Chicago Department of Aviation | Chicago Department of Aviation
Chicago Department of Aviation | Chicago Department of Aviation
The Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA), in partnership with Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield (URW) Airports and concession partners, marked the opening of The Dearborn restaurant at O’Hare International Airport’s renovated Terminal 5 during a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday.
The Dearborn, which first opened in Chicago’s theater district in 2016, is operated by sisters Amy and Clodagh Lawless. The new airport location offers sit-down dining and a grab-and-go marketplace for travelers.
“On behalf of Mayor Brandon Johnson and the entire City of Chicago, I am proud to welcome a world-class Chicago eatery like The Dearborn to our world-class airport,” said CDA Commissioner Michael J. McMurray. “Owned and operated by two sisters from Galway with deep roots in Chicago’s hospitality industry, The Dearborn brings more than just great food to O’Hare – it brings the warm, welcoming experience that has made it a beloved institution in the Loop for nearly a decade.”
Brian Petrow, URW’s Vice President ORD and Airport Operations, stated: “Bringing a beloved local brand like The Dearborn to Terminal 5 is a perfect example of our mission in action. Celebrated for capturing the spirit of one of Chicago’s most vibrant neighborhoods with a diverse menu to offer something for every traveler, The Dearborn also exemplifies the kind of inclusive growth we strive for—a local female-owned business in partnership with a local, minority operator. We’re proud to support the CDA’s vision and excited to help shape the next chapter of the terminal’s expansion.”
The restaurant is managed by HOST AIR ORD FB, a joint venture between John Wober—President of Airbrands—and HMSHost. Airbrands operates as an Airport Concessions Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (ACDBE).
"HMSHost, URW, the City of Chicago, and the Lawless sisters embody the partnerships that make this airport and city special," said John Wober. "Opening The Dearborn at O’Hare is especially meaningful as the son of parents who first touched down here from Argentina."
Clodagh Lawless expressed her enthusiasm about expanding into O’Hare: “Growing The Dearborn into this incredible new location is a dream come true and a defining moment for our journey as restaurateurs. Since opening our doors in the Loop, we’ve poured our hearts into creating a space that reflects the soul of Chicago—its people, its flavors, and its hospitality. To now bring that same spirit to the international stage at O’Hare is deeply meaningful. We are proud to share what we’ve built with travelers from all over the world and to continue expanding the reach of our family’s story and Chicago’s dynamic food culture.”
Amy Lawless added: “We are incredibly grateful for the opportunity to showcase everything The Dearborn stands for—heartfelt hospitality, delicious food, and a sense of community—right in the heart of one of the world’s busiest airports. As a female-owned, immigrant-founded restaurant, this expansion not only represents growth for our business but also the power of inclusive progress and partnership. We’re honored to represent Chicago in this exciting new chapter at Terminal 5 and are thrilled to work alongside our partners to deliver a warm, welcoming experience to every traveler who walks through our doors.”
The menu features items such as Fish & Chips featured on Beat Bobby Flay; Midwest Fried Chicken Wings; DB Smash Burger using dry-aged CDK Farms beef; Buffalo Chicken Sandwich; Japanese Curry Poutine; Dearborn Protein Bowl; tavern-style pizza; among other options.
Executive Chef Aaron Cuschieri has been promoted to Chef Partner as part of this expansion. Cuschieri has previously worked at Alinea and Takashi before joining The Dearborn.
O'Hare International Airport is one part of an airport system managed by CDA that serves over 100 million passengers annually across more than 260 nonstop destinations worldwide—including 76 international routes—and generates around $70 billion each year for regional economic activity while supporting about 700,000 jobs throughout nine counties (https://www.flychicago.com/business/pages/aboutcda.aspx). More than 54,000 people work directly at O'Hare or Midway airports.
URW Airports operates retail spaces within major airports including Los Angeles International (LAX), JFK International Airport (JFK), and O'Hare International (ORD). Its parent company manages shopping centers across Europe and North America (https://www.urw.com/).
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