It wasn't quite what the OP suggested, but at the old terminal at IND, the only accessible part of the terminal that the general public could get into was the ticketing/check-in counters. If my memory serves me correctly, there was a news stand and a coffee shop. To get to anything else, you had to go through the checkpoint.

Now, at the new terminal, you can walk in, and go up the escalator to Civic Plaza, where there is a food court and then the checkpoints are on the left and right side of the food court leading to the gate areas.

With the OP's suggestion, even at an airport the size of IND, security would take forever. Civic Plaza is always packed with both travellers and non-travellers. It's a good place to get a bite to eat (and not really expensive) while saying good-bye to loved ones or just relaxing before heading to the gate.