I'm connecting in CLT next week.. One way I'm in terminal C for a couple of hours, the other way I've got 30 minutes to get from terminal B to terminal C.

My first break gives me enough time for lunch.. Any recommendations?

And do I have enough time to make my second connection? I assume it's legal because I booked it on (sabre) usair.com. Is there an airside train, or a secured walkway or something?

clt is a breeze. 30 min is plenty of time.

i'll leave it to others to recommend a restaurant, since I o&d from clt, so I seldom eat there. but it's a nice airport. take a few min to relax in the atrium in a rocker if you can and welcome to clt.

I connect in CLT pretty frequently, so let me see if I can help you.

1) NC wine bar between D/E and main terminal. Pretty nice.
2) Carolina Sports Bar on both B and C (I think). Both serve food.
3) Budweiser Brewhouse on D. Decent food (pizzas, etc.)
4) Chili's express (or similar chain) in Atrium main terminal.
5) Assortment of fast food places in main terminal.
6) Two or three Starbucks.

I know I'm missing one or two. All in all, a fairly good airport to eat and drink at between flights.

BTW, B to C is easy. If you had to transition down to E (the commuter terminal), that can be a bit of a walk.

California Pizza Kitchen, Phillips Crab, Tequilería, Nathan's, Ranch 1 (Chicken), Pizza Hut Express, Burger King, Cinnabon, TCBY, Manchu Wok, a BBQ place...

California Pizza Kitchen, Phillips Crab, Tequilería, Nathan's, Ranch 1 (Chicken), Pizza Hut Express, Burger King, Cinnabon, TCBY, Manchu Wok, a BBQ place...



Manchu Wok is a really good chinese fast food place, and I have eaten there every single time I have a connected in CLT. (Of course it is nothing compared to my beloved Chick-A-Phila in PHL :D :D :D )

If I have time to eat at CLT, I usually head to Phillips Famous Seafood in C. For an airport restaurant, it's quite good and not very expensive.

Sit down & be served:

- Chili's has an abbreviated menu compared to their non-airport restaurants, but the selection covers about all tastes and desires. Main terminal between A & B concourses.

- Tequilería serves decent Mexican. Main terminal between C & D concourses.

- Phillips offers seafood. About half way out C concourse.

- Stock Car Cafe offers a variety in a NASCAR-themed setting. About half way out B concourse.

These 4 also have smoking sections and serve alcohol.

The rest on B, C, and main terminal that were mentioned are "pick up your food at the counter" type eateries.

I believe that the BBQ place is the only establishment that offers a vegetable plate (as well as fried pickles - a unique treat if you haven't tried them).

If it is of interest, free wi-fi is available in the food court area of the main terminal around the BoA business center.

Jim

- Chili's has an abbreviated menu compared to their non-airport restaurants, but the selection covers about all tastes and desires. Main terminal between A & B concourses.


I ate here Friday night and found the quality pretty poor. Service was good, though.

Also, last month I found a piece of plastic in the middle of a danish I bought at Starbucks. My complaint to the manager on duty was met with indifference...

CLT needs a TGIFridays. I have stopped eating at Chili's. I agree food quality is getting poor and so is the service. Last week I was seated by the hostess at a 4 person table and the waitress working that area told me to move to a 2 person table. !?!?! It wasn't that busy, there were 4 person tables open all around me.

:td:

The choices in dining are largely dictated by HMSHost who has the rights to handle concessions at CLT. So, any want or desire to add a TGI Fridays is up to them.

You'll have plenty of choices for dining at CLT. Enjoy your layover.

I liked the BBQ place (don't remember the name) last time I was there, was at least a little out of the ordinary for airport concession. I'm sure it doesn't impress the BBQ connoisseurs :D but it may be okay if you're interested.

I liked the BBQ place (don't remember the name) last time I was there, was at least a little out of the ordinary for airport concession. I'm sure it doesn't impress the BBQ connoisseurs :D but it may be okay if you're interested.

I've eaten at the BBQ place, and found it to be pretty good too. I'm from Pennsylvania, mind you, so my BBQ experience is limited. But I would definitely go back.

I'm sure it doesn't impress the BBQ connoisseurs :D but it may be okay if you're interested.
I don't know if being raised in NC makes me a connoisseur or not :confused: but I like their BBQ. Then again, I love BBQ and believe it only comes in 3 quality levels - good, better, and best.

They also have chicken and (I think) turkey for those that don't want pork.

Jim

I was very pleased to see a Phillips Famous Seafood. Their crab cake (I ordered the Premium) was up to expectations. That is my recomendation in C concourse and CLT is easy to navigate. Much better than PHL.

I don't know if being raised in NC makes me a connoisseur or not :confused: but I like their BBQ. Then again, I love BBQ and believe it only comes in 3 quality levels - good, better, and best.

They also have chicken and (I think) turkey for those that don't want pork.

Jim

I concur with Jim... I'd call it good, especially when there's not a real decent BBQ place nearby in PA. Its my usual stop when I have to connect through CLT.

-JC

If I have time to eat at CLT, I usually head to Phillips Famous Seafood in C. For an airport restaurant, it's quite good and not very expensive.


I agree, definately my favorite place to eat in CLT.

