Gate-side burgers before security in Terminal 1
Long Beach Burger Bar sits landside in Terminal 1, right before the security checkpoint, and runs daily from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. That matters at LGB, since food options shrink dramatically once you’re past TSA and near the gates. If you’re hungry on arrival or riding out a delay curbside, this is your last full meal spot before you commit to the sterile side snack game.
Menu is straight-ahead American: burgers, fries, and a few basics, all at the “$” tier rather than sit-down airport pricing. Expect fast-casual vibes closer to a mall food court than a bar with table service. Burgers are the move here, since it’s literally in the name and the house focus. Skip anything that looks like it came out of a freezer box that isn’t potatoes or buns.
Being pre-security in Terminal 1 means you can use Long Beach Burger Bar as a meetup point for friends or family who aren’t flying. You still want to keep an eye on TSA wait times, since a 20-minute burger run can turn into a missed boarding call if the line spikes. Give yourself at least 30 minutes from first bite to scheduled boarding time at LGB, especially on Monday mornings and late Sunday afternoons.
Drinks stick to basics: soda fountain, bottled water, maybe a beer or two depending on the day’s stock, all cheaper than most airport bars in Southern California. With the 9 a.m. opening time, this is more of a late breakfast or lunch play than a 6 a.m. pre-flight coffee stop. If your flight leaves after 7 p.m., plan on eating elsewhere along Lakewood Boulevard or in downtown Long Beach before you head to the terminal.
Tip: If you want a proper burger before an evening departure out of Terminal 1, get to the airport by 6:15 p.m. and eat here first, then clear security once you’re done.
Burgers