Robert P.'s Profile

I used to like going here, but I've had too many bad experiences with their staff.  I consistently get bad attitudes from their grouchy/disgruntled employees.  

It's a nice venue for playing board games with your friends over some coffee and over-priced desserts, but don't expect a warm and inviting staff.  If you want that, go across the street to Starbucks, where I've had nothing but good experiences.  I wanted to like this cafe, but their staff have ruined it for me.

Good coffee, nice venue, bad service. 2 stars.

Consistently bad service. You better listen closely and double-check your order before pulling off. Even then their motto is "the customer is always wrong". I'm never going back to this location. You're better off going to the 13th St location if you must have Checkers.

My favorite Starbucks in Gville. Has nothing to do with it being within walking distance of my apt. ;)

But really, this location has great in- and outside seating, excellent service, & great people-watching. The only thing I'd change is the hours. I wish it was open later.

Always good, fresh food -- all of it made on the spot! I have no complaints. In fact I feel like going to the Lunchbox is a special occasion.

The pork tacos, rice pudding, cheddar biscuits, bread pudding, etc. All of it is good! Go try it!

Two stars only because the employees are nice and work as hard as they can for you (the limits are at the corporate level). I would give the banking chain BBVA Compass one star because they ascribe to the typical, convoluted and confusing banking deposit scheme (if you deposit cash after 4pm it doesn't post until after 4pm the next day), have the typical horrid banking hours that are useless to working people, and charge outrageous overdraft fees (do yourself a favor -- get overdraft protection or keep a minimum of $500 in your account at all times. Insufficient funds fees are $38 each and I was once charged over $900 in these fees over a 2-week period while travelling. But really i was only initially short $50. Yes, I screwed up!  But I don't think I deserved repeated, spiraling, unreasonable fees. They will have no mercy on you.).

Banks are bad enough, but BBVA Compass is horrible. They exemplify corporate greed and the rich getting richer.  They don't care if you won't be able to eat until your next paycheck because of their fees.

I have taken my business somewhere else and encourage you to stay away unless you have lots of money. Otherwise, whatever you do, don't use your debit card for every little transaction because you run the risk of screwing yourself royally. Oh, and check your balance twice a day just to make sure you haven't made a mistake in your ledger.

Alternatives: I recommend either a credit union or just shoving your money under your mattress.

Good tacos and burritos. Many meat and vegetarian options. They usually have some sort of exotic meat taco (on the chalk board over the bar).

I generally get the tvp hard shell tacos or tempeh burrito with salad and rice & beans.

They are open late and only sell tacos a la carte later in the night.

I'm always happy with their food.

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.