New York/Kennedy

The multiple-terminal Kennedy Airport is still tricky to get around unless you've mastered the train system and get the timing right. In Delta Air Lines' Terminal 2, Todd English operates a bar and a steakhouse, both called Bonfire. In the shared international Terminal 4, you'll find the first airport branch of the Palm steakhouse. JetBlue Airways' much-discussed Terminal 5 food project is impressive for its diversity, less impressive for quality. But Deep Blue Sushi is good. And travelers rave about the branch of the Vino Volo wine bar at American Airlines' Terminal 8. Only a traffic sadist risks an off-airport run. If you're one of those, try Lucky Boy, a beloved local Greek dive in nearby Lawrence, New York. It has great food, surprising desserts, and dirt-cheap prices. And my friend Mister Meatball and many other smart travelers insist that Don Peppe, a nearly mythic Italian place, is more than worth any extra traffic. The can't-miss dish? Linguine with white clam sauce. "You will cry" with joy, says Mr. Meatball, who grew up around JFK.

Lucky Boy
636 Rockaway Tpke. #3
Lawrence, NY 11559
(516) 239-9352

Don Peppe
13558 Lefferts Boulevard
Jamaica, NY 11420
(718) 845-7587

New York/Newark

The late Joe Baum, who created the Four Seasons and Windows on the World restaurants, got his start in the 1950s with the Newarker, an airport restaurant so good that people used to go to the airport just to eat. Newark Liberty Airport has nothing like that today, of course. Still, I'll happily settle for a garlicky hot dog and chunky fries from the Nathan's Famous kiosk in Continental Airlines' Terminal C1 Food Court. And you'll find a surprisingly satisfying branch of Gallagher's Steakhouse at the entrance of the C3 Concourse. About 10 minutes from Newark International is Casa Vasca, which melds Basque, Spanish, and Portuguese cuisines. Locals prefer munching in the bar, which offers daily specials off a blackboard.

Casa Vasca
http://www.casavascarestaurant.com/Casa_Vasca/Welcome.html
141 Elm St.
Newark, NJ 07105
(973) 465-1350

Oakland

If you're using Oakland International, the Bay Area's secondary airport, your best dining and drinking option is Vino Volo, the airport-based chain of wine bars. It opened in December in Terminal 2 near Gate 25. Also new in Terminal 2 is another outpost of the aforementioned Andalé Mexican. And if you want a hoot, take your sense of humor one block from the airport's front gates to Dewey Bargiacchi's Francesco's. The 40-year-old joint is an odd agglomeration of diner, family-style Italian-American restaurant, and brown-liquor meet-and-greet hangout. The food is simple, portions are gigantic, prices are low—and there are black-and-white photos of the old days at Oakland Airport on the wall.

Dewey Bargiacchi's Francesco's
http://www.francescosrestaurant.com/
8520 Pardee Dr.
Oakland CA 94621
(510) 569-0653

Philadelphia

When you're at Philadelphia International, have a drink at Cibo's, the cozy bistro with outlets on Terminals A-West and B. There are about three dozen wines available by the glass. But hold your appetite for another local favorite: Chickie's and Pete's, the local seafood-chain-cum-sports bars that has opened branches in Terminals A-West, C, and E. Meanwhile, if you’re into some off-the-airport excitement, try Bomb Bomb BBQ Grill and Italian Restaurant, a place that could only exist in South Philly. The traditional Southern Italian menu (tomato sauce is called gravy here) somehow co-exists with a roster of award-winning baby-back ribs and chicken dishes. It's eight miles from Philadelphia International.

Bomb Bomb BBQ Grill and Italian Restaurant
http://www.bombbomb-restaurant.com/Home.html
1026 Wolf St.
Philadelphia, PA 19148
(215) 463-1311

Phoenix

At Phoenix's Sky Harbor Airport, I can't resist the fresh, tasty, and inventive burritos from Blue Burrito Grille. The small Arizona chain has outlets in Terminals 3 and 4. (There are Blue Burrito kiosks at the airports in Las Vegas and Salt Lake City too.) Paradise Bakery and Café, a respected, mostly Western chain, has locations in Terminals 2, 3, and 4. Off the airport, the good news is that the legendary Pizzeria Bianco is less than five miles away. But before you dream of a between-flights feast of the iconic Rosa pizza (red onion, parmigiano reggiano, rosemary, and pistachios), consider the bad news: The dinner-only place takes no reservations for small groups, and the lines are insanely long. Worst of all, owner Chris Bianco himself is on sabbatical and no longer making every pie. A more practical alternative for time-pressed business travelers is Comedor Guadalahara, a beloved family-owned Mexican restaurant that's just a few minutes' drive from Sky Harbor. It's authentic, reasonably priced, and open for lunch and dinner.

