Big diner breakfasts before TSA in Terminal T
On the landside of Terminal T, Marlin's & Subway sit just before the TSA checkpoint and open early enough to catch most morning departures. Marlin's runs 7 AM to 9 PM and functions like a mini truck-stop diner, while Subway opens 8 AM to 9 PM and covers the grab-and-go crowd. Both are pre-security, so you can eat with family who aren’t flying, then head straight to screening when you’re done.
Marlins is the move if you want a sit-down breakfast bigger than anything past security. Reviewers call out traditional plates: eggs, hash browns, pancakes, bacon, and the local signature chislic and fries. The price tier sits at the low “$” range for an airport, but a few locals note it runs higher than freeway Marlin’s locations, which tracks for FSD. Think solid highway diner food, not destination dining.
Subway here is standard build-your-own-sandwich, just with airport pricing and sometimes rushed execution during the early bank of flights. Hours are 8 AM to 9 PM, so it works for both outbound and late-evening arrivals. Some regulars grab a footlong to-go for regional flights that skip buy-on-board service, especially on shorter hops out of Sioux Falls.
Watch out for service bottlenecks at Marlin's between about 6:45 AM and 8:30 AM, when multiple departures stack up and the dining room fills. Reviews mention slow ticket times during that wave, and Subway lines also stretch then, which can eat 20–30 minutes before TSA. The rating sits at 5 stars on airport listings, but that’s with “it’s fine for an airport” expectations.
Tip: if you want a full breakfast at Marlin's and still like a buffer, be through the door by 7:15 AM and plan to hit the Terminal T security line at least 45 minutes before boarding.
Chislic and fries