Okay, I'll start it.....FOOD!

[Inspector Fenwick]

I have been to OSH pretty much since the beginning of time, flew my own aircraft most times. I am usually constrained by weight/volume so hauling the cookstove, walk in cooler/freezer/and raw food is mostly out of the question. Then there is the fact that I don't like cleaning up after making my lunch/supper. Tall Pines is my "café" of choice for breakfast and they are open for supper on Saturday and Sunday before the event starts, but they close wayyy to early to force feed myself. But I completely understand that volunteers make that machinery go and they are my favorites. But after the even starts, I mean to say, the food is all the same, from the Sea Plan Base in the south to whatever they have up north (without crossing the fence). I mean, come on....... You get tired of the same four things with virtually no taste. I rode to a campground dinner Saturday night, and saw they have a pizza place in there. WOW, how about putting pizza on the menu in one of the Vintage Aircraft Camping/Parking areas. After Wednesday I would have paid $20 for one slice to avoid another "brat" or burnt pre-cooked hamburger with about the worse fries in recorded history. I have eaten at many "Machine Shed" locations and trust me, serving that swill at those locations would cause a "going out of business" sale.

I fully realize that my complaint will be countered by "well, there is a pizza place / Chinese place / Mexican place" just west of Boing Plaza..." Well, okay I will make a note of that.

Yes, I crossed Waupin and ate at the little campground across from the Ultralight Red Barn. Also Rodneys BBQ, even had some delish corn on the cob.

Time to figure something out for next year. I will be back to OSH, the greatest aviation event, hands down.

[turtle]

Well, there is a pizza place just southwest of Boing Plaza... Papa John's at Hangar A, easily accessible by tram from vintage. Also in scholler as well.

Still, no substitute for getting as far away from the grounds as possible for a decent, reasonably priced meal.

[CHICAGORANDY]

At the end of my evening shifts as a tram conductor each day I would drive the 50 miles back to my motel and about the only thing open along the way at that late hour was a Culvers. I became very familiar with their menu choices - lol

[Inspector Fenwick]

Well, there is a pizza place just southwest of Boing Plaza... Papa John's at Hangar A, easily accessible by tram from vintage. Also in scholler as well.

Still, no substitute for getting as far away from the grounds as possible for a decent, reasonably priced meal.

I think the Ultra Light Red Barn would do well offering a receiving portal for delivered pizzas, maybe with a decent warmer and a modest "handling charge". There is absolutely no hope for the various
"Machine Shed" locations. I am hardly a "foodie" but a peanut butter sandwich or cheese and crackers looks pretty good after a few days of fried grease.

The eight days I was there was the longest tenure for me and I was saved by 195 Club members with cars + Uber to various venues off-field.

On a side note, just north of the airport there used to be a great Chinese buffet. A large group of us looked forward to this each year. Two years ago, give or take, we walked in and it was dark and nearly empty. We were told by the hostess that they had converted it to a sushchi place. We told her "good luck with that" as we did a 180 back out the door. Also noticed the Packer Bar was closed.

[Dave Stadt]

I think the Ultra Light Red Barn would do well offering a receiving portal for delivered pizzas, maybe with a decent warmer and a modest "handling charge". There is absolutely no hope for the various
"Machine Shed" locations. I am hardly a "foodie" but a peanut butter sandwich or cheese and crackers looks pretty good after a few days of fried grease.

The eight days I was there was the longest tenure for me and I was saved by 195 Club members with cars + Uber to various venues off-field.

On a side note, just north of the airport there used to be a great Chinese buffet. A large group of us looked forward to this each year. Two years ago, give or take, we walked in and it was dark and nearly empty. We were told by the hostess that they had converted it to a sushchi place. We told her "good luck with that" as we did a 180 back out the door. Also noticed the Packer Bar was closed.

There is another Chinese buffet north on Koeller behind Duluth Trading.

