North Carolina Airport Virtual Food Hall Is Changing How Travelers Eat On The Go
Unfortunately, we all know too well how the pandemic changed almost every aspect of life. And, it seems the restaurant industry suffered some of the most severe blows in business. However, as we tend to do, humans found a way to adapt and move forward. Therefore, we saw “ghost kitchens” popping up. And, in the summer of 2022 the Raleigh Durham airport welcomed “getREEF Virtual Food Hall.” So, it’s 2023 and this North Carolina airport virtual food hall continues to change how travelers eat on the go in a high tech kind of way.
First of all, having not had the pleasure of traveling through RDU airport recently I was unaware of the REEF virtual food hall. But, I caught a feature about it on CNN’s “The Whole Story” from Chef Bobby Flay. Bobby did a story about the restaurant industry post Covid. And, one of the ways restaurants found to adapt to our ever changing environment is through “ghost kitchens.” Ghost kitchens did exist before the pandemic. However, their model became even more relevant during contactless delivery and shut downs. And, the overhead is relatively low, cutting costs for restaurants.
So, if you don’t know how this all works it’s quite interesting. Let’s says a restaurant doesn’t want to invest in a second location. However, they do want to serve more customers, increasing profit and visibility in addition to their traditional brick and mortar. An offsite virtual or ghost kitchen uses an existing prep space to prepare the original restaurant recipes as orders come in. Then, food delivery services such as Door Dash or GrubHub pick the food up from the ghost kitchen and deliver. There are many versions, but that’s the gist of it.
And, one of those so called ghost kitchen models is getREEF virtual food hall now available in the Raleigh Durham airport. Located at Terminal 2, Gate C9, getREEF offers travelers at least nine different brands to choose from. Visitors use kiosks to place their order. Then, the chefs behind a wall of futuristic looking food lockers get to work preparing the pizza, burger, wings or whatever you choose from the options. Once the order is ready, the chefs place the food in a locker. The customer then gets an alert and uses their special code to unlock the cubby and take their food.
It’s really quite fascinating. And, there’s even an option of having certain foods delivered straight to your seat at the gate. Bobby ordered a Cheesecake Factory slice and Milk Bar shake from his seat. However, the drawback once again is the dwindling of available jobs for traditional servers. But, as a foodie I love to learn how the industry continues to sustain. RDU’s getREEF virtual food hall has everything from 800 Degrees Pizza to Pei Wei and more. So, I’ll give it a try next time I pass through!
These Are 14 Of The Best Places To Travel In And Near North Carolina This Summer
1. Atlanta, GA
Kruck20
Total Score: 66.63
Travel Costs & Hassles: 9
Local Costs: 20
Attractions: 16
Weather: 15
About a 4 hour drive from Charlotte down I-85 Atlanta, is an easy and affordable weekend getaway. You can park your car at your downtown hotel and never move it. Attractions include the Georgia Aquarium, Coca-Cola Museum, Skywheel, and College Football Hall of Fame. There is also incredible shopping and dining, plus if you have the chance to catch an event at Mercedes Benz Stadium you won’t want to pass that up!
3. Washington, DC
SeanPavonePhoto
Total Score: 64.07
Travel Costs & Hassles: 21
Local Costs: 78
Attractions: 15
Weather: 19
DC is always a great vacation destination, whether you want to take advantage of all the free museums and rich history, or my personal favorite activity shopping and dining in Georgetown.
13. Greenville, SC
Total Score: 59.07
Travel Costs & Hassles: 13
Local Costs: 17
Attractions: 59
Weather: n/a
One of the trendiest cities in the Carolinas is the top ranked destination actually in either Carolina on this list. I still need to check out all there is do in Greenville, but at just about a 2 hour drive from Charlotte it’s an easy enough trip even for the day!
23. Raleigh, NC
Mark Howard
Total Score: 56.76
Travel Costs & Hassles: 42
Local Costs: 50
Attractions: 41
Weather: 22
Take into the history museum or Marbles Kids Museum, or enjoy a picnic and paddleboat at Pullen Park. Or perhaps visit the North Carolina Farmer’s Market. Or do what I do and attend any NC State sporting event. Go pack!
