Midway’s Bad Food Reputation Factors Into Worst U.S. Airport Ranking

Frequent travelers at Midway International Airport often complain about the food, and in recent years airport management has tried to upgrade the options by bringing in popular local restaurants. But, alas, several travelers — and the travel publication the Points Guy — aren’t impressed. The Points Guy named Midway the worst airport in America in its annual ranking released earlier this week. Midway’s ranking has a lot to do with the airport’s food, which was described as “bland and boring.”

The ranking advises travelers will “definitely want to bring [their] own food here” as the options are “terrible.” The story cites airport versions of Gold Coast Dogs, Pork Chop BBQ, and WoodGrain Pizza.

Midway International Airport [Official Photo]

Two years ago, Midway underwent a food court facelift. Management made changes including jettisoning Potbelly Sandwiches and added well regarded restaurants including BIG & Little’s and Arami Sushi. Potbelly’s departure still stings as many readers have sent angry emails to Eater. Points Guy’s readers also left a few annoyed comments posted underneath the rankings.

Airport officials weren’t amused by the rankings. A statement from the city’s aviation department read that “the Points Guy seems to be missing the point.” It noted efforts to bring in more than 70 new concessions and amenities.

Meanwhile, O’Hare International Airport, home of Rick Bayless’s Tortas Frontera, ranked 30th. San Diego International Airport took the No. 1 spot.

Read the department of aviation’s response below.

The Points Guy seems to be missing the point. Midway International Airport is routinely ranked highly among airports of comparable size in customer satisfaction, and travelers enjoy its convenience. With that convenience comes limitations: namely that airport rests on one square mile in the middle of a densely-populated residential neighborhood with no room to grow.

That hasn’t stopped the City from making critical investments, including the $400 million Midway Modernization Program, which broke ground in 2017 and will create more than 3,600 jobs this year alone. The MMP is totally re-imagining the concessions experience at Midway, bringing more than 70 new concessions and amenities online to enhance the traveler experience, as well as doubling capacity of the TSA security checkpoint. The MMP is scheduled to be completed next year, and is already earning accolades for its enhanced concessions.

In fact, just last week, Midway was recognized by Value Penguin as having some of the shortest waiting lines in its U.S. Customs area.