So many people are out of work right now and not sure how they’ll pay bills.
So it’s encouraging to see Reno-Stead Airport stepping up to help out the Food Bank in its community.
Like many other communities, in just the past two weeks, the food bank in Reno has seen a 30-50% increase in need.
So on Friday, Reno-Stead Airport, the 5,000-acre general aviation facility of the Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority, served as drive-through Mobile Harvest food distribution site to support those affected by COVID-19.
In just a few hours, the drive-through airport food bank served 417 clients, giving each a bag filled with milk, lettuce, tomatoes, apples and asparagus and a dry-goods box of rice, beans, canned goods and peanut butter.
If you hear of other airports helping out their communities in creative ways right now, please let us know so we can share those stories.
Restaurants, shops, bars, schools and offices in many communities are closed.
But airports? For now, they’re open.
Although activities in and around the terminals are different, with far fewer passengers and flights than normal.
Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) has opened its garages to free parking. And posting a list of which dining, shopping and service locations are open.
Reminder: #PHLairport is open. For a list of open dining, shopping and service locations, visit https://t.co/X3Mt8fD9Ut. Parking in PHL lots and garages is free- the economy lot is closed and the AAdvantage Aviator MasterCard lot is available to cardholders only. pic.twitter.com/Y6WGilxxyc
We'll continue to follow the guidance of health and government officials to make our dining options as safe and healthy as possible. Thank you for your patience as we navigate the ongoing situation. For restaurants offering takeout and grab-and-go options: https://t.co/xk6Pl7yvchpic.twitter.com/XiCUiTrl2w
— Boston Logan International Airport (@BostonLogan) March 17, 2020
At San Francisco International Airport (SFO), all restaurants are open for now, but many with reduced hours. Bars are closed. And, as with restaurants in many cities, service is take-out only.
As guidance for social distancing strengthens, our dining and retail tenants are adjusting operations to protect your health and safety. Here are the restaurants open for grab-and-go food options: https://t.co/8VHEepvoAEpic.twitter.com/IVyTHX7eN7
Good morning #Atlanta, We are up and running! If you are traveling today, please use @TSA's Domestic Main Checkpoint and International Arrivals. Safe travels! ✈️ pic.twitter.com/JB42VueGrY
As with everything else in the world right now, situations are changing. So if you’re headed to an airport, check ahead.
Our shops and food vendors may change operating hours or suspend service if there's a decrease in passenger demand at this time. The Governor's Executive Order also applies to food and beverage locations at our airport. We remain open and operational. https://t.co/5VR8XnnQ5z
A reminder following @GovSisolak’s remarks earlier this evening: @LASairport provides essential transportation services and will remain open to serve the state’s travelers and cargo operations. https://t.co/BIOg3dKIHl
— Harry Reid International Airport (@LASairport) March 18, 2020
We are committed to keeping our travelers informed as schedules and services are modified due to COVID-19 (Coronavirus). Please see the following update from our restaurant partners. pic.twitter.com/ZNQd6oiF0I
Carry-out & Grab-n-Go food options available (post-security) at Coolgreens, Schlotzsky’s, Cinnabon, Moe’s Southwest Grill, Tucker’s Onion Burgers and retail locations. Locations may be operating at reduced hours. Vending is available next to The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf. (2/3) pic.twitter.com/4qBhuvUBbk
— Will Rogers World Airport (OKC) (@fly_okc) March 18, 2020
Don’t believe the rumors. @PATHTrain, @PABusTerminal, @GWBBusStation, our airports, and bridges and tunnels remain open and ready to move essential workers like healthcare professionals. For updated info, follow @PANYNJ. Thanks for your continued patience and support. pic.twitter.com/9DigJIQyNT
And, on Wednesday morning, not long after an earthquake was reported near Salt Lake City, the airport tweeted this:
The airport is not currently operational. The FAA tower, terminals and concourses have been evacuated. The road to the airport has been opened, so that passengers can be picked-up.
Airline schedule cuts, the drop in travel and orders in some cities and states to close the dine-in area of restaurants and bars means some airports are cutting back the hours of concessions or closing them altogether.
We’ll likely see more of this in the days to come.
Here’s the start of our list.
To all of our loyal guests, Bar Symon CLE @goingplacesCLE , per the recent governmental mandate, will be closed until further notice. We appreciate all of your support during these uncertain times and are looking forward to serving you in the future. Stay safe
With the Governor's order earlier today, restaurants & bars at GRR have closed seating areas. Concessions are still offering grab & go options for travelers. Our Visitor Information Desk is also closing effective at midnight tonight. More info here: https://t.co/9hiRTD0uQt
— Gerald R. Ford International Airport (@FlyGRFord) March 17, 2020
CVG Concessions Update: Per Governor Beshear’s order earlier today, restaurants & bars at CVG have closed seating areas. Concessions are still offering takeaway/carry-out options for travellers. Please support our concessions if you are traveling through CVG!
The 17-day Chicago Restaurant Week festival is underway in the Windy City and the Chicago Department of Aviation doesn’t want air travelers to miss out.
So, through February 9, both Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) and Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) are hosting Airport Restaurant Week events to coincide with the food fest events in town.
The pre-security event gives travelers and locals a chance to sample dishes from more than 30 airport eateries.
Participants range from One Flew South, Cat Cora’s Kitchen, Atlanta Chophouse and Brewery, Atlanta Braves All-Star Grill and Paschal’s to Piece of Cake and Krispy Kreme.
Tasting tickets are $15 for a
book of 10 and you’ll need to hand over 1 ticket per taste.
You can purchase tickets on-site and 100% of the proceeds will benefit the Atlanta Community Food Bank, a local nonprofit that distributes millions of pounds of food to community kitchens, shelters, senior centers, food pantries and more throughout the year.
