Gate-side falafel and shawarma in Terminal 1
Holy Land Deli sits in MSP Terminal 1 with a 3.8 rating and a menu built around Middle Eastern basics: gyros, falafel, shawarma, hummus, and salads. It’s post-security, so you can grab food after clearing TSA and head straight to your gate. Most mains land in the $10–$16 range, so pricing is in line with other sit-down spots in this terminal.
Portions run large for the price, especially the gyro and chicken shawarma plates around $14. Falafel wraps usually come stuffed and hold up decently for a 2–3 hour flight if you’re carrying on. Sides like hummus, tabbouleh, and baba ghanoush work well as shareable snacks at the gate, and they’re cheaper than a full plate.
Service time at Holy Land Deli varies: during midday bank departures (11:00–14:00) you can see 10–15 minute waits for hot food, but early morning and late evening flights usually mean a 5-minute in-and-out. Seating immediately around the counter tends to fill up during those lunch peaks, so expect to walk 3–4 gates to find an open table if the terminal’s busy.
Quality is generally solid for airport Middle Eastern, but it’s not the same as the Holy Land flagship locations in Minneapolis and St. Paul. Expect slightly drier pita and more salt-forward seasoning, which helps food still taste like something after an hour on a plane. If you’re picky about texture, stick to fresh-made plates and skip anything that’s been sitting on the line under heat lamps.
Tip: If you have a tight 30–40 minute connection in Terminal 1, call your order in from the concourse (or check for mobile ordering in the MSP app) and ask how long the current ticket time is before walking over; it can save you a missed-boarding scramble.