United, OTG Give Houston's George Bush Intercontinental Airport A Culinary Facelift

Many of us spend so much time ambling around various airports that it’s amazing when one gets its act together and infuses the experience with new food options.

United Airlines and OTG announced Tuesday that both would bring a wealth of delicious and diverse food options to the airline’s complement of terminals at George Bush Intercontinental Airport.

The Houston airport is set to get a rousing makeover in the form of a revamped look along C-North Terminal and a full inclusion of new restaurants at its C-South and E terminals. There will also be in upwards of 8,000 iPads adorning the three terminals, utilizing OTG’s innovations to make the experience comfortable, seamless and intuitive.

What this means for you, John Q. Traveler, is an actual worthwhile dining experience as you wait for your flight to come in.

Gavin Molloy, United’s vice president of corporate real estate, expounded on the news: “We continue to improve the customer experience for travelers at our Houston hub. The additional dining and retail options planned for Terminals C-South and E, combined with the offerings we’ll feature in our brand-new Terminal C-North, will provide an unparalleled ‘taste of Houston’ for local travelers and visitors alike.”

That taste of the surrounding area is more than just talk, as a press release promises much in the way of locally sourced ingredients.

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Instead of lining up for the usual fast food fare, you can enjoy a taste of whimsy as you prepare to embark on the next leg of your business trip or holiday vacation.

For Terminal C-South, this means three promising spots: Magnolia Meatball Shop, Agave and H-Burger.

Magnolia will serve comfort food without the anguish that usually accompanies gut bombs. Agave is where you go to unwind and let the party continue as it serves various fajita dishes and promises the Tex-Mex options you crave.

H-Burger is more than a burger place but an opportunity to taste the local farm options.

Terminal E is just as inviting with barbecue spot Q; an Italian diner boasting a wealth of delectable options in Gavi; an opportunity to stuff your face with sushi in the enchanting Yume; and a place where you can enjoy burgers and steaks, Tanglewood Grille, as well as one where you can wash it all down, Beerhive.

Terminal C-North is not to be outdone with five selections: Vida Taqueria; Pala; Bam Bam; Olio; and Ember.

Rick Blatstein, OTG’s chief executive officer, is understandably optimistic: “Our team at OTG has been working hard for months to bring Houston a re-imagined terminal experience at Bush Intercontinental. With the announcement of these expanded concepts, we are one step closer to making that a reality for Houston’s travelers.”

It’s easy to cram a meal in your mouth as you run from one flight to another, but it’s nice to know that more airports are embracing the notion that we spend a great deal of time between gates and want an experience that reflects that.

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