A retired Southwest Boeing 737 has become part of a restaurant in Walnut Ridge, Arkansas (about 100 miles driving distance northwest of Memphis, 125 miles driving distance northeast of Little Rock).

From Tuesday, October 4 edition of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette:
---
Boeing 737 performs different role

Walnut Ridge restaurant turns retired aircraft into town attraction

BY KENNETH HEARD
ARKANSAS DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE

WALNUT RIDGE – For the first time in 21 years Monday, food was served on Southwest Airlines plane No. N86SW.

However, the aircraft never left the ground.
---

The article says:

• The fuselage contains 10 tables, each seating six
  
• The actual desert tan seats and carpet are used
  
• The overhead bins and lavatory (inoperable) remain
  
• A pilot stopped to refuel his plane and commented he logged some 300 hours flying N86SW
  
• Parachute Inn hosted a private function last week. After an open house tomorrow (10 OCT), the new dining room is open for business. Just don’t wear an offensive tee shirt.
  

Article from Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Part 1
Article from Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Part 2

*Note – article scanned from the hardcopy




View Large View Medium

Photo © Frank J. Mirande

Thanks FlyingTexan

The story (without pictures) can be read here

- JHSfan

A fascinating idea! I hope it does well. Do yu have any idea how they will lay out the interior?

They should have repainted the plane. Also without the landing gear and nosecone it looks like a junked plane ready to be scrapped. Kinda trailer park-ish if you ask me.

Quoting DarthRandall (Reply 2): Do yu have any idea how they will lay out the interior?

Didn't you see the picture?

Should have kept the Gears on with Artificial wings & used a Staircase.Would have looked good.
Whats done about the AC.
Isn't it hot inside.
regds
MEL

The article's got the reg wrong, it's actually N81SW. My Grandpa lives about ten miles from Walnut Ridge, in a town called Pocahontas, and while I was there 2 summers ago, I managed to catch the bird while it was still sitting at the ARG FBO ramp, after the engines had been taken off:

View Large View Medium

Photo © Eric D Smith- Rocky Mountain AvPhotos

Quoting Byrdluvs747 (Reply 3): They should have repainted the plane. Also without the landing gear and nosecone it looks like a junked plane ready to be scrapped. Kinda trailer park-ish if you ask me.

Believe me when I say it fits in well with the surroundings.

Quoting DLKAPA (Reply 6): Believe me when I say it fits in well with the surroundings.

LOL! I didn't realize this was in Arkansas. 

Yeah, but I love the place. Always very relaxing to go out there, kind of a different kind of life. I think the next time I make it out that way I'll have to stop by while I'm photographing the scrapyard.