[CHICAGORANDY]

The Planeview 'used to be' the site of a GREAT family type little restaurant. Sadly now it is replaced by a Subway and a Pizza place. In fairness I can imagine it is a rather daunting feat to try and provide three meals a day to the mass of humanity that is AirVenture and not have to resort to 'fast bar foods'.

On many topics it seems that sometimes the event can be a victim of its own success.

[BeagleOne]

I have to say I wasn't impressed with the food this year. Very limited selections and it was often cold. I remember when Ace's Cafeteria by the forum buildings would serve a variety of selections for lunch and dinner, different every day, and "real" meals too. That seems to have changed. My usual bright spot was at the A and W on the flightline; I love the Lil Orbits mini-doughnuts that Freedom Foods serves up all day, and they were always happy to give me a full cup of ice for my soda.

[FlyingRon]

I think it is much improved with the various caterers rather than all going to Zaug's. I can't say I ate at the Machine Shed outlets much, but I've had lots at MajorGoolsby and and A&Ws.

Of course, our long time volunteer and retired cardiologist about keeled over at the description of the Brat-Eat-O.

[robert l]

I think it is much improved with the various caterers rather than all going to Zaug's. I can't say I ate at the Machine Shed outlets much, but I've had lots at MajorGoolsby and and A&Ws.

Of course, our long time volunteer and retired cardiologist about keeled over at the description of the Brat-Eat-O.
FlyingRon, I'm on a KETO diet, (high fat, medium protein, low carb and as little sugar as possible). My cardiologist is fine with it, he says it doesn't matter so much what you eat, it's hereditary and if your parents had heart disease, you probably will too. I stay away from carbs and sugar and in a year and a half I've lost 30 lbs. and feel pretty good for almost 71!
Bob

[L16 Pilot]

I usually slip over to Friar Tucks late afternoons for an adult beverage, sandwich and air conditioning. Otherwise its a sub sandwich somewhere on the field and breakfast at the hangar café.

[Floatsflyer]

Year after year we debate ad nauseum the food on the grounds, it's a very subjective subject and one that stirs up a lot of opinion, distaste(pun intended) and angst.

So FWIW, if your only choice is to eat at a concession on the grounds, then IMO, the place for the past few years that has somewhat healthy choices(read non-burgers, brats and fries) is the one on Celebration Way-I forget the name. They have a fantastic large salad called Ginger Sesame with Chicken and a terrific Turkey Wrap sandwich. This same concession is duplicated at the seaplane base where I had fish and chips which was also quite good. Had a nice cold beer here as well served after 5pm. Try it next year, you won't be disappointed.

[Grum.man]

I thought the food was pretty good this year and pretty fair price considering the venue. My only complaint is how early most of the vendors close. For those of us camping it really limits our options. The EAA member meal at the A&W was tasty and probably the best deal on the field. The place over by Charlie's sandbox had different choices day to day that were really good. If all else fails you have the ones over in Boeing square that each have something different. Papa John's pizza in the Exhibit halls is a bit pricey but a welcome change.

[FlyingRon]

I don't think the Brat-Eat-O (delicious as it was) is on your Keto diet either. The thing is an overly large portion of fat, cholesterol, and carbs.

[Joda]

The thing is an overly large portion of fat, cholesterol, and carbs.

That's what makes it so good!!!! :)

[FlyingRon]

That's what makes it so good!!!! :)

Yep, I figure one week a year of brats and curds and breaded things won't kill me.

[Mayhemxpc]

Oh my gosh, Brat-Eat-O! How did I miss that?!?

I gues I just have to go back again next year.

[FlyingRon]

Available at the Major Goolsby locations (Vintage Cafe, North 40, and one other place near the tower).

Large brat, scrambled eggs, fried potatoes, cheese over a tortilla (but too large to actually fit in like a burito unless you eat some of the stuff first).

[CHICAGORANDY]

Oh dang! Now I want one.....