I don’t typically review restaurants outside of hotels, but I’m going to make an exception here. A while back, I was talking to a friend here in Miami, who asked if I had eaten at the 94th Aero Squadron. I had never heard of it, so expressed confusion.
Continue reading: 94th Aero Squadron: Miami’s Restaurant For Aviation Geeks (Who Knew?!)
Share your questions, experiences, and thoughts below.
Wow that looks eerily similar to 57th Fighter Group in Atlanta. The only difference is 57 is located at a private airport Peachtree-DeKalb Airport (PDK). The food is average too! I've always said if there was no view, you would never eat there.
This is or was part of a chain that opened in the early 70s. I remember eating at one (at PBI I think) in the early 80s.
Ben, first of all what an absolutely adorable son! I love the picture of him with the headphones listening intently to the dialogue. Secondly, I don’t understand how you of all MIA av geeks didn’t know about this place. Back in my airline days I would attend training and industry meetings at the nearby IATA offices. It was there that someone at one of the meetings mentioned the restaurant so I checked it out. And I agree with you. You come here for the views, not the food. The place tries to be classy, but that’s classy with a “k”. The food is passably ok, but is bit pricey. Nevertheless, each time I was in Miami I would return there for dinner and watch planes until the wait staff gave me “the look” that they wanted to turn the table! As for the penchant for the Avianca A330, you’ll have to explain that to us someday!
There's a location in San Diego as well, but at Montgomery Field, which doesn't have any airline service... Great viewing of small planes, though!
Anyone Long Islanders here remember the 56th Fighter Group at KFRG Airport?? This place is identical. Crazy. It is like I am looking at the same place dropped into another state.
I 5hink it's been there for decades. I went to it with a friend sometime around 1999. It was pre 9/11.
I had no idea that chain still existed. They used to be at several airports, including St. Louis, which had a really awesome one. I love that place, I had no idea there was one in Miami.
Wow Ben, I cannot believe you have not heard of this restaurant before. You are always on top of everything specially if it is in Miami! I have been there a few times quite a few years ago and enjoyed it. The live web cam for the airport is also coming from their site.
There were a bunch of these and a handful of similar places, some owned by Specialty Restaurants and others by imitators. Specialty still own The Proud Bird, situated alongside the thresholds of runways 25 R and L at LAX.
Have you never been to perimeter road to watch the planes? I grew up doing that sometimes. It was a special treat.
Visit Miami city hall sometime. It used to be where all the Pan Am flying boats were based.
Yes, it was actually a chain of sorts, back in the day. I remember the Cleveland and Pittsburgh locations. Didn’t know there were still a few around.
This restaurant is so similar to the 57th Fighter Group restaurant at PDK. Right next to the airport with a ton of private jets, especially when there is an event in Atlanta.
Lucky,
You also lived in Southern California. For years they had these at Van Nuys and SNA.
There was also one of these along side an east/west runway at the old Stapleton airport in Denver.
Love the location and concept. As a chef, everything about the menu pains me from the graphic design to the prices. That pricing makes no sense given current market rates for the proteins. And what is the point of a Prix Fix menu with 7 appetizer choices and 9(!!!) entree choices? Good gravy.
The food does look decent though, so, credit where it’s due.
I forgot about those restaurants. We used to go to one near us growing up for special occasions. I thought they were all closed at this point.
I forgot about the decor, too. Apparently, it was a WWI theme and designed to look like a French village or something. I guess, arguably, it's as much a history-themed restaurant as it is aviation, even though it was in honor of the WWI ace, Rickenbacker.
Ben I know you've written before about why you prefer to fly out of MIA than FLL but I would love a post on your opinion on the best and worst things about living in Miami itself!
OMG, I first went there 35 years ago - when corrosion corner really was corrosion corner.
But,… another OMG- the prices! As an australian I’m stunned how much restaurant prices… have increased… not even including the tips
Exactly. Prix Fixe should be 3-3-3. If you don't like those options, order a la carte.
It looks like they still participate in restaurant.com, so you can get a $25 gift certificate. I would check with the restaurant beforehand to make sure...
Agreed. Maybe they're trying to cover their operating costs for having such an incredibly (too) broad menu?
Looking forward to the OMAAT review of the Avianca Cargo A330 in the near future!
Also, what on earth is beer cheese soup? It sounds disgusting?
I'm thinking, "who hasn't heard of/had beer cheese soup?" Then, I realize I'm old and can't remember the last time I've seen it on a menu. Anyway, every time I've had it, it has been good. Most wouldn't detect it has beer in it.
So surprised you haven't heard of 94th Aero Squadron. There used to be one in Orlando. I went there fairly often the couple years I lived there. Popular with the military. There were training bases in the vicinty and I ran into my cousin from Wisconsin when she on a training TDY. Not sure if there's one there still there or not. That was probably 35 or 40 years ago. There also used to be one at a small local airport in College Park, MD. Popular with folks from NASA GSFC for lunch & happy hours. But they went out of business a while back, maybe 10-15 years ago. Very fond memories. It's great to hear there's still one in Miami.
I'm surprised to hear that as a company, the 94th Aero Squadron still exists.
The last time I ate at one had to be 30 years ago. In Dallas but I don't remember if Love Field or Addison. Obviously I don't know what's at the location today.
The LAX location is still there, tho not as a "94th". I don't know if the restaurant carries an aeronautical theme or not, but the grounds still have many old military aircraft scattered around.
As a former Miami local not only did I know about this place and occasionally parked there to plane spot (never been inside), but I also can’t believe I didn’t think of passing that tip along to you, as long as you’ve been living there. Glad you enjoyed the visit.
Denver's Stapleton Intl'l Airport, SIA had one just south of the east west runways 8/26, just a fence separating you. It was even closer to the runaways than MIA. It was also an excellent spot to plane watch.
Have been to several in the past- mainly for the beer cheese soup. And the ambiance. In the past at least in Orlando it was very military themed inside
They used to have a wonderful Sunday Brunch at CMH. Nice view of the planes landing and taking off too. It was open for about 20 years. Closed a few years ago.
Fyi...There are similar restaurants at both St. Louis and Columbus, OH airports.
My first visit was in the early 80's and visited many times throughout the years. The quality of the food has been up and down throughout the years. Prices seem to reflect the trend that has happened in Miami in past few years. Its surprising that this restaurant has survived in the same location with the same concept for over 50 years!
Also at Peachtree-Dekalb Airport in Atlanta, though I don't believe that one includes the headphones tuned in to ATC. That's a really neat touch.
It's kind of sad every time I pass by the old building in College Park. The property is overgrown, but the sign is still there on the side of the road. It was a cool place! Right next to one of the oldest airports in the US I believe.
In June of this year, I had a unique lunch experience inside a converted Boeing 747-400 at Steak 21, located in Bekasi, an eastern suburb of Jakarta, Indonesia. The aircraft was originally operated by Singapore Airlines and later by Lion Air. The interior features First Class seats arranged in facing groups of four, creating a stylish and immersive setting. It’s a well-executed transformation and a must-visit for any av geek visiting Jakarta.