Stevez: "Not to be confused with stopping at the Arthur Bryant's inside the airport."

Zackly.

Geo

I agree with whoever said that eating light, if at all, is the way to go before and during air travel. It's pretty unpleasant to have your ears popping, be airsick from turbulence, and be crammed into a coach seat while that chili dog or sausage pizza churns in your guts. That being said, I think JeffB and I sounded off on this topic (terminal food) a while ago, agreeing that La Carreta at MIA is darn good Cuban. Indeed, it is. In that same thread, I brought up the D&E coffee/snack bar at the international terminal at Schiphol, Holland. Two friends and I flew from O'Hare to Newark (which, by the way, does have the surprisingly good Garden State Diner, as someone pointed out. This is a pretty good representation of a classic Jersey Greek diner, but with the big downside being the lack of real silverware) and then to Schiphol -- about 14 hours total travel time from gate to gate. What a pleasant, no, FANTASTIC surprise to be able to "de-plane", (gosh, I love when the corporate world makes nouns into verbs so easily) walk a short distance, and be greeted with a quiet little dining area, complete with ashtrays (yay!), an impossibly fresh selection of fine cold cuts and cheeses and bread (ham kaas broodje, anyone?) and a cup of coffee which might make you change your religion - single cup espresso style, perfectly rich, round, with the creme top. Welkom to De Nederlands, indeed. Similarly, Frankfurt Am Main Flughafen has a couple of cafes (both Sitz- und Steh, ie, sitting and standing) which offer classic, Konditorei-like offerings, all of high quality. This probably speaks more to European standards in general, but the airport fare "over there" is more in line, for whatever reason, with what one can find in "normal" restaurants or cafes in the city, while airport food here is comparable to stadium or other concession-type fare. Exceptions, as pointed out in this thread, duly noted, of course.

Two years ago, at Cancun airport, I was surprised to find that my choices consisted entirely of the most generic American fast food-- KFC, Domino's, Burger King. Well, it was a long enough flight that we had to eat something, so I got the first two Domino's pizzas I'd had in 20 years. They were exactly as mediocrap as I expected. May it be another 20.

This time, I decided that anything would be better-- and as it turned out, the entire area in which those restaurants appeared had been obliterated for a different batch of American fast food joints in the interim-- so we stopped in the moderne-looking bar area. The family ordered cheeseburgers, which were terrible. I ordered a roast pork/lechon sandwich, which I feared might be inedibly dry but was actually quite good, filled with fresh tomato and avocado; it would have been entirely respectable outside an airport setting. So you never know, and ought to give the local food a shot, wherever you are....

Ah, Flughafen Frankfurt! Such memories. One thing to be noted is that on one of the bottom levels is a completly equipped Feinschmecker Delikateß. Many's the time I've dropped by there and had them wrap up a whole wheel of Bayerischer Blaukase for transport home. Nice people, lots of good stuff.

And then there's the coffee from the coffee machines: simply amazingly good! But the cost includes the little old guy on the bicycle who services each machine *daily*! I followed him around for a while one day, and he showed me the intricacies of the machine's innards. Just like a Mercedes: waaay over-engineered, designed to get the last full 1% of possibility out of the function. But then, that's what made the coffee so good!

Oh, no one has mentioned yet the airport at K-L, which has a huge employees' cafeteria located in a separate building, which travellers can use. Every possible Malaysian delight is available there, well-prepared and cheap. Once I'd heard about it, I landed at K-L, and went to the cafeteria FIRST--it was my first experience of Malaysian food, en site. Turned out to have been a good choice.

Geo

After having spent over a year shuttling almost monthly between Pittsburgh and Chicago, I have come to appreciate O'Briens Bar and Grille [sic] in PIT. It is smoky, and kind of grimy, but a welcome and friendly place that will ably fill your stomach after two or three days of grueling depositions before you head back to Chi-town.

