No, it’s not a complaint, but an article listing the best food options at 18 airports. I can vouch for two of these. Figs, found at New York’s Laguardia Airport, also has three or four locations in the Boston area, and I’d give them the nod for the best authentic Italian-style (ultra-thin-crust) pizza I’ve had outside of Italy. If the arugula and caramelized onions pizza is on the airport location’s menu, I recommend it – it’s outstanding.
Legal Sea Food is usually my lunch option at Logan Airport as well. I can’t say I’m thrilled with the prices – tough to get out of there for under $18 including tip – but it’s good-quality fish. Their crab roll sandwich includes a ridiculous amount of crab, and there’s just a thin layer of mayo on the roll (as opposed to enough mayo to drown every crab from Maine to Cape Hatteras). The fried fish sandwich is also a good value; both sandwiches are around $12.
I have a stopover in Atlanta on an upcoming trip, and if I can get to Paschal’s I’ll report on my findings.
KLaw- I can vouch for Five Guys at Reagan. The burger was a little greasy, but definitely tasted great. I wasn’t a big fan of the fries in peanut oil. Not that they were bad…just not overly tasty. My stops in Atlanta never seem long enough to eat, but next time I will try to make it to Paschal’s too and a few of these other places.
My last stop in Phoenix I was at Taberna Del Tequila. While the servers were friendly and the drinks were great, the food was less desirable.
The best part of the Figs at LGA? The four-armed MPs patrolling the double escalators down to the food court there.
In all seriousness, the Blue Lagoon(?) at JFK is decent if it weren’t so expensive. The dumplings are clearly frozen, but the sushi isn’t half bad. My favorite, however, is Cinnabon. It’s hard to find one, though.
Paschal’s is very good in Atlanta, followed closely by Popeye’s chicken, if fried chicken is your thing. Everything else is horrible.
The SanFran airport has several good eateries including fairly good pizza, pretty good burritos, a delicious soup place, and sushi/japanese.
Legal Sea Foods at Reagan is excellent as well, but a bit pricey–their cream of crab soup is terrific. I think Five Guys has gourmet-level french fries–it’s what sets them apart. Malt vinegar is a must, though…
Keith, I asked you this already in your chat earlier today (unanswered). I come to your site on occasion, but when I go to the bookstore I tend to find myself in the baseball section fairly quickly. And when I browse literature the cover seems to be the most intriguing aspect of a book. If it wasn’t a book that I discussed in AP English, then I probably have not heard of it. On that note, do you have a website that you visit that offers decent book reviews? And again, I will come here regardless, so don’t think it will be taking away from your reviews.
I can vouch for burrito beach if you’re in for some quick, tasty mexican.
5 guys in general is well worth a visit to the uninitiated (think of it as the In-n-Out of the east.)
K-Law,
I saw on a recent chat you would be attending the winter meetings in Indianapolis in 2009 and will be desperate for recs. As an Indy resident may I recommend R Bistro. http://www.rbistro.com/.
It’s probably not much, but its about the best our humble town has to offer if you are going to skip one of the 1,000 steakhouses that pass for decent dining around here. If you are interested in other recs I would be happy to provide. I like downtown near the hotels, so I have a pretty good feel of what’s avaible.
Joe – I’ve don’t read any sites with book reviews. I’ve found that with the various top 100 lists I use (Novel 100, Time Magazine’s, etc), by taking recs from readers, and by reading works by authors I already like, I’ve got more than enough to read.
I might be the only person who doesn’t like 5 Guys. They opened one in my old building, the burgers are really greasy, and the fries always soggy. They seem to be very popular, but maybe it just has something to do with me not being a big hamburger guy.
Chickie and Pete’s is famous for their crab fries. Their location at Citizens Bank Park always has a massive waiting line.
I’ve got to vote against Paschal’s – not that great, but good for Atlanta’s airport.
Hey Keith – love the chats on ESPN. I think you should start a category on here for beverages (adult) that you recommend trying. Anyway, here are some good Belgians and Microbrews that I promised on the ESPN Chat:
I just ready that you like Guiness…good pick. If you like that try Young’s Double Chocolate Stout, especially if you find it on draft.
Avery Brewing – 22oz bottles – Salvation, Hog Heaven, The Reverand, The Kaiser, The Czar..any of them are good and 10% plus. (http://www.averybrewing.com/BigBeers)
Belgians – Chimay, Duval, Saison Dupont, Lucifer, Leffe, any Trappist Ales. Most Belgians are good, but some can be iffy.
Dogfish Head Brewing – 90 minute IPA is great. Watch out for the 120 Minute…it is 21%
Ommegong Brewing – Belgian Style Brewery from Cooperstown, NY
Allagash Brewing – the tripple is pretty awesome!
Anway, that should be enough to keep you interested. Let me know what you thought of them if you get to trying some.
five guys is outstanding in DC — but with an important caveat … we know that friends don’t let friends eat burgers well done … but five guys, that is all they do. within that constraint, it is supreme.