Food Trucks Become Popular at Airports

Airports are offering travelers a new amenity, with food trucks that serve drivers waiting to pick passengers up at the airport, according to NBC News.

Motorists can pick up food from trucks parked at airport cell phone lots, where there is free short-term parking available to people who stay with their cars. Some airports are providing a mobile cafeteria of sorts, with choices ranging from sit-down meals to car washes.

"Airports have recognized that their cellphone waiting lots have great customer-service potential," Deborah C. McElroy, the interim president of Airports Council International-North America (ACI-NA), said.

The trend of food trucks in airports began at Tampa International Airport in Florida, where food trucks began parking at the cellphone lot in December 2012. It was so popular that a different food truck is parked in the lot every weekday. A schedule showing what truck will be there is available on the Tampa airport Facebook page.

Other airports to have joined in on the trend include Tuscon International Airport in Arizona and Long Beach Airport in California. Both of those airports have a different group of food trucks monthly during what they call "Truck'n Tuesday."

A vendor brings in a food cart daily to serve hot dogs, bratwurst, mettwurst and nachos at Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport. Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in Texas hosts the Twist of Spice food trailer, which has been serving wraps, paninis and Mexican food in the cellphone lot since January.

"It not only provides a food option to cellphone lot users, but also to airport and nearby employees as well as residents," Jason Zielinski, the airport spokesman, said.

The food trucks have become so popular that more airports are adding them. Among the airports adding them are Seattle-Tacoma International and Phoenix Sky Harbor International airport.

Sacramento International Airport has put out a requests for proposals for the airport to add food trucks.