Chow to take aboard JetBlue

[cjd260]

I'm flying JetBlue out of Logan on Friday night, and as it's a long-haul flight, as JetBlue doesn't serve real food on board, and as I don't expect that I'll have time to have dinner beforehand, I need to figure out something to take aboard with me. I'm pretty much open to (or curious about) suggestions on any type of food, but the main limiting factor is geography: I'll be coming from my office in the financial district, my wife will be coming from Newton. Anyone have any brilliant ideas for the best chow that I could carry on, and that won't get cold/mushy/inedible/confiscated by the TSA?

[grant.cook]

On my last flight to Shanghai, I observed a guy heading back to the galley to get hot water for his bowl of packaged ramen! Brilliant! This was a 14 hour flight, btw.. you just need some salty noodles at 3am your time.

Otherwise, head over to Chinatown and get some bahn mi and/or summer rolls..

[itryalot]

I brought foodie souvenirs; got a few chuckles, but no problem. Cheese, bread, pizzas and desserts.

[cjd260]

So after much sturm und drang about what to bring aboard, I ended up working from home and leaving for the airport early enough that we had time to eat at Legal's before our flight. A giant crabmeat roll later and I was stuffed before I even got onto the plane.

That said, I now need to try Cutty's, which looks like it could become a dangerous new sandwich source. Thanks to all for your suggestions.

[Muchlove]

I've taken plenty of home made food items on international flights from the UK and not had a problem, I would assume the rules are at least similar to the US (though I know the US has a reputation for extremely tough security measures at airports)

One thing that is worth bearing in mind is that you can always supplement whatever you bring with some of the less objectional items from the in flight meal or meals. For instance, most of the flights I have been on have yoghurt (plain and flavoured), various sauces (in packets, nothing fancy), butter, etc. These can be used to create a whole meal out of whatever you bring. In addition they usually have fresh fruit (not just pre-chopped salads but whole apples and oranges), seasoned nuts, etc. So you won't starve even if you don't want to eat the "main course"!

[kobuta]

Too late fro the OP, but my go to snacks/chow for flights in case I get terrible meals is always bao from a Chinese bakery. If you get them from a place like Crown Royal where most are individually wrapped even better. Light-weight, fairly mess-free, and cheap. You can even get a variety for a few dollars. A bit messier is banh-mi, but both are quick walks from the financial district to Chinatown.

[L2k]

They'd probably turn away Jello at security, but I think you could get through with pudding.

Not sure if a Trifle would get through. Try it and let us know!

[cjd260]

I admit I'm a little confused by some of the responses: at least from a cursory review of the TSA website, aren't most wrapped food items (say, a deli sandwich wrapped in paper) acceptable? Obviously liquids aren't - so no smoothies or soups - but I was assuming I wouldn't have any problems with a sandwich or some sort of noodle dish. I'm reluctant to try sushi because of the soy sauce.

I'm probably going to be taking the Silver Line in from South Station, and my office is pretty close by, so the North End is probably too far - great idea on the Italian subs otherwise. Sam LaGrassa's also sounds delicious, but too far a walk given my time constraints tomorrow. Thinking of having my wife hit up Cutty's, though.

My greatest wish is that I could bring the Clover truck on board, but somehow I don't see them fitting through the scanner.

[LStaff]

You can still bring liquids on a plane - just have to be in a bottle/package of less than 2.5 ozs (I routinely bring bathroom products in 4 oz. packages and have never been questioned) and packed in a quart sized ziplock type bag in your carry on. Soy sauce packets would be perfectly fine if you follow the rules.

[Fly]

You will have absolutely no problem with anything that isn't dripping liquid. No problem whatsoever. People who think that they'd be "smuggling" pastrami sandwiches are just misinformed. You're completely, 100% safe to bring those through security.

[Niblet]

Actually it wasn't a pastrami sandwich -- this sounds like a Seinfeld episode -- but frozen, extra-fatty (that last bit an inconsequential detail, merely for my own pleasure in savoring the memory of it) pastrami in butcher paper, packed between chemical ice packs in plastic bag. I considered it was taking a chance. With a name like yours I'm guessing you'll have some authority in the matter of flight regs. It's good to know about flexibility, but personally I'd still rather not sweat it.

