Five minutes from Gate 27, this is HOU’s ice cream stop
Fat Cat Creamery sits in Terminal 1 near Gate 27, post-security, so this is an easy grab between Southwest flights. It’s a stand-style setup, not a full café, so think quick cone, cup, or milkshake, not a long sit-down break. Prices land in typical airport territory: expect around $6–$8 for a scoop with toppings or a shake. If your connection at Hobby is under 40 minutes, you’re cutting it close to detour and still board stress-free.
The menu changes, but you’ll usually see a handful of signature flavors plus at least one dairy-free option in the case. Portions run bigger than what you’d get from a standard fast-food soft-serve machine, and flavors tend to be richer and more premium than the $2 cone you might find in the food court. It’s all walk-up: order, pay, and you’re back at your gate in under 10 minutes if the line is short.
There’s no real seating cluster right at Fat Cat Creamery, just a few nearby chairs along the Terminal 1 concourse between Gates 25 and 29. Plan on carrying your cone back toward your exact gate, especially if you’re boarding in the first 3 Southwest groups. If you’re traveling with kids, factor in 5 extra minutes so they can pick flavors and deal with any cone drips before you line up.
Tip: HOU security for Terminal 1 can spike over 20 minutes in the afternoon; get through first, then grab Fat Cat on the walk to Gate 27 instead of stopping at pre-security options.