Snacks and dinners made with dairy foods have landed on the menu of a new restaurant in the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. Travelers can savor bacon-wrapped Tater Tots tucked into blue cheese bechamel sauce or a parmesan-crusted walleye BLT sandwich with arugula and a dollop of chipotle tartar. The children’s menu offers slow-baked creamy macaroni and cheese, and a dish called Spilled Cheese with golden grilled cheese served with Spam nuggets.
SSP America, Lansdowne, Va., opened its Hot Dish restaurant concept in Terminal 1-Lindbergh. It is located before security screening, so travelers can eat with those sending them off.
"The menu reflects Minnesota and the Midwest, and is offered in an environment you won't find anywhere else in the Twin Cities," said Jeff Hamiel, executive director of the Metropolitan Airports Commission, in a statement.
SSP America calls Hot Dish “a hip, daring spin on the family favorite, a modern interpretation of time honored tradition. Hot Dish is decidedly eclectic, combining an artistic retro-chic appeal with an aesthetic that is witty and fun. Larger than life art pieces adorn the wall and are complemented with artifacts and nostalgic homewares as they pull funky vibrant visions of the motifs from the past.”“
SSP calls itself “the leading dedicated operator of food and beverage brands in travel locations.” Its operates a portfolio of more than 200 international, national, local and specialty brands, including Upper Crust, Starbucks, Caffe Ritazza, M&S Simply Food, Bonne Journee and Caviar House & Prunier.
SSP America operates in more than 40 airports across North America . Third-party brands include The Palm Restaurant, Einstein Bros. Bagels, Gordon Biersch, Panda Express, Tigin, Peet's Coffee & Tea, T.G.I. Friday's, Tim Hortons, The Great American Bagel and Buffalo Wild Wings.