Percentage Of AirVenture Week Receipts Will Go To Program

By Rose Dorcey

Tailspin Tommy's is one of the new kids on the block, as far as Oshkosh restaurants go, but it's quickly becoming a favorite. It's not just for of the owner's love of aviation, the aero-theme decor, excellent food and friendly staff, but also because he shares his profits with the EAA's Young Eagles Program.

Tom Steinle opened Tailspin Tommy's just over a year ago. He and his employees are gearing up for their second AirVenture week. This year, they've added something new. Steinle is giving a percentage of the week's restaurant receipts to the program.

"Paul Poberezny is a regular here," explained Steinle. "We got to talking one day, and we decided to do this. I didn't start flying until later in life, but I had a lifelong love of aviation. The whole purpose of the aviation-themed restaurant was to foster an interest in aviation in people of all ages, especially kids, so maybe they can start flying much younger than I did."

Steinle has been flying for about six years, after serving in the U.S. Army and missing his chance to fly Army helicopters. "On my 30th birthday, I told my superior officer that I wanted to fly helicopters," said Steinle. "The first thing he asked was how old I was, and at 30, I was too old. The training stops after age 28." A few years later, shortly before he married his wife, Teri, the couple were sitting outdoors when a plane few over. Teri noticed how Tom gazed intently at the plane as it flew off into the distance. On his next birthday, she gave him flight lessons. "I want you to pursue your dream," she said. He's been flying ever since.

He brought his love of aviation into the restaurant, and has lined the walls with posters and aviation memorabilia. Excerpts from a World War II diary are displayed in a corner. The collection is growing, and donations are coming in from both military and civilian aviators. Tom loves to talk flying with anyone who comes in. "AirVenture week is a wonderful time for me. Vets come in and share their stories. It really becomes a labor of love."

But what really gets your attention are the twinkling stars above you… Steinle spent hundreds of hours "morning, noon and night" painting the ceiling black and then installing thousands of feet of fiber optic cable to create a one-of-a-kind star field. It's a sight to see. While dining in the evening, you have the illusion that you are sitting outside, under the stars.

"It started out, I was only going to put in 250 light points," said Steinle. "Then I decided on 500. As I was working on it, I made the mistake of leaving the instructions on the table in front of my wife. She said, 'Did you know that all you have to do is take off this collar and you can install up to 2,500 lights?' It turned out she was right, but don't put that in your article," Steinle laughed.

How is the food? What's the menu like? My pilot friends said it was great, so I stopped in and found that out for myself. Tailspin Tommy's is famous for their SUPERSIZED subs, sometimes called grinders. There are over two-dozen varieties to choose from; all served on fresh baked Italian bread, from Tommy's own recipe, in 8" or 16" portions. "People who actually order the 16" take one look at it and say, 'Oh my, Gosh,'" said Steinle. "It comes on two plates." Subs can also be served on low fat, low carb wraps for those watching their carb intake.

The sub sandwich menu includes many with chicken. There's Chicken Parmesan, Broiled Chicken, Southwest Chicken, Sante Fe Chicken and Chicken Cordon Bleu (Tom's favorite). There are roast beef, seafood, ham, pork and turkey subs and a Rueben, too. There are two chicken salads, BBQ Chicken Quesadillas, and of course, for an appetizer, chicken wings.

"We also have cold beer," said Steinle. "That's a popular request during AirVenture."

You will also find some tasty combinations in their popular specialty pizzas - Taco, Hawaiian and BLT are just a few. There's the B-52 and the B-17, with lots of pepperoni, and there is even an Ultralight - with lots of fresh veggies and a low fat, thin crust for the calorie conscience.

The family restaurant offers a healthy, fresh alternative to fast food. "It's good fast food," said Steinle. The food is so good, that the OSH tower folks might just recommend it to you when you land. Steinle tells a funny story, of when he had just finished hooking up a scanner and speakers to broadcast the tower communications throughout the restaurant. "We just got the speakers going, and the first thing we heard was a pilot ask, 'Where's a good place to eat?' They told him to go to my competition. So I got the tower on the phone, and then I took them up a bunch of great food." Don't be surprised to hear the OSH controllers recommend Tailspin Tommy's from now on.

Tailspin Tommy's is located about a block north of the Oshkosh Hilton, next to Target and Pick-N-Save. It's about a five - ten minute walk from the North 40 area of the convention grounds; a bit longer from Camp Scholler. It's worth the short walk, and the dollars you spend will benefit the Young Eagles program.

FMI: www.tailspintommys.com