Philly cheesesteaks before T-gate boarding
Charleys sits airside in Terminal T at John Glenn Columbus International Airport, right in the main concourse food court area, so you can grab a hot sandwich without leaving the gate zone. It’s a quick-service counter setup, built for ordering, waiting a few minutes, then heading back toward boarding.
Expect the familiar Charleys menu: grilled-to-order Philly cheesesteaks, chicken sandwiches, and fries, all done on a flat-top and assembled while you watch. Portions run on the heavier side for airport food, so one cheesesteak and fries can easily cover a full meal before a 2–3 hour flight.
Pricing tracks typical airport fast food: a cheesesteak combo with fries and a drink usually lands in the low-to-mid teens in dollars, depending on size and toppings. Add-ons like extra cheese or bacon bump the total a couple more dollars, so budget accordingly if you’re feeding kids or a full family before an evening departure.
Drink options lean standard: fountain sodas, bottled water, and maybe the occasional bottled tea or lemonade in the cooler, all right at the counter. If you want something stronger than soft drinks, you’ll need to hit another Terminal T spot, since Charleys focuses on fast food and non-alcoholic beverages only.
Wait times can spike at Charleys during the late afternoon bank of departures from CMH, roughly 3:00–6:00 p.m., when multiple flights board from nearby gates. Lines move in short bursts because each sandwich is cooked to order, so pad your stop by at least 15–20 minutes if your boarding pass shows “Group 1–3.”
Tip: If you’re tight on time in Terminal T, place your order at Charleys first, then hit the nearby restroom while they cook, instead of standing at the counter watching the grill.