By Angela Begetti
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 a couple of airports 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 at the Charlotte and Montego Bay Airports.
Dining at the Charlotte International Airport (CLT)
Food choices at the Charlotte International Airport have been dramatically improved over the past few years.
What was once an oasis of fast food and bad food options has not evolved into a place where you can get a pretty decent meal if you know where to look. Yes there is still the standard fast food places like Cinnabon, Starbucks, Papa Johns and Burger King. BUT there is also a number of places worth checking out.
1897 Market: Located in the Atrium, this is a place popular with employees looking for a relatively healthy fast meal. 1897 Market contains a bar, a sit-down restaurant, a to-go kiosk, and a table filled with North Carolina-sourced foodstuffs (think: pimento cheese). It serves pizza, salads, burgers, sandwiches, and shrimp and grits. On the liquid side of things, 1897 Market has a full bar, including signature cocktails. Got your airline ID? Then get 10% off food items here.
Brookwood Farms BBQ, Again, located in the Atrium. Not your typical Carolina, vinegar based BBQ but more like what you would find in KC or Texas. Good BBQ with a nice smokey flavor to it. Be sure and enjoy the fried pickle that comes with every meal. You can’t order just meat, have to get the meal and yep 10% off with ID.Bad Daddy Burger Bar: Located on Concourse C by Gate C4. This mini chain started in Charlotte in 2007, before expanding to Tennessee, Colorado and the Charlotte Airport. They have take-away and sit-down options, where you can drink a local beer, like NoDa, and eat a bacon cheeseburger on steroids with a side of tots. They also offer 10% off with your ID.
Looking for a place to enjoy a cold one as you nonrev? Then check out there two spots at the Charlotte International Airport. No discounts offered with your ID on alcohol in the airport but do offer 10% off food with your ID.
Beaudevin: This Euro-centric airport-based wine bar and restaurant is one of the more praised HMS Host spots. With a long bar that’s lit by a series of chandeliers made from wine glasses, the space itself offers a visual break from the fluorescent lighting and food courts that are common sights while in transit. The wine list has over 30 varieties and includes flight pairings, with local picks (“Carolina’s Finest”) as well as imports (“Old World Reds”). There’s a full bar and beers on tap. Food-wise, Beaudevin is all about the small plates, charcuterie and tartines. Located in the Atrium, near the USO Lounge.
Carolina Beer Company: North Carolina has over 130 brewpubs and breweries, and some of those beers are on tap here, including pours from Charlotte-based NoDa and Olde Mecklenbug Brewery. While they also offer pub food, the drafts are the main draw. Located by Gate D7 in Concourse D.
Here are all of your dining options at the Charlotte Airport and their locations. All offer 10% discount on food with your airline ID.
Atrium
1897 Market – Southern food (near Concourses A/B)
Beaudevin – wine bar (near USO Lounge)
Brookwood Farms BBQ – Barbecue (near Concourse A)
Burger King – Fast food (near center point)
Cinnabon – Cinnamon rolls (near Concourse A)
Coca Cola 600 Café – Pub food (near mouth of Concourse A/D)
First in Flight Bar/Hissho Sushi – sushi (near USO Lounge)
Genghis Grill – Mongolian barbecue (near Concourse A)
Jamba Juice – Smoothies (across from American Airlines Admiral’s Club)
Jose Cuervo’s Tequileria – Mexican (near American Airlines Admiral’s Club) Papa John’s – Pizza (near center point)
Quizno’s Subs – Fast food (near center point)
Salsarita’s – Mexican (near center point)
Starbucks – Coffee (near Concourse A/D & C
TCBY – Frozen yogurt (near center point)
Concourse A
Cinnabon – Cinnamon rolls (A5)
Phipps Bistro – Grab ‘n’ go sandwiches, salads and local snacks, like Tastebud Popcorn and the Southern Cake Queen’s red velvet cheesecake brownies (A4) Uptown Bar & Lounge – Local beers, burgers, breakfast sandwiches (A4) Wendy’s – Fast food (A5)
Concourse B
Bojangles – Fried chicken (B7)
California Pizza Kitchen – Pizza (B4)
Farmer’s Market – Sandwiches, salads, soups (B8)
Great American Bagel Bakery – Bagels (B7)
Starbucks – Coffee (B10)
Stock Car Café – Pub food (B8)
Here are all of your dining options at the Charlotte Airport and their locations.
All offer 10% discount on food with your airline ID.
Atrium
1897 Market – Southern food (near Concourses A/B)
Beaudevin – wine bar (near USO Lounge)
Brookwood Farms BBQ – Barbecue (near Concourse A)
Burger King – Fast food (near center point)
Cinnabon – Cinnamon rolls (near Concourse A)
Coca Cola 600 Café – Pub food (near mouth of Concourse A/D)
First in Flight Bar/Hissho Sushi – sushi (near USO Lounge)
Genghis Grill – Mongolian barbecue (near Concourse A)
Jamba Juice – Smoothies (across from American Airlines Admiral’s Club)
Jose Cuervo’s Tequileria – Mexican (near American Airlines Admiral’s Club) Papa John’s – Pizza (near center point)
Quizno’s Subs – Fast food (near center point)
Salsarita’s – Mexican (near center point)
Starbucks – Coffee (near Concourse A/D & C
TCBY – Frozen yogurt (near center point)
Concourse A
Cinnabon – Cinnamon rolls (A5)
Phipps Bistro – Grab ‘n’ go sandwiches, salads and local snacks, like Tastebud Popcorn and the Southern Cake Queen’s red velvet cheesecake brownies (A4) Uptown Bar & Lounge – Local beers, burgers, breakfast sandwiches (A4) Wendy’s – Fast food (A5)
Concourse B
Bojangles – Fried chicken (B7)
California Pizza Kitchen – Pizza (B4)
Farmer’s Market – Sandwiches, salads, soups (B8)
Great American Bagel Bakery – Bagels (B7)
Starbucks – Coffee (B10)
Stock Car Café – Pub food (B8)