The Best Airport Food That Represents Its City

Let's face it, nobody looks forward to eating at the airport. As a frequent flyer who has explored the food at many national and international airports, I've grown tired of finding the same national chain outlets in similarly crowded food courts. Not to mention, standing in a long line for a microwaved burger is not necessarily comforting, especially during long layovers. Airport dining options have come a long way, and some of the country's airports actually have restaurants worth visiting. But if you want an airport that offers genuine tastes of the host city, Austin-Bergstrom International Airport — ABIA, as it's known locally — won't disappoint.

Austin-Bergstrom International Airport truly makes travelers feel like they've visited the city without leaving the building. Although it's smaller than other airports known for their food selection, it's still home to multiple dining options, including branches of iconic city restaurants, even some that have closed their city locations, like Hut's Hamburgers and 2nd Bar + Kitchen. At AIBIA, you will find everything from a storied BBQ institution serving wine from their own vineyard to legit Mexico City-style tacos, chef-driven New American, and some of Austin's fave homegrown outlets with everything from pizza to sushi, Asian fusion, and empanadas.

Reflecting the soul of the self-proclaimed Live Music Capital of the World, there are eight stages with live music and rotating art installations that showcase the city's ample pool of talent — enhancing the local experience of the food. It's one of the airports where I don't mind arriving a couple of hours early. A Reddit user agreed: "Austin, TX airport is amazing. So many local gems and very little chains." Another responded, "Austin is quite possibly the only airport that I've ever actually enjoyed spending time in."

What I love about Austin-Bergstrom International Airport's (ABIA) food and drink offerings is that they appeal to visitors and locals alike. Out-of-towners will find outposts of places they may have visited and loved, or would have liked to visit but didn't have time. "One thing in common with Austin's airport restaurants ... was the lack of mega chain restaurants," said one comment on Reddit, with another adding, "It's so refreshing to see local restaurants instead." 

For me, a former local who visits often, ABIA offers a chance to eat some queso dip and fill up on barbecue one last time before I leave. If I fly in the morning, the iconic breakfast tacos from Tacodeli are a must. Founder Roberto Espinosa is from Mexico City, Mexico, and his tacos use local, organic ingredients — but the queso is my favorite. If I'm not very hungry, a veggie juice and ginger shot from Juiceland or Jugo will do. Also, the Bloody Mary at Parkside never lets me down.

I usually make a point to find a stool at The Salt Lick BBQ for real barbecue paired with the excellent wines from Salt Lick Cellars. If you have room in your carry-on, they have BBQ, rubs, sauces, and bottles of wine to take home. For coffee, I always skip the long Starbucks line in favor of some of the best airport coffee shops, like Cafe Medici or Jo's Coffee, the one with the famous "I love you so much" street mural.