Orlando prides itself on its many excellent homegrown restaurants, but who are we to shy away from what’s universally loved? This year, we’ve gotten plenty of new fast-food and restaurant chains in town and even more are on the way.
Here are all the chains that have made Orlando home so far this year, and all the ones that have promised to make their way here before 2023 comes to an end.
Superica
415 S. Orlando Ave., Winter Park
ThisTex-Mex hotspot with specialty margaritas, fresh-cooked tortillas and wood-grilled flavors galore is finally set to open in Winter Park later this fall. The restaurant features Austin-style Mexican cuisine like shrimp tacos, enchiladas, freshly house-made corn and flour tortillas, and more. Plus, there will be plenty of tequila to wash it all down. Credit: Photo via superica.com/buckheadMiami Grill
4220 S. Semoran Blvd., Orlando
Miami Grill, the new-model rebrand of the former Miami Subs chain, has gained repute for a menu of cheesesteaks, gyros, wings, seasoned fries and healthy salads, all presented with a “South Beach vibe.” The rebrand was given a big boost by partnering up with musician Pitbull a few years back. The first Orlando location will be at 4220 S. Semoran Blvd. and is slated to open in the latter days of fall this year. The second location is set for 14088 E. Colonial Drive. Credit: Photo via AdobeSickies Garage Burgers & Brews
11701 International Drive, Orlando
The menu at Sickies Garage boasts 50 different kinds of burgers and sandwiches, including the signature Sickies Burger, Turbocharged Twin Cam and Glazed Doughnut burgers. Credit: Photo via Sickies Orlando/FacebookRaising Cane’s
7105 Palm Parkway, Orlando
The Louisiana-style chicken finger purveyor earlier this fall announced it will open its first three Central Florida locations before the end of 2023. Raising Cane’s is set to open its first Orlando location Nov. 7 not far from Walt Disney World. Two more chicken spots will follow not long after. Credit: Photo via Raising Cane's/InstagramJack in the Box
TBA
Jack in the Box is about to “pop” its way into Central Florida for the first time in 30 years. The company announced 14 restaurants will open in both Florida and Arkansas as part of a nationwide expansion. Specific locations and opening dates have yet to be announced, but restaurants will open in Orlando, the chain said. Credit: Image via Jack in the Box/FacebookJollibee
11891 E. Colonial Drive, Orlando
The long wait for Filipino fast food chain Jollibee to open the doors of its first Orlando location finally ended this year. After nearly two years of waiting that began with a cryptic billboard and a couple of teases that came to naught, Jollibee began serving its signature fried chicken and pasta in the UCF area. Credit: Photo via Jollibee/FacebookPortillo’s
315 N. Alafaya Trail, Orlando
This Chicago-style hot dog purveyor is opening yet another outpost in Central Florida, bringing all the Italian beef, burgers and dogs. Credit: Photo via Portillo's Orlando/FacebookFazoli’s
4201 E. Colonial Drive, Orlando
Italian fast-service chain opened its rebooted restaurant in Orlando early this fall. Established in 1988, Fazoli’s popularity blossomed in the ’90s, becoming a go-to spot for fast-casual Italian. However, in 2008 the Italian eatery left Orlando, and all Fazoli’s locations in Arizona, Nevada, Texas, Ohio and Florida closed. Fazoli’s 2.0 boasts breadsticks, “Pizza Baked Pasta,” spaghetti and fettuccine alfredo. Credit: Photo via Fazoli's East Colonial/FacebookRise Southern Biscuits and Righteous Chicken
110 S. Orlando Ave., Winter Park
North Carolina’s Rise Southern Biscuits & Righteous Chicken opened its Winter Park location earlier this year. Founded in 2012 by Tom Ferguson, Rise specializes in Southern comfort food including chicken sandwiches, biscuits, tater tots, fried okra and donuts. Credit: Photo via Rise Southern Biscuits/InstagramPotbelly Sandwich Shop
2714 E. Colonial Drive, Orlando