Some standouts:

The burger
The pierogies (potato and cheese)
The Cobb salad
Heard good things about the fish and chips
The various soups o' the day (on my last visit, they featured Italian Sausage Wedding Soup - sounds wacky, but was good)

So, if you find yourself at PIT, give O'Brien's a whirl - much better than the other options there. And Helen, the bartender, is quick with a refill of the glass, knowing that your time to gulp down another before boarding is limited.

aschie30--

Tnx for the advice. PIT is a frequent stop. The wok restaurant is pretty awful.

Just out of curiosity's sake, where do you eat when you in Da Burgh?

Geo

My trips to Da 'Burgh usually involve a lot of working and not a lot of eating. However, I try to get out of the hotel (the Wm. Penn) as much as possible. Two such dining trips have been at Eleven:

http://lthforum.com/bb/viewtopic.php?t=7069&highlight=eleven+pittsburgh

One other was at a basic fish/steak restaurant, whose name escapes me, but is located at William Penn Place between 7th & 8th Avenues. It's like a Nick's Fishmarket and is solid. Decent wine list for Pittsburgh.

Another place I've frequented is, again, located near the William Penn: Villa Reale Pizza. I'll grab a small and take it back to the hotel. Not a place where you'd really want to dine in. It's basic thin(ner)-crust Italian, nice bread taste, although the crust is a little thicker than I would like, and there's a tad too much cheese. But it's lovingly prepared and hits the spot. It also sure beats the overpriced slop at the William Penn. It's located on Smithfield (one block north of William Penn Place) between 6th and Strawberry Way.

Lunch options can be limited to the chain-gang. However, there's a place called Eadies in the Mellon Center at 5th and Grant which has quite good sandwiches and a salad bar with hot foods. I also really, really enjoy the silver hot dog trailer (not a cart, and not a van, because it requires a hitch) parked outside the Mellon Center. They'll make you any style you want. I haven't had the huevos to ask for a Chicago-style (something I'd be surprised they'd get right) because I prefer sauerkraut and mustard. But, I think they could piece one together if you asked for the ingredients --- although maybe they wouldn't have the celery salt.

There's also a Morton's, heavily recommended by the hotel, in the CNG Tower, 625 Liberty Avenue, and The Carlton, in the Mellon Center. Have not actually eaten there but have heard good things.

And, of course, there's the riverfront, with the Bar Louie and the Buca di Beppo. But I've never gone to those, nor would I.

Back in the old 90's I did a fair bit of work in Pittsburgh, and always ate well. What I do not have are any notes.

I know I had some good greasy meals out on the Strip (is that the name?) past downtown - diners and pubs mostly, and pretty meals up on the incline looking out over the city. There was a nice Italian joint downtown with a pretty great Antipasto spread to choose from. Sadly, no names, so this could be worthless.

Seems to me I need to haul the Bride to Pittsburgh for a weekend of food and fun, and then report back.

veghead wrote:Detroit Metro Airport actually has a decent restaurant--the Mediterranean Grill has both takeout and sit down and though the food isn't wildly inventive, it's fresh and healthy, a welcome start or finish to a trip--they serve stuffed grape leaves, fattoush, falafel and a variety of other sandwiches and salads. (Good fries, too!)

While stuck at DTW for a few hours, I had lunch at the Mediterranean Grill and was very pleasantly surprised with the falafel. It was served hot, fresh with a great crunch and nicely seasoned. I was amazed when the waitress told me that it was baked and not fried. I had to ask for some pita which was provided free of charge (and seemed fresh). This was about as good as airport food gets. Mediterranean Grill is located in the new NW terminal, which is accessible by shuttle bus from the other terminals.

Sea-Tac (SEA) has a good variety of places to eat, though most are your typical American options. It's a bit disappointing because that city does have a wonderful array of food options -- if you ever have an overnight there, go and see Pike Place Market for a superb example. Even commercialized a bit more now than it used to be, it's great.

Pilot House has the aviation theme going on and the sandwiches aren't really very inspiring. It does have a fair selection of beer if you're up for it. I prefer Cascade's Lounge on the concourse -- their beef dip combats a grey, drizzly day after you've gotten off a long-haul flight from New York or abroad.

