Article and Photos By Ted Luebbers
For a long time, folks who visited the Lakeland Linder International Airport had hoped to find a nice sit- down restaurant in the airport terminal building.
Well, this has finally happened. It is called the Sora Eatery, and it is situated on the second floor. Sora is the Japanese word for sky and this seems apropos for this airport restaurant.
Ben Paniagua, one of the owners, mentioned that the need for a restaurant in the terminal was heightened by the fact that Avelo Airline was maintaining a regular schedule here and they wanted to have a restaurant available for their passengers.
The terminal is accessed from the traffic circle on Drain Field Road, Lakeland, FL.
If you are coming by car just enter 3900 Don Emerson Drive, Lakeland FL into your vehicle’s GPS map.
There is 4-hour free parking off the street behind the rental car spaces. Take your ticket from the gate machine. When you leave before 4 hours the exit machine will read the ticket and let you out without charge.
If you arrive via small general aviation aircraft there is an area close by to park your plane while you eat.
The restaurant personnel and ambiance are very welcoming. There are large windows overlooking the tarmac so you can watch airplanes land and take off while enjoying your meal. The décor is very chic and modern with plenty of table space.
The cuisine is Asian-Japanese as well as standard American. Some choices are offered to be fast and go, or you can order something to sit and eat at a more leisurely pace.
There are a wide variety of beverages to select, and because they have a liquor license, there is bar service.
This establishment was started by three entrepreneurs from very diverse backgrounds, Ben Paniagua was a former banker. His partners are Ana Imai from Brazil and her husband Kenneth Hosfeld who she met there while he was working for a Norwegian telephone company before coming to the U.S.
Their stars aligned, so they joined forces and opened Sora Eatery here at airport.
While you are at Sun ‘n Fun if you are looking for a more upscale restaurant to have a nice lunch give Sora Eatery a try.
There are many general aviation groups, like the Experimental Aircraft Association chapters that like to find new places to fly into for lunch for those $100 Hamburgers. This would be an ideal place for them to swoop into.
Ben says, give him a call and he will reserve a large table with great aviation views for them. ( 863 337 5587 )
If you want more information about Sora Eatery and its menu, go to: www.soraeatery.com
