Eric Ripert: Miami Airport Stinks, But Try La Carreta … and Other Recommendations

While it’s safe to say that every Miamian has a different opinion about what to love about our fair city — the amazing weather, pristine beaches, exciting nightlife, fine dining — we will probably agree on one thing: Miami International Airport sucks. Plan on spending an extra few hours on the security lines, only to wait some more when your plane is delayed…sometimes for weather, but usually for no good reason at all.

Celebrity Chef Eric Ripert agrees. The executive chef and co-owner of Le Bernardin, rated four stars by The New York Times and three stars by Michelin Guide, calls Miami International Airport “pretty dysfunctional” in a recent Wall Street Journal article on airport food.

Frequent traveler Ripert did, however, recommend the airport’s branches

of Cuban chain La Carreta for food on the fly. “They do fantastic yucca

fries, and it’s so classic Cuban Miami”, Ripert gushes, noting it’s the

go-to place for pilots and stewards who want to fuel up on coladas and

Media Noches before taking off on yet another flight.  La Carreta is located on the second level of Terminal D at Miami International, and also has a few cafe stands at various other terminals inside the airport, perfect for a quick caffeine jolt.

Where else

does Ripert dine before boarding a jet? Here are chef’s other

recommendations around the country, so you don’t have to settle for a stale pretzel or pizza

when your flight is delayed:

JFK Airport in New York (American Airlines Terminal)
Bobby Van’s Steakhouse for a sit-down steakhouse experience.

LaGuardia Airport in New York (Delta Terminal)
Crust for thin-crust pizza and wines by the glass

O’Hare Airport In Chicago
Billy Goat Tavern for burgers and breakfast

Reagan National Airport in Washington D.C.
Matsutake for well-made, fresh sushi

Los Angeles International Airport
Wolfgang Puck for smoked salmon pizza with wasabi cream.

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