Alaska Lodge is good for sit down but feels like a direct copy of Cascade's Lounge -- the stew there is hyped but very disappointing, and it has the feel of cheap food thrown together with a bag of chips. The Tap Room (pretty sure that's the name) is a better option for the sit down, pub fare they specialize in. Hamburgers are totally standard, but their meatloaf plate is very, very filling. Bad for when you're flying, good for when you're landing.

Hold on about SeaTac. Working in Vancouver has me cooling my heels there at least twice a month. The fish and chips, salmon and chips and mahi tacos at Anthony's Seafood Bar are ridiculously great options. The line can be long, but well worth it.

I also second the Memphis Interstate BBQ rec upthread, and hereby add the buffalo chicken sandwich at Max & Erma's in the Columbus airport as a sentimental favorite.

I had no idea there was a Manny's in Midway. Where is it at?

stevez wrote:Miami - The cuban restaurant in the termainl (pre-security) is as good or better than most you run into in town.

By far my favorite airport food in the US. I actually look forward to that airport because i know I'll be getting a good cuban sandwich with some black beans, rice and plantains.

BR wrote:

veghead wrote:Detroit Metro Airport actually has a decent restaurant--the Mediterranean Grill has both takeout and sit down and though the food isn't wildly inventive, it's fresh and healthy, a welcome start or finish to a trip--they serve stuffed grape leaves, fattoush, falafel and a variety of other sandwiches and salads. (Good fries, too!)

While stuck at DTW for a few hours, I had lunch at the Mediterranean Grill and was very pleasantly surprised with the falafel. It was served hot, fresh with a great crunch and nicely seasoned. I was amazed when the waitress told me that it was baked and not fried. I had to ask for some pita which was provided free of charge (and seemed fresh). This was about as good as airport food gets. Mediterranean Grill is located in the new NW terminal, which is accessible by shuttle bus from the other terminals.

Yes but if you have the misfortune to fly out from any terminal other than the Northwest one at DTW, you're screwed. I once had a several hour delay there during the dinner hour and was relegated to snacks from the nearby bar.

aschie30 wrote:

BR wrote:

veghead wrote:Detroit Metro Airport actually has a decent restaurant--the Mediterranean Grill has both takeout and sit down and though the food isn't wildly inventive, it's fresh and healthy, a welcome start or finish to a trip--they serve stuffed grape leaves, fattoush, falafel and a variety of other sandwiches and salads. (Good fries, too!)

While stuck at DTW for a few hours, I had lunch at the Mediterranean Grill and was very pleasantly surprised with the falafel. It was served hot, fresh with a great crunch and nicely seasoned. I was amazed when the waitress told me that it was baked and not fried. I had to ask for some pita which was provided free of charge (and seemed fresh). This was about as good as airport food gets. Mediterranean Grill is located in the new NW terminal, which is accessible by shuttle bus from the other terminals.

Yes but if you have the misfortune to fly out from any terminal other than the Northwest one at DTW, you're screwed. I once had a several hour delay there during the dinner hour and was relegated to snacks from the nearby bar.

I was flying American but since I had such a long time to wait (couldn't get seat on earlier flight), I took the shuttle bus to the Northwest Terminal for exactly the reason you cite -- the other terminals at DTW are disastrous and could be a great setting for future seasons of Survivor.

Good to know -- I have a layover at DTW tomorrow night. I guess I know where I'm going for dinner.

Suzy

aschie30 wrote:My trips to Da 'Burgh usually involve a lot of working and not a lot of eating. However, I try to get out of the hotel (the Wm. Penn) as much as possible. Two such dining trips have been at Eleven:

http://lthforum.com/bb/viewtopic.php?t=7069&highlight=eleven+pittsburgh

Thanks for this recommendation. I'll be staying at the William Penn at the end of the month.

