Working as a crew member often mean grabbing a bite between flights and that means some airport food. So what to eat and where? Each month we will review the options at an airport and give you some hints on which locations are worth your time and money to visit and which restaurants offer you a airline employee discount and who might also allow you to call in your orders in advance and pick them up as you fly through!
But we also want to hear from you! Do you have a favorite airport restaurant? Tell us so we can pass the word in future issues on the NonRevTraveler! Email us at reviews@nonrevtraveler.com with your airport restaurant suggestions!
This month we look at dining in Boston Logan.
Dining at Boston Logan
Boston Logan has several serviceable restaurants within its walls, and nearby options abound for traveling crews doing a turn or on a layover. All of the restaurants at Boston Logan offer a 10% discount with your airline ID.
The closest restaurants outside of Logan are in East Boston, where you’ll find a healthy mix of neighborhood eateries representing the cuisines of many nations. If you have time to hop in cab, Boston’s historic, romantic, cannoli-laden North End is ten minutes away, as is the blazing hot Seaport District and Fort Point. Note: travel times are approximate and traffic can rear its ugly head at any time, so if you do leave Logan, you might want to factor in a grace period for delays. Or for oysters.
If you are in Boston then seafood is an excellent option and you are never far from a Legal Seafood operation in Logan. There are many permutations of the chain and all are reliable choices for raw bar, lobster, fish & chips, and so forth. The most interesting of the lot is the Legal Test Kitchen, where you’ll find the occasional exotic dish.
[Legal Test Kitchen, Post-security, Terminal A, Gate 5; Legal C Bar, Pre-Security, Terminal B; Legal Sea Foods Cafe, Post-Security, Terminal B, Gate 10; Legal Sea Foods, Post-Security, Terminal C, Gate 12 and a brand new location in the new Terminal B Connector.].
You might also want to check out the Cisco Brew Pub. It is a good choice for beer and pub food (lobster rolls, burgers and the like). Originally just in Terminal B, it has now spawned a second outpost in Terminal E.
Cisco Brewers of Nantucket is renowned by craft beer geeks for brews like the Whale’s Tale Pail Ale, and the pub also serves spirits by the affiliated Triple Eight Distillery and wines from Nantucket Vineyard.
[Post-security, Terminal B, Gate 29 and post-security, Terminal E, Gate 1A.]
Harpoon Tap Room is another good option and is the satellite operation of Boston’s Harpoon Brewery, the Tap Room serves standard pub fare including chowder, sandwiches, and fish & chips. And of course, there’s beer — up to ten locally-brewed draughts including limited batches.
[Post-security, Terminal A, Gate 22.].
Stephanie’s is a new 120-seat eatery by Stephanie’s on Newbury, Stephi’s on Tremont, and Stephi’s in Southie and features a full bar.
[Terminal B Connector.]
Bonfire is by Celebrity Chef Todd English, who got his start in Boston and Bonfire has remained an outpost of his now sprawling empire. Steaks with South American and European treatment are the main fare, along with tacos, tapas, and, what the heck, a Kobe beef hot dog.
[Post-Security, Terminal B, Gate 36]
Dine Boston Café – Every three months a different chef from a prominent local restaurant in Boston creates a new menu that pays homage to seasonal ingredients. Chefs have included Andy Husbands of Tremont 647, Jose Duarte of Taranta, and Alberto Cabre of Casa B.
[Pre-Security, Terminal E, Level 3]
Burritto Elito – Need a Mexican food fix? Then check out Burrito Elito. Here you will find burritos, tacos, quesadillas, salads, and “burrito bowls” (a burrito sans tortilla). But after a long day on the plane, a carnitas burrito or black bean taco can be your best friend. Before a long trip, probably not so much.
[Post-Security, Terminal E, Gate 1C]
Potbelly Sandwich Shop – This Chicago-based chain serves cookies, shakes, and salads in addition to the restaurant’s best-known item: toasted sandwiches. Though it’s a sandwich chain in an airport, it’s a sandwich chain in an airport with a cult following. And at some hours, it may be your only option, open from 5 a.m. until the last flight comes in.
