Hunger can strike at any time, including at the airport. Among all of the flight jitters and anxious feelings (especially now), that little rumble in the base of your stomach says it all. And just because the airport is also home to a food court definitely doesn’t mean that good food is nearby… especially when it’s all chain restaurants or bars that serve more drinks than peanuts.
Airports have had a reputation for not always being pre-flight-food-friendly when it comes to satisfying serious cravings before boarding. The good news is that stereotype has somewhat diminished thanks to the reinvention of airport food, as well as airplane food – but that’s another story. Even more so, airports now offer a plethora of options for everyone from vegan choices to healthy meals. In fact, at some airports, you’d be hard-pressed to find something that wasn’t appetizing enough to enjoy prior to boarding your flight. In the U.S., there are some airports that are doing food better than the rest.
Austin-Bergstrom International Airport
The best thing about catching a flight (or flying into) Austin-Bergstrom International Airport is probably the BBQ that’s available upon arrival. With Texas practically being the BBQ capital of the country, it only makes sense that the food offerings in the airport would reflect that same food culture. If you’re in the mood for some comforting smoked brisket before takeoff, then you’re in the right place.
The other thing that Texas and Austin, specifically, has going for it is its locally-centered food. Many of the restaurants within the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport reflect the local food scene, which makes them feel personal and intimate. This also means that they’re serving up dishes that exude local flavor whereas other airports stick to the chains and general Americana food menus.
Los Angeles International Airport
LAX has a long-standing reputation for its shopping, size, and, yes, its food. Not only is this airport massive but it’s also home to some of the best airport food in the country, according to those who have traveled through it regularly. In an airport that’s this size, it’s not surprising to know that anything you’re craving, you can probably find pretty easily. According to Cheapism, LAX is great for finding specialty cuisines such as vegan, gluten-free, or probiotic-friendly.
As a whole, LAX is sporting a healthy food theme, in general, from its quick grab-and-go bites to its restaurants. There aren’t many places where you can find a fresh poke bowl and an antioxidant-packed protein smoothie in one place but at LAX, it’s made easy. So if you’re looking to grab a healthy bite before boarding, this is the place to be.
Denver International Airport
Similar to LAX, Denver is following suit with its healthy food game. This airport is even home to a market that’s health-food-conscious, which gives travelers a myriad of options to choose from prior to boarding. This is also great because it means that travelers won’t need to sit down in a restaurant to eat if they’re running behind or just not in the mood to dine in.
Travelers can even scope out the Denver International Airport website to figure out where their food options are, which is a welcome technological perk. For those looking for something a bit more indulgent, sweet tooths can be satisfied at the Ben & Jerry’s scoop shop, which can also be found in the Denver International Airport.
Greater Rochester International Airport
In stark contrast, Greater Rochester International Airport isn’t necessarily full of healthy food options (this doesn’t mean there aren’t any, period) but it is full of local comfort foods. Upstate New York is home to the original ‘Garbage Plate’ which is a guilty pleasure creation that’s sold by Nick Tahou’s. This, among other notable restaurants in the Rochester area, are what makes up the airport’s food scene. This has helped to not only make the airport a great place for travelers to get a feel for local Rochester flavor but has also made it a place for Rochester locals to dine out on the regular.
The airport’s restaurants are iconic and serve both travelers and regulars, and all of its iconic food establishments make for a welcome and exciting sight. If a garbage plate isn’t your thing (although it should be tried at least once if you’re ever in the Rochester area), then perhaps Guglielmo’s which is famous for their pasta in a cup, or Cheesy Eddie’s which, contrary to the title of the restaurant, is known for its incredible carrot cake.
