It's inevitable, really. If you're flying from place to place this holiday season, you've probably got a slew of parties and dinners and other functions to attend. Good food and fine drink will surely abound.

Unless you're stuck at the airport because the weather stinks and your flights have been delayed or canceled. Then you'll be scrambling for a decent meal and a nice adult beverage.

But don't fret. Here's our completely updated and expanded guide to your best eating and drinking spot at dozens of airports around the country. And if you just can't stomach another airport meal, we've included some terrific and easy-to-reach places to eat very close to the airport.

Atlanta

Sprawling Hartsfield-Jackson Airport is blessed with several outlets of Paschal's, 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 and comfortable pub grub in a stylishly converted gas station. There's an outdoor patio too. More elegant and with a more varied menu, The Feed Store used to be, well, a feed store. It's adjacent to the MARTA rail system's College Park station, just one stop (and about five minutes) from the airport.

Austin

At Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, there's a busy branch of Salt Lick, the beloved barbecue joint in Driftwood, Texas. Try the chopped brisket sandwich; it's sinful on a soft roll with Salt Lick's tangy sour-sweet sauce. Then wander over to Amy's Ice Creams, the Austin legend. It always has seven "standard" and a revolving list of as many as 300 specialty flavors. There's a blizzard of mix-ins and crush-ins too. Both are located in the West Concourse Food Court. Four miles from Bergstrom is the Catfish Parlour. Don't let the chaos in the dining room throw you. The catfish is terrific with the "parlour fixins" of hush puppies, pinto beans, vinegary cole slaw and jalapeño-spiked tartar sauce.

Baltimore/Washington

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 Maryland specialty, head for Obrycki's between Gates B-9 and B-11. It's the scaled-down airport version of one of Baltimore's legendary crab houses. If you must have your crab off the airport, try 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.

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 time-pressed business travelers.

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 in the Central Atrium; it's a branch of the big commercial processor about 100 miles away in Siler City. The Carolina Beer Company near Gate D7 is the best place to imbibe. It dispenses a seasonal rotation of local brews under the Carolina Blonde and Cottonwood Ale brands. 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.

Chicago/O'Hare

The big news at O'Hare Airport is the imminent arrival of Rick Bayless, Chicagoland's Mexican food master. He's due to open a pair of airport outlets. Meanwhile, I'm fine with Burrito Beach, an admired 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. The Berghoff is another magical name in Chicagoland and some vestiges of the German-Austrian landmark have reopened on West Adams Street. The branch at Terminal One in is probably best for a beer and to say you've been. For long layovers and a sit-down meal, walk into the past by passing through the tunnel connecting Terminal 2 to the O'Hare Hilton hotel. There you'll find the last Gaslight Club, which was Hugh Hefner's model for the Playboy Club. No longer members-only, the Gaslight nevertheless retains its otherworldly Victorian/speakeasy vibe and its scantily clad servers from distant lands. Drinks are good and the menu is serviceable. 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 seven miles away.

Chicago/Midway

If you use Midway, Chicago's smaller, in-town airport, grab a frankfurter, bratwurst or polish sausage at Gold Coast Dogs, a Chicago institution. (There are also several branches at O'Hare Airport.) 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. In Terminal A, there's a less-than-stellar branch of Manny's Deli, a treasured Chicago dispenser of potato pancakes and corned beef. You might do better with a drink at the attached Halsted Street Tap. 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.

Cincinnati

I'm not certain I understand Cincinnati's love affair with chili, especially since the regional variations usually omit chilies and chili powder and end up as an accompaniment for spaghetti, shredded cheese, hot dogs or fries. But you can find an outpost of Gold Star, one of the city's ubiquitous chili chains, at Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Airport. It's in the Concourse B food mall in Terminal 3. If you need more substantial fare, a branch of the Montgomery Inn is seven Interstate miles away. The specialty there is pork loin ribs and a savory barbecue sauce that is also slathered on the house pork chops, chicken and duck.

Cleveland

Cleveland Hopkins Airport seems to be in a constant state of flux, but the most recent renovation has brought a branch of Obrycki's, the Maryland crab cake legend. It opened in May in Terminal D and the crab cakes, crab soup and the hot crab dip are what to eat. If you're looking for local, though, look in Parma Heights, about four miles from Hopkins. That's where the Whip Coffee Shop (known locally as "The Whip") has been the go-to joint for 70 years. Breakfasts are best, but don't pass on the stuffed cabbage if it's on the specials menu. Locals like the City Chicken, which most of us recognize as a kebab.

Dallas/Fort Worth

Irish pub may not be what leaps to mind when you're thinking food and drink at Dallas/Fort Worth International. But even blasé business travelers rave about Tigin in Terminal D. The All-Day Irish breakfast is surprisingly authentic and complete. Bangers and mash also work nicely with a draft pint of Harp, Smithwick's or Guinness. If Dallas means BBQ to you, try the Texas-style 'cue at Cousin's in either Terminal B or D. And blasphemous as it sounds in Texas, I love the pulled pork at Dickey's Barbecue Pit, which has branches in Terminals A, C and E. Since I once clocked the drive from the car-rental lot to the outer gate of DFW at nine miles, it might not be wise to venture off the airport any further than the lavish Grand Hyatt DFW, which is connected to Terminal D. It has a snappy bar (M Lounge), a surprisingly good all-day restaurant (Grand Met) and iTaste, which offers 30-minute tasting courses of wine, cheese or chocolate.