(Staten Island Advance/ Victoria Priola)

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- John and Tom Ryan have taken their obsession with "Jaws" to new heights -- approximately four feet above the booths in their Travis restaurant.

The original 1990 model shark used in the Universal Studios "Jaws" ride now hangs inside 494 Chicken.

"We're just really big 'Jaws' fans," John Ryan said from behind the counter of the primarily take-out restaurant. "Someone advertised that they had the original 'Jaws' model and I knew I had to see it to believe it."

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While perusing the web for "Jaws" merchandise -- a hobby the brothers say they've had since they saw the first film as kids -- the Ryans came across someone from Maryland who claimed the original "Jaws" used to emulate chilling film scenes at Universal Studios washed up near his home.

"I thought, 'This is nuts, but if it's the real thing, it's worth a shot to check it out,' and it definitely was," John Ryan said. "We definitely got a few looks while driving. It's not every day you see someone driving a truck with a shark hanging out of it."

Yep, the 13-foot-long shark model was too big for the vehicle he and his brother used to haul "Jaws" back to Staten Island.

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BTW: This is the only known "Jaws" model in one piece, which John said was his main motivation for purchasing it.

To get it into the restaurant, the brothers had to remove the front window and use a crane.

"It was a lot of work, but it actually inspired us to bring our collection to the restaurant," John Ryan said. "We're in the process of making our own little 'Jaws' area."

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Here is the model in action.

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Blue lighting, vintage shark photos and other nautical items, like buoys and boat figurines, serve as an ode to the series.

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The Ryan brothers don't play when it comes to their love of "Jaws."

John Ryan said the pair has been collecting merchandise and newspaper clippings on "Jaws" for as long as they can remember.

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So how do regulars feel about eating under the giant shark?

While it takes up a good amount of room, John Ryan said customers pay it no mind.

"I've seen a lot of people not even realize it's there," he said. "For the most part, this piece has become a conversation starter. People want to know where it came from, why we have it and, honestly, I'm happy to tell them."

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Even though 494 Chicken, formerly Chicken Holiday, has been around since the early '90s, the restaurant is in a state of constant redesign.

"People can come to see the model whenever we're open," John Ryan said. "It's not going anywhere anytime soon."

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Want to check it out for yourself?

494 Chicken is located at 3785 Victory Blvd. in Travis. Call the eatery at 718-494-1998.