Food

New vending machines at BOS Logan dispense White Castle sliders, cheesecake & pizza

Three new automated food delivery kiosks – also known as vending machines – are up and running in the satellite concourse in Terminal A at Boston Logan International Airport (BOS), by the kids’ play area.

One machine serves up boxes of hot sliders from fast-food chain White Castle, including beef sliders, cheese sliders and cheddar bacon cheese sliders. Available 24/7, the machine promotes that the service has “No Tips, No Fees, No Lines.”

Another new kiosk offers pizza from California Pizza Kitchen. And when you’re ready for dessert, a third kiosk is stocked with sweet treats from The Cheesecake Factory.

Travel tidbits from airports near you

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

Nibble your way through ATL Airport

For the first time since 2019, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) is bringing back the tasty culinary celebration known as the Taste of Hartsfield-Jackson.

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.

BBQ championship winners move into Kansas City Int’l Airport

Kansas City is all about its barbecue.

There are more than 100 barbecue restaurants, a BBQ passport, BBQ bus tours and a Museum of BBQ.

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.

Airport pizza robots + more travel tidbits

Pizza-making robot at John Glenn Int’l Airport

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.

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

Celebrate Cheesesteak Week at PHL Airport

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)
  • WinKitchen: Cheesesteak eggrolls

At DEN Airport: Flip board at Marczyk Fine Foods

The Stuck at the Airport food team was on hand at the recent opening celebration for several new concessions at Denver International Airport (DEN) out by Gate C64: ChoLon Modern Asian, Marczyk Fine Foods and Teatulia Tea & Coffee Bar.

All three offer great food and drink options, but we were charmed by the split-flap display board at Marczyk and some of the gourmet market items on the shop’s shelves.

Marczyk Fine Foods is a Denver-based specialty market and deli known for its farm-fresh produce, gourmet products and high-quality meats. Their new DEN outpost has a great selection of grab-and-go items, as well as fresh sandwiches, salads and snacks. Wine and beer are served in the sit-down area of the market.

The flip board over the deli counter not only welcomes passengers but is also loaded with some (corny) jokes; “because what harried parent doesn’t appreciate something to entertain kids when the plane is delayed?,” says Barbara Macfarlane, one of Marczyk’s founders.

Why do elephants paint their toenails red? (flip flip flip)

To hide in cherry trees. (flip flip flip)

Ever seen an elephant in a cherry tree? (flip flip flip)

See it works! (flip flip flip)

And why are elephants’ feet flat? (flip flip flip)

From jumping out of cherry trees!

Bonus foods to buy at DEN’s Marczyk shop

In addition to the fresh deli sandwiches you can order at Marczyk Fine Foods, there are shelves filled with gourmet items to eat right away or take home. We spotted gourmet coffee, roasted peanuts, marinara sauce and both olive oil and balsamic vinegar in lovely gift-worthy containers.  

They’re celebrating Cheesesteak at PHL Airport

In anticipation of National Cheesesteak Day – March 24 – Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) is hosting PHL Cheesesteak Week with samplings and events now through Friday, March 22.

Check the PHLfoodandshops.com/CheesesteakTour map for ind 19 PHL food locations offering cheesesteaks or cheesesteak-related items.

The list includes Chickie’s & Pete’s, which offers Poppin’ Shrimp Cheesesteak, Pizza Cheesesteak from Tony Luke’s, Win Kitchen’s Cheesesteak Eggrolls, Noobar’s Cheesesteak Dumplings, and Classic Cheesesteaks from Geno’s, Jim’s South Street Steaks and Independence Prime,

That’s a lot of cheeseteak…

Finale Celebration — Cheesesteak and Pepsi Zero Sampling

On Friday, March 21 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Free samples of classic cheesesteaks, Pepsi Zero and related menu items with a twist will take center stage at a sampling spectacular on the connector between Terminals B and C.

Here are the restaurants that will be represented:

  • Bar Symon (Terminal B), sampling Mini Chicken Cheesesteak
  • Chickie’s & Pete’s (Terminals A, C, E and D/E Connector), sampling Cheesesteak Eggrolls
  • Passyunk Steaks (Terminal B), sampling All The Way Cheesesteak and Chicken Cheesesteak
  • Philly Pretzel Factory (Terminal F), sampling Cheesesteak Rivets and Pretzel Rivets

Hungry now? Through March 22, 20225 use the promo code CHZSTK to get $5 off a cheesesteak or cheesesteak-inspired menu item from a participating location on OrderAtPHL.com.

There’s a debate brewing over how to make tea

What is the correct way to make a cup of tea?

Tea, like coffee, can be prepared and enjoyed in different ways and in different places.

But adding a pinch of salt, as Bryn Mawr College chemistry professor Michelle Frankl suggests in her new book, Steeped: The Chemistry of Tea, is causing some good-natured debate between countries.

The British Embassy in Washington shared some cheeky tea-making tips. The US Embassy in London said that while putting salt in tea is not official United States policy, the embassy staff would “continue to make tea the proper way – by microwaving it.”

And the The Museum of the American of Revolution responded with it’s tried and ture tea-making tip: “We all know the way to make tea in the proper way is by throwing it into the Boston Harbor.”

What do you think is the best way to make a cup of tea?

(Photo up top: Skeleton having tea- courtesy State Library of New South Wales via Flickr Commons)

Fresh new airport amenities

The Stuck at the Airport team is always on the lookout for cool new amenities.

Here are a few we’ve spotted so far this week.

Bunnie Cakes Vending Machine at Miami International Airport

Bunnie Cakes, a popular vegan, kosher, and gluten-free bakery in Miami now has two cake-vending machines at Miami International Airport (MIA). Find them at Gates D21 & G15.  

@msbunniecakes

Have you seen us at the airport? ✈️ Your favorite vegan treats are now at the Miami International Airport at gates D21 & G15!!! Grab a treat for yourself or to surprise someone at your final destination 🤩💗🥳🎂

♬ BANANA SHAKE (SPED UP) – HUS

Halloween Story Time at Tulsa International Airport

Tulsa International Airport (TUL) and Tulsa City-County Library (TCCL) host a free, monthly aviation-themed Storytime events at the airport. But October’s Storytime event on October 19 will be Halloween-themed, of course. This a great community-minded airport amenity.

John Wayne Airport Celebrating 100 Years

John Wayne Airport (JWA) will be holding a Community Celebration Day on October 19, 2023, to celebrate 100 years of flight in Orange County, CA. On tap in the terminal: live music, goodies, and giveaways.