Maude’s Classic Cafe

So, yes, this blog is mainly focused on all things Italian food but the beauty of Gainesville is the diversity of restaurants menus.

Maude’s Classic Cafe, 101 SE 2nd place, is known as a perfect Sunday brunch and lunch location. The menu mainly consists of delicious breakfast items and hand-crafted sandwiches. The menu is short, which I love, and the choices are all superb.

Some of the sandwiches on the menu kind of share a relation to a calzone, minus the marinara sauce. The cheesy bread concoction will make you think you died and went to heaven. It will be the best thing you have ever eaten, promise. My favorite is the “Da’Bomb” sandwich; this sandwich is simply cheese melted with tomato, peppers, onions and bacon. Cheap, simple and delicious.

Another specialty of Maude’s is the desserts. The dessert menu is almost as long as a regular menu. Each dessert has a clever name for a classic dish. The “Dolly Parton” is a tiramisu, a wonderful tiramisu. The portions are huge so you must bring someone to share your dessert.

For you 21-and-up Gators out there, the newest addition to Maude’s Cafe is the Sidecar, this nifty bar next door to Maude’s serves beer and wine in the evenings. The Sidecar is the newest lounge in Gainesville that you should definitely check out!

For more information visit their website.

Satchel’s Pizza

One of the most iconic places to eat in Gainesville is Satchel’s Pizza. Not only is the decor one-of-a-kind, but the food is as well. If you’re looking for one of the best dining experiences you will ever have, take a trip to Satchel’s, 1800 NE 23rd Ave. Although it’s a little further than most on-campus restaurants, the drive will be worth it.

The menu is simple, pizza and lots of it. There are about 30 different topping to choose from- some quite different than your average cheese and pepperoni. And for those vegetarians and vegans out there, Satchel’s offers tempeh, a delicious alternative to tofu. Even if you are not big on toppings, the plain cheese pizza is sure to satisfy your hunger. The slices are HUGE, and the individual personal pizzas are even bigger. Satchel’s makes it its mission to make sure you leave the restaurant with your pants unbuttoned.

One of the most interesting things that make dining a Satchel’s a different experience is the bus-turned-table seating area outside. If you are lucky enough, you may be seated in the vintage bus outside of Satchel’s. This 80s bus is a dining experience that one should have at least once.

Another thing that sets Satchel’s apart from other mainstream restaurants is the “cash only” rule. Satchel’s does not take credit cards, so make sure you bring cash. Some might think this is an unreasonable tacit that the restaurant has adopted. However, Satchel’s donates the fee that would normally be charged by credit card companies to local charities. So while you are eating a delicious meal you can also find comfort in the fact that you are helping out local charities.

For more information on Satchel’s Pizza visit their website.

TIP:

Satchel’s does not take reservations so get there early if you have a large group.