Terminal 5 has an AlBaik, so plan your layover
Terminal 5 at RUH has a full AlBaik branch airside, so you can grab fried chicken after clearing security for Saudia and domestic flights. It sits in the main departures concourse of T5, so you don’t need to leave the secure area or ride a shuttle to another terminal.
Menu pricing tracks typical city branches in Riyadh, with chicken meals and jumbo shrimp combos usually coming in well under 30–40 SAR. You’ll see the usual Broast chicken, fries, garlic sauce, and sandwiches, so if you know your standard AlBaik order from town, you can repeat it here without overthinking.
Lines at AlBaik can spike around evening departures from T5, especially near the 19:00–22:00 bank of Saudia flights. Factor in 15–20 minutes of queue time at peaks, since orders are made in batches and trays often empty fast when a rush of passengers arrives from two or three gates at once.
Quality is roughly in line with land-side Riyadh outlets: crispy chicken, hot fries, and the same garlic sauce packets. If you want something lighter before a short domestic hop under 90 minutes, stick to a chicken or shrimp sandwich instead of a full 4- or 8-piece box, which can feel heavy right before boarding.
AlBaik in Terminal 5 runs through most of the flight day, roughly matching Saudia’s domestic schedule from early morning to late night. You pay at the counter, grab a numbered receipt, then wait for your number on the overhead screens, so listen for the callouts if the seating area is crowded.
Tip: if your boarding pass shows a gate at the far end of T5, eat here first; it’s easier to walk 8–10 minutes to a distant gate with food already sorted than sprint back when boarding starts.