{"id":402841,"date":"2025-11-25T04:39:21","date_gmt":"2025-11-25T04:39:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/402841\/"},"modified":"2025-11-25T04:39:21","modified_gmt":"2025-11-25T04:39:21","slug":"the-epicurean-guide-to-chicagos-airports-chicago-magazine","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/402841\/","title":{"rendered":"The Epicurean Guide to Chicago\u2019s Airports \u2013 Chicago Magazine"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>O\u2019Hare<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"209\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/C202512-T-Epicurean-Guide-to-Chicagos-Airports-legend.jpg\" alt=\"A legend with orange chair, carryout bag, wine glass, and coffee cup icons for &quot;sit-down,&quot; &quot;on-the-go,&quot; and &quot;for a drink&quot;\" class=\"wp-image-82238\"\/><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"900\" height=\"762\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/C202512-T-Epicurean-Guide-to-Chicagos-Airports-Tortas-Frontera.jpg\" alt=\"Food at Tortas Frontera at O'Hare Airport\" class=\"wp-image-82246\"  \/><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"209\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/C202512-T-Epicurean-Guide-to-Chicagos-Airports-legend.jpg\" alt=\"A legend with orange chair, carryout bag, wine glass, and coffee cup icons for &quot;sit-down,&quot; &quot;on-the-go,&quot; and &quot;for a drink&quot;\" class=\"wp-image-82238\" style=\"width:200px\"\/><\/p>\n<p>TORTAS FRONTERA<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"178\" height=\"110\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/C202512-T-Epicurean-Guide-to-Chicagos-Airports-Tortas-Frontera-icons.jpg\" alt=\"Orange chair and wine glass icons\" class=\"wp-image-82245\" style=\"width:auto;height:35px\"\/><\/p>\n<p><strong>Terminals 1, 3, and 5; Gates B11, K4, and M18<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Rick Bayless\u2019s terrific tortas spot is my go-to for both breakfast and lunch. If it\u2019s morning, I get the egg and rajas torta, with scrambled eggs, roasted poblano rajas, Cotija and Jack cheese, and avocado, while midday I go for the crispy chicken Milanesa, with cabbage, pickled jalape\u00f1os, Cotija, avocado-tomatillo salsa, and cilantro crema. And when I just need a snack, the guacamole and an El S\u00faper Cl\u00e1sico margarita can ease the pain of any delay. <strong>\u2014\u2009A.C.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>LA TAPENADE MEDITERRANEAN CAFE<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"260\" height=\"110\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/C202512-T-Epicurean-Guide-to-Chicagos-Airports-La-Tapenade-icons.jpg\" alt=\"Orange chair, carryout bag, and wine glass icons\" class=\"wp-image-82237\" style=\"width:auto;height:35px\"\/><\/p>\n<p><strong>Terminals 1, 2, and 3; Gates B4, E9, and H14<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>For a fast and delicious\u2009\u2014\u2009and healthy\u2009\u2014\u2009breakfast, I swing by La Tapenade for the vegetable frittata. It\u2019s a fluffy square of eggs loaded with veggies, including asparagus, zucchini, butternut squash, mushrooms, and onions. It also comes with a little cup of red grapes you can save for a plane snack. <strong>\u2014\u2009A.C.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"900\" height=\"966\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/C202512-T-Epicurean-Guide-to-Chicagos-Airports-Pronto-Sandwiches.jpg\" alt=\"A sandwich and chips from Pronto Sandwiches at O'Hare Airport\" class=\"wp-image-82241\"  \/><\/p>\n<p>PRONTO SANDWICHES<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"84\" height=\"110\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/C202512-T-Epicurean-Guide-to-Chicagos-Airports-Pronto-Sandwiches-icon.jpg\" alt=\"Orange carryout bag icon\" class=\"wp-image-82240\" style=\"width:auto;height:35px\"\/><\/p>\n<p><strong>Terminal 1, Gate B14<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>An Old World Italian sandwich in an airport? Fuhgeddaboudit. Unless, of course, you hightail your carry-ons to Pronto, which serves real-deal Italian subs inspired by Tinseltown icons. Order one on schiacciata, a flatbread with a focaccia-like skin and airy ciabatta interior. Some swoon (predictably) over the tomato-and-pepper DiCaprio, but I go for the Pacino, made with prosciutto, mozzarella, arugula, and a truffled pecorino spread. Grab one for the plane, and it\u2019ll be the best in-flight upgrade you\u2019ll find. <strong>\u2014\u2009P.G.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>BUBBLES WINE BAR<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"79\" height=\"110\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/C202512-T-Epicurean-Guide-to-Chicagos-Airports-Bubbles-icon.jpg\" alt=\"Orange wine glass icon\" class=\"wp-image-82235\" style=\"width:auto;height:35px\"\/><\/p>\n<p><strong>Terminal 3, Gate H4<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>I like to toast my upcoming adventure (or just making it through security) with a glass of bubbly at this wine bar. Some favorites: Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label Brut when I want a classic, or Lanson Le Ros\u00e9 Brut when I want to go pink. Plus, there\u2019s entertainment: A nearby piano is open to anyone; you\u2019ll see the occasional airport employee tickling the ivories. <strong>\u2014\u2009L.S.