You won’t see a Boeing 747 carrying the Space Shuttle flying over the Proud Bird restaurant in Los Angeles again. That was a once-in-a-lifetime moment. But a short journey from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to the restaurant will prove a bonanza to hungry plan-spotters, whether they’re interested in the airliners flying overhand or the forever-parked fighter planes at the Proud Bird.
The Proud Bird is a historic aviation themed restaurant literally across the street from the runways at LAX. It’s a plane spotter’s paradise, as a plane seemingly lands at LAX every five minutes, bringing with it aircraft carrier-like noise. The spacious grounds of the restaurant on Aviation Boulevard are filled with a dozen real and replica aircraft, from the Corsair in the parking lot to the DC-3 and A-4 Skyhawk in Blue Angels regalia in the back.
In the last few years, the Proud Bird, a 15-minute cab ride from LAX, has transformed from an aging, often empty full-service restaurant to a food hall full of families. Yet it has stayed true to its original mission, as a restaurant offering a salute to aviation with a front-row view of airliners approaching LAX.
The Proud Bird opened in 1967, the brainchild of restauranteur and former World War II B-17 copilot David Tallichet, founder of Specialty Restaurants Corporation.
After years of declining service and dwindling revenues, the restaurant was transformed into a more modern food hall in 2017. The big windows offer a surprisingly soundproofed view of airliners and freighters landing over the perpetually parked planes. If you like the roar of jet engines, there are tables outdoors and even a couple of fire pits for chilly days.
The Proud Bird now offers six different dining concepts, including Bludso’s Bar-B-Que, (brisket, smoked chicken, pulled pork) Chicken & Waffles, Farmer’s Market and Soup, Tasty Burgers & Handhelds, and Asian and Italian. There’s a pizza oven for freshly made individual pizzas.
There’s also a kids menu, including favorites like ice cream, chicken tenders, grilled cheese, pizza, each $8, as well as soda and French fries. The kids playground and slide was packed. An astroturf area was the site of an impromptu soccer game and gymnastics match, kids burning off energy to refill with fast food.
The Proud Bird has tried to attract families with the playground and more interactive exhibits, like push a button and a propellor whirls. On the day I visited this month, it seemed to be paying off.
The Proud Bird at 11022 Aviation Boulevard, Los Angeles, is open Tue–Thu, Sun 11:00 am–7:00 pm Fri, Sat 11:00 am–9:00 pm. The phone number is(310) 670-3093.
The restaurant also has a Starbucks making the Frappuccino’s, coffees and teas travelers demand. Those
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