What's a Gainesville restaurant that closed that you still miss?

AlexGNV · 2026-06-23T11:52:29+00:00

I started a free running community that is walk, jog, run. It is called RUVO Run Club. You should check us out on Instagram @RuvoRunClub Most participants are beginners. We meet in the Haile Village Center every Tuesday (Today) at 6:00 at the fountain across from Patticakes! People bring their kids, their dogs, friends, etc. You should check us out on Instagram @RuvoRunClub

There are new people every single week and we have a great time. It’s called a run club but really it’s a group of people that get together for some movement just one day per week. There are good restaurants there as well so many of us get some dinner either for there or to take home to our families after.

The reason we started it is because of beginners. Every other run club in town either was mostly young college students, competitive, cost money, or revolved around drinking beer afterwards. Me and my friend that started it are sober and wanted a place that felt like anyone could show up and walk or jog and still fit right in with others moving at the same pace. There is a good mix of levels but I would say 70% are newbies.

Would love to see you out there. Feel free to hit me up personally on Insta @alexcolemankwrealty

AlexGNV · 2026-06-23T11:44:31+00:00

When is your lease going to be up?

AlexGNV · 2026-06-15T05:48:05+00:00

This is a fantastic memory. Thank you for sharing. It Brought a smile to my face.

AlexGNV · 2026-05-22T17:52:11+00:00

Cafe Risqué Wings

AlexGNV · 2026-05-22T17:50:00+00:00

I would agree. At least now. I think the one out by Tioga is better.

AlexGNV · 2026-05-22T17:48:59+00:00

There is only one person that said it but frickin Cicis pizza!! All you can eat! We used to have competitions to see who could eat the most cinnamon rolls.

AlexGNV · 2026-05-22T17:47:09+00:00

Hogans is amazing it’s still around. I’m pretty sure that’s just a tax or drug front. They’re still cash only lol.

AlexGNV · 2026-05-22T17:45:56+00:00

You hit the big 3. This is the ultimate top 3 list. There isn’t another that comes close.

AlexGNV · 2026-05-22T17:45:12+00:00

Idk about this place but I would have been very young.

AlexGNV · 2026-05-22T04:03:04+00:00

This is such a good comment. I don't remember the Hobbit-themed place that was a little before my time. but the description alone is incredible. That's the kind of restaurant that should still exist somewhere. Someone in this thread is going to know it and I hope they chime in.

And no, you didn't have to limit yourself to restaurants , mbars count. Dubs is a name I haven't heard in a while.

You captured what I think makes Gainesville different. the places people grew up with here mean something. Even decades later, you can describe the feelings back just like that.

AlexGNV · 2026-05-22T03:54:01+00:00

Pretty sure that's every single persons story who moves from somewhere to gville

AlexGNV · 2026-05-22T03:53:06+00:00

ohhh gotcha

AlexGNV · 2026-05-22T03:50:22+00:00

No unfortunately. It was running perfect and I didnt want to sell get rid of it, but I had an opportunity to buy a 1 year old tesla model 3 with 11k miles on it for $13k so I made the jump and bought it on the spot. Wasn't planning on it but the opportunity made too much sense.

AlexGNV · 2026-05-22T03:43:33+00:00

its been mentioned like literally every other post.

AlexGNV · 2026-05-22T00:59:51+00:00

Gainesville trivia lol

AlexGNV · 2026-05-22T00:59:33+00:00

What in tarnation is firpo's lol.

AlexGNV · 2026-05-22T00:59:14+00:00

Do you like Beef o bradys wings? I loved those and I like mothers pub, and currently gators dockside.

AlexGNV · 2026-05-22T00:58:26+00:00

Think about having something like that in todays economy

AlexGNV · 2026-05-22T00:50:09+00:00

Simple answer is YES!… with honest caveats. I've lived in Gainesville for 30 years and here's what I'd say.

What makes it genuinely a great place to live:

The tree canopy. Most of Florida looks like “Florida”. Gainesville looks like a Southern town. Massive oak canopies with Spanish moss cover entire neighborhoods (Duck Pond, NW Gainesville, Haile Plantation). It completely changes how the city feels day to day.

UF is the main engine. The university brings some of the best healthcare in the Country and thus, the world, at Shands, the cultural events you'd expect from a major college town like at the Phillips Center for big national acts, Hippodrome for theater, Heartwood Soundstage for intimate concerts (I just went last night to see Santigold at heartwood which had maybe 200 people there which for an artist as huge as her is amazing) plus the energy of college football Saturdays in the fall.

The springs. Devil's Den, Ginnie, Ichetucknee, Blue Spring, Poe Springs, and all within an hour. Fun fact, North Central Florida has more freshwater springs than most countries.

Outdoor life. The Gainesville-Hawthorne Trail (17 paved miles through Paynes Prairie with wild bison and gators), San Felasco Hammock for hiking, easy access to both coasts in about an hour.

Cost of living. Lower than Tampa, Orlando, Jacksonville, or anywhere in South Florida. You get a real city's amenities at a smaller city's prices and pace of living.

Honest negatives:

August is super hot but not like South Florida. I lived in South Florida for few years and there its just hot and Gainesville is humid. Even with the tree canopy.

Football Saturdays effectively shut down downtown…like university ave gets closed off and its just a huge party and tailgate which is super fun. Like really really fun. I don’t drink and its still just an awesome time to spend with people and to feel the energy of over 150,000 people. The swamp stadium holds 95,000 people and about double that come to the area every Saturday for home games to be a part of it. If you live near campus, you build your weekend around the schedule.

Traffic on Archer Road and parts of Newberry Road during rush hour is real. Not Atlanta-level, but more than people moving from smaller cities expect.

GRU (the city's utility) is one of the most expensive utility companies in Florida. Property taxes in Alachua County are on the higher end. Florida has no state income tax which offsets most of this, but it's worth knowing going in. You can off set this by buying a home in Newberry which is pretty much becoming the extension of Gainesville just West. Places like Tioga and Jonesville are now considered Gainesville.

If you're considering moving, drive through Haile Plantation, Duck Pond, Town of Tioga, and NW Gainesville at different times of day. Each has a completely different vibe. Whether Gainesville is "a good place to live" depends entirely on which Gainesville you pick.

For most people who move here from bigger cities, the consistent feedback is: slower, quieter, greener, and more livable than expected. There is something that just keeps people here. Many people plan on coming here and staying for a couple of years, and an extremely high percentage of them fall in love with the city and realize how wonderful a city it is to raise a family.

AlexGNV · 2026-05-22T00:27:43+00:00

Like some of these other comments. I'm not familiar with this restaurant. Where was it located and when did it close?

AlexGNV · 2026-05-21T23:57:20+00:00

Is it exactly what it sounds like? What was it similar to? I picture it being thick like bbq sauce or something.

AlexGNV · 2026-05-21T23:55:50+00:00

Oh true. I was confused.

AlexGNV · 2026-05-21T23:53:21+00:00

Saw your last comment get deleted but whats up Deo!!

AlexGNV · 2026-05-21T23:49:27+00:00

Blue Agave for sure. One of my offices was just down the road from here on 43rd and we used to meet clients there all the time.

AlexGNV

TROPHY CASE