As a marketing agency specializing in personalized, data-driven direct marketing, the most important part of our work is the relationships we have with the organizations that we serve. While we pride ourselves on our transparency and commitment to remaining available for our clients, there’s really no better way to forge and strengthen these relationships than by spending time in-person, face-to-face with the people we support. Because of this, we often find ourselves hopping from city to city to make sure that every need is attended to, every question answered.
Anyone who has to travel for work knows that travel can be tough. Between airfare, logistics, and the meetings and conversations that we all want to be having, it can be challenging to find time to breathe, much less grab a meal. Luckily, with our unique experience, you can breathe a sigh of relief and hopefully grab a bite to eat while you’re at it.
The following are 5 of the best restaurants we’ve found in airports. You read that right: there is such a thing as “delicious airport food.” No longer do you have to suffer the indignity of a day-old ham-and-cheese, encased in plastic, for the outrageous price of 24 dollars. In 5 major cities across the country, a culinary oasis awaits. In no particular order, here’s where you should set your suitcase down and eat a real meal:
Tortas Frontera
, in Chicago’s O’Hare Airport
- What’s it like?
- An honest-to-goodness diamond in the rough, Tortas Frontera boasts authentic Mexican food. With perfect guacamole and hand-shaken margaritas, their claim to fame are the unbeatable tortas, sandwiches served on fresh-baked rolls.
- What should I get?
- Our favorite torta is the “Crispy Chicken Milanesa” (pictured above), though there’s other fare like soups and salads. And if you’re celebrating, we definitely recommend their margaritas.
One Flew South, in Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson Airport
- What’s it like?
- Our team often jokes about buying a plane ticket just to get to One Flew South. Nominated for TWO James Beard Awards, One Flew South offers sushi as well as more contemporary takes on Japanese food, all in an atmosphere so well-appointed you’ll forget your jet lag altogether.
- What should I get?
- Both the “Bento Box” and “Omakase Box” are impeccable, but if sushi’s not your thing, their “Daily Burger” is out of this world.
Elevation Burger, in Washington D.C.’s Reagan Airport
- What’s it like?
- Speaking of burgers, few trips to Reagan National Airport would be complete without stopping in for a burger at Elevation Burger. Now a national franchise, our first experience with them in Gate E made us fans for life. With a health-conscious approach to fast food, you can skip the guilt and go straight for the fries.
- What should I get?
- With every burger made-to-order and offering a myriad array of options, there’s really no wrong answer, although we’re always partial to their fries and a milkshake.
1897 Market, in Charlotte’s Douglas International Airport
- What’s it like?
- Part culinary gift shop, part cocktail bar, part restaurant, 1897 Market is the sum of its parts in the best way. With a variety of classic Southern fare alongside woodfired pizzas, 1897 Market is always worth exploring.
- What should I get?
- If you’re there in the morning, the breakfast is excellent. And if you’re there later, you really owe it to yourself to get the BBQ Shrimp & Grits. Trust us.
Le Grande Orange, in Phoenix’s Sky Harbor Airport
- What’s it like?
- A hybrid mom-and-pop general store and restaurant, La Grande Orange is particularly fabled among Arizonans for their breakfasts. Now in Terminal 4, the airport location has all the charm of their brick-and-mortar location.
- What should I get?
- There’s no better way to soothe the pain of an early flight than with a honey latte and La Grande Orange’s signature breakfast burrito.
Got any recommendations of your own for us to try? Send us an email at info@nnemarketing.com! And who knows, maybe you’ll see your favorite spot in a future post.