Business travelers despise "dwell time." And why shouldn't we? Dwell time is an industry euphemism that describes all of the hours we spend waiting at an airport because we cleared security too quickly or were trapped by a delayed flight.

But dwell at airports we do, and that means we must eat. The good news on that front is that airports are going out of their corporate way to improve their dining options. There are more notable places than ever before at the nation's major airports and hub cities—and more good places to eat right near the airports too.

On the way to improving the airport dining experience, however, the airport pooh-bahs have learned some interesting lessons. Breakfast is a more popular sit-down meal for travelers (and especially families) than any restaurant consultant expected. Yet even with this knowledge, major airports are still short of good places to chow down comfortably in the morning hours.

And those big-deal, big-ticket, fine-dining joints that have sprouted up at terminals around the country? They are rushing to add faster, more casual menu items because travelers prefer simple foods to full-course feasts.

"We may have overestimated our ability to convince travelers to sit down to have a multi-course meal just an hour or so before a flight," one airport executive admits. "Finger foods like burgers, sandwiches, and wraps still outsell steaks and more complicated entrees. People want better food, not fancier food, and we may have confused the two."

One thing to keep in mind as you head out on your next trip: often the best dining options will be outside an airport. Find yourself with a long layover? Break free of the terminal and take a cab. Or stop on your way to the airport and fortify before going through the travel routine.

With all that in mind, here's my updated 2010 list of the best dining options at and around the nation's big airport cities.

To download a PDF of our list, click here.

Atlanta

Sprawling Hartsfield-Jackson Airport is blessed with several outlets of Paschal's, for years a local bastion of traditional Southern cuisine. If you can handle the fusion, One Flew South merges southern flavors, sushi, and other international fare. Located on Concourse E, it's probably the snappiest bar in the airport too. If you want to wander outside the airport bubble, two places in College Park, about four miles away, will do. The Brake Pad does cheap, comfortable pub grub in a stylishly converted old gas station, and it has an outdoor patio. Slightly more upscale in style and menu, The Feed Store used to be, well, a feed store.

The Brake Pad
http://www.brakepadtlanta.com
3403 Main St.
College Park, GA 30337
(404) 766-1515

The Feed Store
http://www.thefeedstorerestaurant.com/
3841 Main St.
College Park, GA 30337
(404) 209-7979

Baltimore

The Greene Turtle Sports Bar and Grille has more than two dozen locations in the Mid-Atlantic region and has an outlet in Concourse D of Baltimore-Washington International Airport. The chain's turtle wraps are famous, if not particularly healthy. For those interested in another Baltimore specialty, head for crab cakes at G&M Restaurant in Linthicum Heights, about five Interstate miles from the airport gates. Focus on the justly famous crab cakes and ignore the rest of the menu.

G&M Restaurant & Lounge
http://gandmrestaurant.com/
804 Hammonds Ferry Rd.
Linthicum Heights, MD 21090
(410) 636-1777

Boston

What would a visit to Boston be without a stop at Legal Sea Foods, the city's omnipresent chain of high-quality fish houses. If you miss one in town, Logan Airport has two traditional Legal outlets (Terminals B and C) and a specially configured restaurant called Legal Test Kitchen (Terminal A), which can serve up a real meal in less than 30 minutes. Want to indulge in pizza, Boston's other obsession? Santarpio's is less than two miles away and remains the gold standard of Boston pies. But beware: It isn't as consistent as it used to be and the waits can be off-putting for business travelers.

Santarpio's Pizza
http://www.santarpiospizza.com
111 Chelsea St.
Boston, MA 02128
(617) 567-9871

Charlotte

Charlotte Douglas International is one of the most pleasant airports in the country. It even has a leafy and relaxing central Atrium. But food? Not so much. You'll probably do best at Brookwood Farms BBQ, the airport branch of the big commercial processor about 100 miles away in Siler City. Less than eight miles from the airport, however, the South Boulevard branch of the slick Villa Antonio has a fanatic following for both lunch and dinner. It makes a great pork sandwich—even if it is Italian style (the loin meat is topped with mozzarella, sautéed mushrooms, onions, and citrus aioli) in the middle of barbecue country.

Villa Antonio
http://www.villaantonio.com
4707 S. Boulevard
Charlotte, NC 28217
(704) 523-1594

Chicago/O'Hare

The Berghoff is a magical name in Chicagoland, and some vestiges of the German-Austrian landmark have reopened on West Adams Street. The branch at Terminal 1 in O'Hare Airport is probably best for a beer and to say you've been. For food, I prefer a quick bite at Burrito Beach, a local Mexican chain with a kiosk in the food court between Concourses H and K in Terminal 3. The black-bean-and-red-rice burrito appeals to my inner vegetarian. If you want out of the airport and crave a stuffed-crust pizza, the Rosemont branch of Giordano's is about four miles away. Or you could opt for Chicago's traditional deep-dish style at the Park Ridge branch of Lou Malnati's about seven miles away.

Giordano's
http://www.giordanos.com
9415 W. Higgins Rd.
Rosemont, IL 60018
(847) 292-2600

Lou Malnati's
http://www.loumalnatis.com/
650 N. Northwest Hwy
Park Ridge, IL 60068
(847) 292-2277

Chicago/Midway

If you use Midway, the smaller, in-town airport, grab a frankfurter, bratwurst, or polish sausage at Gold Coast Dogs, a Chicago institution. (There's also a branch at O'Hare.) And how could you not at least hoist one at Harry Caray's, a bar that claims to be a steakhouse. Both are in the so-called Midway Triangle. If you can get out of the airport, the nearest Giordano's is on South Cicero, one of the streets bordering the airport. The nearest Lou Malnati's, on West Ogden, is about five miles out.

Giordano's
6314 S. Cicero
Chicago, IL 60638
(773) 585-6100

Lou Malnati's
3859 W. Ogden Ave.
Chicago, IL 60623
(773) 762-0800