Hello, my name is Leslie Sarna and I'm a travelholic... I'm not afraid to admit it. I'm sometimes more comfortable at 30,000 feet than I am with my feet planted on the ground. I have to also admit, I'm writing this post somewhere over the mid-west on my way from Los Angeles to New York.
Most people hate airports, not me, I love them! People coming and going, everyone with a unique story and purpose. It's really cool when you think about it. I did catch an episode recently of that new show Pan Am. It's good, not fabulous, but I do wish I had gotten to live in that time when travel was really special. Travel used to be so glamorous! People dressed up in their finest clothes, there was service, and flight attendants were movie stars in the making. Now a days you are lucky to be served a bag of peanuts or pretzels. I guess that's the only thing I don't love about airports... the food.
Let's talk about the food at airports. I've been to a lot of places in this world and seen a lot of different things being served at airports. Most with one thing in common, very mediocre food. Have you experienced the same thing? Why do we have to sacrifice our stomachs every time we fly? Of course there are some exceptions. I had some of the best guacamole I've ever had at a restaurant in the American terminal in Dallas. It was housemade and fabulous.
I propose a conversation on this post. Where is your local airport and what do they have to eat there? Are there vegetarian or healthy options or is it strictly a mickey dee's kind of a place?
If you are looking for a really cool airport app, this one if fantastic! Airport Life
My local airport has NADA of interest. However, the airport I connected at on Monday (Detroit) had SO many options! I ate at a Chili's because I was craving it but there were also lots of tasty looking restaurants that were freestanding places, or maybe just local chains. Atlanta is the same way!
Posted by: Caitlin | November 02, 2011 at 12:56 PM
This post made me think of a couple of special Airport experiences I've enjoyed - one was at the Berlin-Tegel Airport. BEST Kaiserschmarrn ever. The other was at Heathrow Airport - just being able to shop at a Harrods at the Airport AND it was DUTY FREE... I'm still basking.
Back at home though we love our local Airport - Burbank (aka Bob Hope Airport) Its so quaint!!! I always feel like I'm in a 1940's Black and White film when boarding the Airplane because we board outside. I love eating Breakfast at the lounge, it's always great and healthy.
Posted by: DawnMarie | November 02, 2011 at 01:25 PM
Chicago/O'hare -If you are traveling through O'Hare (Chicago) the best place to hammer down an amazing Torta or Salad is Rick Bayless' Frontera. I have never eaten anything bad there and I generally try to plan layovers so that there is enough time to grab a quick bite before literally running across the airport to catch a flight (you know what I'm talking about if you have been to O'hare a few times)
http://www.yelp.com/biz/tortas-frontera-chicago
New York/JFK - Fly JetBlue and get the Pad Thai noodles at Deep Blue. I will say nothing more. If you don't take my advice on this one while you are in the JB terminal...well, thats on you.
VP
145k domestic miles and counting
Posted by: Vijay Prab | November 02, 2011 at 01:30 PM
Bloody Mary's at DFW.... oh wait... you wanted to know about food. Never mind.
Posted by: Charla Williams | November 02, 2011 at 01:37 PM
hahaha! Charla too funny!
Vijay, I didn't know there was a frontera at O'hare!!
DawnMarie, I agree, Burbank is the most glamourous airport!
Caitlin, shocked to hear detroit had so many options! Yay!
Posted by: Leslie Sarna | November 02, 2011 at 02:14 PM
I seem to remember a pretty impressive food court in the International Terminal in Sydney... but mostly I was happy with the WIFI.
Posted by: jenn (way of the wong) | November 02, 2011 at 02:15 PM
My airport is DCA (Ronald Reagan National right outside of DC...)
Their food is nothing to write home about - Fuddruckers, Five Guys, Potbellys. Not a lot of healthy or fresh options. I always get to the airport super early though, which means I'm more concerned about finding a bar to sit at, and DCA has plenty!
I went through the Zurich airport last year and had a great prosciutto and brie sandwich at a little cafe. That was a really nice airport. Earlier this year I was at the Lima, Peru airport at 5 am and the food was just horrendous. I had a sketchy empanada that looked like it was sitting under a heat lamp for about 10 years.
I always pack snacks when I travel (Clif Bars, dried fruit, Babybel cheese) just as backup!
Posted by: Maggie @ A Bitchin' Kitchen | November 02, 2011 at 04:17 PM
I LOVE the Cuban food at The Miami airport.
Posted by: Meghan McLeod | November 02, 2011 at 04:32 PM
I love this post Leslie!!! Many of us spend so much time traveling these days, we're bound to have an opinion about airports and definitely their food.
