Say so long to Long John Silver's in Tucson.
John Willingham, the man who owned all five locations in town, has severed ties with the national chain and is converting each one into an Overboard Seafood & Grill, a local restaurant concept that he and his family will run.
Willingham started as a cook with Long John Silver's in Dallas 38 years ago. He came to Tucson to run operations in 1989 and bought the five locations in 1998.
His decision to change direction was not made lightly.
"With Long John Silver's, we were constricted with what we could do," he said. "We needed to be a little more hip, a little more up-to-date and offer our customers a lot more than just fried products."
The new menu will feature grilled options, in addition to fried, and will include seafood wraps and salads.
People are also reading…
A new food item will be introduced monthly, and customers will be able to vote whether to keep it on the menu or throw it overboard.
"We'll be forever changing and evolving," Willingham said.
Three of the five sites, at 4105 N. Oracle Road, 7120 E. Broadway and 3700 S. Sixth Ave., are already offering the full Overboard menu.
The other two, at 4640 W. Ina Road and 4030 E. 22nd St., will change over completely by the end of the month.
Contact reporter Gerald M. Gay at ggay@azstarnet.com or 573-4179.
