JAX airport travelers, visitors have new dining option with opening of a local favorite

The opening of a popular, local restaurant's second location at Jacksonville International Airport offers travelers and visitors a taste of the city, part of a nationwide trend to bring local flavors to the mix of airport restaurant offerings.

Southern Grounds, a Jacksonville-based restaurant known for its inspired chef-driven menu focused on fresh and sustainable ingredients, recently celebrated the grand opening of its new, larger airport restaurant.

The 49-seat restaurant is located before the TSA security checkpoint — making it available to ticketed passengers and visitors. It follows the opening of a 23-seat Southern Grounds cafe post-security at Concourse A early last year.

"We get to, for the first time, bring a local brand into the airport that has full unprocessed, sustainable food in an airport environment … I think travelers are looking for healthier dining options and we certainly provide that," Mark Janasik, founder and owner of Southern Grounds, told the Times-Union.

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Southern Grounds teamed up with global restaurateur HMSHost and the Jacksonville Aviation Authority to bring the restaurant to JAX. HMSHost will operate the airport Southern Grounds restaurants with joint venture partner Florida-based Lee Wesley Group Inc, an Airport Concessions Disadvantaged Business Enterprise.

The goal, Janasik said, is to make traveling a better experience.

"Traditionally, being in transit has been the least enjoyable part of travel. With our partnership with HMSHost and JAA, we aim to change that with a sense of community, a sense of place, a great cup of coffee and a relaxing, customer-centric atmosphere," he said.

The pre-security checkpoint Southern Grounds offers an expanded breakfast, lunch and dinner menu. Breakfast items include eggs Benedict, bagel and croissant sandwiches, omelettes, pancakes and toasts. Lunch and dinner offerings include burgers, bowls, sandwiches, tacos and salads.

All are freshly made from scratch and to order using ingredients from local purveyors whenever possible.

Offering local flavors are an asset and a growing trend at airports nationwide, Tyler Pitman, HMSHost vice president of portfolio development, brand partnerships and adult beverage, told the Times-Union in an email.

“HMSHost has seen a growing demand across North America for airport dining options that offer local flavors," Pitman said. "Whether we bring a beloved local brand to the airport environment or create a new concept with a well-known local chef, we want to offer travelers a taste of the best of the community’s food and beverage scene if they don’t have an opportunity to leave the airport."

Pitman also said HMSHost continues "to make sure these local offerings fit into each airport’s broader concessions program."

"It’s about having a balance of options between local flavors and national brands," Pitman said.

JAA officials also note the importance of local flavors at the airport.

“As a traveler’s first and last impression of the region, an airport should showcase the best of the local community,” JAA CEO Mark VanLoh recently said in a news release announcing another local restaurant, Angie's Subs, is coming to JAX.

Southern Grounds signature menu offerings

The airport has a daily traveler count ranging from 8,000 to 13,000. Many will be hungry, and the two Southern Grounds locations will be available to serve them whether they are coming or going, Janasik said.

Southern Grounds offers a diverse menu including desserts and other sweet treats from its gourmet bake shop, Blueberry Artisan Bakery. Other signature items include:

• Grilled Salmon Salad ($23.69): Grilled salmon, avocado vinaigrette, artisan lettuce, radishes, cucumbers, tomato, avocado and lime

• Sogro House Burger ($19.69): Local grass-fed beef, gruyere cheese, bacon, sauteed onions, herbs and mushrooms served on an ancient grain bun

• Baja Ancient Grain Bowl ($15.29 original bowl, $23.69 with salmon or $20.39 with chicken): Cilantro lime rice, black beans, corn salsa, house-made salsa verde, pico de Gallo, Hass avocado and sour cream

• Brunch Toast Tartine ($10.99): Wheat toast, guacamole, feta cheese, heirloom tomatoes, poached egg and micro-greens

The restaurant also has a full bar offering craft cocktails, beer, wine, hard seltzer and teas. The craft cocktails include an Espresso Martini ($19.99), Sparkling Guava Margarita ($16.59), Rasberry Palmer ($18.99) and a Passionfruit Mimosa ($19), according to the menu.

Among the baked goods are flourless hazelnut bites and a gluten-free, vegan chocolate cake. In addition, a variety of cookies, muffins, pastries, cakes and more round out the treats. Fresh-roasted Intelligentsia coffee and espresso-based beverages are featured.

Southern Grounds growing

JAX is the most recent restaurant as Southern Grounds continues to grow in Northeast Florida and is preparing to ultimately expand its footprint state and nationwide.

Southern Grounds plans to open at 124 King St. in a century-old St. Augustine building at the intersection of Riberia Street, anchored by Gringos Tacos, One Twenty Three Burger House and First United Methodist Church.

The St. Augustine restaurant will be the fifth for Southern Grounds, which debuted in Neptune Beach in early 2016 and expanded to San Marco in 2018 and Avondale in 2020.

The new JAX Southern Grounds is open 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.

Next year, will see other local restaurants opening at the airport, according to JAA.

Angie's Subs

Angie's Subs, an iconic Jacksonville Beach sandwich shop for more than 40 years, plans to open a 10-seat, 800-square-foot quick-service restaurant in Concourse A early next year. Angie's will take over the existing Ciao Gourmet Market across from Southern Grounds.

Topping the menu will be sandwich favorites Peruvian (ham, Genoa salami, bacon, Italian sausage, provolone, and Peruvian sauce), Dr. Bang’s Scrippy (capicola, pepperoni, provolone, homemade chicken salad, lettuce, tomato, and pickle) and the Jack Del Rio (turkey, roast beef, bacon, mushrooms, honey BBQ Fritos, provolone, and Del Rio sauce).

Vino Volo and Verdi Market

Vino Volo wine bar and Verdi Market — both operated by Paradies Lagardère — will share space at the entrance of Concourse C immediately after the TSA checkpoint, Greg Willis, JAA marketing and public relations manager, told the Times-Union.

The wine bar is currently operating at a temporary location in Concourse C due to ongoing work to expand the security checkpoint, he said.

Willis said Vino Volo and Verdi Market are projected to open in their new combined location next year. Half of the storefront space will be a sit-down wine bar. The other half will be a market, he said.

Vino Volo offers a day-long food menu as well as a diverse selection of wine, craft beers and craft cocktails. Verdi Market will feature gourmet snacks, fresh pastries, bottled and specialty beverages, fresh grab-and-go food, freshly roasted coffee from Pura Bean Coffee Company of Jacksonville and some gift items, Willis said.

JAX restaurant lineup

• Auntie Anne’s — Food Court

• BurgerFi — Concourse A

• Ciao Gourmet Market — Concourse A

• Firehouse Subs — Food Court

• Firehouse Subs — Concourse C

• PGA Tour Grill — Concourse C

• Sbarro — Food Court

• Shula’s Bar & Grill — Concourse A

• Southern Grounds — Concourse A post-security

• Southern Grounds — Pre-security

• Starbucks — Food Court and Concourse C

• Vino Volo and Verdi Market — Concourse C (temporary location while construction gets underway for a permanent location slated to open in 2024)

JAX restaurants coming in 2024

• Angie's Subs — Concourse A

• Chili's — Concourse A (renovation and expansion)

• Burrito Gallery — Concourse B (will open upon completion of Concourse B)

Gary T. Mills of the Times-Union contributed to this report.

Teresa Stepzinski is the dining reporter for the Times-Union. Follow her on Twitter @TeresaStepz or reach her via email at tstepzinski@jacksonville.com.

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This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Southern Grounds opens second restaurant at Jacksonville airport