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"900\" height=\"574\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/C202512-T-Epicurean-Guide-to-Chicagos-Airports-Publican-Tavern.jpg\" alt=\"People shopping near the grab &amp; go section at Publican Tavern at O'Hare Airport\" class=\"wp-image-82244\"  \/><\/p>\n<p>PUBLICAN TAVERN<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"260\" height=\"110\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/C202512-T-Epicurean-Guide-to-Chicagos-Airports-Publican-Tavern-icons.jpg\" alt=\"Orange chair, carryout bag, and wine glass icons\" class=\"wp-image-82243\" style=\"width:auto;height:35px\"\/><\/p>\n<p><strong>Terminal 3, Gate K1<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>PUBLICAN QUALITY BREAD<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"84\" height=\"110\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/C202512-T-Epicurean-Guide-to-Chicagos-Airports-Publican-Quality-Bread-icon.jpg\" alt=\"Orange carryout bag icon\" class=\"wp-image-82242\" style=\"width:auto;height:35px\"\/><\/p>\n<p><strong>Terminal 5, Gate M5<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>When I have time to sit at Publican Tavern, I\u2019m getting the menu\u2019s indisputable star: a succulent pub burger topped with American cheese, crisp lettuce, balsamic onions, and special sauce on a pillowy brioche bun. But when there\u2019s just enough time to tap a credit card? I head to the grab-and-go case for gems like the chicken sandwich with bacon, avocado, and blue cheese a\u00efoli. Or if I\u2019m catching an international flight, I\u2019ll snag a latte and caramelized kouign-amann on the go at Terminal 5\u2019s Publican Quality Bread. <strong>\u2014\u2009J.S.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Midway<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"834\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/C202512-T-Epicurean-Guide-to-Chicagos-Airports-Arami-834x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Sushi at Arami at Midway Airport\" class=\"wp-image-82231\"  \/><\/p>\n<p>ARAMI<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"178\" height=\"110\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/C202512-T-Epicurean-Guide-to-Chicagos-Airports-Arami-icons.jpg\" alt=\"Orange chair and carryout bag icons\" class=\"wp-image-82230\" style=\"width:auto;height:35px\"\/><\/p>\n<p><strong>Concourse A Food Hall<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Arami closed its West Town location last year, but thankfully this outpost remains, since it\u2019s one of your best culinary options at Midway. Your standard premade airport sushi this is not. Sitting down at the bar and ordering the freshly made California, cucumber, and avocado rolls is my go-to for a preflight lunch or dinner that\u2019s light but satisfying. <strong>\u2014\u2009A.C.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"849\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/C202512-T-Epicurean-Guide-to-Chicagos-Airports-Billy-Goat-Tavern-849x1024.jpg\" alt=\"A cheeseburger from Billy Goat Tavern at Midway Airport\" class=\"wp-image-82234\"  \/><\/p>\n<p>BILLY GOAT TAVERN<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"84\" height=\"110\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/C202512-T-Epicurean-Guide-to-Chicagos-Airports-Billy-Goat-Tavern-icon.jpg\" alt=\"Orange carryout bag icon\" class=\"wp-image-82233\" style=\"width:auto;height:35px\"\/><\/p>\n<p><strong>Concourse A Food Hall (also at O\u2019Hare\u2019s Terminal 1, Gate C19)<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>After multiple attempts, I\u2019ve finally dialed in the perfect order at the Midway location of this Chicago institution. Start with the double burger, which is a quarter pound of beef, then add cheese, grilled and raw onions, extra pickles, and mustard and mayo. It\u2019s both hearty and tasty enough to hold me until I reach my destination. <strong>\u2014\u2009A.C.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>BIG SHOULDERS COFFEE<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"96\" height=\"110\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/C202512-T-Epicurean-Guide-to-Chicagos-Airports-Big-Shoulders-Coffee-icon.jpg\" alt=\"Orange coffee cup icon\" class=\"wp-image-82232\" style=\"width:auto;height:35px\"\/><\/p>\n<p><strong>Concourse A, Gate A15<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>When you make it through security, the first spot you\u2019ll see to grab coffee is Dunkin\u2019. Bypass that line and hoof it to the very end of Concourse A, where you\u2019ll find the best java in the airport. Local roaster Big Shoulders serves \u201cfast coffee\u201d (that\u2019s drip), cold brew, and espresso drinks. My order: the hot cardamom latte, a cozy drink with warming spices. <strong>\u2014\u2009A.C.<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"O\u2019Hare TORTAS FRONTERA Terminals 1, 3, and 5; Gates B11, K4, and M18 Rick Bayless\u2019s terrific tortas spot&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":402842,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5124],"tags":[960,5386,1818],"class_list":{"0":"post-402841","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-chicago","8":"tag-chicago","9":"tag-il","10":"tag-illinois"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@us\/115608498084858549","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/402841","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=402841"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/402841\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/402842"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=402841"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=402841"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=402841"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}