[Fly]

No, I have no authority...but chemical ice packs certainly might change things.

[Niblet]

Yes, and it goes without saying that I pressure-sealed the bag with liquid nitrogen. Ok I didn't do that. But I'd have to assume they'd pull any items with properties that convert to liquid; I got lucky. I'm thinking the OP isn't thinking anywhere near this level of deviance.

[solo2]

I have brought back herring from Amsterdam several times for my friends. It's packed in dry ice inside styrofoam container and actually sold right at Schiphol. No issues with security in Europe or States.

To mention something else, I've had 4Oz liquids confiscated and once had a long argument with security guy on whether a half-full 4 Oz deodorant aerosol can presents a clear danger to the airline industry in general and the given plane in particular. Managed to sell him an idea that this is a pretty low risk. Than again, I sell for a living. In short, I specifically keep to 3 Oz an below when it comes to liquids.

[teezeetoo]

cutty's is a fine idea and, at the risk of sounding "unchowish", South Station's food court must offer some acceptable options as well.

[Blumie]

"South Station's food court must offer some acceptable options as well."

Must they? Cause if there's a rule that says they must, I think they're in violation of it!!!

[teezeetoo]

Rosie's Bakery is ok. You won't die from an Au Bon Pain sandwich. And Southwest Grill is better than most things you have to eat on an airplane. If you're stuck in South Station and that's where you need to get something, those are "acceptable options." I wasn't suggesting it as a "food destination."

[solo2]

CJD, if you are going on Silver line from South Station, stop at 163 Harrison street in Chinatown and get yourself a tasty Bahn Mi. There are several other vietnamese places where you can get one, but BBQ beef Bahn Mi from 163 is my favorite.

[Niblet]

At the JetBlue gate area there is a kiosk that sells surpringly unusual and good looking sandwiches, salads, yogurt etc. And I think the snack boxes they sell on the flight are a good way to go too, with a fun mix of stuff to tide you over (I actually look forward to those snack boxes, they're like little presents!). JetBlue also has very nice complimentary snacks, I love that airline. I recently brought Katz's pastrami through check-in, but it was a gift else I'd not have risked it; I wouldn't consider smuggling food for myself worth the stress.

[denachow]

I recommend Cutty's (www.cuttyfoods.com) in Brookline Village. Either the Eggplant Spuckie (roasted eggplant, olive salad, mozzarella cheese) or regular meat Spuckie (italian deli meats, olive salad, mozzarella cheese). If olives aren't your thing, they have other sandwiches too. Hearty salads, chips, cookies, and other snack items are available as well.

I've taken many a spuckie on long plane rides, and they last a few days (I mean, not ideal, but still satisfying). FYI, they close at 3pm, so if you go, get there earlyish.

Lemme know what you end up doing!

[solo2]

I have brought sushi on board for years on both domestic and international flights. Works well, especially if it's rolls.

[treb]

I've taken many food items, sans the liquid, on board with no problems. Santarpio's sausage sammie or even cold pizza would fit my bill or even Galleria Umberto. I try to stick to sammies that are lite on the mayo, like an Italian cold cut sub. Also, one of my standard supplies are a bag of bisciotti.

[MC Slim JB]

Maybe I've just been lucky, but I have carried on sandwiches, cold sesame noodles (though I don't try to get chopsticks on board), and other not-too-saucy entrees onto many Logan flights, including JetBlue. I'm more likely to chance it for a long-haul flight; worst that can happen is they confiscate it, which is very sad. But usually I end up with a fellow flyer staring in envy and wonderment at my self-catered alternative to the oh-so-grim food options in coach. (JetBlue's are not actually as awful as some.)

For shorter flights, if I plan well enough, I'll dine at one of my favorite Eastie eateries first. But as has been noted, in-terminal dining at Logan has come a long way. It's still rather overpriced, but I can usually expense those meals, so they're not the worst option if I can't make the Eastie run first.

http://mcslimjb.blogspot.com/

[VivreManger]

This might provoke the evil eye, but in all of years of BYOF on board never has anything been confiscated. That includes fresh fruit salad made at home and kept in an ice pack until I leave my car wherever I park it, smoked salmon sandwiches, deli sandwiches, good cheese and good bread. Don't worry about keeping the food cold unitl you eat it. Everything tastes better at room temperature. I make the food the morning of or the night before and bring it along.

