DC-7 Steakhouse in Byron, Ga

Seen on the right is a postcard depicting a fantastic piece of roadside Georgia history, the DC-7 Steakhouse, formerly located along I-75 about 90 miles south of Atlanta in Byron. This incredible establishment allowed diners the rare opportunity to board a retired DC-7 airliner parked in a field in rural Georgia and order a steak dinner cooked to order. I used to pass by this place with some regularity in the early 1980's, but sadly I was too clueless to realize what a treasure it was so I never went in. At some point (perhaps the mid 1980s?) the restaurant closed its doors and the aircraft was hauled out of the field. The location of this restaurant admittedly raises questions about how well it qualifies to appear on a website purportedly devoted to Atlanta history. However, it's worth remembering that in 1970 Byron was the location for the second Atlanta International Pop Festival, and I figure that if they got away with such geographic imprecision, I can too.

The festival showcased performances by the Allman Brothers Band, Jimi Hendrix, Jethro Tull, Captain Beefheart, B.B. King, Procul Harum, Richie Havens, and many others.

Governor Lester Maddox was not amused and commented "This festival is one of the worst blights to ever hit our state."

Scroll down to see a larger photo of the steakhouse.