Best Food at Tampa Airport

Tampa’s airport is well known and acknowledged to be one of the most well planned facilities of its kind. Physically, the airport consists of a “Landside” central building with four “Airside” spokes from the main building. All flights arrive and leave from one of the airside spokes; automated cars are continually shuttling buildings, between the main building and the perimeter, the travel time is one or two minutes.

The hungry or thirsty traveler has some choices; since security and baggage inspections come immediately after getting off the trams from the main building; one is inclined to remain at the appropriate airside after clearing security. This will limit the choice of food and restaurant, as the better places are in the Landside building. Moreover, the facilities in the airside buildings, primarily offering snacks and drinks, all tend to close by 8:30 or 9:00 o’clock in the evening, whereas the larger facilities in the main building are open and serving for several more hours.

In the Landside terminal building, besides a 24-hour Starbucks kiosk and several fast-food places such as Burger King, opening at 5:00 o’clock in the morning, Carrabba’s Italian Grill provides large portions of quite satisfactory Italian food. Among the specialties are a truly tasty and inventive “Pollo Rosa Maria” (Chicken stuffed with cheese and prosciutto, topped with mushrooms, all with a basil lemon butter sauce) and, my favorite, Chicken Marsala. All dinners are accompanied by soup or salad and a side of pasta. Prices are in the $18-$20 range and one can be guaranteed to leave stuffed like a cannoli! By the way, the sangria, made with Korbel brandy, red wine and fruit; at $7.15 a glass, transforms the meal into an event. Carrabba’s closes at 10:00 o’clock in the evening.

If the traveler is too rushed for a heavy meal or perhaps would prefer something lighter, there is TGI Fridays, a casual restaurant where children are always welcome. Fridays is a large chain that specializes in hamburgers, many varieties and toppings, salads and a limited overall menu. The hamburgers are large and will be served rare or medium rare, a testament to assurance that the meat is fresh. One popular favorite is the “Jack Daniels” hamburger or steak, oozing with a rich sauce. The last time I was waiting for a flight to arrive, I ordered and devoured an appetizer of loaded potato skins, sour cream on the side, with an ice cold beer. OK, if I must confess two beers. TGI Fridays is open until 11:00 o’clock.

Of course, if time (and expense) is no object, the Marriott Hotel in the airport has an assortment of lounges, snack bars and coffee shops in the hotel proper or along the short walkway from the terminal to the hotel proper. CK’s restaurant is a revolving rooftop restaurant that serves up fantastic gourmet food. Warning: the food is excellent, the view from all tables is magnificent but this is not the venue for a rushed inexpensive meal. Dinner will approach $80 – $90, or more, a person, most items are ala carte, and the service is attentive but not hurried. Be sure and save room for the desserts, including Crème Brulee or the Milky Way Stuffed French Toast! CK’s remains one of the premier restaurants in Tampa and is worth every penny – or $50 bill. It is not for the casual rushed traveler, for the most part, but should be considered for a very special occasion even if there is no need to fly.

The airside terminals have the usual assorted snack bars, lounges, coffee bars and fast food facilities. Depending on the specific terminal, there is pizza (from Pizza Hut), fried chicken (Popeye’s – I recommend the spicy version), several mini-Chili chain restaurants with sandwiches and nibbles, for the most part, a stand with Nathan’s hot dogs, but without the ambiance of Coney Island and a grill that has been weathered and seasoned for a century. Starbucks coffee is everywhere but the eateries are nothing to write home about. They will easy the hunger pangs and the several lounges can alleviate fear of flying – somewhat.

Tampa Airport is easy to reach, has ample and convenient parking. The restaurants must be good; look at all the planes parked outside.