I've got a long (~4.5 hour) connection in MSP on Saturday afternoon/evening. I don't have any status on NW so I won't be able to visit a WorldClub to pass the time. I don't connect in MSP very often so I'm wondering what the best options would be to get some dinner and a beer or two.

I used to like to hang out at TGI Fridays in the middle of C concourse before I joined the club.

Not really NW related, and I'm sure one of our helpful moderators will move this to the Travel&Dining forum, but I'll take a crack at it anyway since the post will remain after the thread moves.

What kind of food are you looking for? If nothing too fancy, take the light rail line to the Mall of America where you can either eat food court/fast food style or choose from a number of traditional sit down restaurants, as well as be protected from the elements (although the weather this week is actually quite mild ).

Otherwise, the de facto suggestion, IMO: take a cab to Fat Lorenzo's on the north side of the airport. 5-10 minute cab ride, tops, except if there is traffic. Italian/Pizza joint with many food options, plus you get Crayons to draw on the "tablecloth" with. They have a decent selection of bottled beers, but I forget what (if any) they have on tap.

If you want to stay in the airport, Ike's Food and Cocktails (intersection of E and C concourse, next to Rock Bottom) has some pretty good food and a quiet atmosphere, but it can get pricey. Avg. entrees probably run $15 and up, but you can get sandwiches or burgers for a little less.

There's another restaurant in MSP called Ike's - nice place if you actually want food. There's also Rock Bottom brewery (or something like that) around the C/D entrance.

I most likely will want to just stay at the airport somewhere. I'm going to be traveling with a fair amount of carry-on baggage so I'd rather not lug it across town in a taxi. I kinda figured this might get moved out of this forum but since most of the MSP experts reside here it would be a good place to start.

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I concur with SchmutzigMSP... And if you really have money to spend, D'amico has/had a nice restaurant on concourse F with a great wine cellar.

Depends on your tastes.

I always end up at either Rock Bottom or TGI Friday's because having a decent draft beer is my number one priority if I don't have business after my connection. Food at either is what you'd expect from a sit
down chain eatery -- nothing spectacular, but not bad.

If you go to Friday's, may I suggest the Summit Pale Ale. Local beer and quite good, IMO.

MSP is one of only two or three airports nationwide that have re-installed the self-service luggage lockers airside. They're all over the terminal area (one at beginning of F, one about 3-4 gates down on E, one midway across the C/G concourse connector, probably a few other locations I've forgotten). They're pretty cheap, definitely secure (fingerprint scan required to rent initially and to unlock), and accept all major credit cards for your points earning pleasures. I would not hesitate one bit to leave my luggage in one (or more) of these lockers and head out on the town.

Don't get me wrong, MSP is quickly becoming a very nice airport to lay-over in with capital improvements such as food, retail, and creature comforts. But with a layover that long, I'd really recommend some fresh, albeit frosty, Minnesota air.

There won't be any shortage of frosty Minnesota air on this trip. I'm connecting through to INL so I'm sure I'll get a healthy dose

I've eaten a couple dinners at French Meadow Bakery - nice selection.

I agree with the previous post: Rent a locker and head over to the Mall of America. Plenty of places to eat and enough time left over to walk off the calories. I enjoy the crisp, cool air. Refreshing after a long flight or right before one.

You can choose; Wok & Roll, Split Rock, Sbarros, Cool Planet, D'Amigo, Wetzel's Pretzels, Rapidos, Itasca Grille, Malibu Al's, Good Earth, Dunn Bros Coffee, Cinnabon, Copper Stein, Lake Line Pub, Sola Squeeze, Famous Dave's and Market to Go

California Pizza Kitchen, Aunt Annie's Pretzels, Hot Dog City, Jodie Maroni's,
Maui Taco, Surf Bar, etc
http://www.ifly.com/minneapolis-st-p...tional-airport

I will recommend Ike's as well... my fiancee and I hit there when we missed our connection on the Monday after T'giving (delay out of ORD due to crew getting in late the previous night, literally missed the MSP-SJC flight by 30 seconds and ended up having to fly MSP-IAH-SJC, leaving eight hours later, but I digress).

We ended up ordering a number of their small plates to share... it wasn't cheap, but the food was really good, even despite my foul disposition of the day.

D'Amico on the F concourse I think a great option.... My favorite at MSP if you need to kill some time and want a good meal

I know you're asking about eating, but MSP is one of the few airports that still has a full service barber shop if you happen to need a trim and have some time to spend. And they are pretty good.

Also, for fast food -- the burgers at the DairyQueen on the C concourse are pretty good.