SFO, Austin and Dallas come to mind. I remember good BBQ in AUS & DFW. :-)

I remember liking Pittsburgh although I don't remember why. Detroit was terrible five years ago but I hear they've undergone a major reno and might be worth risking again? ;)

But I'd have to say New Orleans is my favorite, for one last sweet-crispy beignet before boarding the plane (and a ton of napkins so I don't spend the next three hours covered in powdered sugar!!). Haven't been since Katrina though. :(

Adding to the Minneapolis posts, I will say that if it is morning and you are in need of a good breakfast, Chili's pancakes (ha, yes, pancakes) are the best!

I am NOT a morning person but when we fly out on an AM flight we make sure there is at least 20 minutes lead time to have their pancakes, lol. They are the so good, and you can't get them at the regular Chili's restaurants, at least you can't around here because ours do not serve breakfast.

If it was the old days when you could get through security without a boarding pass (remember that?) I swear we would pop over every now and again to have them! Yum.

Alas, they are only for those with boarding passes now. Every restaurant pales in comparison! Enjoy.

To Bugswife:

Chik-Fil-A is totally "obsessible"... and I concur with you...

CINCINNATI airport HAS Chik-fil-A so if you're ever heading through there you can look forward to it. My last round-trip through there found me having Chik-Fil-A both ways... (and I even let myself nearly miss one connection for enjoying it so completely).

out of all the fast food places, chick fil-a is my favorite too and then arby's is next with their grilled chicken sandwhich. Jack in the box used to have those yummy sourgough chicken with mushroom but hasn't been on their meny in ages. Sorry, I know not really the topic but felt I had to respond with that. :D

Obsessed doesn't begin to cover it. We had a stop in Atlanta on our way to 10 days in Costa Rica. I saw the Chick-Fil-A and nearly wet my pants. It was not a satisfying experience however because they were still serving breakfast and the chicken came on a biscuit, not the soft bun. Devastating. I thought about it for 10 days and couldn't wait to get back to Atlanta. We get in, and we are not in the terminal for the Chick-Fil-A. I went racing with the 45 minutes I had--up escalators, down escalators, moving escalators, shuttles, you name it. I made it back with my food with 10 minutes to spare. I go to bring it into the Delta First Class Lounge, and the woman says, "Sorry, no outside food." I gave her a look that could put her 6 feet under and she let me in. My husband just shook his head, but was happy I let him have ONE of the six sandwiches (brought some home). They even taste good 3 days later.

Unbelievable and impressive.

Minneapolis airport actually has more restaurants than some mid-size towns in the US.

Wow.

Stinger Ray's in the Honolulu Airport!

Atlanta - Southern/ soul food at Paschal's. I get there early to eat before my flight.

i had the best key lime pie somewhere at DFW ten years ago.
am still comparing it ...

what is this thing with Chik fil a??!!
i must try one next time i visit my folks in cincinnati.
i can't believe it has passed me by and is so outstanding for some of you?!

Truman Cathey invented the chicken sandwich. Chik-Fil-A's original sandwich is delish! If they have the chicken biscuit in your area, try it for breakfast. The biscuit is sweeter than normal.

Their diet lemonade is yummy.

McDonald's is trying out a Southern style chicken sandwich in certain markets which is a clone of the Chik-Fil-A sandwich - even down to the pickle. But, still not as good IMO.

Another vote for Chick-fil-A!!

For those of you who have no idea what it is if you don't live in CFA cities (which I don't either), you HAVE TO try it if you see one at an airport. Especially the breakfast chicken biscuit...I'm salivating just thinking about it!!

Bugswife, OMG, good to know there are other CFA junkies out there. I was in dallas for one day few months ago, I ate at this CFA 3 times in one day even though I was on client dime and could expense nice dinners. It got so bad, the 3rd time I went in, the nice girl recognized me from earlier and offered me a free refill of sweet tea even though I didn't bring in a cup. I'm surprised most of the airport CFA sandwiches are almost just as good as in the CFA "restaurants".

Wow! I'm sure the Cathey family would be happy to know that their restaurant leads to pant wettings.....

Chik fil A does rock. I can remember when they were only in the malls here in Tampa and then when they started to build the stand alone ones, it was like heaven. If you encounter one though, they are not open on Sundays so be aware of that when planning your trip to make sure you hit the correct airport on the right day. ;)

PS - McD's sandwiches will NEVER compare to Chik fil A's.

Yeah, Chick-fil-A. The best(worst) remedy for a bad hair day/PMS/crap karma is a diet lemonade and freshly cooked waffle fries.

>>> I'm surprised most of the airport CFA sandwiches are almost just as good as in the CFA "restaurants".<<<

The founder of Chik-Fil-A runs a very tight ship with the franchises.

BTW, I got the name wrong - It's Truett Cathy. His original Dwarf House in Hapeville, GA (with a little door for kids to walk through) is open 24 hours* and is is full service. *except for Sundays. CFA is closed on Sundays.

If anyone is driving south of Atlanta on I75 stop at the Mt. Zion CFA. Some of Truett's antique cars are usually there on display.

sadly none of these recommendations mean anything if you are stuck there from midnight to 6 am, which is my normal experience when i have not had anything to eat since noon. the only reason i miss a connection is when a flight is super late and then you sleep on the floor pissed with nothing open. oh well.... it happen only once a year at most.

Well we changed planes in Austin a few years ago and I had the BEST BBQ sandwich ever!!! Can't wait to go back to the airport for this one. Also for all you Chik-fil-a fans, I have never been...have heard it is great...going to California in Sept. with a friend and she has plotted one out on our drive to Anaheim. Any recommendations on what to get??

Vegasnative -
Everything at CFA is good but my faves are the breakfast chicken biscuits if you go in the morning, or any other time the signature chick fil A sandwich, waffles fries and a sweet tea. The nuggets are also good to snack on, those are dangerous becuase you can't stop.

flatfeet~we will be stopping at dinner time, so no breakfast biscuits for me. But will get the chickie nug's for the kids, and I'll try the waffle fries (sounds good) and I like tea, so I'll gve it a try! Thanks!!