Willie Jewell’s Old School Bar-B-Q is headed to Jacksonville International Airport, bringing the Jacksonville-born barbecue brand to the airport’s new Concourse B as part of an expanded lineup of restaurants and food options.
The restaurant will be part of Oak & Ocean Food Hall, a new dining destination being developed by HMSHost inside Concourse B. HMSHost was awarded a 15-year contract by the Jacksonville Aviation Authority to develop and operate the food hall, which will feature a mix of local and national restaurant brands.
The restaurant will be at the airport at 2400 Yankee Clipper Drive, and will be operated by HMSHost.
For Willie Jewell’s, the airport location brings the brand back into the local spotlight. The company is headquartered in Jacksonville and traces its roots to the family behind Bono’s Pit Bar-B-Q. The brand was founded in 2008 and has since expanded beyond Northeast Florida with locations across several states.
The restaurant specializes in traditional Southern barbecue, with meats smoked on-site and served in a fast-casual setting. Its menu includes pulled pork, brisket, smoked turkey, sausage, chicken and ribs, along with sandwiches, burgers, sides and desserts.
Among the menu options are the Slawpy Pig, made with pulled pork and coleslaw, the Bo-Hawg with barbecue pork, cheddar cheese and smoked sausage, and the Two Timer, which allows guests to choose two smoked meats. Willie Jewell’s also serves smoked wings with several sauce options, as well as classic Southern sides.
At the airport, Willie Jewell’s will be one of several restaurants inside the new Oak & Ocean Food Hall. The nearly 5,500-square-foot food hall will also include Chick-fil-A, Panda Express and V Pizza, bringing both national brands and Northeast Florida favorites into the new concourse.
Recent airport updates show construction continuing as tenants begin preparing their individual spaces. The new concourse is expected to open to travelers by early 2027, with American Airlines planning to begin flights from its six gates on January 28.
An exact opening date for the Willie Jewell’s location has not been announced.
