Hello, and welcome back to What’s Cooking?, the open thread where you get to share your brilliant thoughts, advice, recipes, and opinions on all things food-related. Today I want to talk about airport food, not to be confused with airplane food, and where you like to grab a bite when traveling.
If I find myself stuck in an airport, I usually use the opportunity to eat something truly terrible for me like a vat of Popeye’s red beans and rice or a giant Cinnabon. But if you travel frequently, gorging on fast food isn’t going to cut it. Luckily, these friendly pilots (who travel quite a bit) have a few recommendations for their favorite airport dining:
Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL): Delta captain Walter Judy hits up Garbanzo Mediterranean Fresh for a luffa (veggie and meat wrap) during short layovers.
Portland International Airport (PDX): The Portland airport has everything from fancy doughnut shops and food trucks to oyster bars and morel mushrooms, but Alaska Airlines pilot Susan Sherman likes to get the filling and nourishing Yumm! Bowl from Cafe Yumm!, which boasts rice, your choice of protein, vegetables and (of course) Yumm! sauce.
San Francisco International Airport (SFO): Atlas Air Pilot Starr Blum loves to pair Blue Bottle coffee with Boudin Bakery’s sourdough bread.
Houston’s William P. Hobby Airport (HOU): Southwest Airlines Captain Keith Coneby swears that Pappasito’s Cantina is one of the best places to get tacos in the city.
Of course, those are only four airports out of many, and I want to hear where you like to eat when flying, as well as the best dining option in your local airport, and the best meal you ever ate while engage in air travel. Beyond Popeye’s and Cinnabon, I also never miss a chance to eat Chick-fil-A, but I’m always trying to distract myself from the fact that I’m in an airport, rather than eat anything nourishing.
The World’s Best Airport Food, According to Pilots | The Points Guy