We’ve Got Soul [Food]!

SSP America is proud to have opened Jackson Soul Food at Miami International Airport! Jackson Soul Food has been a thriving minority-owned business for decades serving up true ‘taste of place’ soul food known all over Miami and the U.S. It is also an important restaurant jobs-creator for Miami and the surrounding communities. 

The Jackson family opened their first restaurant in Miami-Dade County’s historic Black heritage neighborhood of Overtown in the 1940s under the name Mama’s Cafe. Since then, the brand evolved to Jackson Soul Food and a second location opened its doors in 2015. The restaurant would grow to become a popular draw for both Miami residents and celebrities, with its menu of traditional soul food dishes such as fried catfish, meatloaf, ribs, candied yams, fried okra, collard greens, and macaroni and cheese. 

Now, Jackson Soul Food has brought its legendary family recipes to MIA, creating even more restaurant jobs in the area. The MIA location has something for everyone. It has a signature cocktail menu, beer and wine, full breakfast options, starters, salads, sandwiches, entrees, a children’s menu, and vegetarian options. Travelers looking for southern comfort food can’t get enough of the Shrimp & Grits, Fried Okra, Biscuits, Cornbread Muffins, Fried Green Tomatoes, Smothered Pork Chops, Catfish Sandwiches, and Banana Pudding. There’s even a grab-and-go section and a Jackson Soul Food franchised Chick-fil-A. 

The MIA location’s aesthetic is somehow both modern and reminiscent of the 1920s. The artwork along the walls continues this pleasant dichotomy with images from the past and present. 

Owner Shirlene Ingraham, shared her feelings about the day, “My team and I are so glad to bring the same family-oriented atmosphere and home-made food to the airport that we offer our guests at our Overtown and Opa-locka locations. The opening of our MIA location, along with the Chick-fil-A location, mark an important milestone in my life. I’d like to thank my family and all of our team members for their hard work and dedication.”

John D. Clark, III, SSP America’s Senior Vice President of Development, Airports, and Airlines shared what it means to open this historic restaurant at MIA, “Opening a local restaurant like Jackson Soul Food is integral to who we are as a company—we’re all about bringing a ‘taste of place’ to passengers. It’s an honor to partner with Shirlene and the Jackson team. We’re also incredibly proud to join Miami International Airport and intend to make a positive contribution to the MIA community.”