T-Gates: This wine-centric chain isn’t unique to Atlanta, but they’ve partnered with Southern National to bring down-home flair to their ATL menu. It’s a long trek to the very end of Concourse T, but we’d gladly make this expedition to enjoy a calmer section of the airport as we dig into upscale Southern dishes like their lamb ragu with tasty ground lamb, al dente rigatoni, and a light dusting of parmesan.

Terminals T and D. While there’s a host of burger joints around the terminals, Grindhouse’s two airport posts (Terminal T and D) are the best fast-casual options and the only spots where you can get ’em while also staring at vintage toys on the shelves. Here you select breakfast or lunch from a self-service touchscreen. Pat yourself on the back for making the proper order of a Grindhouse-style double burger, crinkle fries, and a Blizzard-like Oreo Chiller.

Terminal A. A marble countertop bar, a kitchen window to watch as chefs prep your food, and menu options like fig and ricotta toast and port-marinated lamb shank almost make us forget we’re at the airport when we eat at Cat Cora’s—although the carry-on suitcases in between tables provide a helpful reminder. Hit this contemporary American food spot when your flight has been delayed because service doesn’t exactly reach supersonic speeds.

Terminal A. Varasano’s has always been a quiet, low-key pizzeria in Buckhead. But the location in the airport is neither quiet nor low-key since it sits at the back of an always busy food court in Concourse A. While the menu isn’t as robust as the original restaurant, it's easy to forgive them since you’re just here for the pizza anyway. The airport Varasano’s still cooks its dough at high temperatures, so you get the crispy yet soft-centered Neapolitan crust that we love from the brand.

Terminal A. Before Atlanta-born celebrity chef G. Garvin opened his midtown restaurant, his southern cafeteria-style food stall was holding things down in Terminal A’s food court for nearly a decade. For anyone in the mood for a home-cooked meal, LowCountry delivers just that—and much faster than any other hot food vendor in the airport. The baked rosemary chicken is tender and filling enough to keep you content on any long-haul flight.

Terminal B. If you're just passing through Atlanta, all you might notice about Paschal’s is its cafeteria-style spread of ribs, collards, and other soul food staples. What we see is a tasty extension of a culinary institution rooted in the ATL since the ’40s. The forkfuls of down-home delight you get with the fried chicken and mac and cheese here in the food court is nearly the same as what you get at the iconic Northside Drive location.

Terminal D. There aren’t a ton of BBQ options at the airport, which makes sense because scarfing down huge helpings of pork, baked beans, and mac and cheese might not be the ideal meal before being squished into a middle seat for five hours. But when Mustard Seed’s tender brisket and slightly vinegary potato salad touches our lips, it puts all thoughts of fighting for an arm rest out of our minds (it belongs to the middle seat. Period).

Terminal D. One of Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport’s tastiest destinations, Chicken + Beer in Concourse D pays homage to co-owner Ludacris’ prolific past with CD plaques and murals on the wall. Most importantly for travelers, its primary focus is serving bar standards, southern staples (catfish, ribs), and good brews. Try the three plump whole wings covered in a spicy Hotlanta sauce that tickles long after you’ve finished your IPA.

Terminal E. We’d rather drag a broken rollaboard down Peachtree than fight families for a gate seat, which is why we just hit One Flew South if there's extra time before departure. Plus, drinking sake while pretending to forest bathe in floor-to-ceiling imagery of lush green trees beats any fancy lounge pass. Since 2009, the Asian and southern fusion restaurant has had people reconfiguring their flight schedules for a taste of their internationally-famous dishes.

Terminal F. The real reason ATL experts recommend that you arrive three hours early for an international flight isn't about getting through security, but for relaxing at Ecco. Yes, that's a bold claim but we stand by it. A (dare we say) sexy restaurant and bar in Terminal F, the wood-accentuated, softly-lit Ecco is where you park your bag and get lost in a gratifying glass of red wine and their Italian-inspired menu.

Gates T and A: When we want a quick breakfast sandwich that’ll fill us up for a cross-country flight, we head straight to Goldbergs—a decades-long Atlanta favorite for NY-style bagels. Although the airport locations don’t offer Goldbergs’ full griddle menu, they still have nine bagel choices, multiple schmears, eggs, breakfast proteins, and deli meats.

Gates C and F: When The Original El Taco closed in Virginia-Highland, we were distraught thinking of our last tasty taco there. But two locations (in Terminals C and F) remain operational in the airport, so we can still indulge in a taco or two. The counter stalls open at 6am every morning and offer a few breakfast options. Clocking in at $5 each, our wallet is happy and we’re on our way to our departure gate with food in hand while our friends are still near the back of some coffee shop line.