Trendy fast-casual restaurant chain opens North Jacksonville location

A trendy California restaurant chain known for its freshly flame-grilled burgers, chicken and sushi-grade tuna is opening its newest fast-casual dining spot in North Jacksonville.

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Habit Burger & Grill debuts Monday, Sept. 21, with a grand opening celebration at 15088 Max Leggett Parkway at River City Marketplace off Interstate 95 near Jacksonville International Airport.

The new restaurant is the Irvine, California-based chain’s third in Northeast Florida – all in Jacksonville.

It comes eight months after Habit Burger’s second restaurant opened Jan. 28 at 9171 Baymeadows Road on the Southside. That restaurant took over and renovated the former Arby’s location vacated last year.

Habit debuted its first restaurant in Jacksonville on Oct. 15, 2025, at 13559 Beach Blvd. in a former Bojangles.

“It’s awesome to see Habit continuing to grow in Jacksonville,” Habit executive chef Jason Triail said in announcing the opening. “We’ve built a strong connection with guests at our Baymeadows and Beach Boulevard restaurants, and now we get to bring the grill a little further north. We’re looking forward to firing up the grill, serving up fresh, cooked-to-order food and getting to know the River City community.”

On the menu at Habit Burger & Grill

Habit uses an open flame to “sear bold, smoky flavor” into its cooked-to-order Charburgers, marinated chicken and sushi-grade tuna. Its burgers are 100% fresh ground beef.

Menu highlights:

• Charburger or Double Char with cheese: Chargrilled beef patty or patties topped with caramelized onions, crisp lettuce, fresh tomato, pickles, mayo and cheese on a toasted bun.
• Portabella Char: Chargrilled beef patty, Portabella mushrooms, caramelized onions, melted white American cheese, crisp lettuce, fresh tomato, pickle, and roasted garlic aioli on a toasted bun.
• BBQ Bacon Char with Cheese: Chargrilled beef patty, hickory-smoked bacon, caramelized onions, crisp lettuce, fresh tomato, mayo, and cheese on a toasted bun.
• Teriyaki Char with Cheese: Chargrilled beef patty, grilled pineapple, teriyaki sauce, caramelized onions, crisp lettuce, fresh tomato, pickle, mayo, and cheese on a toasted bun.
• Ahi Tuna Filet: Line-caught, sushi-grade tuna steak with a teriyaki glaze, crisp shredded lettuce, fresh tomatoes, and tartar sauce.
• Sirloin Steak: Chargrilled garlic herb marinated sirloin steak with aged white cheddar cheese, BBQ sauce, caramelized onions, crisp lettuce, fresh tomatoes, and garlic aioli on a toasted Ciabatta.
• Chicken Club: Hand-filleted marinated chicken breast, green leaf lettuce, tomatoes, hickory-smoked bacon, fresh avocado, and mayo, served on toasted sourdough.
• Veggie Burger with Cheese: Vegan veggie patty on a toasted wheat bun, green leaf lettuce, fresh tomatoes, and cucumbers, with sweet mustard dressing, cheese and onions.

Habit also features freshly made salads and a variety of sides, including tempura green beans, sweet potato fries, French fries and onion rings, according to its online menu.

Frozen treats offered include milkshakes such as Cookies N’ Cream, Orange Dreamcicle, Salted Caramel and more. Sundaes are also on the menu.

Habit footprint

Founded in 1969, Habit has at least 380 locations in at least 14 states nationwide, including 15 restaurants in Florida, according to the chain’s website.

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The roughly 2,059-square-foot North Jacksonville restaurant was built on an undeveloped parcel of land near Dick’s Sporting Goods and Hobby Lobby.

The buildout cost was estimated at $1.4 million, according to a Jan. 22 city building permit.

Habit was recently named USA TODAY 10Best’s No. 1 Burger for the third consecutive year. It was also USA TODAY 10Best’s No. 1 Fast Casual Restaurant for the second year in a row.

The River City Marketplace restaurant, licensed for up to 49 seats, will be open from 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.

Teresa Stepzinski is the dining reporter for the Times-Union. Follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, @TeresaStepz or reach her via email at [email protected].

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This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Trendy fast-casual restaurant chain opens North Jacksonville location

Reporting by Teresa Stepzinski, Jacksonville Florida Times-Union / Florida Times-Union

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This story was originally published September 20, 2026 at 9:57 AM.