Snacking MIA: Quick Airport Eats
Thanks to the frequently strange hours you find yourself either arriving, departing or being layed over at Miami International Airport, it seems likely the numerous cafes and restaurants throughout all the concourses are doing a booming business even if the restaurant trade is slow elsewhere. So aside from the predictable chain presences that range from Burger King to Haagen Daazs--and we're not necessarily knocking those, because many have their secret place in the heart and stomach--what stands out as a bit different or interesting to fill up on before or after a flight?
For one such, you might try Cafe Versailles, which has locations in the South, Central and North Terminals, so you don't have to haul yourself and your bags too far to find them. If arriving, Cafe Versailles serves some of the classic standards of Cuban breakfast including thick cafecitos and pastries that will provide a good foretaste of Cuban style fare before you even hit the city. For later meals, you might try items like black beans and rice ("Moors and Christians") and the fish. Desserts? Try a crepe with nutella, or some more pastry. This is actually a satellite location of the main restaurants that offer a wider menu at their street location on Collins Ave. and Eighth Ave. in Miami.
To return to the issue of chain dining - one thing in their favor in these times is pricing. You know what to expect if you have a favorite, both in terms of menu and usually if it's a national chain of any kind, the pricing is reasonable by air travel standards. So we will admit to one favorite of our own which is located in the Central Terminal area - namely, Sbarro. While not usually a fan of Italian fast food chains, we make an exception for Sbarro: the pizza is the closest thing in taste to the thin crust Neapolitan pizzas of our childhood, the salads are well done, the service is fast, and again, the prices are on the mark. Oh, and of course it fills you up quickly - often important when you've refused plane food for five hours or plan on doing so in the next few minutes.