Pizza is a universally loved food: casual, yet capable of extravagance. It is versatile, and therefore common. But within its simplicity and ubiquity lies a surprising complexity and diversity. In this way, pizza is as paradoxical as it is boxable. Unlike most foods, people rarely debate whether they like pizza at all; instead, they speak of their favorite spots and their preferred styles; deep dish, New York, Sicilian, Chicago, Greek.
Yet Gainesville has its own distinct take: a pie unlike any other, shaped in the unusual. Transforming pizza from Baroque to brutalist, SquareHouse redefines the form with its sharply cut, freshly baked, build-your-own squares.
SquareHouse Pizza opened in July 2020 under the name Satch Squared and has been around for most current students’ college careers. They offer both build-your-own and signature pizzas, as well as equally amazing waffles, making them a staple for Gainesville locals and students alike. The space is as memorable as the menu, with outdoor seating surrounding a retro bus parked in the middle of the dining area, complete with tables inside. I’ve spent birthdays and holidays on that bus with friends, and it’s become part of the charm.
With 29 different toppings, you could create more than 500 million unique pizzas (we did the math), far too many to ever try, let alone review. And that doesn’t even count the pre-built options on the menu for the indecisive. So instead, I’ll do you a favor: I’ll narrow it down to a few favorites — mine and my friends’.
My Favorite Pizza: Pesto, Sausage, Mushroom, Hot Honey, Ricotta, Basil
Six ingredients might be a little pricey, so on days with lighter pockets I might limit this down to three. But no matter what, I include pesto and hot honey. It’s always a deadly combo, but at SquareHouse it hits even harder.
As you get to the crust, the sugar has caramelized into a crunchy, almost dessert-like, bite, a perfect way to finish a cheesy piece. The ricotta and basil are no different, keeping the richness of the pizza balanced with the raw basil. There's no better way to go.
Because of the sheer quantity of topping options, it is only right to share other popular combos that you, too, might enjoy.
Combos from the gang:
Anneka: Ricotta, Hot Honey, Pepperoni
An Qi: Pesto, Beef, Mushrooms
Jaim: The Buffalo Bird: Chicken, Bleu Cheese, Red Onion, Buffalo Sauce
Jake: Light tomato sauce, Ricotta, Ground Beef, Hot Honey
Finn: Basil, Mushrooms, Hot Honey, Pepperoni
Susie: Pepperoni, Hot Honey, Ricotta
Closing Remarks
SquareHouse is best enjoyed with friends, which is exactly why I included my friends’ orders. The restaurant’s charm is apparent the moment you walk in: graffiti-covered walls, strange merchandise and toys by the register, house-made soda on tap, and mosaic picnic tables scattered across a mulch-filled yard. For me, Gainesville memories are inseparable from this place — most of my friends’ photos have SquareHouse in the background.
It’s more than just a pizza spot —it’s a landmark of student life, a place where birthdays, late-night cravings and casual hangouts all blur together. Its square slices have carved out a permanent spot in Gainesville’s food culture. And as I leave, I know that while the toppings and styles may change endlessly, the feeling of sharing SquareHouse Pizza with friends will always stay the same.
Aidan Ragan is a 21-year-old UF computer science senior.
Aidan Ragan is a UF computer science senior.