Pizzeria Bianco
http://www.pizzeriabianco.com
623 E Adams St.
Phoenix, AZ 85004
(602) 258 8300

Comedor Guadalajara
http://www.comedorguadalajara.com
1830 S. Central Ave.
Phoenix, AZ 85004
(602) 253-8299

Salt Lake City

The Western hub for Delta Air Lines, Salt Lake City International is consistently one of the nation's most-timely airports, so don't bank on a lavish between-flights repast. Grab a fresh, juicy burrito at the Blue Burrito Grille (Terminal One, Concourse B) or a terrific beer on tap at the airport branch of Park City's Wastach Brew Pub (Terminal Two, Concourse D). If you insist on an off-airport meal, the Red Iguana serves up Southwestern cuisine as well as excellent regional Mexican specialties. It's one of Utah's best and best-known restaurants and it's only six miles away.

Red Iguana
http://www.rediguana.com
736 W. North Temple
Salt Lake City, UT 84116
(801) 322-1489

San Diego

Construction begins next month at San Diego International, so you'll probably need the buzz from one of the nicely crafted microbrews at the Karl Strauss Brewing Company. It has locations in both Terminal 1 and 2. If that won't do, try Hexagone, a charming Modern French dining room just two miles from the runway.

Hexagone
http://www.hexagonerestaurant.com/
495 Laurel St.
San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 236-0467

San Francisco

No airport has as many food partisans as San Francisco International. Some swear by the fish and chowders at the airport branch of Yankee Pier, located in Terminal 3 near Gate 72. The airport branch of Ebisu, a much-loved local mini-chain of sushi bars, is located in the International Terminal. And Andalé Mexican is as omnipresent at SFO (with locations in Terminals 1 and 3 and the International Terminal) as it is in the Bay Area itself. Looking for sustenance off the airport? You'll find a branch of the legendary In-N-Out burger chain just two miles away in Millbrae. About seven miles away in San Mateo is the Sinbad Grill, a Middle Eastern market and deli that's morphed into full-line restaurant. It still does terrific hummus, nice falafel and good grilled kebabs.

Sinbad Grill
http://www.sinbadgrill.com
150 E. 4th
San Mateo, CA 94401
(650) 347-6060

In-N-Out Burger
http://www.in-n-out.com
11 Rollins Road
Millbrae, CA 94030
(650) 259-0623

Seattle

The unquestioned dining star of Seattle-Tacoma Airport is Dish D'Lish, the takeout food concept of Seattle superstar chef Kathy Casey. The menu is varied, tasty, and fresh. Every airport should be so lucky. There are branches in the Central Terminal and the Main Ticketing areas. Sea-Tac is one of the places where you'll eat better in the airport than nearby, but, if you must escape, try the good Thai food at the original Bai Tong, two miles from the airport.

Bai Tong
http://www.baitongrestaurant.com
16876 Southcenter Pkwy.
Tukwila, WA 98118
(206) 575-3366

Tampa

Tampa International Airport is always at or near the top of airports that business travelers admire. The place just seems sane and flows logically. But the on-airport dining options are less admired. So many jaded flyers still head over to The View at CK's, the revolving restaurant atop the airport's Marriott Hotel. The 360-degree views of Tampa Bay are breathtaking. The food is, um, what you'd expect from a revolving rooftop joint. Keep it simple. If you want great food with your great view, however, then it's Oystercatchers in the Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay hotel. Superlative seafood and polished service will make you forget that you in a hotel just off the outer perimeter of an airport.

Oystercatchers
http://hyatt.com/gallery/oystercatchers/
Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay
2900 Bayport Drive
Tampa, Florida 33607
(813) 207-6815

Washington/Reagan National

Travelers who believe the only true road foods are burgers, fries and hot dogs find their holy grail at National Airport at Five Guys. The burgers are hand formed and the meat is never frozen. Its hot dogs are 100 percent kosher and the fries are cooked in peanut oil. The fast-growing, family-owned chain got its start in Northern Virginia, so it's no surprise there's a branch on the airport's North Pier. And Ranch 1 still grills a formidable chicken sandwich at its stand at North Terminal C. If you want to eat before you fly, find the unprepossessing Kebab Palace, about a mile from the airport in Arlington, Virginia. Terrific kebabs and curries at dirt-cheap prices and the place never seems to close.

Kabab Palace
http://www.kabobpalaceusa.com/
2315 South Eads St.
Arlington, VA 22202
(703) 979-2200

Washington/Dulles Airport

Five Guys has also set up shop in Concourse A (near Gate A3) and Concourse B (near Gate 71) of Dulles Airport. If you want more refined fare, a branch of Vino Volo, the wine bar, is located on Concourse C near Gate C3. Just 6.5 miles from Dulles is Thai Luang, a comfortable, family-owned place. The familiar curries, stir fries and noodle are reliable and authentically flavored. The Crispy Duck is a local favorite.

Thai Luang
http://www.thailuang.com
171 Elden Street Herndon, VA 20170
(703) 478-2233

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Joe Brancatelli writes Portfolio.com’s business travel column, Seat 2B. Brancatelli is the former executive editor of Frequent Flyer magazine and operates the membership site JoeSentMe.com. You can reach him at jbrancatelli@portfolio.com.