Pastor tacos at 5:30 a.m. before security in T-A
Gran Pastor sits landside in Terminal A, outside security, and runs from 5:30 to 22:00 hrs, so you can eat here even if friends or family aren’t flying. It’s a local Monterrey brand, and the menu leans straight Mexican: tacos al pastor, grilled meats, and classic sides instead of generic airport burgers.
Because it’s pre-security, factor in an extra 20–30 minutes to clear screening for A, B, or C after your meal. The price point sits around the mid-range ($$), so expect tacos, agua fresca, or coffee to run more than street stands in town but less than sit-down chains you’ll see past security in MTY.
Order the al pastor tacos first; they’re the signature here and usually come out faster than plated dishes like enchiladas or milanesas. Portions are solid for an airport spot in Terminal A, and you can easily turn two or three tacos plus a drink into a full meal without hitting triple digits in pesos.
Service speed varies by time: early morning flights around 6:00 see quick turnaround, while the evening rush from 18:00 to 20:00 can slow things down. If your boarding time is inside 45 minutes and you still need to walk to security and down to gates A1–A10, skip full plates and stick to tacos or quesadillas you can eat quickly.
Payment is straightforward: standard card terminals accept major credit cards, and you’ll see prices marked clearly in pesos on the printed menu. If you’re trying to use up cash before leaving Monterrey, this is one of the easier pre-security spots in MTY to burn through a last MX$200–MX$300 on food.
Tip: On tight itineraries, check the security line for Terminal A before sitting down; if the queue stretches back toward the main hall, grab tacos to go and eat while you walk toward the A/B/C checkpoint.