[Post Security, Terminal C, Gate 11]
Vino Volo – A restaurant and wine shop with small plates and entrees organized by red and white. For instance: smoked salmon and crabmeat crostini (white). Two locations at Boston Logan.
[Post-Security, Terminal E, Gate 6 and post-security, Terminal A Satellite (Gates 13-22.)]
Here is a complete list by Terminal of your dining options at Boston Logan
Terminal A (Gates 13-22 are in the Terminal A Satellite)
Au Bon Pain [Pre-Security, Departures]
Auntie Anne’s Pretzels [Post-Security, Gate 18]
Dunkin’ Donuts [Post-Security, Gate 8]
Fresh City [Post-Security, Gate 17]
Friendly’s – The SuperMelts and ice cream sundaes of your childhood, newly available at Logan as of April 2015. [Post-Security, Gate 19]
Game On! – Sports pub. [Post-Security, Gate 16]
Lucky’s Lounge – An outpost of a Fort Point “retro lounge,” serving brick-oven pizzas, mini burgers, salads, etc. Fort Point’s nearby, so if you have time, get some fresh air and head to the full location. [Post-Security, Gate 6]
Phillips Seafood – Crab cakes and other seafood. [Post-Security, Gate 17]
Sbarro [Post-Security, Gate 18]
Starbucks [Post-Security, Gate 18]
Wendy’s [Post-Security, Gate 8]
Terminal B
Asian Too – “Asian fusion,” counter service. [Post-Security, Food Court]
Au Bon Pain – [Post-Security, Food Court]
Berkshire Farms Market – Grab-and-go items, coffee, smoothies, and more, featuring products from Western Massachusetts. [Post-Security, Gate 20]
Cosi – Grab-and-go sandwiches, salads. [Post-Security, Gate 3]
Dunkin’ Donuts [Pre-Security]
Espressamente Illy – Espresso, pastries. [Post-Security, Gate 17]
Home Team Sports – Sports bar. [Post-Security, Gate 9]
McDonald’s – [Post-Security, Food Court]
Ozone – A cocktail lounge with “retro-futuristic decor.” [Pre-Security]
Peet’s Coffee & Tea – [Post-Security, Gate 25]
Ryo Asian Seafood – Counter-service airport sushi. Good luck. [Post-Security,]
Sbarro – [Post-Security, Food Court]
Starbucks – [Two locations post-security and one pre-security.]
UFood Grill – Burgers, wraps, and sandwiches with a health-food focus. [Post-Security]
Villa Pizza [Post-Security]
Vinea – Wine, burgers, seafood, etc. [Post-Security; Gate 17]
Terminal C
Au Bon Pain – [Pre-Security, Departures]
Boston Beer Works – Beer, pub food. [Two locations post-security, Gates 14 and 27]
Burger King – [Pre-Security, Departures]
Currito – The “cure for the common burrito,” counter service. [Pre-Security, Departures]
Dunkin’ Donuts – [One pre-security location at arrivals and two post-security, Gates 27 and 29]
GoGo Stop – Grab-and-go, focused on healthy foods. [Post-Security, Gate 29]
Green Express – Grab-and-go sandwiches, salads, breakfasts, etc. [Post-Security, Gate 32]
Jerry Remy’s Bar & Grill – Sports bar, comfort food. Go to the giant Seaport location instead if you have time to leave the airport. [Pre-Security, Departures]
Johnny Rockets – [Post-Security, Gate 28]
Lean & Green Gourmet – Grab-and-go candy, snacks, sandwiches. [Post-Security, Gate 42]
Pinkberry – [Post-Security, Gate 12]
Ryo Asian Seafood – Counter-service airport sushi. Good luck. [Pre-Security, Departures]
Sbarro – [Pre-Security, Departures]
Starbucks – [Post-Security, Gates 12 and 26]
Wolfgang Puck Gourmet Express – [Post-Security, Gate 28]
Terminal E
Burger King – [Post-Security, Gate 6]
Durgin-Park – [Post-Security, Gate 7]
Earl of Sandwich – Sandwiches. – [Post-Security, Gate 5]
Sbarro – [Post-Security, Gate 5]
Starbucks – [Post-Security, Gate 5]