Restaurant Review: Thunderbird II

Springfield’s was opened in 1990, initially a branch of the original Thunderbird in Broomall. Both are now separately owned and offer different menus.

Thunderbird II owner Steve Landers began working at the pizzeria 18 years ago. Since he took over many items have been added to the menu, which he said sets it apart from other pizzerias in the area.

Aside from the widely-ordered classic plain pizza, Thunderbird II offers a variety of salads not typically found in your everyday pizzeria. They use a special blend of Wisconsin cheddar, which isn't used by any other pizzeria in the area, according to Landers.

“We have a lot of items you can’t get anywhere else,” Landers said. “—Salads, Thunderbird Fries, pizzas—a lot of things we make up here.”

My Experience at Thunderbird II

Thunderbird II is very small and quaint—big enough to seat about 15 people at most— dominantly a take-out as opposed to eat-in pizzeria. Upon entering, one will notice a tall front counter, stainless steel ovens, awards and pictures on the walls and a gumball machine, which together create an informal feel.

On the menu are reasonably priced salads—Antipasto, Buffalo Chicken, Oriental Chicken, Berry & Nut, Roadrunner and more—in addition to sandwiches, hoagies, gourmet pizzas, wings, ribs, burgers, and fried cheesecake for dessert.

Thunderbird II won Springfield Patch's Readers' Choice polls for both and  and in town. Springfield Patch Editor Leslie Truluck ordered a cheesesteak.

I read customer reviews about the salads at Thunderbird II before I visited, (Thunderbird II was the winner of ‘Best Salads’ and ‘Best Wings’ in the ‘Best of Delco Times Reader’s Choice’ poll as well), so I decided to try the recommended “Speedy Gonzalez Salad”—the salad Landers said is most popular.

My order was ready within minutes. My salad was big—probably big enough for two people—and very colorful. Tossed with a combination of cool romaine and iceberg lettuce, there were diced onions and tomatoes, black beans, shredded white cheddar and crispy breaded chicken. On top of all that, there were crunchy confetti-like red, purple and tan tortilla strips, and, on the side, a cup of orange-colored mango pineapple vinaigrette dressing.

The beans, cheese and tortilla strips gave the salad a variety of textures and a Mexican food flavor—reminiscent of a taco. I enjoyed getting a piece of crispy chicken in every bite. The mango pineapple dressing was very sweet and added some tang to the combination of tastes. I ate about a quarter of it and brought the rest home.

New on the Menu

Landers, who often changes the Thunderbird II menu to suit customers’ tastes, has added two new items, including Boardwalk Pizza and Saratoga Spring Salad. He said the time that goes into the dishes and the ingredients they use are what makes Thunderbird II unique.

“You’re not going to find dried cherries at any other pizzeria,” Landers said, referring to the ‘Berry and Nut Salad.'

All in all, Thunderbird II is a great place to order a wide variety of take-out foods: it serves all the classics, in addition to some unique creations and has more healthy salad options than one would expect to find in a pizzeria.