A giant taco made from balloons is a wonderful object to encounter anywhere. Let alone an airport. Thank you, San Jose Mineta International Airport (SJC) for ‘hosting’ the taco and comedian/actor Patton Oswalt for adoring it.
Airports – and a cheese company – helping unpaid federal workers
A production hiccup at Oregon’s beloved Tillamook cheese factory turned into a cheddary windfall for the 800 federal workers on duty without pay at Portland International Airport (PDX).
After discovering that 1,000 of their premium 2lb cheddar blocks were mislabeled, but still perfectly fine to eat, the Tillamook company generouly donated the cheese to Port of Portland employees.
Tillamook delivered cheese to the Port of Portland and it was placed in the Donation Distribution Center for pickup from the Port employees. Tillamook reps say they also be will also be donating Cream Cheese and Yogurt to the Donation Center in the coming week.
Meanwhile, airports continue their support efforts for federal workers
Amazing turnout today for our donation drive for federal workers! Thank you to everyone who donated! pic.twitter.com/O3JD7Xm1Vg
— West Virginia International Yeager Airport (@flycrw) November 4, 2025
ICYMI: We continue to collect donations for federal employees affected by the government shutdown. 📅 11/04-11/07 📍MCO Terminal C Departures Curb ⏰ 9am-2pm 📍 Orlando Executive Airport (ORL) ⏰ 9am-5pm Donations are also accepted at the departure level of Terminals A, B, & C. pic.twitter.com/GJsYPLb1KR
If you’d like to help, donations of nonperishable food and essential items are welcome at the SEA Conference Center lobby on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. pic.twitter.com/tSkcwQKNPB
The event takes place on November 5, pre-security, in the Domestic Terminal atrium from 11 am until 4 pm and is open to travelers and airport features.
Highlights of the event will be samples from more than 20 of the airport’s award-winning restaurants and concessions, tournament-style chef showdowns, live music and more.
Tickets are $15 for a booklet of 10 tasting tickets and proceeds benefit Meals On Wheels Atlanta, an organization that provide nutritious meals and companionship to local seniors.
Participating concessionaires include Ludacris’ Chicken and Beer; Fresh To Order; Savi Provisions; Mustard Seed BBQ; Proof of the Pudding; Atlanta Braves All Star Grill; One Flew South; Ecco; LowCountry Restaurants; ASW; Gordon Biersch; The A Bar; Lemonade; Goldbergs; Johnny’s Chicken & Waffles; Umaizushi, Spartina 449 and Freshens Smoothies and Yogurt.
Sounds like a great and tasty way to spend a layover at ATL.
And barbecue is readily available at multiple restaurants in Kansas City International Airport (MCI), which opened a snazzy new terminal in 2023.
One of the places is the airport’s 8,000-square-foot Made for KC BBQ Experience restaurant on Concourse B, which is operated for 18 months at a time by the winners of an ongoing barbecue contest created just for this purpose by airport concession operators and the Kansas City Barbeque Society (KCBS).
Meat Rushmore of Lee’s Summit, MO, the winner of the third annual Made for Kansas City BBQ Championship, moved into the space on September 5 with an official passing of the barbecue trophy from the most recent competition winners, O.G. Bandits.
The menu will now feature Meat Rushmore’s award-winning recipes for Cubano tacos, the KC Gobbler, and burnt ends.
It’s not just KCI passengers who can give Meat Rushmore’s – and all the airport’s offerings – a try.
Kansas City International Airport welcomes non-ticketed guests into the terminal through the MCI Guest Pass program.
You can get pizza at plenty of airports. But it’s rare to find a robot making your pizza pie.
Donatos Pizza debuted a new ‘autonomous kitchen’ in Ohio’s John Glenn Columbus International Airport (CMH) where a robot is on duty 24-hours a day preparing made-to-order pizzas.
Located pre-security, by Hangar 815 in front of Concourse B, the robotic pizza restaurant has a small footprint and a short menu that includes a 10″ cheese pizza or 10″ pepperoni pizza.
Price: $11.59. No tipping required.
