BY ANNETTE SISCO | STAFF WRITER Happy Thursday, New Orleans food fans! This week, we check out the dining scene at Louis Armstrong International Airport. Then it's across the river to Gretna to stand in a very, very long line at a phenomenal new family-run plate-lunch spot. We've got news about Covington's Oxlot 9, and an elegant Italian place opens in the Lower Garden District. Let's dig in... 1. Airport food takes off. New Orleans opened a sparkling new airport terminal in 2019 with 32 restaurants, bars and food stands, including beloved local names. Then the pandemic came along and wiped out business almost overnight. Now, food is coming back. Read Ian McNulty's story here. 2. 'Nothing but love.' The line is out the door at Chicken's Kitchen in Gretna as people wait for the stuffed Cornish hens, smothered okra and blackened salmon served up by Marlon "Chicken" Williams. We love the food, and also report on the owner's special commitment to his community. 3. Wait! There's more. Plans are unclear for Covington's Oxlot 9 after it leaves the Southern Hotel; Italian food anchors the elegant San Lorenzo in New Orleans' Lower Garden District; Royal Bell brings Hawaiian flavors to his Aloha NOLA pop-up this weekend; and a Lafayette family is on a mission to photograph their adorable baby son at all their favorite New Orleans places. 4. Sweet somethings. The fun stays on and the oven stays off when food writer Judy Walker makes dessert in summer. Check out Judy's irresistible recipes for no-churn sweet potato ice cream, banana-blueberry icebox cake and a frozen key lime pie. 5. Plan B, for 'better'? “Sometimes the greatest meals on vacations are the ones you find when Plan A falls through,” Anthony Bourdain said. What's your take? Jump into the discussion with our Where NOLA Eats Facebook community here. That's it for the food newsletter, but in New Orleans the food news never stops. For more, visit us at NOLA.com. Have a great weekend, and thanks for reading! --AS Are you a NOLA.com subscriber? If you are, thanks so much. But if you’re not, we’ve got a great offer for you. Check it out! | 
