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Comment by im_down_w_otp | Hacker News Reader

The only airport I've been to in the US that doesn't appear entirely beholden to this dynamic, or one very similar to it, is PDX. Portland International seems to have several eateries and establishments which are representative of some of the more popular local "name brand" establishments, e.g. Stumptown, Country Cat, Kenny & Zukes, etc. As a result, it's one of the only airports I don't dread eating at when I'm coming & going.

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That's not an accident.

> Our promise to “street pricing” means things cost the same here as in town.

https://www.portofportland.com/about/pdx

SEA is the US airport I've been through most frequently, and I don't recall it being dreadful for food. Largely fast food style stuff, but there were multiple different options. Note - this is the international terminal, the domestic one could well be awful.

SEA came to mind for me as well. The domestic terminal offers local options such as Beecher’s, Caffe Ladro, Grand Central Bakery, Salt & Straw, Skillet, and Starbucks.

Is it true they no longer have an Ivar’s?

Yeah: https://mynorthwest.com/900612/ivars-leaving-seatac-airport

Ivars lost their lease and left in 2018. Anthony’s seafood is also gone.

I think there might be an Ivars kiosk.

These are often operated by companies like HMS or OTG and simply license the brand from local businesses. In my opinion they rarely recreate the experience of the real establishment.

I know it's technically accurate, but the description of Starbucks as a "local option" is extremely amusing.

Technically correct is the best kind of correct.

Skillet in terminal N is operated by HMS. I know because I gave feedback and they respond.

Side note: the amazing Salt and Straw is from Portland.

Salt & Straw is a Portland company AFAIK.

MSP (Minneapolis) does this too. Local brands have spots.

The folks running the airport actually manage selecting the establishments to make sure there is a variety of price points, types of places, and etc.

Run by the company this article is about, using local brands as clothing.

https://www.otgexp.com/experiences/featured-experience?loc=2...

I wonder why the difference. Prices at MSP are certainly marked 'up' but nothing like the story.

I wonder what 'run by' really entails.

(I live in the Twin Cities, so MSP is my airport.) The linked article only mentions Concourse G. Most of the local-style restaurants I can think of off the top of my head (e.g. Surdyk's, Angel Food) are in the main hall or Concourse C area. So I guess OTG probably does some of that, but does not own all of the "local" restaurants in the airport. In fact, the presence of the other local restaurants may have encouraged OTG to contract with local restaurants to fit in and seem more local. Just spitballing.

Yes, one of the things PDX does so well! At other airports I pretty much only go to McDonald's because its prices are typically the only ones that aren't crazy. At PDX though you can get fine, local food for a fair price

Austin's airport does this as well, a lot of local joints. And the Southern Terminal even has a food truck.

Phoenix airport is this way as well. Some of the restaurants that locals are proud of have locations in the airport. It's pretty cool!

Off the top of my head SFO and MSP also have locally themed establishments, but ran by a single concessionaire.

My favorite US airport for food outlets is Austin. Nothing beats getting Salt Lick before your flight!

MSY really focused on displaying local food offerings when it opened the new terminal (2019)

It also did prior to the new terminal, but the old terminal was built so long ago that it was setup without security in mind. All the good restaurants were outside of security.

A lot of the same restaurants are in the new terminal, but they're now past security.

Tampa's airport is basically entirely local options after a revamp a few years ago.

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