Hamburger Mary’s to open Kissimmee location this May

Hamburger Mary’s is back, baby. Credit: Churchstreetstation/Instagram

After first teasing a new Kissimmee location more than a year ago, Hamburger Mary’s announced Friday they will be opening up in Kissimmee’s Old Town District in mid-May.

The storied LGBTQ-owned restaurant — unafraid to challenge a repressive state government — closed its longtime location in downtown Orlando in May 2024. The restaurant, known for its popular drag brunches, will be opening at the former Shoney’s Restaurant space located in Old Town, just off U.S. 192. The space will have a seating capacity of up to 249 with “plenty of room for large groups,” according to a news release.

“Thank you all for your patience as we’ve worked so hard to find a great location for Hamburger Marys,” wrote restaurant owners John Paonessa and Mike Carpenter in a post published to the Hamburger Mary’s Facebook page Thursday.

“We are so excited, but we have work to do before we get open, to turn a Shoney’s into a colorful and vibrant new Hamburger Mary’s location that we know you will love,” the post continues. “We will continue to provide updates and we can’t wait to see your smiling faces walking through the door.”

Hamburger Mary’s, offering standard American bar and grill fare with a flamboyant diner vibe, is a national chain with strong roots in the LGBTQ+ community. The local franchise location got statewide attention in 2023 after the owners successfully sued the Florida government over a law aiming to restrict drag performances in the presence of minors.

“This bill has nothing to do with children, and everything to do with the continued oppression of the LGBTQ+ community,” co-owner John Paonessa wrote in a statement on the restaurant’s Facebook page after the lawsuit was filed in 2023.

Hamburger Mary’s, an Orlando staple that first opened on Church Street in 2008 before its 2024 closure, offers various diversions in addition to lunch and dinner, including trivia, bingo and a popular Broadway brunch. They’re planning to bring this same lively spirit, plus additional “exciting” shows, to their new Kissimmee location as well.

“We are very excited to welcome Hamburger Mary’s to the Old Town family,” Thearon Scurlock, vice president and general manager of the Old Town Entertainment District, said in a statement. “Their famous food, service and entertainment is truly a one-of-a- kind experience and one that we know our visitors will absolutely love.”

All we know for now is that the restaurant plans to open in mid-May 2026. We’ll keep you posted on any updates.

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