The food at Terminal C is all before security. So you'd find a place to eat after you left your gate. It's not like A/B, where there are restaurants outside of security. In Terminal C, it's all inside security.
There are places to eat right across from the gates and also in the main sort of hub area. All of this is before you walk the long half mile, exiting the secure area and going to baggage claim. So if you have to claim your baggage first, you will be outside the food choices in Terminal C and you'll have to go over to A/B to get something to eat. The tram that runs between A/B and C is outside security.