Since the smell of airports tends to ruin my appetite, I usually eat on an emergency basis only, but the offerings in Montreal's Trudeau airport (YUL) aren't so bad. Here's a run down from Le Devoir. Since I don't eat much in airports, I'm partial to MBCo. at YUL for their pastry and tea. Specifically, I'm partial to their small pop-over-like muffins, danishes and the fact that they serve Mighty Leaf teas. If you're ever stranded at the mall at Place des Arts once you're in Montreal, there's another MBCo. there.

Lilya wrote:Sea-Tac (SEA) has a good variety of places to eat, though most are your typical American options.

...recently went to Seattle and was delighted at the wine shop they have in the airport-- Vino Volo. it's a wine store and shop, and they have food. i didn't try much food (we ordered some olives and they brought us a sampling of complimentary chocolates)... but it was a very classy feeling place, for an airport. we also bought some bottles of wine, which was helpful since it was inside the security and we were able to carry them right on. (the wine was a little overpriced, but we were headed to maui so we thought it might be a good idea).

i also liked that they had a very wide selection of local washington and oregon wines...

according to their web site, they have stores in NYC JFK, Wash DC Dulles, Baltimore Airport, and Sacramento airport as well.

http://www.vinovolo.com/

Geo wrote:I flew out of Qantas' terminal at LAX and it was quite good: there are a couple of Asian restaurants, a Chinese noodle bar and a sushi place, that were legit, and put out pretty good food.

I recently flew out of LAX's international terminal. It's been a long time since I took a late evening flight out of there--I had forgotten what it's like. As someone who's pretty crowd averse, the best I can describe it is that it's like walking into an Asian country. It was really chaotic with very long queues. The food court on the second floor was actually a nice place to get away from the masses. There's a McDonald's up there and at least one Mexican place. The majority of offerings were Asian. Though I didn't eat anything at LAX (just got a hyper-sweetened horchata), I think I have pictures of the places Geo mentioned upthread:





Once through LAX security, I had two memorable food encounters. First, at the end of table where I collected my bag and shoes after x-ray, I saw this:



The lone bao just made me feel even more that I was in a twilight zone that night.

Just steps after the bao, I noticed a quarantine bin:



The variety of peanut butter made me chuckle. Growing up, I learned that PB was a very common pasalubong--an item desired by relatives in the Philippines that we'd bring--as visitors from the US--to give out as gifts. The bin at LAX made me think that the PB phenomenon might extend beyond Filipino-ex-pat culture.

happy_stomach wrote:

The variety of peanut butter made me chuckle. Growing up, I learned that PB was a very common pasalubong--an item desired by relatives in the Philippines that we'd bring--as visitors from the US--to give out as gifts. The bin at LAX made me think that the PB phenomenon might extend beyond Filipino-ex-pat culture.

HS,

Round up a few crackers and you could have a pretty decent cocktail hour with the contents of the quarantine bin. I wonder how peanut butter and artichoke hearts taste on a Ritz.

Enjoy,
Gary

G Wiv wrote:
Round up a few crackers and you could have a pretty decent cocktail hour with the contents of the quarantine bin. I wonder how peanut butter and artichoke hearts taste on a Ritz.

Enjoy,
Gary

With enough Glenlivet, anything is palatable! Being of that age I can say with confidence that it has gotten me through some truly awful wedding caterers...

I also wouldn't be surprised if someone got in some real trouble for that bao... it looks like a real dough bomb... budumpbump!

YOU dough bomb, man. No seriously, you dough bomb.

Me, I always carry a pound of artichokes. You never know when they're going to come in handy. Any mother packing gardoons is going to stand down when they see MY jar. You can only take my 'chokes over my dead body, Mr. Security Man; screw that flight to Tahiti. We can honeymoon later. For now, I'll just make you a nice antipasto, girl.

happy_stomach wrote:The variety of peanut butter made me chuckle. Growing up, I learned that PB was a very common pasalubong--an item desired by relatives in the Philippines that we'd bring--as visitors from the US--to give out as gifts. The bin at LAX made me think that the PB phenomenon might extend beyond Filipino-ex-pat culture.