The event runs from 11 a.m. to 4
p.m. and includes music and a cooking competition with two airports chefs
competing for the title of Taste’s Top Chef 2019,
October is Airport Restaurant Month at more than 60 HMSHost restaurants in more than 40 airports around the country.
And this year there’s a fun contest on the menu.
Airport Restaurant Month features tasting menus much like those you’ll find in many cities this time year: diners can select from three appetizers and a variety of entrees.
Menus may vary slightly by restaurant, but some of the core Airport Restaurant Month dishes include:
· Orecchiette Pasta featuring sautéed super-food greens, parmesan, and buttered herb breadcrumbs
· Shrimp Scampi Flatbread with garlic shrimp, grape tomatoes, mozzarella, lemon zest, and red pepper flakes
· Harissa Burger topped with arugula, pickled red onions, harissa aioli, provolone cheese, and smoked bacon
· Crispy Chicken Sandwich with crunchy Asian slaw, gochujang BBQ sauce, and pickle chips
Now here’s the contest part, which runs through October 31, 2019:
Collect a passport stamp for each Airport Restaurant Dish you purchase.
When you have four stamps, snap a photo of the completed passport and post the image to Facebook, Twitter or Instagram using the hashtag #airportrestaurantmonth. Be sure to also tag @HMSHost.
At the end of October 2019, HMSHost will choose a winner at random. The prize will include airfare, a hotel stay and dinner at a James Beard award-winning restaurant in New York City for the winner and a guest. See the full contest rules for Airport Restaurant Month.
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is celebrating Latino Heritage Month with a wide variety of cultural performances, art and guest experiences, including complimentary tastings.
Today, Friday, Sept 20 there will be a cart with free paletas (Mexican popsicles) in Terminal 1 near the L.A. Original store from noon to 3 p.m.
Next Friday, Sept. 27, the cart will be in Terminal 2, next to Barney’s Beanery, from noon to 3 p.m. And on Friday, Oct. 4, free paletas will be offered in the Terminal 6 W Kitchen Food Court from noon to 3 p.m.
On September 13, TPA rolled out The Spirit of Flight, a signature cocktail that is now available at all restaurants and bars airport-wide.
The one-of-a-kind cocktail is a blend of guava, white rum and orange and is meant to give travelers a taste of Tampa Bay.
To come up with the perfect drink, TPA called in mixologists from Ulele, Mise en Place and Cigar City Brewing – three of Tampa Bay’s well-known concepts.
“We wanted to create a drink that would represent the area,” said Ulele Manager Phil Cacciatore, who helped craft the drink. “We wanted guests to think ‘Wow this is unique.’”
Guests who order the drink will receive a Spirit of Flight coaster with the ingredients listed on the back, so whenever they see it, they’re reminded of their trip to Tampa.
The drink is also available in non-alcoholic version.
Here are the ingredients and mixing instructions in case you’d like to try this at home.
2 oz Guava Nectar
1 tbsp Guava Marmalade
1 oz Florida Orange Juice
1.50 oz White Rum
0.50 oz Orange Liqueur
2 dashes Angostura Bitters
Shake all ingredients and strain over ice into a Collins glass.
The move requires all airport retailers, restaurants, airline lounges, and vending machines to sell or provide water in recyclable aluminum, glass or BPI-certified compostable bottles.
The policy applies to purified water, mineral water, carbonated or sparkling water, and electrolyte-enhanced water, but does not include flavored beverages such as sodas, teas, or juices.
Of course, you don’t need to buy a bottle of water at SFO. A great option is to bring along a reusable container and fill it up at any of SFO’s approximately 100 free Hydration Stations and drinking fountains, located in all terminals both pre- and post-security.
If you don’t have your own bottle, Brita will help you out. On September 20, when the single-use plastic water bottle ban goes into effect at SFO, Brita will hand out more than 1000 complimentary Stainless Steel Premium Filtering Water Bottles. These have a double wall insulation to keep water cold for up to 24 hours and come with a replaceable filter that reduces chlorine taste and odor.
The Taste of Chicago music and food festival takes place in Chicago’s Grant Park July 10 to 14, 2019, but there are also free tastings and special discounts being offering for travelers passing through O’Hare International and Midway Airports this week.
And although it is only Wednesday, we’re declaring this StuckatTheAirport.com’s Airport Amenity of the Week.
Eating at airports. We’ve all got our go-to places at the airports we often travel to and through. And there are foods we seek out wherever we might land.
For taco lovers, there’s a new option at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).
Chicken Street Taco’s on wood
Leo’s Xpress, associated with Los Angeles’ famed Leo’s Tacos Truck, is the latest local food concept in LAX’s rotating food truck concept by restaurateur HMSHost and its Airport Concessions Disadvantaged Business Enterprise partner Havana House.
The indoor truck is located in the LAX Terminal 4 food hall.
At LAX, Leo’s Xpress menu offers donw-to-earth prices and offers travelers a great range of authentic taste of Mexican street food.
Along with the popular Al Pastor tacos – named among the best in LA – Leo’s serves freshly made tacos, quesadillas, burritos, alambres, and tortas. Each can be accompanied with a selection of toppings from the salsa bar.
Early morning to late-night travelers can also savor Leo’s all-day breakfast menu of Huevos Rancheros, Breakfast Tacos, and Breakfast Burritos.
Leo’s Xpress at LAX originated from Leo’s Tacos Truck which has been serving its fresh and affordable tacos since 2010. It started in West Los Angeles and expanded to four truck locations from Koreatown and Echo Park to the Valley. While Leo’s developed a loyal local following, it’s received national recognition appearing on various best of food truck lists in top publications including Fodor’s Travel and PEOPLE.
Have a favorite spot to recommend at LAX or another airport? Please send it along.
