Dining out: Refueling stops at five major airports
“A respectable airport restaurant is like a port in a storm,” said Gabe Hiatt in The Washington Post. When you’ve braved security, crowds, and cancellations, you deserve a treat, and “even in the corporate wasteland of the airport, there’s quality to be had.” We surveyed critics and travel writers for their favorite sanctuaries at the country’s busiest airports and came up with a great tip or two for each hub.
Atlanta Turn to Paschal’s, an outpost of a former Atlanta luncheonette that grew into a meeting ground for civil rights leaders, for top-notch fried chicken, collard greens, and “perfect” candied yams. “Expect to see a wide mix of Southerners (and pilots) in line.”
Chicago O’Hare “Food writers and frequent fliers agree” that Rick Bayless’ Mexican sandwich shop, Tortas Frontera, serves some of the best airport food anywhere.” Chipotle-roasted chicken, chilerubbed cauliflower, and other delights are stuffed into soft telera rolls.
Miami In an airport loaded with good Cuban food, the go-to is Café Versailles.
Little Havana’s “iconic gathering place” has five outposts at MIA, all of which can be counted on for iced café con leches, ham croquetas, and pan de bono.
New York City’s JFK Long waits call for a trip to the TWA Hotel, a refurbished modernist 1960s terminal that now houses a Jean-Georges Vongerichten café, a 1940s prop plane converted into a cocktail lounge, and a food hall with such NYC staples as bagels and Mister Softee ice cream.
Phoenix The excellent waffles, pancakes, breakfast burritos, and Bloody Marys are served all day at Matt’s Big Breakfast in PHX’s Terminal 4.