The Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport is embarking on its first major redevelopment of Terminal 1 since 2017. We’re not just talking aesthetics; new lighting, flooring, and the like. (That said—justice for the not-yet-remodeled Terminal 1 bathrooms, they deserve stunning glass mosaics and extra-wide stalls too!) Here’s the fun part: This summer, the airport will issue a request for proposals for more than 45 food, beverage, and retail spaces throughout Terminal 1. That’s about a third of the total vendor spaces MSP Airport has across both terminals, so expect big changes to come.
Sports betting I abhor, but airport food betting I can get behind. Which local restaurants do you think will open locations at MSP? Online discourse has already begun—we’re hearing votes for proper pastries from Bellecour, Marc Heu Patisserie, Dahlia, and Black Walnut; ice cream from Bebe Zito; Mexican fare from El Sazon, Taco Taxi, and Centro; banh mi from Lu’s Sandwiches or Quang; other bites from Saturday Dumpling Co., Del Sur Empanadas, and more. (To the commenter saying Matt’s Bar—hard no, we cannot bastardize Minnesota’s greatest culinary invention at an airport counter.)
For me, the best part about traveling anywhere is getting a big clamshell of Panda Express, loading it up with orange chicken and fried rice, and eating it on the plane; watching my feet swell to three times their usual size thanks to the combination of cabin pressure and sodium. I would love to see a place like Soul Bowl or Union Hmong Kitchen at the airport, as it’s KEY to have places that’ll serve you a solid, rib-sticking meal to last you through long hauls and risky layovers. Mostly, though, I’m just excited to see how this redo unfolds…