John Coogan

Racer Martin.

What a crazy name for a 19-year-old chef from Arizona.

R-A-Y-C-E-R.

That's a cool name.

Racer.

He plays Apex Legends at the Gameway Lounge at Chicago's Midway Airport.

I plunked down at the gaming station and embarrassed myself playing Mario Kart over a lunch of Diet Coke and Ruffles cheddar and sour cream chips.

The patient gameway manager who used to work at GameStop assured me that it just takes practice and encouraged me to play at home.

Another employee did her best to introduce me to Minecraft, even though I gave up after five minutes.

This Wall Street Journal reporter is clearly learning the ropes of these games.

Video gaming is the main attraction at the much bigger Portal Lounge in Minneapolis, which opened over Memorial Day weekend in the decon course.

But it's just one attraction.

The food is more lounge-like with build-your-own bowls.

Slot bowls.

Buffalo cauliflower salad fixes a cup of dessert.

Adding to the futuristic feel, a robot bartender takes the center stage pouring drinks.

It's from the same company as the makers of the Bionic Bar on some Royal Caribbean ships at almost 4,000 square feet.

Portal isn't on par with, say, an American Express Centurion lounge.

It's more like one of those smaller escape lounges.

RC Cola is on tap.