Food

Airport pizza robots + more travel tidbits

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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)