While it will be some time before traditional buffets make a widespread return to U.S. airport lounges, pre-packaged goods are already back on a self-serve basis. Today, we’ll take a look at what breakfast looks like in the United Club in Denver.
Breakfast At The United Club In Denver
Many of you have a pair of one-time passes via the United Explorer Credit Card by Chase and might be wondering when to use it and whether it makes sense right now, especially when many airpot concessionaires remain closed.
My rule of thumb on these passes is that they are replaceable for about $20 (check eBay…) and I value them accordingly. $20 is never going to be worth it for the food alone, but if you can enjoy enough food to cobble together a meal, enjoy a cup of coffee or complimentary alcoholic beverage, enjoy a quiet and comfortable sitting area with wi-fi, and have access to clean restrooms that are not as crowded as in the terminal, then your lounge visit is worthwhile.
United currently does not publish its lounge menus, but expect pre-packaged goods. The upside to that is you can take it to go if you are in a rush, though cracking down on “to go” items is exactly why United shifted away from pre-packaged items several years ago.
I was recently in the Denver United Club (thanks to a friend I met onboard my LAX-DEN flight) and noted the following food choices:
- Croissants
- Blueberry muffins
- Oatmeal (three flavors)
- Granola bars
- Ritz cracker mini-sandwiches
- White chocolate-covered pretzels
- Peaches (in a heavy syrup)
- Yogurt (three flavors)
- Cage-free har boiled eggs
- Egg salad sandwiches on wheat bread
- Cereal (two varieties)
Denver also has new coffee machines that dispense fairly decent espresso-based beverages. Some find illy coffee beans too bitter, but I do not mind them.
CONCLUSION
Food is gradually being re-introduced and the selection now if arguably the best it has been in nearly a year. You can expect similar food choices in other United Clubs during the breakfast window.
Wow – that’s a huge step up from what I experienced in ORD in late summer. The options then were individually packaged pretzels, cheez-its, and a strange shelf-stable “bruschetta” spread. But the bar tenders were lovely, attentive, and hustling – they seemed genuinely pleased to see people out and about.
Illy too bitter? It’s European coffee – that’s how it is supposed to taste. People who complain about Illy are likely the same ones who like Dunkin which – in my opinion – is little more than insipid brown-colored water. Although, if we’re talking espresso brands, Delta – from Portugal – is my go-to.
Are you saying Matthew is more Dunkin Donuts than Illy? That’s quite an insult to a self-proclaimed coffee snob.
Yes indeed.
@Indy: Are you questioning my coffee credentials?! 😉
Matt is really a secretly inspired Starbucks Coffee guy!!!
Ha – not questioning. Merely commenting on your comment that some find Illy too bitter. *They* can stick to Dunkin and let the rest of us enjoy the good stuff.
UA Club at IAD terminal C offers pretty good hot noodle bowls (although pre-packaged) and unlimited cheesecake lol which can be dangerous if you lack self-control. I was rather impressed with their offerings overall considering how non-existent they were 3-6 months ago.
It looks like UA is back to self-service of these pre-packaged items. Weren’t these food items previously behind the bar and were distributed by staff? With self-service you now have more people touching the items. Hmmm.
When were you in DEN? The new Centurion Lounge opened 2/1 and is absolutely fantastic.
Two days before. I look forward to visiting it soon.
Can you dispense your own hot water? Seems like a COVID touchpoint. Same with the screen on the espresso machine.
Yes, all self-serve.
Went to the LAX UNITED Lounge 2 weeks ago at 2 pm Bar snacks of cheez-its/pretzels/cookies/ also Ramen noodle bowl but they put the hot water into the cup..No sandwiches or anything substantial. The drinks–including the $30 glass of champagne had to go into a plastic cup with a lid on it—Health Dept rule..Their Health Dept has a Psychologist running it not an MD of note!!!The Illy coffee was good- I used 3 of my Chase Mileage coupons for me,hubby and 4 year old grandson. He was eating his noodles(putting them into his mouth) when a United staff member came over to tell him to put on his mask!!!! too funny.
LAX is an interesting case. Legally, the UA lounge should be shut down (other like businesses are shut down), but UA somehow managed an exception. Yet it seems to be treading on thin ice. My understanding at LAX club was that eating and drinking was only permitted on the patio.
I’m happy to permanently skip DEN United clubs now that the centurion lounge has opened.
Oatmeal is a superfood…cheap, nutritious, universally available. Why do they have to flavour it, aka add vast amounts of sugar? I eat it every day, minimally seasoned with a little chia and hemp…and never get bored with it. These ‘ cheerio’ things sound ghastly ( in the same vein as Oreo), ie, of chemical manufacture…
Glad to see the espresso machine back. I was there a few weeks ago and they were off. I assumed it was covid related.
And I agree – not a fan of Illy.