Gold Medalist Simone Biles Inaugurates Signature Restaurant at Houston Airport

Houston—Olympic gymnastics champion Simone Biles officially cut the ribbon on her first airport restaurant, Taste of Gold, inside George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) on Tuesday, March 24. The upscale café, positioned in Terminal A near Gate A8, blends quick-service convenience with nods to Biles’s decorated career and Houston pride.

“As a frequent traveler, I am thrilled to partner with Athlete Playermaker Group to help create a place for people to relax and share meals during their travels through my hometown airport,” Biles said during the unveiling. “Whether you’re a fan of gymnastics, football or any sport, or just hungry for something yummy before or after your flight, I’d like to welcome you to Taste of Gold the way fans have welcomed me into their hearts over my career.”

The menu, developed by airport-dining specialists Athlete Playermaker Group, centers on sandwiches, salads and shareable plates. Biles’s personal pick, “Simone’s Skewers,” offers chicken, steak, shrimp and vegetable options, while a rotating dessert selection rounds out the offerings. Multiple televisions encircle the bar area, giving passengers a venue to catch live sports between flights.

Design details reinforce the athlete’s legacy. Original 3D installations by Texas artist Jody Dodson feature hand-crafted, painted wood accented with gold embellishments that echo Biles’s signature leotard shimmer. Seating and décor throughout the space celebrate the energy and excellence that have defined her career.

Athlete Playermaker Group, which has previously collaborated with stars such as Dirk Nowitzki, Marty Turco and Bruce Smith on airport concepts nationwide, sees the venue as a way to localize terminal dining. “Airports are the front door to a city, but too often feel interchangeable,” co-founder Derek Missimo said. “Taste of Gold supports our goal of creating places that feel familiar and local, without sacrificing quality, speed or consistency.”

Houston Airports views the opening as a flagship moment for its concessions program. “To have a global icon like Simone Biles choose Bush Airport for her first restaurant speaks to the strength of this platform and the millions of passengers we serve each year,” noted Francisco Cuellar, chief commercial development officer for Houston Airports. “Taste of Gold captures Houston’s spirit—excellence, energy and ambition—and it raises the bar for what passengers can expect when they travel through IAH.”

Taste of Gold is now open daily from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m., ready to serve travelers craving a gold-standard bite on the go.