94th Aero Squadron (restaurant)

Last updated
94th Aero Squadron
94th front.jpg
Front of the restaurant
94th Aero Squadron (restaurant)
Restaurant information
Established1973
Closed2022
Food typetraditional American
Location16320 Raymer Street, Los Angeles, California
Coordinates 34°13′04″N118°29′19″W / 34.2177°N 118.4887°W / 34.2177; -118.4887
Other locationsChicago, Columbus, Costa Mesa, Denver, Miami, San Diego, San Jose, St. Louis

94th Aero Squadron was a historic restaurant in Los Angeles, California that opened next to Van Nuys Airport in 1973 and closed in 2022. Additional California locations opened in Costa Mesa, San Diego, and San Jose, and even more locations opened Chicago, Denver, Miami, St. Louis, and Columbus, Ohio.

Contents

History

David Tallichet, a World War II pilot who flew 20 combat missions in a B-17 bomber, founded 94th Aero Squadron under his Specialty Restaurants Corporation, which opened more than 100 restaurants nationwide. [1] This restaurant, the first of several under the 94th Aero Squadron banner, [2] was built adjacent to and featured a view of Van Nuys Airport's runway, allowing patrons to watch airplanes take off and land while dining. It was named after the 94th Aero Squadron and opened in 1973. [1] [3] [4]

The restaurant closed in 2022. It was demolished the following year, with plans for an industrial building to rise in its place. [4]

Design and decor

94th Aero Squadron's design was said to resemble a French chateau [1] and a rustic Normandy farmhouse. [3] A portion of the restaurant was meant to resemble a bombed-out Normandy bunker and one of the restaurant's tables, hand-carved by pilots just after World War II ended, was made of wood from a World War II airplane; in the restaurant, that table was reserved for pilots. [3]

The restaurant featured numerous military and aviation relics, including a World War I propeller plane, a World War II ambulance, and vintage war Jeeps outside the entrance. [1] [3] [5] Inside, memorabilia donated by veterans, including uniforms, gas masks, propellers, torpedoes, and framed photographs, covered the walls and hung from the ceiling. Model planes hung from the ceiling as well. [3]

Other locations

Additional 94th Aero Squadron restaurants were opened in Chicago, [6] Costa Mesa, [7] Denver, [8] Miami, [9] San Diego, [9] San Jose, [10] St. Louis, [2] and Columbus, Ohio. [9] [11] The San Diego chapter of the California Restaurant Association has repeatedly nominated the San Diego location for best American traditional restaurant in the city [12] [13] and Bill Clinton hosted a meet-and-greet at the St. Louis location during his 1992 presidential campaign. [2]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Love, Marianne (May 21, 2022). "Van Nuys' 94th Aero Squadron restaurant closes its doors after nearly 50 years". Los Angeles Daily News .
  2. 1 2 3 Pollack, Ann Lemons (November 15, 2018). "A look back at 94th Aero Squadron, a surprisingly romantic war-themed restaurant". St. Louis Magazine .
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 Kreuzer, Nikki (August 7, 2017). "The 94th Aero Squadron Restaurant Is a Journey to World War II". LA Weekly .
  4. 1 2 "A final goodbye to beloved 94th Aero Squadron restaurant at Van Nuys Airport". Los Angeles Daily News . December 4, 2023.
  5. ↑ Elliott, Farley (September 28, 2017). "How One LA Restaurant Recreates the Wreckage of World War". Eater.
  6. ↑ Lissau, Russell (December 21, 2021). "Airport plans to buy site of former 94th Aero Squadron restaurant". Daily Herald .
  7. ↑ "Vintage Matchcover: 94th Aero Squadron Restaurant, Costa Mesa, CA". eBay . Retrieved November 11, 2025.
  8. ↑ Kidney, Joy Neal (September 9, 2019). "Denver's 94th Aero Squadron".
  9. 1 2 3 "San Diego's 94th Aero Squadron Restaurant To Reopen After Several Month Closure". SanDiegoVille. April 21, 2022.
  10. ↑ "Image / 94th Aero Squadron Restaurant, San Jose (Calif.)". Calisphere . University of California . Retrieved November 11, 2025.
  11. ↑ Eaton, Dan (January 24, 2023). "94th Aero Squadron to close its Columbus restaurant this summer". bizjournals.com. American City Business Journals.
  12. ↑ "38th Annual Gold Medallion". California Restaurant Association — San Diego Chapter. June 13, 2023.
  13. ↑ "40th Annual Gold Medallion". California Restaurant Association — San Diego Chapter. June 25, 2025.
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