Five Unusual Restaurants in the US

Why do dinner and a show when dinner can also be the show? While themed chain eateries like Rainforest Cafe and Planet Hollywood are nothing new, some restaurants go much farther, even out of this world, to make the dining experience as special as the food they serve. Want to make sure your meal comes with a heaping side of memories? Check out five of the most unusual restaurants in the U.S.

1.Casa Bonita - Denver, Colorado

Credit: Hyoung Chang/ The Denver Post via Getty Images

Some people think this Colorado legend is merely a figment of a cartoon character’s

 imagination, but the pink wedding cake building along West Colfax Avenue is all too

 real and recently reopened after South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone

 bought the “Disneyland of Mexican restaurants” and poured an estimated 40 million 

dollars into the renovation. But the birthday party staple is back, including cliff diving 

gorillas, puppet shows, mariachi bands, unlimited sopapillas and thanks to James

 Beard award-winning chef Dana Rodriguez , a menu that is now perfectly 

delicious. We’ll see you in Black Bart’s Cave!

2.The Airplane Restaurant - Colorado 

Springs, Colorado

Credit: Franck Fotos/ Alamy Stock Photo

Just an hour from Denver, another quirky restaurant concept has taken flight ... this

 time in an actual airplane. The Boeing KC-97 tanker was one of the largest planes

 ever built, and now families and aviation enthusiasts alike can enjoy classic 

American fare in the aptly named Airplane Restaurant. Built in 1953, the plane is

 now a 250-seat restaurant, bar, and museum dedicated to historic plane 

memorabilia, and features steaks, salads, burgers, and seafood, including the

 (self-proclaimed) “World’s Biggest Fish Sandwich.”

3. The Space Bar - Titusville, Florida

Credit: Paul Hennesy/ Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

Planes aren’t the only things that fly. As the home of Area 51, Roswell, New Mexico 

has an assortment of out-of-this world attractions ... including a McDonald’s that’s 

shaped like a flying saucer. But over in Florida, The Space Bar gives visitors an

 astronaut’s-eye-view of the real deal. This rooftop bar and restaurant has an 

enviable position overlooking the Kennedy Space Center. The location allows

 visitors to enjoy NASA, Boeing, ULA, and SpaceX launches while nibbling on 

deviled eggs and Cubanos and sipping on craft beer and signature cocktails like

 the tequila-forward “Skyrockets in Flight.”

4. SafeHouse - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Credit: SafeHouse Milwaukee

When spies want fries, they may accept a mission to infiltrate SafeHouse, Milwaukee

’s espionage-themed bar and restaurant. Agent Moneypenny will need a password 

to grant you admission —  but you can also complete a “clearance test” to prove 

that you aren’t a double agent. Once accepted, tuck into some Tradecraft Tacos or

 Stasi Twists (German pretzels). Keep your wits about you when ordering the Spy’s 

Demise ... the potent rum-based cocktail might just cause you to blow your cover.

5. Tonga Room & Hurricane Bar - San

 Francisco, California

Credit: George Rose via Getty Images`

Mai tais and merriment are the order of the day at this Polynesian-themed spot in 

San Francisco’s iconic Fairmont Hotel. The fantastic setting was created by Mel 

Melvin, a celebrated Hollywood set designer for MGM. He turned the hotel’s 1929

 indoor pool into a tropical lagoon (complete with a floating stage barge that holds

 a Top 40 band) and surrounded it with thatched huts just perfect for people

-watching. Following a $1 million restoration in 2008 and an inventive refresh of the

 cocktail menu, the reinvigorated Tonga Room is once again at the top of the list of

 classic Tiki palaces. (Pro tip: Have a bite before braving potent potables like the 

ave room for the chocolate banana tart!)

About the author: Cynthia Barnes | Writer

Cynthia has backpacked to Timbuktu, sang karaoke with Tibetan cowboys, and 

punched a particularly frisky shark while scuba diving in Palau. After loving life in

 Bangkok, she's now happy to call Colorado home.

Meanwhile Did You know that.....

The male blanket octopus has a unique way of mating that makes it different from many other animals. Instead of coming into direct contact with the female, the male uses a special arm designed just for reproduction. This arm contains sperm, and when it is time to mate, he detaches this arm and gives it to the female octopus.

This method helps keep both octopuses safe during mating. By not having to get too close, they reduce the risk of being attacked by other sea creatures. It’s an interesting way to ensure that the species continues without putting themselves in danger. The female then takes the arm and uses the sperm to fertilize her eggs.

After the male gives away his arm, it is lost to him for good, but this clever strategy allows the male to pass on his genes. This unique reproductive behavior shows how different animals have developed fascinating ways to adapt and survive in their environments. The blanket octopus may be small and often goes unnoticed in the ocean, but its mating technique is both smart and special.