One of Palm Springs’ own, Trio is the rare local name you’ll see past security in PSP’s Main Terminal, sitting between gates 4–11. It’s a full sit‑down spot in an airport that leans hard on grab‑and‑go kiosks, so it fills up at peak bank times when multiple departures stack around 7–9 AM and 3–5 PM.
Trio runs from 5 AM to last flight, which covers the earliest departures to Denver and Dallas and the late West Coast returns. Morning menu leans American diner: think eggs, bacon, toast, and coffee you can actually sip, not chug. Expect mid‑range airport pricing — about $$ tier, roughly $15–$22 for a plate and $6–$9 for beer or wine if you’re padding a delay.
The food style matches the downtown original: American with local SoCal touches. You’ll see burgers, salads, and sandwiches rather than heavy bar food. When in doubt, go burger or grilled chicken sandwich; those travel well if you get called to board from gates 8–11 mid‑meal. Skip anything fussy that needs to stay piping hot if your flight time is tight.
Service pace tracks flight banks: a server can turn a table in about 25–35 minutes in slower periods, but that stretches closer to 45 when three departures line up off gate 6. If your boarding pass shows group 1–3 on a regional jet, you have time for a sit‑down drink and a main. Group 5 on a full flight to Seattle with a 30‑minute window? Stick to a quick bite at the bar.
Tip: If your gate is 4 or 5, ask to sit on the concourse‑side edge of the dining area so you can watch the boarding line build and walk over in under 90 seconds when they call your group.