The Avenue | Food - The Independent Florida Alligator

THE AVENUE | FOOD

Playa Bowls hosts grand opening for first Gainesville location

By Tanya Fedak | Jan. 22, 2024

Playa Bowls is a national health food chain corporation specializing in acai bowls, smoothies, chia seed pudding and oat and juice products. Founded by Abby Taylor and Rob Giuliani in 2014, the brand has over 200 locations and operates in 22 states. Now at 1260 SW Fifth Ave., the location is the company’s first in north central Florida.

THE AVENUE | FOOD

Millhopper Bagel Bakery remains open following series of violations

By Emilia Cardenas-Perez | Jan. 16, 2024

Bagel Bakery owner Ken Rembert confirmed the restaurant’s reopening after the mandatory 24-hour call-back inspection. The restaurant’s management hasn’t released a public statement addressing the violations and the temporary closure as of Jan. 15.

An employee prepares food at Muñecas Taco Garden and Bar on Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024.

THE AVENUE | FOOD

Muñecas hosts grand opening for new location at 4th Ave Food Park

By Bonny Matejowsky | Jan. 16, 2024

A 1920s-themed grand opening party drew a glitzy and glamorous crowd Jan. 14, with many event-goers looking the part. Guests donning shiny flapper dresses, vintage fur coats and three-piece suits lined up through the parking lot, ready to attend the grand opening of Muñecas Taco Garden and Bar.

Halo customers wait in a line outside the store on Tower Road to get the last potato donuts on Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023.

THE AVENUE | FOOD

Halo Potato doughnuts says goodbye after six years, closes all Gainesville stores

By Bea Lunardini | Dec. 4, 2023

Halo Potato Donuts owners Drew and Leah Stuerman announced the closure of all three shop locations Nov. 27. The stores were closing because sales weren’t enough to cover the cost of operations, Stuerman said.

Dry Wrought Cider hosts a soft opening at Fourth Avenue Food Park Oct. 20.

THE AVENUE | FOOD

Gluten-free cider is brought to Gainesville's Fourth Avenue Food Park

By Jared Teitel | Oct. 22, 2023

Disillusioned by the small market for dietary friendly alcohol, Ben Stone with his 34-year-old best friend and brother-in-law, Dale Tanner, began home-brewing to compensate for the lack of options Gainesville offered them at the time. Just short of a decade later, the Stones and Tanner would bring one of the biggest breweries for gluten-free and vegan cider to Gainesville: Dry Wrought Cider.

Servers work behind the counter at the Pink Flamingo Diner on Sunday Oct. 1, 2023.

THE AVENUE | FOOD

Historic High Springs restaurant facing foreclosure

By Bea Lunardini | Oct. 16, 2023

Residents may have to say goodbye to historic High Springs restaurants because the Community State Bank is foreclosing the Pink Flamingo Diner and Great Outdoors Restaurant. The bank is seeking over $2 million in damages in addition to lawyers’ fees, interest on the loan and reclamation of the properties.

THE AVENUE | FOOD

Owner of popular Venezuelan food truck La Maracucha purchases Ice Cream and Crêpes Eatery

By Alexandra Burns | Oct. 1, 2023

Since moving to Gainesville and opening the Venezuelan-styled food truck La Maracucha three years ago, the couple’s journey has finally led them to opening a brick-and mortar store.

Italian Gator in Midtown serves late-night slices to students Sept. 8, 2023.

THE AVENUE | FOOD

Frustration builds at Midtown hotspot Italian Gator Pizza amid ongoing theft incidents

By Alexandra Burns | Sep. 28, 2023

For more than four years, students have stolen signs and condiment shakers from the beloved pizza restaurant — located at 1728 W University Ave. — often stuffing items down their pants or shoving a parmesan shaker in their purses. The restaurant has increased its security measures following the ongoing battle with students.

A sign of fall drinks stands in the Starbucks @ The Hub on UF's campus on Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023.

THE AVENUE | FOOD

‘We just can’t keep up’: Starbucks stores across Gainesville undergo a pumpkin spice crisis

By Jared Teitel | Sep. 18, 2023

Since pumpkin spice and other fall flavors were released in stores Aug. 24, many Starbucks locations across Gainesville and UF have experienced significant shortages of syrups on several occasions, according to employees and customers.

Midpoint Park & Eatery offers a family-friendly outdoor dining area with a variety of food trucks to choose from on Sept. 2, 2023.

