and now moored to terra firma.
The KC-97 was built in 1953 to refuel aircraft throughout the world. In May 2002, Kanatzar reincarnated the retired plane as an aviation-themed restaurant, filling it with relevant artifacts, memorabilia and photographs. After he was finished, Solo’s could seat 275 diners, though only 42 fit in the plane itself.
The rest of the seats are in the “terminal,” adjoining the airplane.
Solo’s is especially popular with local military and airplane buffs. To get a seat at one of the plane booths that seat two to four, diners need to book in advance — just like real passengers. They’re given a “flight time,” Solo’s parlance for “reservation.”
What to order? Start with the wings — of course! The smoked duck quesadilla is popular, too. The main menu is rounded out by salads, pastas, steak and seafood, which may be the best airplane food you’ve ever eaten. One thing’s certain: You’ll definitely have more elbow room than you do on a modern passenger plane.
