Nola’s Airport Dining Is Going To Rule By 2018

Unbelievable news for New Orleans travelers this week, with Katherine Sayre reporting that the new $807 million terminal heading to Louis Amstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY) in 2018 includes plans for incredible—like, utterly mindblowing— new dining options from Susan Spicer, Besh Group and more industry bigwigs.

MSY has widely been regarded for having pretty dismal offerings— other than legit chicken livers at Praline Connection and some good Creole options from the legendary Chase family. Looks like Edgar "Dooky" Chase IV will also be to thank in part for the new dining spots, as his entity Chase Catering and Concessions LLC is collaborating with Delaware North to bring in new vendors to one concourse. Another concourse will be curated by HMSHost in partnership with Coaxum Enterprises, Kaleidoscope and Lucky Dogs, but don’t be scared. Their options look pretty amazing too.

Potential new vendors from Chase & Delaware North include the following, along with a PJ’s Coffee, a wine bar/music venue in partnership with Jazz Fest, and a Bar Sazerac (no word on if its affiliated with the Sazerac in Roosevelt):

• Leah's Kitchen, inspired by Leah Chase.
• Folse Market, seafood, po'boys, charcuterie, coffee and wine from John Folse
• MoPho, Dook's Burgers & Brews and Ye Olde College Inn in a food hall style grouping
• Pizza Domenica
• Johnny Sanchez
• Angelo Brocato

HMSHost's planned vendors include the following hotness, along with national brands like Starbucks, Burger King, Aunt Annie’s, and more:

• Mondo
• Cure
• The Munch Factory
• Emeril's Table
• Willie Mae's
• Lucky Dogs

While these plans still need approval by City Council and the New Orleans Aviation Board, this is a huge step in the right direction for MSY. The Chase and HMSHost plans beat out more pitches from three groups that all included some giant names like Kermit Ruffina, Tipitina’s, Wolfgang Puck, Toups, Cafe Du Monde and more. Check it all out here, along with some renderings of what to expect design-wise.

These are big plans expected to bring in big bucks for the airport, which, even with mediocre food options, raked in “$33.7 million in gross revenues, netting the airport $3.78 million” in 2015.

Susan Spicer, Aaron Sanchez, Edgar Chase, John Besh among chefs headed to new Armstrong Airport terminal [NOLA.com]