Best Domestic Airport Eats

Don’t settle for a chain restaurant’s airport version of a burger or subpar pizza. Check out one of these favorite airport eateries to get your travel off to the right start.

Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport is often praised for its great dining. One of its award-winning options is One Flew South, located in Terminal E. You’ll find international cuisine with a Southern touch, including signature cocktails. Try the Dirty South sandwich, an open-faced concoction stacked with meatloaf, pimento cheese, spinach, bacon, barbecue sauce and a fried egg.

Celebrity chef Michael Symon recently opened Bar Symon in both Pittsburgh (PIT) and D.C. (IAD). You’ll find casual fare from pulled pork to pancakes. Don’t miss the excellent selection of craft beers.

Keeping with the celeb chef theme, Cat Cora boasts restaurants in Houston (IAH), San Francisco (SFO), Salt Lake City (SLC) and Atlanta. The menus feature light, healthy and eco-friendly options, plus a few new takes on both southern and Greek cuisine.

If you ever find yourself in the Memphis airport (MEM), swing by Interstate Barbecue, founded by the same family featured on Food Network’s Down Home With The Neelys. You’ll find a true taste of Southern barbecue, any way you like it.

In New York’s JFK, favorites include Deep Blue Sushi, reportedly the only place for decent airport sushi in the country, and Blue Smoke on the Road. Blue Smoke can be found elsewhere around the city, as well as at Citi Field and Nationals Park. The JFK location serves up simple Southern-inspired cuisine.