28. Virginia Beach, VA
Kyle Little
Total Score: 55.81
Travel Costs & Hassles: 16
Local Costs: 82
Attractions: 57
Weather: 26
A visit to Virginia Beach of course includes the beach and the boardwalk. Other fun activities include the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center and First Landing State Park.
31. Knoxville, TN
Kruck20
Total Score: 55.27
Travel Costs & Hassles: 66
Local Costs: 7
Attractions: 80
Weather: 36
Knoxville isn’t too far from North Carolina, and this college town offers a gorgeous location on the Tennesee River as well as affordability. It’s my stopping point on drives to Nashville and I’d love to spend more time here and even attend a Tennesee game. Though to quote Sandra Bullock’s character in The Blind Side, “I will not wear that gaudy orange”.
32. Jacksonville, FL
TraceRouda
Total Score: 54.54
Travel Costs & Hassles: 59
Local Costs: 15
Attractions: 27
Weather: 61
At just 5 hours from Charlotte Jacksonville and the area beaches are closer than some North Carolina beaches. I spent my January birthday in Jacksonville a few years ago and loved it. From the warm enough weather to walk on the beach in shorts in January, to the zoo, and some fabulous restaurants I’m just waiting for an excuse to go back!
33. Charleston, SC
Sean Pavone
Total Score: 54.34
Travel Costs & Hassles: 81
Local Costs: 51
Attractions: 60
Weather: 3
I’m shocked it took this long to get to Charleston. This city full of southern historic charm is an extremely popular vacation destination. From the nearby beaches to gorgeous scenery and incredible restaurants it’s the city that keeps visitors coming back for more.
35. Augusta, GA
Kruck20
Total Score: 54.17
Travel Costs & Hassles: 64
Local Costs: 2
Attractions: 63
Weather: 29
If you’re a golfer Augusta is a must-visit, and even if you’re not there are still plenty of things to enjoy such as the Augusta Riverwalk and Meadow Gardens. Take an adventure scavenger hunt or hike at the phinizy nature park.
47. Charlotte, NC
Kruck20
Total Score: 52.53
Travel Costs & Hassles: 71
Local Costs: 27
Attractions: 26
Weather: 23
I’m desensitized to Charlotte spending most of my life here but there really is a ton to do especially if you’re not used to city life. From endless restaurants, bars, breweries, and shopping to the Whitewater Center, Carowinds, and NASCAR Hall of Fame.
48. Columbia, SC
f11photo
Total Score: 52.08
Travel Costs & Hassles: 55
Local Costs: 13
Attractions: 69
Weather: 28
Whether you are making the 90 minute drive down I-77 for the day or the weekend there is plenty to do. Visitors love the Riverbanks Zoo and Gardens or take in the history at the SC State Museum. Spend the day walking around the University of South Carolina campus or take a boat out on Lake Murray.
49. Nashville, TN
Jonathan Ross
Total Score: 51.56
Travel Costs & Hassles: 80
Local Costs: 53
Attractions: 22
Weather: 6
One of my favorite cities is about a 6 hour road trip from Charlotte. Even if you don’t love country music you’ll love exploring downtown, visiting Opryland Resort, shopping, and taking in the diverse music scene of Music City.
51. Chattanooga, TN
Kruck20
Total Score: 50.29
Travel Costs & Hassles: 74
Local Costs: 40
Attractions: 56
Weather: 14
Just under 6 hours away is the underrated destination of Chattanooga. Take a ghost hour, visit the Tennessee Railroad Museum, The Tennesee Aquarium, or Racoon Mountain Caverns.
59. Greensboro, NC
SeanPavonePhoto
Total Score: 49.14
Travel Costs & Hassles: 65
Local Costs: 18
Attractions: 82
Weather: 35
Another underrated fun spot is Greensboro. A lot of fun restaurants and bars have opened up lately. Kids and adults love Wet & Wild Emerald Park, relax at the Grandover Spa, and the Greensboro Science Center offers fun for all ages.
