Robert P.'s Profile

The Hipp is one of Gainesville's cultural centers, offering independent films and live action plays/musicals.

All of the plays and musicals are allways well produced, directed and performed.  The setting is very intimate because of the stage setting -- you almost feel part of the performance (don't worry!  they won't single you out and objectify you like a comedy club! :-) ).

The movie theatre is small but they show films you wouldn't find anywhere else in town.  There's a bar right outside the theatre where you can get coffee, sodas or alcoholic beverages.

Additionally there is a small gallery with rotating artists displaying their art.

Whether you're in Gainesville for a day or if you've moved here permanently you need to go to the Hippodrome.

They have good sandwiches and great gelato. There are so many flavors of gelato and they change over time - so it keeps you coming back to see what they have available now.

As of this writing their regular special is buy an entree & drink and get a free gelato. Usually around $10.

This is one of the nicest chain grocery stores / supermarkets in Gainesville.  It's large, approximately 67,000 square feet, well lit and very clean.  There's a large wine selection and a huge GreenWise section.  And it's right next to Target.  

Also, there's a Pharmacy and a Liquor Store.

Vegetarian and Vegan-friendly, The Jones offers excellent food for breakfast/brunch/lunch (every day) and dinner (Friday through Monday).  The Blackhawk Burrito with organic sour cream and hot sauce is a solid breakfast choice.  The Tempeh cutlets are a satisfying dinner choice.  Considering their commitment to locally-produced and grown ingredients and their focus on organic foods and being socially-conscious The Jones is satisfying in more ways than one.

Worst. McDonald's. Ever.     Seriously...

Ok, McDonald's is horrible anyway, but this one is the worst.

If you have to go to this one, make sure you ask them if they are currently accepting credit cards before you order (assuming that's how you want to pay) because sometimes their machine goes down and they usually won't tell you until you have already ordered.

Also, if you show up at 6 am for breakfast, be prepared to wait 20 to 30 minutes for them to get a cash register working.

Oh yeah, and if you go through the drive through, be sure to request napkins, because they don't automatically give them to you.

The real question is why have I gone back more than once??

The only thing this location has going for it is 24-hour drive-through.  But don't expect fast service at 2:30 am on a Saturday night/Sunday morning because it's one of 4 restaurants in Gainesville serving 40,000 drunk 18-year-olds after their drinking binge.  (Sorry about the tangent...)

I haven't even mentioned the food yet!!

McDonald's food is bad enough, I'll admit that...  But this one's is even worse.  I've had soggy fries, beef-jerky-like chicken strips, cold hamburgers and extra-greasy breakfast sandwiches.

Only a masochistic food hater would go here.  Therefore I pledge never to return!

Excellent salads and sandwiches.

So far, I have had the Oriental Chicken Salad and the Crispers Original sandwich.

Both were fresh, tasty... excellent!

I also like how it's a semi-sit-down restaurant.  You order up front, they give you a number to take to your table and they bring your food out when it's made.  So, everything is basically made fresh when you order it.  And they bus the tables when you're done.

The Guac is great, the burritos are pretty good, and the parking is HORRIBLE.  

If you can, walk or take a bus to Burrito Brothers.  There are signs everywhere warning where you can't park, which basically rules out most everything within a block.

If you're really hungry, Chipotle is a better deal for your money.  But if you want to support a local restaurant and a different atmosphere, Burrito Bros'  Chicken Primo burrito is good.  Be sure to get a side of "red sauce".

I actually think Guthrie's is better than Zaxby's.

Just order the "Box" (or "Plate") with a drink.  Make sure they give you a fork and napkin.

Great chicken strips, fries and decent coleslaw.

Big Lou's is great pizza.  It's also within walking distance to all kinds of Downtown Gainesville stuff.

It's NY-style, so you better like thin crust.

My regular: 2 slices of cheese and a sweet tea: 5 bucks.

I haven't tried their pastas yet.

This place is great!  I've seen so many out-dated, nasty, smoky, smelly, bowling joints that I was afraid this one was a mirage after crossing the huge parking lot out front.  Turns out, it's for real!

It's a smaller place, which is actually good.  And there's beer (actually, the Pear Cider was great), food, clean and modern facilities.