Big Rig Brewery YOW Review – A Convenient Airport Meal That Gets the Job Done – Average EV Score: 5.8/10
Reviewed by Tastes of Ottawa
Each dish is rated using our EV Score (Enjoyment-to-Value Score), based on enjoyment, price paid, and benchmark pricing.
Table of Contents
Big Rig Brewery Restaurant Overview
1000 Airport Parkway Private, Ottawa, ON K1V 9B4
Big Rig Brewery is located inside Ottawa International Airport (YOW), and realistically, that fact alone shapes the entire experience.
You don’t come here because it’s a destination restaurant. You come here because you’re flying, you’re hungry, and your options are limited. Compared to quick grab-and-go counters, Big Rig offers one of the few sit-down dining experiences in the airport, which makes it appealing if you have time before your flight.
When we visited, it was very busy, which likely reflects the limited availability of proper restaurants inside the airport rather than overwhelming demand for this specific spot. Tables were full, and there was steady turnover of travellers with carry-ons beside them.
Despite how packed it was, the food came out decently fast, which is important in an airport setting. Service was efficient and transactional — friendly enough, but clearly focused on volume and speed. That’s understandable given the environment.
The space itself feels like a standard Big Rig location — casual pub-style decor, TVs mounted around the room, and a lively but slightly hectic atmosphere. You can hear rolling luggage and boarding announcements in the background. It’s not exactly relaxing dining, but again, it’s an airport.
Given the context, expectations need to be adjusted. This isn’t fine dining. It’s airport dining — and judged within that category, it performs reasonably well.
Would return? No.
Killer Bee Burger
Menu description: Beef patty, crispy bacon, cheddar, onion rings, BBQ sauce on brioche, served with pickle spear.
Enjoyment: 5.5/10
Price Paid: $26
Benchmark Price: $26
EV Score: 5.5/10
Order Again? No.
The Killer Bee Burger from Big Rig Brewery was a decent, if unremarkable, airport burger.
The presentation looked appealing enough, with a tall stack and the onion ring sitting prominently on top. The bacon was nicely crispy, which added a good crunch and salty contrast. The onion ring was actually one of the better components — golden and satisfying.
The BBQ sauce worked well, adding sweetness and tying the toppings together. The brioche bun was soft and held up reasonably well, though nothing particularly memorable about it.
The weak point was the beef patty. It was just okay and slightly dry. It wasn’t terrible, but it lacked juiciness and that satisfying bite you want from a good burger. It felt like a mass-produced patty rather than something carefully prepared.
The fries were decent — nothing outstanding, but acceptable. They weren’t overly soggy or undercooked, which is often the risk in high-volume environments. The pickle spear, however, wasn’t crunchy, which was disappointing. A good pickle should snap when you bite into it. This one didn’t.
Overall, the burger was fine. It wasn’t something I’d go out of my way for, but as an airport meal, it did the job.
Fish and Chips
Menu description: Beer-battered cod served with tartar sauce, side of fries and coleslaw.
Enjoyment: 6/10
Price Paid: $25
Benchmark Price: $25
EV Score: 6/10
Order Again? No.
The Fish and Chips from Big Rig Brewery was arguably the stronger of the two dishes we ordered.
The beer batter was nice and crispy, which is crucial. It had a good crunch without feeling overly thick or greasy. Inside, the cod was properly cooked and not overdone, which is another common risk with fried fish in busy kitchens.
The fish itself was tender and flaky, and overall it was a solid execution.
The fries were decent, similar to the ones that came with the burger. Again, nothing spectacular, but serviceable. The coleslaw was average, offering some freshness but not adding anything particularly memorable.
This dish falls into the same category as the burger: competent but not exciting. It satisfies hunger, but it doesn’t leave a lasting impression.
The Airport Factor
It’s important to evaluate Big Rig Brewery at YOW within the context of airport dining.
Airport restaurants face challenges that standard restaurants don’t — unpredictable rushes, tight time constraints, and customers who are often stressed or distracted. Given that, Big Rig performs fairly well.
The food came out quickly, which is crucial when you’re watching the clock before boarding. The portions were reasonable, and nothing was inedible or poorly executed beyond minor dryness in the burger patty.
Would I choose Big Rig over other restaurants in Ottawa? Probably not.
It provides a sit-down experience, which can be a welcome break before a flight.
Final Thoughts
Big Rig Brewery at Ottawa Airport is exactly what you’d expect: a convenient, moderately satisfying airport restaurant.
The Killer Bee Burger was decent but slightly dry, saved by crispy bacon, a good onion ring, and solid BBQ sauce. The fries were fine, though the pickle lacked crunch.
The Fish and Chips was the better choice — crispy batter, properly cooked fish, and overall a competent execution.
Nothing about the meal was special, but nothing was terrible either. It’s functional dining for travellers who want something more substantial than a sandwich kiosk.
If you’re flying out of YOW and have time for a sit-down meal, Big Rig is a reasonable option. Just keep expectations aligned with the setting. It’s not destination-worthy — it’s airport-worthy, and in that category, it gets the job done.
If you’re looking for more pubs, check out my other reviews: