This place is hands down my favorite in Downtown Sanford for a great dinner, and we come here regularly. The Jailhouse hits all the right marks with its dynamic menu that shifts with the seasons. The food is consistently fresh, top-notch in quality, and bursting with deliciousness. I can't say enough about the consistently friendly and spot-on service we've always received.
I usually go for the NY Strip, which is always cooked to perfection with great flavor. They offer some unique drink options that also change from time to time. My personal favorite is the Brake Fluid, and they had a seasonal one called the Witch’s Trial – which should stay on the menu, in my opinion!
We've tried several other items from the menu, and you can't really go wrong here
The Old Jailhouse Kitchen and Spirits truly embodies the essence of a quaint, romantic, and rustic dining experience that is nothing short of charming. From the moment one steps through its doors, it's evident that this establishment stands as a class above the rest.
The ambiance of the Old Jailhouse is a delightful blend of history and coziness. The rustic decor, with its exposed brick walls, dimly lit lanterns, and wooden beams, instantly transports you to another era. The setting is intimate and offers a perfect backdrop for a romantic evening. The dining area's modest size ensures an atmosphere of exclusivity, making it a true little gem.
The highlight of any visit to the Old Jailhouse is the cuisine. The menu is a testament to the chef's dedication to culinary excellence. Each dish is a work of art, beautifully presented and bursting with flavor. From the moment the first bite graces your taste buds, you're taken on a journey of culinary delight. The ingredients are fresh, the flavors are balanced, and the execution is flawless. Whether you opt for the signature dishes or starters, every choice is a winner.
The service here is equally commendable. The staff at the Old Jailhouse are attentive, knowledgeable, and go the extra mile to ensure that your dining experience is seamless. They strike the perfect balance between being friendly and professional, adding to the overall charm of the place.
In conclusion, the Old Jailhouse Kitchen and Spirits is a dining establishment that embodies the ideal combination of romantic, rustic charm and culinary excellence. It's a place where every aspect, from the ambiance to the cuisine and service, reflects a dedication to creating a memorable experience. Dining here is not just a meal; it's a journey through the senses, making it a truly memorable night! Highly recommended!
Hands Down One of The Best Restaurants in Sanford 🍻
⏩ Must Visit ⏪
The Jailhouse is easily one our go-to date night spots. 💯
Their food is delicious and cocktails are top-notch and very well crafted 🍸🥃
Unique atmosphere and excellent service.
Highly recommend making a reservation or snagging a seat at the bar. You won't be disappointed 😎👍
Another favorite for Downtown Sanford: The Old Jailhouse. Our dinner was excellent and the service was top notch. Our waitress recommended dishes and they did not disappoint. Mark, GM, came to our table to greet himself and made us feel at home. Had the pork belly, croquettes, Black N Blue, and the Citrus Grilled Shrimp Skewers. Finish with the Espresso Crème Brûlée
We really enjoyed our lunch here. Everything we ordered was excellent (including a good beer list and an excellent cocktail). The place is cool and fun and everyone there was friendly, welcoming and helpful. This is definitely one we would make a point of coming back to if we were in the area again.
This place is SO cool! Atmosphere is great, you dine in old jail cells but it’s still really open. The food was the standards of great fine dining but the price was really reasonable. Bigger portions as well. Our servers were very nice and accommodating, checking in often and had great recommendations. I had the chicken dinner which is a chicken pasta dish and I took half home because the portions were a good size. I also had a cocktail which the server recommended based on what I told her I usually like, and it was spot on. 11/10 recommended. Great experience.
We made online reservations. We were happily surprised that we actually had a reservation in one of the jail cells! The building is absolutely beautiful with the authentically aged brick walls, black ceilings and enormous glass chandeliers. Our server Aliyah was extraordinary! She has a beautiful personality and really made our visit enjoyable! We had the pork belly as an appetizer, also the brussel sprouts. These brussel sprouts were insanely delicious!! The pork belly was good but believe it or not, the brussel sprouts were better!!! The burger and fries were definitely something to write home about, and the chicken gnocchi was as well! We loved our entire experience, it was top notch! Oh! I forgot about my cocktail! Castle On The Hill - Old Forester Bourbon, Aperol, Apple Cider, Apple Slices, Grated Cinnamon with the “natural” smoke bubble…. This drink made me want to go home and learn how to make one, it was simply delightful!!