It's something to bring along with crackers if you've children to take on a long flight. And, from what I've heard, a pretty popular vessel for smuggling contraband of various sorts.

NOTE: I've no idea if it works for either of these purposes

Lilya wrote:Sea-Tac (SEA) has a good variety of places to eat, though most are your typical American options.

Sea-Tac has some good dining options, especially beyond the standard chain fare of your generic airport. If you can't make it out to the Waterfront in Seattle, the Ivar's in the airport serves fish and chips that are just as good (albeit in less interesting surroundings). I especially recommend it if you've been to Seattle before or are flying through in the winter; otherwise you should go get them in person.

Wonder what kind of cocktail you can make with 'choke hearts, PB and The Glenlivet? ouf... but I'd be willing to try.

[Who could be soooo out of it that they wouldn't know the prohibition against booze in the carry-on? esp. if they're packing a fine single-malt?]

Back on topic:

Other Dr. Gale and I had occasion week before last to hit Puck's in Ohare for the third or fourth time. Previously, we'd stuck to some things that turned out quite nicely: pizzas, for one, and meatloaf, for another. This time we tried the Puckburger. Ouch. Never again. Hockeypuckburger. Hard as a rock, chewy, dry (I told him to cook it as rare as regs would allow), and not so tasty.

Whoda thunk?

Well, I guess the point is, burgers is tough. We've had this discussion before, many-a-thread, so I won't go into it further. But man, were we disappointed or what?

Geo

A new airport gets the title for being the pits for food (taking over from O'Hare): LAX, United Terminal. Here I am, waiting to get a red eye, exhausted, hungry and do you think I can get a hot meal and an adult beverage at the same time? NO! The only hot meal to be had around here is at McDonald's, La Salsa (no thanks) or the pizza at Puck's Express (which is currently not taking credit cards). Other than that, your choices are cold sandwiches and salads.

As I sit here, typing, at Karl Strauss brewery, I have heard three people ask the server where a drink and hot food can be found. Hee hee. I (Don't) Love LAX!

aschie30 wrote:As I sit here, typing, at Karl Strauss brewery, I have heard three people ask the server where a drink and hot food can be found. Hee hee. I (Don't) Love LAX!

At least at Karl Strauss brewery you can get Wisconsin's own Point beer.

nr706 wrote:

aschie30 wrote:As I sit here, typing, at Karl Strauss brewery, I have heard three people ask the server where a drink and hot food can be found. Hee hee. I (Don't) Love LAX!

At least at Karl Strauss brewery you can get Wisconsin's own Point beer.

Not at that this Karl Strauss you can't.

I have a 7:45am flight on the 26th our of ORD to Kansas City- sounds like I should eat in Chicago

Some friends of ours are also flying American to go to North Carolina and since their flight leaves about the same time ours does, we're going to meet for breakfast before our flights. My friend is more familiar with the airport, and she suggested Chili's Too- not great, but better than McDonalds. Any other suggestions on where to eat in the American terminal?

JoelF wrote:Reagan National: I've only flown AA and UA, so it's the middle set of gates I know the food at: A moderate selection of California Pizza Kitchen items, a fast food-like chinese place, McD's, and a brewery with edible food. Rating: B.

I had a layover at DCA (AKA Reagan) on Friday and my fellow traveller introduced me to Matsukase, a better than decent place for sushi.

We each had a bowl of chirashi and a 22 oz. Ichiban and it cost $40 a piece, but I suppose that's to be expected in an airport. The chirashi was piled high with a very nice assortment of fish (and a couple of pieces of tamago). I suppose I don't know what all we got in there, but the quality was very high. Unfortunately, it's outside of security, but we had to switch concourses anyway. I don't know the layout of DCA very well, but if I understand JoelF right, it was also right near the "middle" set of gates.

Can you bring food from outside security if it's not a gel (yogurt)?
Like if you go between concourses, outside of security, etc.