There’s a new robot in town… and it makes pizza. 🍕🤖@Donatos just launched its first fully autonomous restaurant right here at CMH! You’ll find it pre-security by Hangar 815 — and yes, you can watch your pizza being made in real time.
— John Glenn Intl Airport (@columbusairport) June 9, 2025
The Donato’s Pizza robot at John Glenn International Airport is cool and new.
But it’s not the only pizza-making machine in an airport.
At Detroit-Metropolitan Airport (DTW) a ZaBot Pizza Robot machine staffed by robots Rosa and Enzo heats up personal pizzas around-the-clock.
Look for this machine in the Coca Cola room by Gate A36.
Elsewhere: cows at San Antonio Int’l Airport + cool art at Long Beach Airport
#CowParade2025 has MOOOved into SAT! 🐄🎨 We're excited to have 3 painted cows at our airport before they're auctioned off to benefit @CHRISTUSHealth in September.
MEET THE COWS! 🐮✨ -Stampede, Chris Celusniak -Good MOOd, Allison Gregory -Love Note to the Nations, Ashley Rogers pic.twitter.com/3XyKydjSqY
— San Antonio International Airport (@SATairport) June 10, 2025
Have you checked out our video wall? 🎨
Our wrap-around digital wall at baggage claim displays artistic videos including the latest installation: Impressions of Travel.
Philadelphia is famous for cheesesteak sandwiches. And Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) is marking National Cheesesteak Day, March 24, with a full week of cheesesteak events and specials in the terminals.
From Monday, March 24, through Sunday, March 30, passengers traveling through the airport will find exclusive offers, cheesesteak-inspired events and, of course, Philadelphia cheesesteaks.
Passengers will find free events 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the connector space between Terminals B and C.
Look for free samples of Pepsi Zero and Frito Lay, entertainment, a photo booth and assorted giveaways as well as a Cheesesteak Topping Bars (from noon to 1 p.m.) at Chickie & Pete’s, Cibo Bistro & Wine Bar and Passyunk Steaks.
From Monday, March 24 to Friday, March 28, use code PHLSTEAK to get 25% off one order at participating locations offering online mobile ordering through OrderAtPHL. (That code should work whether or not you’re ordering a cheesesteak.)
Weeklong Specialty Cheesesteak Creations & Meal Deals — March 24 to 30
Multiple PHL restaurants are serving up specialty cheesesteaks, including:
Bud & Marilyn’s: Shawarma cheesesteak — shawarma-spiced, marinated sliced ribeye steak on pita bread from Angel Bakeries, served with a cherry pepper tzatziki sauce
Chickie’s & Pete’s: Salmon cheesesteak with leaf lettuce, American cheese and mild pico de gallo
Passyunk Steaks: Salmon cheesesteak with spinach, red onions, roasted red peppers, and spicy mayo and lemon pepper cheesesteak — chopped prime ribeye steak with cheese, seasoned with lemon pepper
Tagliare: Pizza cheesesteak — sliced prime ribeye steak chopped with marinara sauce and mozzarella
Not passing through PHL airport during Cheesesteak Week? Don’t worry. You’ll find cheesesteaks and cheesesteak-inspired bits at these PHL food outlets year-round.
Bar Symon: Cheesesteak — sautéed, with provolone, mushrooms and onions
Chickie’s & Pete’s: Cheesesteak eggrolls, cheesesteak nachos and more
Geno’s Steaks: Pizza, mushroom and regular cheesesteak
Jack Duggan’s Pub & Restaurant: Cheesesteak eggrolls, chicken cheesesteak and more
Jim’s South St.: Chicken cheesesteak, veggie cheesesteak and more
Local Tavern: Classic cheesesteak
LOVE Grille: Beef, chicken and cauliflower cheesesteak
Noobar: Philly cheesesteak dumplings
Passyunk Steaks: Various cheesesteaks (onion, pizza, veggie and more)
Philly Pretzel Factory: Cheesesteak Rivets
Sabrina’s Cafe: Veggie Philly cheesesteak — seitan with sautéed onions and long hots
Subway: Philly and classic cheesesteak
Tony Luke’s: Various cheesesteaks (beef, chicken, veggie and more)
