A Miami-Dade County institution has brought its celebrated family recipes to Miami International Airport. Jackson Soul Food, which first opened in Overtown in 1946 and added a second location in Opa-locka in 2015, now serves travelers at MIA.
The airport location is branded Jackson Square and also includes a Jackson Soul Food-operated Chick-fil-A franchise. Both dining options are accessible to passengers in Concourses D and E. SSP America operates Jackson Square in partnership with Jackson Soul Food.
© Miami-Dade Aviation Department
“My team and I are delighted to bring the same family-oriented atmosphere and homemade food to the airport that our guests enjoy in Overtown and Opa-locka,” said Shirlene Ingraham, owner of Jackson Soul Food. “Opening at MIA, alongside Chick-fil-A, is an important milestone for me. I want to thank my family and our entire team for their dedication and hard work.”
Ingraham began learning to cook at age six while helping at her parents’ restaurant, often sneaking out at 4 a.m. to join them at work. Jackson Soul Food has become popular with Miami residents and visitors alike for its classic comfort dishes: fried catfish, meatloaf, ribs, candied yams, fried okra, collard greens, and macaroni and cheese.
“Bringing a local restaurant like Jackson Soul Food into an airport is central to our approach — we focus on delivering a true ‘taste of place’ to passengers,” said John Clark, senior vice president of Development, Airport and Airlines for SSP America. “It’s an honor to partner with Shirlene and the Jackson team. We’re proud to join Miami International Airport and look forward to contributing positively to the MIA community.”