With the holiday travel season upon us, we polled the Guide staff on their favorite places to eat and drink before takeoff. The result? A list of airport restaurants with food so good, it almost makes up for having to be in an airport. Below are our top 15, in alphabetical order by city:

The Copper Horse Restaurant | Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport

The Copper Horse Restaurant is the only viable option in this eight-gate airport, but it is stocked with decent airport food (chicken-fried steak, pork chops, trout), and the bartender tells great stories about people he has thrown out. – Stephanie McDaniel

Reilly's Daughter | Chicago Midway International Airport

Get a proper pint of Guinness from Reilly's Daughter, an authentic Irish pub (for an airport) spawned by a legendary, since-closed, authentic Irish pub on the South Side (for a strip mall). If you ask nicely, they'll even pour it into a to-go cup. – John Flaherty

Tortas Frontera | Chicago O'Hare International Airport

Rick Bayless’s Tortas Frontera washes away the panic of a cancelled flight. Keep yourself (and your hunger) in check with a griddled torta filled with tangy cochinitas pibil and a mountain of freshly made guac. – Melanie Zanoza Bartelme

The Great Lakes Company | Cleveland Hopkins International Airport

There is a Great Lakes Company in Concourse C. I repeat: There is a Great Lakes Company in Concourse C. Perfect for grabbing a last-minute six-pack of Christmas Ale. – Shannon Jewitt

Basically Any Barbecue | Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport

No matter what terminal you're in, the spicy scent of Texas barbecue calls. Just give yourself plenty of time to clean your fingers after digging into a plate of ribs—preferably from The Salt Lick Bar-B-Que in Terminal A or Railhead BBQ in Terminal D. – Stephanie McDaniel

New Belgium Hub | Denver International Airport

In the Great Lakes terminal, there’s a New Belgium bar. It's kind of hidden, but the plus side is the flights nearby are usually delayed so you have lots of drunk passengers to make friends with. And Chelsea the bartender is awesome. – Beth MacKay

Kona Brewing Company | Honolulu International Airport

At the Kona Brewing Company outpost, all of the beers are the same as the original location—even seasonal options. Plus, the burgers are tasty. – Melanie Zanoza Bartelme

Nathan's Hot Dogs | Jacksonville International Airport

There's a Nathan's Famous Hot Dogs. Just remember that it's pre-security check, so grab your hot dog and delicious cheese fries with bacon and ranch dressing before heading to your gate. – Beth MacKay

Cinnabon | McCarran International Airport (Las Vegas)

There isn't much here that doesn't have to do with slot machines, but there is a Cinnabon. It always makes the sting of losing feel a little less harsh. – Melanie Zanoza Bartelme

Woodford Reserve Bar & Grill | Louisville International Airport

The Woodford Reserve Bar & Grill has plenty of fine bourbon. The space itself (traditional yet cold) is reminiscent of the opening scene in Hunter S. Thompson's "The Kentucky Derby Is Decadent and Depraved." – John Flaherty

Miller Brewhouse | General Mitchell International Airport (Milwaukee)

You're in Wisconsin, so just ignore everything else and go right to Miller Brewhouse. Cheese curds, brats, and beer. – Beth MacKay

Crumbs Bake Shop | Newark Liberty International Airport

If I'm anywhere in the New York area, a deli-style black-and-white cookie is a mandatory snack. The most decadent version is at Crumbs Bake Shop alongside its dozens of pristine cupcakes. – Hillary Proctor

Sir Veza's Taco Garage | Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport

Order a green corn tamale from Sir Veza's Taco Garage (Terminal 4) and enjoy the complete lack of a winter wonderland outside the windows. – Kevin Moore

Pinkberry | San Francisco International Airport

Grab a light snack at Pinkberry—maybe one of the greek-yogurt bowls—then seek out the yoga room to work out any delay-related stress. – Melanie Zanoza Bartelme

Cibo Bistro & Wine Bar | Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport

The best people watching is at Cibo Bistro & Wine Bar, where the sleek decor and easy access to the nearby terminals entreat even senators to stop by for a martini. – Stephanie McDaniel