A Guide to Austin Airport’s Upcoming New Dining Restaurants and Bars

While some airports offer dining options as derided as the food on the plane, Austin-Bergstrom International Airport has always kept it “weird” by hosting almost exclusively local restaurants. As the airport gets a facelift to cater to the ever-expanding city, even more hometown favorites are setting up shop in the airport to allow for one last taste of Austin before departing to a place with almost-certainly inferior barbecue/tacos/queso.

Most of the new additions are being facilitated by Delaware North, a concession management company. The timelines for openings are a bit staggered. Some places, like the Italian I Vini and separate South Terminal food truck court, are already open, the East Food Court is expected to start renovations this year, and the West Food Court will start construction in 2018. Looking far into the future, a nine-gate expansion to the airport is scheduled for 2019, which will include even more concessions and an outdoor patio space. It isn’t known yet how the current dining options will be affected, other than those undergoing renovations.

With that, here’s a breakdown of what to expect from Austin’s future airport dining options.

Rendering: Second Bar and Kitchen/Official

Second Bar and Kitchen
Location: Near Gate 7
A third location of the popular La Corsha Hospitality Group restaurant from chef David Bull will open in the airport very, very soon. The menu, executed by chef Jesse Marco, will look familiar — black truffle pommes frites, pizzas — though the bar will supplement local favorites with two exclusive airport cocktails: Pain Killer and Walker Manhattan.

Tacodeli
Location: Near Gate 9
Even those passing through Austin will get to try some of the best-known tacos in the city with the addition of Tacodeli to the airport. Though the menu will likely be abbreviated, the infamous salsa doña is a must-try.

Austin-Bergstrom International Airport/Facebook

JuiceLand
Location: East Food Court
Providing a healthy option at the airport, JuiceLand will offer smoothies, bottled juices, and grab-and-go vegan food from a standalone shop. JuiceLand may even be recognized by airport visitors, as it can now boast locations in Houston, Dallas, and Brooklyn.

Peached Tortilla
Location: East Food Court
One of the city’s original food truck success stories, Peached Tortilla bring out its hits at the airport for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The focus will be on tacos and bowls, including the brisket, cauliflower tacos, and pad thai, though the Japajam burger and a noodle dish or two are expected to make appearances.

Departure Lounge
Location: East Food Court
The former travel agency and cafe separated its two components, with the travel agency moving to Westlake and the wine bar/coffee shop heading to, appropriately, the airport. This new location will feature an expanded menu of sandwiches, pastries, cheese, and chocolates in addition to coffee, wine, and beer. Though travel advisors won’t be on hand, the cafe will advertise services at the Westlake travel agency.

Dick Clark + Associates

Annies Cafe and Farm Aire
Location: Near Gate 18
Currently closed for renovations, Annie’s Cafe is expanding to add a new espresso and pastry bar, update the cocktail bar, increase seating, and offer new menu items (organic and locally sourced when possible). The Farm Aire takeaway kiosk will also move to the center of the store. The new cafe will be 1,914 square feet, including the small performance stage, and the facelift is slated to complete by the end of the year.

Mad Greens
Location: East Food Court
The healthy chain based out of Colorado is bringing its made-to-order salads to the airport. It will also serve juices, paninis, and a new morning menu (think: breakfast paninis, tacos, and bowls), though the final menu isn’t set yet.

Berry Austin
Location: East Food Court
An Austin original, Berry serves frozen yogurt that can be turned into floats and smoothies. The Austin stores are self-serve with ten flavors and lots of toppings, but it isn’t clear if this is how the airport location will operate. There is a reason for the proximity to Second Bar and Kitchen: Berry’s founder Kathy Steele is married to Jeff Trigger of La Corsha Hospitality.

Salt Lick
Location: Gates 12-13
To enable more people searching to bring back entire frozen briskets for flights to barbecue-deprived states, Salt Lick is relocating and expanding its stake at the airport. The new space, which will be 1,454 square feet, will serve the same famous brisket, smoked meats, and breakfast tacos.

Rendering: iCrave

Hat Creek Burger Co.
Location: West End Food Court
This family-friendly burger joint sadly will not have a playground like its other locations, but will feature gluten-free chicken nuggets, salads, craft beer, a few new menu items, and, of course, juicy cheeseburgers with fries. As the restaurant starts serving at 6 a.m., the menu also includes breakfast platters.

Mandola’s Italian Kitchen
Location: West Food Court
Similar to other locations of family-owned Mandola’s in Austin, the airport offshoot appears to include plans for a market in addition to traditional Italian dishes. While there is no official word on plans for the airport, expect pizza (the renderings have a pizza oven), pasta, and paninis.

Flyrite Chicken
Location: West Food Court
The airport outpost of the local chicken specialists should be fairly similar to other locations of the fast-casual eatery, with the bird served grilled or crispy in wraps and sandwiches. One exception is that milkshakes will probably not make an appearance, since Amy's Ice Creams will be in close proximity.

Rendering: iCrave

Amy’s Ice Cream
Location: West Food Court
While Amy’s is no newcomer to the airport, the space is undergoing renovations. What those changes will entail aren’t clear yet, but expect the rich ice cream.

Hut’s Hamburgers
Location: West Food Court
The original location of Hut’s Hamburgers, which has been an Austin staple for over 77 years, features 20 varieties of burger featuring Texas-raised beef and buffalo. The airport location is planning on 12 burgers, including a veggie and chicken breast, and will include most of the sandwiches and salads. A breakfast menu is also in the works.

Jo’s Coffee
Location: West Food Court
Jo’s Coffee declined to comment on its airport plans, but the cafe will likely have a similar menu of caffeinated drinks (including the popular Turbo with blended cold coffee, chocolate, hazelnut, and cream), sandwiches, and baked goods.

Wholly Cow/Facebook

All Coverage of Austin Bergstrom-International Airport [EATX]