Just flew out of MIA today, and I have to agree.

Unless, of course, you happen to like waiting in long lines for substandard overpriced "fast" food options served by surly staffers in surroundings of questionable sanitary condition.

Considering the volume of passengers using this airport, it seems quite suprising that there aren't more and better choices. The fastfood scene here is grim enough (and I use the term "fast" loosely), but the lack of decent sit-down dining options is especially tough to fathom.

Chilis in CLT was not good when I tried it, however they are always packed.

Inside or outside security? I've never bothered with food options in the sterile area. I always head landside to La Carreta! That place is DAMN good. Absolutely no chain fare at all. Can't speak to other options but you really don't need any other than that.

DFW's Terminal D is definitely spoiling people for choice. Great options and reasonable pricing. IAH Terminal A is difficult. It's split into two sides and you can't stay sterile and go from one to the other. That's why the options aren't so great. Terminal E is the best at IAH. Lots of options at the food court. C is runner up. B isn't awful but isn't great.

CRP HAD the only in-airport Whataburger. Why it's gone, I don't know but shutting it down was absolute idiocy.

My personal worst though? LHR T1, specifically Est Est Est. Just horrid horrid food and priced as though it were fine dining. OH yeah, and the bar/restaurant at JNB. Wouldn't know how the food is. It was an hour later and hadn't been served yet so I just walked off after having asked twice!

I don't know if you're familiar with O'Charley's, but we now have one of those, which may be the only restaurant with table service in the entire airport (there is or was a forgettable quasi-fine-dining place, but I think it was outside the sterile area, where no one has time to linger before a flight anymore anyway). The most significant improvement is that we are finally ditching Delaware North as the concessionaire after 20+ years of exclusivity. And the new places have windows! Previously it hadn't been thought that passengers would need to see the sun or the airfield while dining.

Also PHL, MSP, and I believe DEN.

I'm familiar with O'Charleys and liked the one in Knoxville just fine. Now I live in a town where the O'Charleys can't get the service right and I don't go there.

I had a job in 77-81 that had me flying in and out of BNA and driving to Crossville, because I could get a direct flight out of BOS. I don't think the concept of airport "dining" existed in that day and age so I can't fault BNA for its lackluster offerings. Flip the calendar forward 25-30 years and expectations would be raised. Look at the competition (ok, I realize you don't select an airport based on the restaurants there) and it can be done properly. Let's hope the changes to BNA bring it to a level comparable to say, AUS and not BHM.

The exception being the AA terminal at MIA :td:

Airport Restaurants to avoid
 

Anyone traveling through CLE i would avoid the new Dunkin Donuts. Their donuts have been stale and lacking filling in the jelly donuts and cream filled donuts.

Anyone travelling through LHR T3 - avoid TGI Fridays.

They consistently give the incorrect change - 1st time I was short-changed by approx £4, and they whipped away the receipt so I couldn't check it. Row ensued, etc. Similar happened a 2nd time.

I took it up with their management - and got all my monies back, but no admission of their guilt.

IMO, it is a scam by the staff - skim off £1 here, £1 there - from customers with short-change, assuming most PAX are un-familliar with UK currency, etc.

PDX has the street-pricing policy as well.

PDX even applies the street pricing policy to specials, so you get things like Wendy's 99 cent chicken burgers at the airport at times. Probably the biggest bargain in airport food anywhere in the world.

Dublin Airport
 

Dublin Airport's Corner Cafe don't be fooled by the looks like a Corner Bakery and a very similar name -- this "cafe" serves woefully bad food. How do you mess up breakfast and a cup of tea?! I don't know but the cooks at Corner Cafe in DUB do! To be fair, Ireland has great beer and great people, but suffers from a surfeit of bad cooks and DUB airport isn't anything to write home about (unless :p you are writing home to complain about the airport's lavatory smell, lack of good seating, weird lighting, and uncomfortable temperatures).

Paschal's is actually pretty good (excellent by airport food standards). it's southern soul food. The breakfasts there are really good. I like to grab Popeye's fried chicken (spicy!) whenever I'm in ATL too. :D

LCCT part of KUL and MAD