I love the Dallas airport food as well! The Washington Dulles airport doesn't have great food but they do have a very nice wine and tapas bar called Vino Volo, which is very pleasant. It's fantastic to have a choice of small plates when you're traveling and wine is very relaxing!
Heathrow does have some great choices. I love their seafood bar, they have very refreshing salads and a lovely smoked salmon selection. And they have a Pret a Manger there with super fresh sandwiches and salads with loads of choices, including fantastic vegetarian ones.
And I love the "Tostados de Queso" (grilled cheese sandwiches) and espresso of course at the Ezeiza airport in Argentina, where I happily travel to a lot!
Happy travels Les!!! :)
Posted by: Carolina | November 02, 2011 at 04:39 PM
you know how the food is at our local LAX - HORRIBLE!!! hopefully when RFD comes that will change it up!
Posted by: lynn @ the actor's diet | November 02, 2011 at 04:43 PM
I love traveling too! I think we need to make an exotic date together Leslie ;)
Woefully, my airport is LAX and my frequent Terminals have nothing but a Burger King (bleck), Starbucks (snooze), and a CPK to go (sigh). Would love more fresh and organic options there!
Posted by: Dessert Darling | November 02, 2011 at 05:23 PM
Meghan beat me to it. Love the Cuban food at the Miami airport though not a lot of it is vegetarian :)
I remember some good eats in Puerto Rico as well as Hawaii!
Posted by: Tania | November 02, 2011 at 06:28 PM
I'm obsessed with travel and I hope to spend the next couple of years doing more! My local airport is San Diego and I tend to avoid the food. But I will say - Best food: Panino I ate in Rome or the fresh squeezed orange juice in Berlin. I thought airport food in the states was expensive, but I bought an espresso for 9 euros in the Zurich! 9 euros is like 12 dollars!! Definitely won't make that mistake again!
Posted by: Jules | November 02, 2011 at 07:39 PM
I've actually never really paid attention to what's available at the airport, even though I travel often! I guess I tend to rely on Starbucks because at least I know what they're serving and I know I can find something to eat (along with the requisite caffeine fix!). I'm pathetic! :) The only exception was New Orleans, where they served some cheap and delicious beignets and coffee right outside of security... delightful. :)
Posted by: Autumn | November 02, 2011 at 09:30 PM
My local airport is LAX, though, oddly, I rarely eat there. The airport I know best is actually the Denver airport, through which I fly every year for the annual family ski trip. The food options are pretty decent there, with a Wolfgang Puck spot that has salads, and a little French cafe/bakery that serves tasty soup. I'll admit, though, that my favorite thing about passing through DIA is the massage place upstairs from the restaurants. I always get on on the way out of town. It's the best way to spend an hour at the airport in my opinion. ;)
Posted by: Ashleyfauset | November 02, 2011 at 09:57 PM
At LAX: I love CPK at the Delta terminal. Super quick, easy and healthy salads there!
At ATL: They make incredible smoothies and yummy bagel sandwiches at a coffee shop in the Delta terminal as well :)
More to come!
XO
Bri
Posted by: Briana | November 03, 2011 at 12:19 AM
Intoxicated, ugly Americans shall be swiftly ejected from our Munich first-class lounge with brute force.
NEIN NEIN NEIN NEIN!!
Posted by: Jörg Shinkle, Lufthansa | November 03, 2011 at 11:18 AM
I get homesick & travel to my hometown of Phoenix Az at least 1x a month so i know Sky Harbor airport all too well. I LOVE paradise bakery's cookies...they are mouthwatering!
Posted by: Stephanie day | November 03, 2011 at 12:00 PM
SFO has The Plant Organic Cafe in the new 'Green' terminal. It's amazing and has lots of delicious vegetarian options. There's also a really great gourmet vegetarian/vegan restaurant in the Minneapolis/St. Paul airport.
Posted by: Angela | November 03, 2011 at 05:24 PM
I live in Seattle and the SEA-TAC international airport has over the years really tried to make their food more appetizing. I actually worked at the airport for awhile and there were a couple of decent options. There's a gourmet seafood restaurant and a fish bar attached that serve excellent fish tacos. There is a Wendy's and a Burger King but they are outshined by the smaller chains. QDoba and Waji's, mexican and japanese respectively both serve pretty delicious food for being in the fast food genre. There is also a Wolfgang Puck buffet style restaurant on the D concourse, a bagel shop, many many Starbucks, a Kathy Casey Dish D'lish. Overall I would have to say that Seattle has food going on in spades. Plus, it's always worth a trip to Seattle. Hop on a plane and get here!
Posted by: Gretta | November 15, 2011 at 12:13 PM