The Old Jailhouse Targets Fall Opening for Second Location at MCO Airport
Is The Old Jailhouse Opening a Second Location at Orlando International Airport?
Yes — The Old Jailhouse, the historic Sanford bar and restaurant, is opening a satellite location inside Orlando International Airport (MCO). Owner Alex Sirica confirmed the news this week, describing the new spot as bringing “a little bit of Sanford to the Orlando Airport.” The original Old Jailhouse sits at 113 S. Palmetto Ave in Sanford, inside a building with a storied past of its own — it began as a blacksmith and wagon shop in the late 19th century, and the restaurant’s name actually comes from the old Seminole County Jail, a separate historic building tied to its origins.
When Will The Old Jailhouse’s MCO Location Open?
The Old Jailhouse is targeting a late September or early October opening this fall. Sirica said the team is working to hit that window, though exact dates for airport concession buildouts can shift as construction and permitting wrap up.
How Does This Fit Into MCO’s Larger Restaurant Expansion?
The Old Jailhouse’s airport location is part of a much bigger, multi-year overhaul of dining and retail at MCO. The Greater Orlando Aviation Authority, which oversees MCO in Orange County, approved the first phase of its Concession Master Plan back in December 2024, bringing more than 40 new restaurants and shops to Terminals A and B. A second phase, approved in November 2025 and expanded further that December, added even more concepts — bringing the total to 44 restaurants and markets approved so far. The full rollout is expected to happen in phases from summer 2026 through late 2028, as construction and buildouts are completed terminal by terminal. The Old Jailhouse is set to be one of the earlier openings in that timeline.
This restaurant overhaul is part of MCO’s broader $5.9 billion Capital Improvement Program, which also includes the new Terminal C expansion and ongoing runway and infrastructure upgrades. The goal is to modernize the airport’s dining and retail experience to match its growth — MCO has consistently ranked among the busiest airports in the country, and airport leadership has been vocal about wanting the food and beverage lineup to reflect that scale.
What Other Local Businesses Are Part of This Expansion?
Several other Central Florida-based restaurants are part of the same MCO expansion, alongside a mix of national chains. On the local and regional side, 4Rivers Southern Smokehouse — the well-known Winter Garden-based barbecue restaurant with locations across the country — is joining the lineup, along with Otto’s High Dive, a Latino-inspired restaurant concept, Smoke & Donuts, and Kelly’s Ice Cream. Rounding out the expansion are several national favorites familiar to travelers, including Chick-fil-A, Shake Shack, Starbucks, Einstein Bros. Bagels, and Panda Express. Between the local names and national brands, MCO’s overhaul reflects both a nod to Central Florida’s own food scene and the kind of familiar options business and leisure travelers look for while passing through one of the busiest airports in the country.
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