A 1950’s Style Diner resides at the Liberty Aviation Museum
There is just something unique and fun about eating at an old-fashioned diner. Maybe it’s the 50’s music, or the home-style foods, or the taste of a real milk-shake or malt from an old-fashioned soda-fountain. Every time seems special.
The Tin Goose Diner
The Tin Goose Diner sits alongside the Liberty Aviation Museum in Port Clinton, Ohio. If you have ever taken the Miller Boat Line Ferry to get to Put-in-Bay, you have probably passed it. Hopefully you stopped for breakfast before you went on to your island adventures.
The Tin Goose Diner is an authentic diner. Built in the 1950’s by the Jerry O’Mahony Diner Company, this charming diner found its first home in Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania, as the Sunrise Diner. In 2012, the diner was moved to its new home at the Liberty Aviation Museum. Today the Diner helps to fund the operation of the Museum.
The day I visited the diner, I had the wonderful pleasure of having Ed Patrick, CEO of the museum, to guide me through the menu that included breakfast and lunch selections. If you are hungry for breakfast you can choose such favorites as The Flyboy special, the B-25 or the P-51 Oatmeal to name a few.
Ed suggested I start with a bowl of their famous Lobster Bisque. My review: Five-stars and my, my, my. Delicious! I really wanted to take my bowl up to the counter and ask, “Please sir, can I have some more?”
First course finished, it was now time to make my next selection. After about ten minutes of reviewing the list of menu items, I narrowed my choice down to the Waldo Fried Bologna, the Tin Goose Burger, the Hindenburg Chicken Salad Plate, or the Wrong Way Corrigan.
After further consideration, the Wrong Way Corrigan won by a landslide. First because it included grilled pot-roast served over potato pancakes and brown gravy. Second, because Ed said it was a diner favorite. And third, the story behind the name of the dish. Douglas Corrigan, an aviator during the golden age, supposedly filed a flight plan to California, but ended up in Ireland. Hence, the now famous term “Wrong Way Corrigan”, a term used when referring to someone who gets lost. Just to make things clear, I do not get lost, I explore.
Back to the pot roast. As you can see in the photo, the helpings are a little over the top. The pot roast was tender and the potato pancakes were cooked to perfection.
(Since my visit, I do not see the Wrong Way Corrigan listed on the regular daily menu.)
The Tin Goose Diner really takes you back to the 1950’s. From the decorations to the music. If you love visiting diners, this gem needs to be on your list.
2024 update: Menu prices ranged from $6.95 for two eggs w/ toast and potatoes, $13.95 for a Philly Cheesesteak, $9.95 for a Waldo Fried Bologna and a chicken bacon wrap $9.85. A homemade vanilla or chocolate milk-shake will cost you $6.95. The diner offers blue-plate specials that change daily. The diner also accepts major credit cards.
One thing nice about having a museum attached to a diner is that it gives you a chance to walk off a few of the calories that you just consumed.
The Liberty Aviation Museum was established in 1991 to showcase a collection of World War Two aircraft. In 2011, the museum found it’s permanent home at the Erie-Ottawa Regional Airport.
The museum is a working museum meaning that the volunteers help restore and maintain the historic aircraft, vehicles, and other historical artifacts. To learn more about the museum and its current collection, click here.
This year why not take a road trip to Port Clinton, Ohio and enjoy a milkshake and/or a meal at this 1950’s piece of Americana history.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
The Tin Goose Diner is located at:
3515 E. State Rd., Port Clinton, OH 43452
419.732.0236 |tingoosediner.com
Check website for current hours.
The Liberty Aviation Museum
419.732.0234 | libertyaviationmuseum.org
Admission.
#MyOhioFun Road Trip notes:
- The Liberty Aviation Museum hosts numerous special events throughout the year including Band Hanger dances to adventure rides on historic aircraft. Additional information can be found on their website.
- Nearby attractions include: African Safari Wildlife Park, The Gideon Owen Wine Company, Catawba and East Harbor State Parks, Put-in-Bay Island, and Marblehead Lighthouse State Park.
- If you plan on visiting Put-in-Bay, you will find the Miller Passenger & Vehicle Ferries just a short distance from the museum. For more information about the ferry, golf cart and bike rentals, island events, and accommodations click here.
- If you love to fish, you will find plenty of fishing areas and charters to help you catch any number of Lake Erie’s available fish. Please note that Ohio requires a fishing license to fish. Information can be found on the ODNR Division of Wildlife site.
- You are going to want to pack a cooler. Not just for any leftovers, but for any produce or bakery you may want to purchase at Bergman Orchards, which is located just down the street.
- Before exploring the area, order or download your FREE Lake Erie Shores & Islands Travel Guide and discount savings card. Information can be found here. If you forget your guide, no worries, there is a Lake Erie Shores & Islands visitor center just around the corner from the museum.
“Discount tickets for ferry boats and attractions, maps, brochures, lodging locator service, restrooms, and RV and boat parking are available”.
LAKE ERIE SHORES & ISLANDS WELCOME CENTER-WEST
Location: 770 S.E. Catawba Rd. (SR 53)
Port Clinton, OH 43452
419.734.4386 | 800.441.1271
Article and article photos by: Diane – MyOhioFun.com
Editor’s note: This story originally ran in the 2019. The article has been updated to reflect 2024 information. Any use of the above article or images without prior permission, will be in violation of copyright laws.
***Disclosure: MyOhioFun.com received no compensation for visiting the The Tin Goose. As always, all opinions are 100% my own.***