[Nab]

Never had a problem either. Until about a month ago, I got caught with a jar of tamarind paste of all things. I was just relieved they didn't find my huge stash of kebabs. Was sweating bullets watching the guy paw around in my bag. Been watching a little too much "Locked up Abroad".

[barleywino]

do you think they would confiscate sticky rice wrapped in lotus leaves?

[Fly]

Certainly not.

[nickls]

Yeah, getting through customs is a much bigger issue than trying to get past TSA. Avoiding anything in a jar or bottle is probably a good idea, as it comes too close to TSA's main mission of confiscating water bottles and toiletries. You might also want to avoid peanut butter as it is supposed to have a similar density to plastique. Otherwise, I think you will be pretty safe. The customs guys on the other hand are just waiting to pounce on contraband sausages and so forth.

In addition to Taralli's good ideas, you could have your wife pick up some things from Blue Ribbon. Cafe Latino might also be a good option (yes, I love fatty porky goodness).

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Cafe Latino
2 Center Plz, Boston, MA 02108

[Taralli]

Al's State Street Sub Shop, Sam LaGrassa's: http://www.samlagrassas.com/take-out-menu.php, Artu's lamb sandwich etc: http://www.artuboston.com/, also in the NE: http://salumeriaitaliana.com/, bahn mi's from Chinatown...

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Al's State Street Cafe
110 State St, Boston, MA 02109

[Blumie]

Grab a couple of chacareros before they close. (The website says they close at 6pm, but I think they often wrap up earlier.) They hold up pretty well, and will easily get through security (even though their extra hot hot sauce might be classified as a WMD).

[VintageMolly]

There was a recent thread about good chow IN Logan that you may want to search for. The Jet Blue area actually has pretty good options.

Outside of security is a decent Legal's. Behind security on the right side is Wolfgang Puck's. I'm particularly fond of their tortilla soup and a salad before flying across the country. On the left hand side, options aren't as good - but uFood Grill can be ok.

They may have finished the construction to connect the two sides by now - not sure, I haven't flown Jet Blue in a couple of months.

[LStaff]

Just flew Jet Blue out of terminal C this week, and yes, you can now walk between each side - but no, the construction is not done - its still a bit ghetto.
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I had a pretty tasty grilled chicken sandwich (and a couple of mediocre at best IPA's) at Boston Beer Works on Monday. On the side I was on there is also a Wolfgang Pucks and a Johnny Rockets.

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I have been known to bring burritos back from Willy's in Atlanta - burritos and chips in a brown bag as a carryon, and little covered cups of their awesome verde sauce stuffed into a baggie with my other liquids.

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Boston Beer Works
61 Brookline Ave Ste 2, Boston, MA 02215

[Chowrin]

Jet Blue has great snacks, and they sell little portable meals. The snacks are free, as are the sodas. Get As Many Sodas as you can drink. It helps with the lack of oxygen/dehydration.

[srsone]

it doesnt matter what we or you think....
the tsa is the problem...
it all depends on the tsa screener that day.
what is a liquid? or gel?
is it more than 3.4 ounces?

anything that falls into those categories would have to screened and or checked..or confiscated
it says u can bring individual serving sizes of condiments and such..packets of ketchup and mustard etc...
beyond that ...to me then it gets not worth the hassle/pain in the ass...they are already going to grope you and dig thru your bags..its not worth a BCS just for a sandwich...

your better off getting something to go once u get thru the security checkpoint...imo
which nowadays are a lot better than they used to be...

and in large airports u can get a pretty good selection as well...

[Trumpetguy]

Yes! Recently I brought tofu salad from Whole Foods--the TSA saw some liquid in the bottom of the container and therefore confiscated it. Yeah, I'm gonna blow up a plane with tofu salad. Further confusing was this dangerous item was just thrown in the garbage behind the agent.