Chili’s Grill & Bar is back at Jacksonville International Airport. And it’s bigger and better than travelers remember.
With a menu that includes classic Tex-Mex and American dishes, the popular chain restaurant reopened Wednesday after a nearly 20-month absence to accommodate airport improvements, including expanding the security screening area and other related renovations as part of the ongoing modernization of JAA’s concessions at the northside airport.
Located just past the new security checkpoints at the entrance to Concourse A, the new restaurant is 50 percent larger than the old restaurant and has 182 seats, Paul Lockel, director of operations at HMSHost, told the Times-Union. HMSHost, based in Bethesda, Maryland, operates the airport restaurant in partnership with the Jacksonville Aviation Authority (JAA) and Florida-based Lee Wesley Group, a joint venture partner of the Airport Concessions Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (ACDBE).
The restaurant has new features such as self-service kiosks and a Bottoms Up draft beer system, Lockel said.
In addition, the restaurant design is intended to be “an elegant, modern and inviting space that enhances casual dining and thus improves the passenger experience.”
Known for its Big Mouth Burgers and Tex-Mex cuisine including fajitas, boneless chicken wings, southwestern spring rolls, salads and soups, Chili’s is the newest addition to the airport’s dining offerings, along with Angie’s Subs, Southern Grounds, BurgerFi and Firehouse Subs.
Food Court, Club JAX nearby
The restaurant’s reopening follows the recent closure of the airport’s food court and Club JAX to make way for construction of a brand new $300 million Concourse B, HMSHost and JAA officials said.
“We do not anticipate reopening the food court in its current form as the entire area will need to be demolished to make way for the new concourse. Once completed in 2026, Concourse B should offer travelers several additional dining options,” Greg Willis, JAA’s marketing and public relations manager, told the Times-Union.
Chili’s, a longtime customer favorite, is helping fill the gap left by the closure, Willis said.
“The reopening comes at a very important point in the airport as far as construction is concerned. The food court is gone … and the new Chili’s is actually twice the size. This will offset some of the services we lost,” Willis said.
Lockel noted that Chili’s at the airport has always drawn a lot of people and that this has been missed.
“Being able to open a full-service restaurant in the airport at this exact time to serve those customers is critical. So it’s super important,” Lockel said.
Chili’s also complements the airport’s other restaurants, he said.
In addition, Lockel said HMSHost will “definitely submit a bid” for any restaurants that the JAA proposes at the airport in the future.
“We’re here to stay. You know we have several units in the building now that are operating at a high level and we’re definitely looking to grow in Jacksonville. This airport is a place we want to be and stay for years to come,” he said.
The Chili’s expansion was done by Jacksonville-based Auld & White Constructors LLC and cost an estimated $1.3 million, according to a March 4 building permit issued by the city.
Additional airport restaurants
Despite the closure of the Food Court and Club JAX, there are still plenty of dining options available to hungry travelers at JIA, from full-service restaurants to take-out food and drinks.
Including:
- Angie’s Subs: Hall A
- BurgerFi: Hall A
- Chili’s Grill & Bar: Hall A
- Firehouse Subs: Hall C
- South area: Two locations. The first location is before the security check and the other after the security check in Hall A.
- PGA Tour Grill: Hall C
- Shula Burger: Hall A
- Starbucks: Hall C
- Vino Volo and Verdi Market: Hall C
Chili’s at the airport is open daily from 5 a.m. until the last flight departs, Willis said.
Teresa Stepzinski is a restaurant reporter for the Times-Union. Follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, @TeresaStepz or email her at [email protected].
If you are a subscriber, thank you. If not, become a subscriber to receive the latest restaurant reviews.
