Tucson's Long John Silver's goes overboard

John Willingham, who owns the five Tucson locations in town, has severed ties with the national chain and is converting each 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.

 He said his vision for the restaurants strays from Long John Silver's fried fish philosophy. The Overboard menu will included grilled seafood options as well.

Three of the five locations, on North Oracle Road, East Broadway and South Sixth Avenue, are already offering the full Overboard menu.

The other two, on West Ina Road and East 22nd Street,will change over completely by the end of the month.