THE AVENUE | FOOD

Food truck owners discuss ups and downs of the booming industry

By Alexandra Burns | Sep. 11, 2023

From juice bars to funnel cakes to Venezuelan-styled sandwiches, food trucks provide easy access to various dishes and flavors and introduce new cultures and cooking styles to customers.

THE AVENUE | FOOD

The Traveler Bar and Brasserie hosts its opening wine tasting event

By Molly Seghi | Sep. 7, 2023

The Traveler Wine Bar and Brasserie, which has taken inspiration from previous projects, has opened a new location downtown. While similar in its offerings, the Traveler differentiates itself with a new goal: a more expansive food menu with a more intimate feel.

James Lee, co-founder of Mr. Cow Corndog, serves customers at Midpoint Park Eatery on Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023.

THE AVENUE | FOOD

Corn Dogs by Mr. Cow brings Korean corn dogs to Gainesville

By Alexandra Burns | Sep. 5, 2023

Fruity Pebbles, Flamin’ Hot Cheetos and crispy potato fries are not typically the first toppings that come to mind when ordering a corn dog. However, the new local food truck Corn Dogs by Mr. Cow has reinvented the traditional idea of a corn dog, taking inspiration from South Korea through its sweet and savory combination of sugar-coated and spicy toppings with chewy fresh dough, beef and stringy mozzarella.

Cole Wilson poses with Olivia Roberts, Owen Shimberg and J. Rex Farrior in front of The College Dog on Saturday, January 21, 2023.

THE AVENUE | FOOD

‘A good glizzy’: The College Dog becomes latest off-campus hotspot

By Alexandra Burns | Aug. 23, 2023

The College Dog, a pop-up hot dog stand in Gainesville, attracts students strolling the streets or stumbling from Midtown with a hot dog suit and beer broiled hot dogs.

The new Raising Cane’s restaurant is seen on 1680 W University Ave. on Tuesday, June 13, 2023

THE AVENUE | FOOD

Raising Cane’s delights students with Gator decor

By Alexia Paz | June 19, 2023

Hungry with anticipation, students have eagerly waited for the opening of Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers for months.

Sublime Tacos is seen on Thursday, May 11, 2023.

THE AVENUE | FOOD

Sublime Tacos announces relocation at the end of June

By Gracey Davis | May 15, 2023

On May 9, Sublime Tacos announced its plans to close its 4th Ave Food Park location and move to a drive-thru-only location at 1818 NE Waldo Road in East Gainesville. The announcement gives hope to East Gainesville residents who are excited to see more food options moving to their side of town.

THE AVENUE | FOOD

All-day brunch restaurant Ruby Sunshine set to open this summer in Gainesville

By Amanda Rubio | Apr. 3, 2023

Ruby Sunshine, an all-day brunch restaurant chain, is set to open its doors to the greater Gainesville public this summer. The restaurant will join other retail locations in occupying Butler Town Center, located at 3600 SW 32nd Court.

Satchel's Pizza, located at 1800 NW 23rd Ave., celebrates 20 years of making pizza in Gainesville March 7.

THE AVENUE | FOOD

Gainesville staple Satchel’s Pizza celebrates 20th anniversary

By Gracey Davis | Mar. 6, 2023

Satchel’s Pizza, founded and owned by 55-year-old Satchel Raye, is celebrating its 20th anniversary March 7.

THE AVENUE | FOOD

Pop-up bakery Bushel & Peck offers unique assortment of baked goods

By Amanda Rubio | Feb. 27, 2023

Bushel & Peck officially opened for business in 2022, with the bakery’s first pop-up taking place Sept. 3 at local coffee shop 108 Vine. Since then, Agliata has cherished having a front row seat to the impact her craft has had on the Gainesville community.

Habitat for Humanity sits outside the High Dive during the Original Gainesville Food Truck Rally Saturday, Feb. 3, 2023.

THE AVENUE | FOOD

Original Gainesville Food Truck Rally makes charity taste delicious

By Loren Miranda | Feb. 7, 2023

Presented by Glory Days and the High Dive, the Original Gainesville Food Truck Rally celebrated its 10th anniversary Saturday. The completely free event at 210 SW 2nd Ave. gathers various savory local food trucks in one place.

THE AVENUE | FOOD

Falafel King owner Ghassan Chehab dies at 74

By Xenia Teju | Jan. 17, 2023

Chehab’s legacy transformed the food industry and the Middle Eastern community. His love for his home country, Lebanon, transpired into his work. Sharing his culture and showing pride in his roots made his business feel like a relative's kitchen, Choudar said, not a restaurant.