If you’ve ever sat at a window table at the 100th Bomb Group Cleveland with a plate of calamari, watching a United Airlines 737 scream down the runway at Hopkins, you know the vibe. It’s loud. It’s dramatic. It is, quite frankly, one of the coolest places to grab a beer in Northeast Ohio. But here’s the thing—most people walking through those doors think the place is just a clever marketing gimmick or a themed diner.
It’s not.
The restaurant is basically a living, breathing memorial to the "Bloody Hundreth." That was the nickname given to the 100th Bomb Group of the Eighth Air Force during World War II. They earned that name because their luck was, well, terrible. While other groups might return from a mission with twenty planes, the 100th would sometimes return with one. Or none. When you walk through the replica farmhouse entrance across from Cleveland Hopkins International Airport, you’re stepping into a tribute to 1,152 airmen who never came home.
Honestly, the history is heavy. But the experience of being there? That's something else entirely.
What actually happened to the 100th Bomb Group?
You can’t understand why this building exists in Cleveland without knowing the chaos of 1943. The 100th Bomb Group flew B-17 Flying Fortresses out of Thorpe Abbotts in England. These weren’t just planes; they were ten-man metal tubes flying at 25,000 feet where the temperature was -40 degrees. If you touched the metal with your bare hand, your skin would freeze to it instantly.
People talk about the "Bloody Hundreth" because of missions like Bremen and Munster. On October 10, 1943, the group sent 13 planes to Munster. Only one returned. One. The pilot of that lone survivor was Robert "Rosie" Rosenthal, a guy who became a legend because he just kept going back up when any sane person would have quit.
The Cleveland connection isn't that the group flew out of Ohio—they didn't. The restaurant was the brainchild of David Tallichet. He was a World War II pilot himself, a guy who flew co-pilot on a B-17 named The Spirit of Casablanca. Tallichet grew up to be a massive figure in the "themed" restaurant world, but his passion was historic preservation. He founded Specialty Restaurants Corporation (SRC) and built these "shrine" restaurants at airports across the country. He wanted people to eat dinner in a place that looked like an Allied headquarters in occupied France or a foggy English airfield. He succeeded.
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The Architecture of the 100th Bomb Group Cleveland
The building itself is a trip. It's designed to look like a French chateau that had been requisitioned by the military. You’ve got the sandbags, the camouflage netting, and the signal towers. Inside, it’s a maze of dark wood, aviation memorabilia, and flickering fireplaces.
It feels lived-in.
Why the location across from Hopkins matters
Most airport restaurants are tucked away behind security gates where you pay $18 for a sad turkey sandwich. The 100th Bomb Group Cleveland is the opposite. It sits right on Brookpark Road. You’re literally feet away from the perimeter fence of Cleveland Hopkins.
For aviation geeks (AvGeeks), the patio is holy ground. You can sit outside by the fire pits, and when a heavy cargo plane or a commercial jet takes off, the ground actually vibrates. The restaurant even provides headsets at some tables so you can listen to the Air Traffic Control (ATC) tower chatter. Hearing a pilot get cleared for takeoff while you're cutting into a steak adds a layer of immersion you just don't get anywhere else.
The Artifacts: Not your average wall decor
Don't just breeze past the glass cases. The walls are lined with real photos, flight suits, and medals. These aren't reproductions bought at a Hobby Lobby. Many were donated by veterans or their families. You’ll see "nose art" replicas—the pin-up girls and nicknames painted on the fronts of B-17s to give the crews a bit of luck.
If you look closely at the photos, you’ll see the faces of teenagers. That’s the reality that hits you. The men flying these missions were often 19 or 20 years old, responsible for a multi-million dollar aircraft and nine other lives. The 100th Bomb Group Cleveland does a decent job of reminding you of that, even if you're just there for Happy Hour.
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The "Masters of the Air" Effect
Recently, there’s been a massive surge in interest in this specific group because of the Apple TV+ series Masters of the Air. Produced by Spielberg and Tom Hanks, it put a cinematic spotlight on the 100th.