The food was amazing. The atmosphere was great and the jailhouse aesthetic was great to see.
The drinks were drinky, the food was fooding, and it was just working for me.
The chicken park was very flavorful and the drink “Emily’s last tear” was hilariously named 5/5 stars for sure.
In town for Memorial day, drove straight from Tallahassee to the Old Jailhouse. Slipped in at the last minute, place was packed completely on a Saturday night. Pork Belly appetizer quickly came out and was delicious. Wife's chicken gnocchi was not anything to write home about, really just tasted like an expensive pot pie. However that absolute star was my Black n Blue pasta, INSANE! Tender seared flank steak sliced thinly against the grain, blue cheese cream sauce was the wildest flavor iv had in a pasta dish. Wonderful. Posting most up to date menu and food photos below. Give it a try. Usually on a wait but service is fast and friendly.
Stopped in for a fun Happy Hour and will be returning for dinner soon. The restaurant is beautiful and the drink menu and service were excellent. Looking forward to going back.
This place has an amazing atmosphere. The workers were very helpful and super efficient with being on top of their work. While continuing to make the experience feel inviting and personable. The other patrons seemed to all be nice and inviting as well. We ended up having dinner, and the food was quick, hot, and tasted fresh. The drinks were on point. They came out just say I would expect my drink to taste. The service was outstanding. I never felt as if I wasn't taken care of. I would recommend this place to other's.
Thank you for such an amazing experience. We had a wonderful time at your establishment.
A great, fun atmosphere in a unique historic building. This restaurant embraces its setting of a literal old jailhouse making for a great experience. The food was excellent and it makes for a fun night out.
Very interesting restaurant.
Food, drinks and service was great.
Check out the menu online.
Happy hour 4 to 6.
The place is amazing overall, the food is 10/10 the service is the fastest I’ve ever seen no exaggeration we were in and out in 35 minutes including getting a table appetizers and food the plating of the food is beautiful and the chairs and scenery is amazing I highly reccomend! Not to mention cooked my steak perfectly and you can taste the grill on it it was amazing!
Delicious, the atmosphere was awesome, reminds me of St Augustine. Our waitress was very friendly and did a great job.
A Unique Dining Experience Celebrating Success
I recently had the pleasure of celebrating a positive business outcome with a colleague, and we decided to try our luck at this intriguing restaurant without a reservation. To our delight, we were promptly seated after only a 10-minute wait. The moment we walked in, we were captivated by the unique atmosphere of this restaurant, which is housed within a repurposed old jail. The beautiful, exposed brickwork added a touch of history and charm to the space, while the tasteful lighting created a warm and inviting ambiance.
Eager to dive into the menu, we ordered two burgers - one accompanied by a refreshing salad, and the other served with a generous portion of crispy French fries. Both burgers were cooked to perfection, with juicy, tender patties that were expertly seasoned and layered with fresh, flavorful toppings. The salad was crisp and delicious, while the French fries were golden and crispy on the outside, with a fluffy interior that left us craving more.
Throughout our meal, the service was consistently friendly and attentive. The staff made us feel welcome and ensured that our dining experience was a memorable one. Their genuine smiles and helpful attitude contributed to the overall enjoyable atmosphere of the restaurant.
In summary, this restaurant offers not only a unique and captivating setting but also delicious food and exceptional service. It is an ideal spot for celebrating special occasions or simply enjoying a satisfying meal with friends or colleagues. I would highly recommend this eatery to anyone looking for an unforgettable dining experience.
First time visiting and left gladly surprised, from the girl at the entrance to our server, everyone was nice and helpful. The food was one of the best we’ve had around Sanford downtown, not too expensive, we did not ask for drinks tho. Definitely will be back for more tasting. Both of our dishes were great. We ordered the croquettes, burger and NY strip, although my brussel sprouts were a little overcooked and crispy, was a great experience, will recommend for dinner.
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