I believe that the BBQ place is the only establishment that offers a vegetable plate (as well as fried pickles - a unique treat if you haven't tried them).
Jim


Jim,
Thanks for the tip! I love fried pickles but haven't found them anywhere since I did a short stint in Jackson, MS. I will definitely get some next time I connect in CLT! ^

Jim,
Thanks for the tip! I love fried pickles but haven't found them anywhere since I did a short stint in Jackson, MS. I will definitely get some next time I connect in CLT! ^

The Penguin (off Central in Charlotte) has great fried pickles. If you're ever in Charlotte try it. Best jukebox in town too.

The Penguin (off Central in Charlotte) has great fried pickles. If you're ever in Charlotte try it. Best jukebox in town too.

Thanks. I've been to CLT many times, but only the airport! I overnighted there once a few years ago after visiting the CP desk, but that's all. Might have to make a weekend trip just for the pickles!

Thanks guys! :)

I'll probably go to the seafood place, since I'll be in Concourse C anyway. We'll see how it compares to the Pappadeaux above Terminal E in IAH.. ;)

The bloody marys at Phillips are very good. It's a mix in a bottle but they're still wonderful with big fresh celeray and/or lime. Food is fast. Had a very nice piece of tuna last week. Their crabcakes are good but not as good as the menu says they are. But for an airport they're good.

Don't eat french fries there though or you will be profusely farting on your connecting flight. :p

I concur with Jim... I'd call it good, especially when there's not a real decent BBQ place nearby in PA. Its my usual stop when I have to connect through CLT.

-JC

Agreed. Carolina Pit Barbecue does a good job, the fried pickle is a nice touch as well. Always my stop for food at CLT.

Got hooked on barbecue at a "pig-pickin" one super bowl sunday at a buddy's place near RIC. Make it myself every few months, and for airport food, it's great for a quick nosh mid-connection

Phillips is my favorite as well.

BBQ is best for a fast meal

The Tequileria has the best breakfast. Dinner is just ok and my basic margarita was $11.39!!! :mad:

The Tequileria has the best breakfast.
I haven't tried them yet but will have to. When I have the time, I usually go to Stock Car Cafe - they have both grits and biscuits.

Jim

Ithey have both grits and biscuits.Jim

Is that part of the Southern low-carb breakfast? ;)

Absolutely - if you don't cook it with fatback, smother it with gravy..... ^ Low carb means only 2 biscuits and 1 helping of potatoes with a meal. :p

Jim

Don't eat french fries there though or you will be profusely farting on your connecting flight. :p


That possibly summarizes the new US Air.......

:)

The Tequileria has the best breakfast. Dinner is just ok and my basic margarita was $11.39!!! :mad:

Yep, I found that out the hard way when I went in for a drink with $10 in my pocket.

My flight started boarding and the waitress was nowhere to be found when I needed to use my credit card.

Thanks guys! :)

I'll probably go to the seafood place, since I'll be in Concourse C anyway. We'll see how it compares to the Pappadeaux above Terminal E in IAH.. ;)


If you do find yourself pressed for time while at Phillips, the waitpersons are very accommodating and will bring your order quickly and let you pay in advance. This way, when you are done, you can leave without the need to get the attention of your server.

ps
the hushpuppies were rather disappointing in texture but tasted OK. Good mashed pototoes, however.

Phillips
Just be careful when/if ordering the crab soup. One, sometimes it's way too salty. Two, sometimes they get chintzy with the crab meat. However, as Barbie said, the servers there are very efficient and quite accomodating. Enjoy and definately make sure you get the Grey Goose Bloody (and yes, please add the extra shot for $2 more! :) )

That possibly summarizes the new US Air.......

:)

Make sure the connecting flight is on a commuter jet, too. That way the whole cabin can enjoy it.

Talk about chemical warfare. The UN War Crimes tribunals may want to come talk to you... :D

I recommend Philips or Chili's for dining, but afterward if you have time, the rocking chairs in the atrium are so comfortable. I am not one for people watching, but it's entertaining watching passengers and crews make their connections between the concourses.

As it turns out, I never saw CLT.

On the way out, my (completely full) flight went mechanical. Everyone was frantic trying to get a flight out; I, being the crazy FTer, had a list of alternate flights available in my pack ;) In thanks for making her life a mite easier, the agent rebooked me on AA xDFW in F (one of the reasons I always print up alternate flights the morning I leave).

Coming home, the weather screwed up all the flights ex-BWI and there was no way I could make my xCLT connection. I was rebooked on DL xCVG. At least now they have wifi in CVG-- last time I flew through there (mid 2003) they didn't even have outlets to charge laptops handy.

Now, I just have to call US to get original routing credit..

I, being the crazy FTer, had a list of alternate flights available in my pack ;) In thanks for making her life a mite easier, the agent rebooked me on AA xDFW in F (one of the reasons I always print up alternate flights the morning I leave).



You are, indeed a 'crazy like a fox' FTer. I will take a lesson from your experience and do the same. In my TA flights I have never had the experience of a canceled flight, nor have the connecting flights had difficulty but one never knows...... :rolleyes:

Maybe next time you get to CLT you can take advantage of all the good food advice given here. :-: :D ^