In a few weeks I will be flying from DC to Buffalo, and then have a 2 hour drive to where I will be meeting up with my family on vacation. This trip will have me leaving the airport in DC around 10am and arriving at my final destination around 2pm if there are no delays.
Given the nature of the logistics, my lunch options are a) to bring food with me from DC, b) pick something up in the Regan airport prior to the flight, c) pick up something in the Buffalo airport (there's no option to stop somewhere outside the airport).
Getting from my apartment to the Regan airport in DC in July combined with the flight I think will be harsh on a meal I bring from home (though I am planning on bringing a few snacks). I'm not necessarily sure if there's any food available in the Regan airport that's necessarily worth getting compared to what I can find in the Buffalo airport (i.e. there's no Prete a Manger in Regan). None of the airport dine-in options in Buffalo will really be an option for me either.
Whatever decision I make, this will clearly not be the best meal of my life and that's ok. But any thoughts on what option would be preferable I'd appreciated.
Eat a hearty breakfast and bring some nuts? Four hours is not a terribly long time to go without food. Some people actually fast all day for days at a time during certain religious observations.
I'm not sure why picking up something in Buffalo outside the airport isn't an option: there's a Hortons on practically every street corner. The Buffalo airport used to have a place that served passable beef on weck, but that went away in the last remodel. The Anchor Bar has an outlet in the airport (though their food does tend to be messy) and there's a small food court tucked away near the lower numbered gates that has some adequate sandwiches, small pizzas and similar.
Buy something at the Buffalo airport. I'm sure there won't be anything mind-blowing but (a) that is also true of DCA and (b) the timing will be better for lunch.
I would eat before you go . Chill , and have a cocktail in the airport bar with a snack before departing. Sounds like your on vacation . Cheers .
Given that this flight leaves at 10am, I do plan on eating breakfast prior to the flight - waiting until I arrive where I'm getting and would be able to eat just isn't going to be the greatest idea. It's a vacation, but a family vacation.
I appreciate that some people are going to be fine with a good breakfast, some nuts on the plane and waiting to have lunch until 3pm (just because I arrive at 2 doesn't mean I'll be able to eat). And it might ultimately work out that way, but knowing myself and the way I travel - that's not likely to be a good idea.
Look at what terminal you're leaving from then check the Regan airport website for something that appeals. Pick up something for the plane.
Taking food on a plane can be tricky because of safety regulations about liquids, etc., but it can be done. I have traveled with a little dry meal pack that included a can of sardines, some crackers, dried fruit and a packet or two of dried soup (like chicken noodle or tomato) from Campbell's that can be rehydrated with hot water from the waitstaff on the plane. Knorr-Swiss chicken/tomato cubes are also quite tasty and can help to tide you over. It is a good idea to check well ahead of time with the airline to see what you can carry. Of course a few pieces of hard candy are always handy. There are also peanut butter and cracker kits and even those pre-packed kid's meals available at the grocery. Not great cuisine but it will get you through. If the airline will not let you carry a good old ham and cheese sandwich and an apple maybe some of these things would work.
I imagine your fellow passengers would be grateful if you don't open the sardines.
jeebus, yeah, i would never eat sardines on a plane.
am not really clear why this is so challenging? airport food is airport food, so it's going to be mediocre regardless of where you get it. go to a coffee shop or convenience store and get a muffin/bagel and a piece of fruit if you can't manage 5 hours without eating. either eat it on the plane or in your rental car.
Perhaps had I mentioned that I will have to leave my place for the airport around 7:45am and won't be able to eat where I'm arriving until 3pm, then people wouldn't be so hung up about how long I'd rather go without food.
My actual question is whether it's worth taking something from home that will suffer, or whether Regan has options to travel with an eat later or just get something fresh(er) from the Buffalo airport.
:) right. you said 10:00. it will be a lot cheaper to bring something from home and plenty of options already mentioned, like fruit, that will hold up just fine.
I feel for you: I fly from San Francisco to Buffalo twice a year, and the time change does not work in my favor. Many's the time I've left the house by 5AM Pacific Time (I take the train and BART to the airport, which adds a couple of hours to the trip), encountered weather delays in Chicago (pilots won't fly when there's a tornado on the radar) and arrived in Buffalo after 11 PM Eastern Time, by which point everything in the airport is closed. It makes for a long day. But I take along dried fruit or a roll or some energy bars in case I can't find anything edible along the way.
Now, there are some people who for various reasons require meals at regular intervals, but for most people missing or skimping on a meal isn't a big deal. (BTW, Ramadan started this week: a billion people are dealing with abstaining from sustenance during the longest days of the year in the northern hemisphere).
I still think you should take a brief detour to Tim Horton's: it's inexpensive, quick, better than average fast food and so far Western New York is the only place to find it outside of Canada.
I'd just suck it up and accept that there will be no good food options and think more about when you want to eat. When I have a morning flight I usually bring a bagel or cashew nut sandwich with a banana for breakfast. I either eat at the gate if I can or on the plane. And pick up a sandwich from the airport. Doesn't matter from where, just not from Potbelly or Quiznos (don't want it warm). I'd just get a sandwich from Reagan and bring it. I'd rather land with a full stomach, and have one less thing to deal at the destination airport. Especially when I'm not the one in control.
+1!!!
I love sardines but would be totally bullshit if the guy next to me on a packed flight pulled out a can of them.
Airlines don't determine what you can carry on.
I would probably bring something from home that will be fine for a few hours at room temp. A muffaletta sandwich or something along those lines springs to mind. Wrap it well and it will be delicious on that car trip.
Reagan's offerings:
http://reaganfoodandshops.com/directo...
