Question about Pearson airport terminal 3 - eating options

[peacefrogdog]

flyingout of Pearson , Westjet , terminal 3 for our trip to Orlando.

Having a quick look at the terminal map, there seem to be limited eating options if flung to the U.S. - only a Nobel Burger Bar and one other option that didn't seem too inviting to kids.

1. Can anyone who has flown Westjet out of Pearson , to fly to Orlando , comment on what eating options you recall seeing? Anything good for kids?
2. Are you allowed to purchase food options pre-security (I.e. Subway, Swiss chalet）, and bring it through security? Or will that sort of food be taken away at customs?

 

[minnie mum]

I never eat when I'm flying out of Pearson - I never seem to have time. I seem to remember a Starbucks and a Freshii in the post security USA departure area. But you can bring solid food like sandwiches and fruit through security. It's only liquids that they're really concerned with.

 

[peacefrogdog]

I never eat when I'm flying out of Pearson - I never seem to have time. I seem to remember a Starbucks and a Freshii in the post security USA departure area. But you can bring solid food like sandwiches and fruit through security. It's only liquids that they're really concerned with.

I think you're right. I was more concerned with bringing food through customs and whether they would allow me.

 

[xStitch]

Carrying it through security won't be an issue with something like Subway, just put it in your carry-on. Swiss Chalet might be harder as I don't you'd be able to get the sauce through due to sizing. US Customs do ask about meat, fruit and veggies but seeing as you'd be eating it before you board the plane, I don't think they'd have an issue but you would have to inform them. I only ever bring snacks through which they don't ask about on the forms, so I've never dealt with them.

Another option is arrive even earlier and eat before you have to go through everything OR eat somewhere near the airport instead. Pearson is so expensive and I regret spending 13 bucks on a horrible sandwich from Starbucks.

Personally, I'd eat before you get to the airport T3 is very limited on options.

 

[Starwind]

We fly from Ottawa and invariably have to transfer in Toronto on the way to our destination (Orlando or otherwise). The US departures area food selections are abysmal and are even worse in the WestJet terminal (vs. Air Canada).

I almost always eat at Noble Burger and have been very happy with -- have had both breakfast and lunch there. Not cheap, but the food was good and service excellent. I have multiple food allergies and they were able to accommodate. Also, they have ipads at very table and you can browse news and such while waiting for your meal (anyone can use them btw, you don;t have to order food; they have signs to that effect).

If you do bring food through US Customs be sure to declare ALL of it. Failing to do so and getting caught has serious and expensive consequences.

I have brought food from before security through -- e.g one time i got a Swiss chalet meal at Ottawa and brought it though with me; the CBP officer joked he hadn't had lunch yet and was hungry so might have to confiscate it. He did warn me it all had to be eaten before I arrived in the USA, which was not a problem.

SW

 

[marisabuzz]

In 2014, we took the 10:30am WestJet flight to Orlando from Pearson the first time we went to Disney World. By the time we got to our gate after getting through customs and security (arrived 2.5 hours prior to departure) we only had 20 minutes before boarding.

In the rush and scuffle of it all, we found a Starbucks "close" to the gate. It wasn't really that close, but it was better than the other options I recall seeing. That seemed at the time to be the best option to feed the kids (they have milk, bananas, croissants) so we got that.

 

[peacefrogdog]

OP here.
Can confirm that Starbucks is the only real counter option at the US departures part of T3. By the gates, you can order bar-type foods via the iPads but it's pricey (i.e. $10/beer, $15-20 for a burger/fries).
Can also confirm that the US customs weren't overly interested if we had foods like sandwiches, or dried foods.

 

[pigletto]

We'll be leaving our airport hotel too early to partake of the free breakfast this Fall. Our flight is out of T3 at 7:45 am so we plan to be at the airport for 5 am. I suppose Starbucks is better than nothing. Hopefully it's open that early in the morning and we can get something quick to tide us over until we have picked up our luggage and have our rental car in Orlando. That won't be until at least 11 and by that point there will be mutiny in our group if everyone hasn't eaten. I better pack some snacks.

 

[starvenger]

The place right after security is fine (albeit overpriced) if you're looking for sandwiches or salads.

Starbucks is, shockingly, the "budget" option. YMMV on whether the food is good or not, but prices are about the same as on the outside. Freshii is fine and their prices are also about on par with the outside, but considering that they are overpriced to begin with...

Haven't tried the McEwen place or the burger place.

 

[Starwind]

We'll be leaving our airport hotel too early to partake of the free breakfast this Fall. Our flight is out of T3 at 7:45 am so we plan to be at the airport for 5 am. I suppose Starbucks is better than nothing. Hopefully it's open that early in the morning and we can get something quick to tide us over until we have picked up our luggage and have our rental car in Orlando. That won't be until at least 11 and by that point there will be mutiny in our group if everyone hasn't eaten. I better pack some snacks.

Nobel Burger opens at 5 am and serves breakfast. We have had their breakfast a couple times on the way to Orlando and been quite happy with it.

It is not cheap. Their Pearson webpage has their menu (breakfast at the bottom) including prices: http://www.torontopearson.com/Components/Templates/Retailer.aspx?id=4294986819#

They have been able to accommodate my multiple food allergies and is about the only place on the US departures side I can eat at.

On Pearson's site ( http://www.torontopearson.com/foodanddrink/# ) you can search to find what food and drink are available (select terminal, before or after security and USA departures).

The Starbuck's in T3 after security USA departures is open at 4 am: http://www.torontopearson.com/Components/Templates/Retailer.aspx?id=3323&terms=starbucks#

SW