Jessica Clayton
What a great experience with delicious food and unique drinks. The service was amazing with great suggestions. I personally am not a huge fan of blue cheese other than with celery, but the Mac and steak was amazingly balanced with blue cheese (couldn’t taste it at all) and my hubby loved the salmon meatloaf orzo (such a creamy pesto sauce). The empanadas had a delightful twist of goat cheese, so yummy! Can’t wait to go back!
… moreLori Owen
Stopped in on a Saturday afternoon for lunch. Cozy atmosphere and the food from the scratch kitchen is delicious. My two chicken sliders were elevated with pickled red onions and a delicious sauce. My husband got a steak sandwich but again, his sandwich was super foodie with real chunks of delicious steak, tiny pearl onions and creamy cheese. The French fries are perfectly salty and crispy. They have a great selection of craft beers which we tried and some wonderful looking specialty cocktails. Our server Maria was awesome. Sorry I didn’t take pictures when we first got our food. We thought their prices were very reasonable and a great value considering their food is so good.
… moreNate Elkins
The wife and I went for a dinner date this evening and it was incredible. It is a bit pricey, but it is absolutely worth it. Everything on the menu sounds great and I genuinely had a difficult time picking my entrée. I would 100% recommend this place to everyone. It seems like it can definitely get busy, so make a reservation like we did.
… moreJohnny Figueroa
A Truly Arresting Culinary Experience!
The Old Jailhouse, Sanford, FL
The Old Jailhouse is not just a meal; it is an impeccably designed destination that captures the unique, historical charm of Sanford. Its location is unbeatable, situated right in the heart of the historic downtown, making it the perfect starting or ending point for exploring the area’s vibrant scene and fantastic local microbreweries.
What truly sets this establishment apart is the magnificent and tasteful decoration that boldly celebrates its previous life. The designers managed to honor the building’s identity as a former jailhouse—with stunning architectural details—while transforming it into a sophisticated, refined dining space. The ambiance is evocative, unique, and feels both respectful of history and entirely high-end. The meticulous care taken with the environment is evident in every corner.
The entire experience is elevated by the staff. The service was professional, cheerful, and incredibly helpful, ensuring every detail of our late lunch was flawless.
The beverage menu is outstanding. The cocktails are true works of art—complex, innovative, and perfectly executed; they are exactly the kind of sophisticated, layered drinks you would expect to see in a movie.
The food is the absolute centerpiece. Every dish we ordered was exquisitely presented, demonstrating a high level of skill and artistry from the kitchen. More importantly, the food was absolutely delicious, proving that the substance easily matches the style.
Final Verdict
For anyone seeking an elevated dining experience that combines unique local history with modern culinary excellence, The Old Jailhouse is a mandatory visit. It is highly recommended for dining out with a friend and small groups looking for a memorable night.
… moreNK
Came here for my birthday last weekend and had a blast. Love the decor and was lucky enough to get the first “jail cell” to the right as soon as you walk in. Fit a party of 11 perfectly and our server(s) were amazing. Food was also great. Everything we ordered was fantastic. Will definitely be back.
… moreThe Pepper Austin Channel
Tried this piece for the first time after having heard good things. Here is my take. The theme inspired atmosphere is great. The brick walls, barred windows, dim lighting, and jail cells hit exactly the mark they were aiming for. Our server was pleasant and attentive. I had the mushroom gnocchi and my wife had the steak. Both dishes were a touch under seasoned but nothing that a dash of salt couldn’t fix and my gnocchi were just a hair overcooked. That having been said, after adding a touch of salt, the rich and savory flavors were brought forward and I enjoyed every bite of my ample serving. My wife’s steak was perfectly cooked and nicely presented. Overall, I would recommend you give this place a try.
… moreAndrew Adams
Their entire menu is very well done. The burger, pork belly, and empenadas were excellent. I ordered empenadas to go in case i was hungry later. The drink program is equally incredible. Their cosmo uses fresh lime juice. The white chocolate rum drink feels inspired by a painkiller but better than a painkiller. It is a little sweet. So, save it for dessert.
… moreStefanie Cee
First timer and didn’t know what to expect but everything was EXCELLENT! Indoor/Outdoor seating and bar area. Lemon drop martini was so good.
Beef empanadas were flavorful and good portion size. Fried chicken was seasoned and fried to perfection. Orzo and salmon were amazing as well. We also had the apple cobbler for dessert. Everything had so much flavor and seasoning and had me trying to guess all the flavors. Very impressed with this place. Service was great as well as the environment. Really enjoyed the night here and will return to try other items!
… moreTracy Drake
We came here for my birthday last weekend and what a wonderful experience! The food was exceptional to say the least !! Chef sincerely takes such care in the menu planning and it shows! Also, the hidden gem of this amazing restaurant is the bar! Avery is by far the epitome of bartender perfection! Her seasonal drinks are not only gorgeous but so unique and oh so delicious! If you find yourself in Sanford and want to really treat yourself The Old Jailhouse is the place to be! Oh and make sure you ask about the history of this interesting restaurant!
… moreAdam Skove
What a great mid-week dinner we had here. Cool interior with a lot more seating than there first seems to be. I would say the restaurant was about 75% full when we went. Our waitress Jade was very helpful and made sure we had an excellent meal, which we did. Everything we ordered was extremely tasty and well executed. Will highly recommend the Jailhouse to anyone. Can’t wait to come back.
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