Buffalo's offerings:
http://www.buffaloairport.com/Guide/S...
I'm betting that the DC options will be more appealing, even after a ride in the overhead. Some nice sandwiches offered.
===
And that said, I totally don't get why some people here need to be snarky, or insist on offering suggestions clearly not available per an OP. The OP is looking for helpful suggestions/perhaps people with experience at these airports.
Of course she could wait a few hours to eat. Of course she could pack a lunch. But isn't this a foodie/foodist/chowhound site? Doesn't a snack make things more enjoyable? Doesn't a tasty bite help reduce stress?
I imagine it takes a shrink to analyze some of the behavior of online posters. From the OP's point of view, I can understand that it's distracting and annoying.
In theory I respect the notion of thoughts outside the box in the sense that often there are other ideas that haven't been thought of yet. But to try and keep my initial post brief, I didn't go into every detail why the situation is as it is.
That being said - Worldwide, you're DC based? Is there anything in DCA's Terminal C that's cold or would travel well? Buffalo's options do look far more grim in general, but my memories of Terminal C aren't exactly of amazing options.
I imagine most of the items from Cava Meze would travel pretty well especially the salads or a vegetarian pita. http://cavagrill.com/menu
Or you could get a cold sandwich from Taylor which are always good. http://www.taylorgourmet.com/wp-conte...
Both are at DCA.
The best thing in Terminal C is Five Guys fries but I doubt you want to carry those aboard unless you plan on eating them immediately. I haven't seen it yet but the Reagan food map shows a Kapnos Taverna coming to C "soon".
If I had a good suggestion, I would've offered it. I usually starve, which justifies a lavish meal at destination. sorry!
To be honest I think there was too much detail in the OP. "What's available at airport X?" would cover it and probably get fewer offside replies.
The last time I traveled I was pleasantly surprised with the options at a couple of airports (ie/steel cut oats for breakfast in Toronto), not so much at others. I would bring nuts and other nutrient dense snacks (cheddar or minibel? boiled egg? You'll be in climate controlled environments most of the time so spoilage is not a huge issue) which can then of course be supplemented with airport food if needed. Personally I might allow myself chocolate bars, bagels, muffins, cookies, etc - fatty carbs, basically - rather than insisting on trying to find a decent sandwich or salad. Make sure to get some protein at breakfast. I am not telling you to fast, because it's not some character test, but you won't starve either. Calories will be readily available.
i find the thought of eating on planes pretty gross, actually, so, no, not everybody thinks the same way about eating and travelling.
I'd make a couple of sandwiches at home. If you like soggy things like tomatoes slice those and put them in a separate plastic bag. TSA is all over liquids and gels but I've never seen a problem with something clearly food like a tomato.
If you can think of food as just fuel for this day pack a PBJ, some gorp or dried fruit and call it day. Sandwiches like that travel well. Step it up with almond or cashew butter and some fancy jam on "good" bread. Worried that your seat mate is allergic? Make it sun butter or soy butter.
I don't see what's so complicated. There are sandwiches everywhere. Bagels with cream cheese. Pre-packed salads. Energy bars. Airports specialize in these things...
I'm thinking make a pb and j the night before on hearty bread and freeze it. Bring with and it will have defrosted by the time you want it.
If you get lucky and find something tempting for lunch in the airport then just have part of the pb and j as a snack and save your non perishable snacks for another day.
But if airport selections are lousy then you're ok too.
Ever since my epic unexpected seven hour layover incident i overpack non-perishable snacks that i keep for another day if /when I don't need them. Instant oatmeal packet (get free hot water from coffee vendor), trail mix, snack sized protein bar, etc, usually an apple and baggie of baby carrots too.
And an Empty plastic water bottle
off topic but are you having stops because when I flew that route recently it didn't even take half that!
Are you quite certain that you'll be able to eat in the car which is picking you up at Buffalo?
If you are not, then I'd recommend purchasing something at Regan, which you can eat on the plane. Bring your own sealing container, napkin and cutlery. I had trouble on one flight, when a very nice, fresh, healthy wrap leaked out of the disposable paper box provided by the deli. My traveling companions might laugh at me, but I pack a sandwich container, cloth napkins, chopsticks, and bamboo spork into a ziplock bag in my cabin baggage.
I'd pick the ones from Duchess Nukem's link you like and call a few days ahead and see if you can pre-pay an order to be waiting at the gate so you don't have to juggle it through security as well.
as in so many aspects of life: if you have this problem, so do others and a smart business sees that as an opportunity to make a buck. me, I'd be calling Taylor Gourmet, Legal Seafood and Matsutake.
I'll leave aside consideration of any of the advice you've already received and simply explain what I'd do in your shoes:
* The day before, procure some cured meat, a piece of cheese, and a little dried fruit. Whatever combination I happen to be fancying at the time (cappicolla, a triple creme, and figs sound good at present).
* The morning of, stop on the way to the airport and grab the best loaf of bread/roll I could get to without significant trouble. Maybe grab a cup of coffee (for now) and a plastic spoon (for later).
* Eat wherever and whenever the pangs strike (except, perhaps, while boarding). More than once is not out of the question.
* Enjoy my vacation with family to the best of my ability without my first words to them being, "I'm starving. Whaddaya got to eat?"
I'd go to Potbelly and get a sandwich or wrap for the plane (they even have steel cut oatmeal if you want breakfast). I need something to break up the boredom of a flight, plus I always find myself w/ too much time between check in and the flight. The way they can package it, if you don't eat it on the flight, at least you can eat in Buffalo. The other thing I'd consider is see what food they are selling on the flight. That way, you can wing it, eat if you need, or wait until Buffalo.
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