Gold-medalist Olympic gymnast Simone Biles was inside George Bush Intercontinental Airport Tuesday to celebrate the opening of her new restaurant “Taste of Gold,” according to the Houston Airport System.
Biles appeared with her family to introduce the “upscale cafe” to Terminal A — a bright spot during the partial government shutdown, which has turned airports into a travel nightmare for passengers as fewer TSA agents show up to work without pay. Biles’ restaurant had been set to open in the first quarter of 2025 and was tucked away from the hourslong TSA lines, standing near Gate A8.
The restaurant displays decorations inspired by Biles’ career and serves sandwiches, salads, shareables, including her favorite “Simone’s Skewers,” and dessert, according to Houston Airports. Biles, who grew up in the Houston area, opened the business with Athlete Playmaker Group, which specializes in airport restaurants, airport officials said.
In an interview with the Chronicle, Biles said Athlete Playmaker Group approached her with the idea for the restaurant, and she jumped at the opportunity. She said she had a lot of creative direction, from the restaurant’s bar stools to the artwork.
In an interview with the Chronicle, Biles said Athlete Playmaker Group approached her with the idea for the restaurant, and she jumped at the opportunity. She said she had a lot of creative direction, from the restaurant’s bar stools to the artwork.
“Airports are the front door to a city, but too often feel interchangeable,” Missimo said in a release. “Taste of Gold supports our goal of creating places that feel familiar and local, without sacrificing quality, speed or consistency.”
The restaurant will be open daily from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m., according to Houston Airports. Multiple TVs will display sporting events there, and 3D art by a Texas designer will brighten the space, according to the airport system.
“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,” Francisco Cuellar, the chief commercial development officer for Houston Airports, said. “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.”
The restaurant’s opening came as standard security screening waits exceeded four hours at Bush Airport due to a TSA worker shortage during the partial government shutdown, which has halted funding for the Department of Homeland Security. Biles said she was able to avoid the lines on her way to the restaurant with a special escort on the airport tarmac, but she said she feels “awful” about the situation at Houston’s airports.
“The lines are a little bit overwhelming, crazy, and traveling is already anxiety filled for most travelers,” Biles said. “So to get a smooth walk through the airport, that would be super nice. So hopefully we decide to pay those workers exactly what they’re worth so that everyone can get back to work and travel can be smooth again.”
Texas-based Pluckers Wing Bar and Joe’s Italian Restaurant of Conroe have each started offering TSA workers free meals during the partial government shutdown, and Biles said she may be open to a similar offer.
“I think that would be amazing to implement because it is such hard times in this moment,” Biles said. “And we have incredible staff, we have incredible food, so I would definitely love to do that, yes.”