Since the show aired, the restaurant has seen a lot more "pilgrims." People who watched the show and realized, "Wait, there’s a place in Cleveland dedicated to these exact guys?" It has turned the restaurant into more of a destination than it already was. It’s no longer just a spot for corporate lunches or rehearsal dinners; it’s a place where people go to process the history they saw on screen.
What you need to know before you go
If you're planning a visit, don't just show up and expect a quiet library vibe. It’s a bustling place.
- The Patio is King: Even in Cleveland's questionable weather, the patio is the place to be. They have heaters, but if it’s a clear day, get a spot outside. The view of the runways is unobstructed.
- The Sunday Brunch: It's famous. Or infamous, depending on how much you like crowds. It’s a massive spread—omelet stations, prime rib, seafood. It’s the kind of place where grandmas and aviation nerds coexist peacefully.
- The Noise: Look, it’s next to an airport. If you’re looking for a place for a whisper-quiet romantic confession, this might not be it. The planes are loud. Embrace it. It’s part of the charm.
- The "Rosie" Connection: Ask the staff if they have any specific info on Robert Rosenthal or the Royal Flush B-17. Sometimes they have specific pamphlets or local historians hanging around who can tell you stories that aren't on the menu.
Beyond the Food: A Legacy in Northeast Ohio
There was a time, a few years back, when people worried these types of themed restaurants would go extinct. The overhead is high, and modern tastes often lean toward minimalist, "clean" aesthetics. But the 100th Bomb Group Cleveland has stayed.
I think it’s because Clevelanders value grit. There’s something about a group of men who were nicknamed "Bloody" because they kept getting hit and kept coming back that resonates with the city's identity.
The restaurant serves as a bridge. It connects the 1940s to the 2020s. When you see a kid looking out the window at a modern jet, then turning around to see a model of a B-17, that’s the "why" behind the whole operation. It’s an educational tool disguised as a steakhouse.
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Actionable Steps for your Visit
If you want to make the most of the 100th Bomb Group Cleveland, don't just treat it like a generic chain.
- Check the Flight Radar: Download an app like FlightRadar24 before you go. You can see exactly which planes are approaching Hopkins and where they’re coming from while you eat. It makes the "listen to the tower" experience way better.
- Request a Window: When you make a reservation, specifically ask for a window seat in the main dining room or a spot near the fire pits on the patio.
- Read the Room: Take ten minutes before you sit down to walk the hallway. Read the citations. Look at the maps of the flight paths over Europe. It changes the way you feel about the drink in your hand.
- Plan for Events: They do a lot of "Aviation Day" events and veteran meetups. Check their calendar. Meeting a veteran who actually served in the Air Force—even if not in the 100th specifically—while sitting in that environment is a core memory kind of moment.
The 100th Bomb Group isn't just a name on a sign. It’s a tribute to the fact that freedom isn't free, and sometimes, the best way to remember the people who paid for it is to gather together, share a meal, and watch the planes keep flying.
Next time you're driving down Brookpark, don't just see a building. See the story. Stop in, grab a drink, and look up at the sky. Those runways at Hopkins carry the weight of a lot of history, and the 100th is there to make sure we don't forget it.
The best way to experience it is to go during the "Golden Hour" just before sunset. The way the light hits the control tower at Hopkins and the replica farmhouse at the restaurant makes the whole place feel like it's stepped back in time. You’ll see the lights of the runway flicker on, and for a second, you can almost imagine a B-17 limping home across the Atlantic, looking for a safe place to land. It’s powerful stuff.
Visit the memorial outside near the entrance before you leave. It’s a quiet spot away from the noise of the dining room where the names are listed. It puts everything—the food, the planes, the atmosphere—into perspective. That’s the real reason the 100th Bomb Group Cleveland exists. It’s a landmark that refuses to let the past stay in the past.
Check their current seasonal hours before heading out, as they often shift during the winter months when patio seating is limited. If you're looking for a specific bit of memorabilia or want to host a veteran-focused event, their events team is surprisingly knowledgeable about the history they're preserving.
The legacy of the 100th remains one of the most harrowing and heroic chapters of American history. Having a piece of that legacy right here in Cleveland is a privilege. Go for the planes, stay for the history, and leave with a little more respect for the "Bloody Hundreth."