With locations already established in Tampa, Potbelly Sandwich Shop is set to open on Colonial Drive before the year runs out. According to Potbelly, this is the first of six restaurants planned for the Orlando area. Potbelly sets itself apart from other sub chains with its toasted Italian bread, which elevates a mere ham-and-cheese to a crackly, melty textural experience. Credit: Photo via Potbelly Sandwich ShopCowboy Chicken
3290 Margaritaville Blvd., Kissimmee
Cowboy Chicken has opened at Sunset Walk in Kissimmee. The Dallas-based chain offers slow-roasted, wood-fired rotisserie chicken, crispy drumsticks, pulled brisket and more. Credit: Photo via Cowboy Chicken/FacebookBig Chicken
250 E. Michigan St., Orlando
Shaq is returning to Orlando (at least in spirit) when his fast-casual concept Big Chicken moves to town. First announced back in 2022, Big Chicken’s newly revealed Orlando address is at the Market at Southside, 250 E. Michigan St., with a purported opening date of “late 2023.” Credit: All Points PRJojo’s Shake Bar
9101 International Drive, Orlando
Chicago-based ’80s diner chain Jojo’s Shake Bar has been delivering indulgent eats and nostalgic feels to Orlando since the spot opened earlier this year. Set against a 1980s and ’90s backdrop, the diner features retro details like the arcade game tables and a walk-up window to give its guests a little side of nostalgia with their over-the-top meal. Credit: Photo via Jojo's Shake Bar/FacebookJust Salad
415 S. Orlando Ave., Winter Park
The New York City-based chain offers build-your-own salad and catered combinations for those looking for a tasty and leafy green-filled refueling. Credit: Photo via Just Salad Orlando/FacebookTorchy’s Tacos
999 N. State Road 434, Altamonte Springs
This Texas-based spot serving up “damn good tacos” opened its second Central Florida location this year in Altamonte Springs. The taqueria is best known for its house-made tortillas and intriguing filling combinations. Credit: Photo via Torchy's Tacos/FacebookMason’s Famous Lobster Rolls
2 S. Orange Ave., Orlando
The Maryland-based chain will serve both Maine- and Connecticut-style lobster rolls from the former Embassy Irish Bar space downtown. Mason’s boasts lobster hauled right from the sea off the coast of Maine, where they’re brought inland to be cooked simply and then prepared according to tradition. Credit: Photo via Mason's Famous Lobster Rolls/FacebookCrave Hot Dogs & BBQ
1737 S. Orange Ave., Orlando
Earlier this year, Orlando first got a taste of its newest dog purveyor with Crave Hot Dogs & BBQ. The eatery specializes in next-level hot dog creations and combinations with a menu featuring tacos, sandwiches, dogs and even more. Credit: Photo via Google MapsCrispy Cones
TBA
The Orlando ice cream game is about to get a European twist. Crispy Cones, an Idaho-based soft-serve concept, is set to open its first Florida location right here in Orlando.The company’s motto is “Revolutionizing the soft serve cone,” and according to its website, Crispy Cones is doing just that with its freshly grilled dough cones, filled with premium soft-serve ice cream and toppings. Credit: Photo via Crispy Cones/FacebookWayback Burgers
11901 Landstar Blvd., Orlando
Wayback Burgers is the classic American fast casual burger joint we all know and love. The Orlando location opened its doors back in May, and then later made headlines when the restaurant debuted a ten-patty burger following Twitter’s rebrand to “X.” Credit: Photo via Wayback Burgers/Instagram
TBA This “zero human interaction” automat-style restaurant announced its upcoming Orlando location back in fall 2021 and, although it hasn’t released an official opening date yet, we’re hanging onto that “coming soon” plastered on its site. Brooklyn Dumpling Shop offers 32 varieties of dumplings, including traditional and not-so-traditional dumplings, like vegan cheeseburger, peanut butter and jelly, and cheese pizza. Credit: Photo via Brooklyn Dumpling Shop/FacebookPoke Burri
12623 W. Colonial Drive, Winter Garden
Atlanta-based poke and sushi burrito chain Poke Burri will open in the yet-to-be-built retail complex Westside Station in Winter Garden. The eatery features poke burritos and a widely loved oh-so-secret menu. Credit: Photo via Poke Burri/Facebook