Best Places to Eat at Airports

If you’ve been reading my columns, there’s one obvious through-line. I love eating. But because I travel on average 100 nights per year, I must be very focused on eating healthy on the road, and I have lots to share on that topic. Fortunately, this is not that kind of article.

Instead, I’m sharing my food picks that make me happiest when I am dealing with the pain, discomfort and first world horror of being hungry in a U.S. airport. Did I mention how much I hate being in airports?

The good news is, during the last 10 years, the quality of airport food has soared. That means plenty of places to have some quality eats while quaffing down adult beverages and waiting to board that flight.

Here’s my picks for quality airport eats, in the terminals I’m in most:

Atlanta’s Jackson-Hartsfield Airport (ATL)

I don’t eat too much fast food, but when I do, I gorge on Popeyes’ fried chicken.  Not to create brand confusion, but this chicken is finger licking good. I love it so much, I needed to create a rule: Only spoil myself with this tastiness when flying through ATL. Of course, I now try to fly through this airport as much as possible, but that is my therapist’s problem, not mine. They’re located in terminals B and D. If you’re in terminal C and don’t have time, try Paschal’s Southern Cuisine, or Bojangles in terminal T.

Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)

Move on, there’s nothing to see here.

Minneapolis St. Paul (MSP)

Here, I discovered some great ramen noodle soup and other Japanese delights at Shoyu. Created by Chef Koshiki Yonemura Smith, the restaurant outlet is located at terminal 1, concourse G. What I like about this place is the open style kitchen where you can see your food being prepared fresh. All noodles and dumplings are made daily, which adds to the overall experience. And for the record, soup slurping is encouraged!

New York City’s John F. Kennedy Airport (JFK)

Since the more than $1 billion redevelopment of Terminal 4 several years ago, quality food options have soared. Restaurant impresario (I always wanted to use that phrase) Danny Meyer has two concepts here: Shake Shack and Blue Smoke. The latter is terrific BBQ created by Executive Chef Jean-Paul Bourgeois. It’s located way down by Gate B34, but worth it for southern style goodness. I’m also a sucker for Shake Shack, which serves up delicious burgers in two locations, near gates B23 and B37. Lines are usually shorter by B37, and it’s also a great place for bacon and egg sandwiches (a New York tradition) during breakfast hours.

New York City’s LaGuardia Airport (LGA)

Currently amid a massive transformation, this airport also doubles as a third-world country. But don’t let that distract you from some delicious food. Be sure to visit Crust, an Italian eatery featuring Neapolitan style thin crust brick oven pizzas all day, and yummy frittatas during the morning. Another pick; Biergarten for all the obvious reasons, tasty beers! Crust is located in terminal D, while Biergarten is in C. Fortunately, the terminals are linked, so you can have some pizza and then get some beers.

Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport (PHX)

It’s Best Western’s home town, so I had to show this airport a little love. In Terminal 4, check out Blanco Tacos + Tequila. When it comes to southwest inspired foods in airports, I’m always a sucker for nachos. But, they also serve up hearty burritos and fajitas, naturally. And be sure to try a margarita. That’s the best way to take the sting out of dealing with the stress of being in an airport.