Seth Johnson
Restaurant Row just completed its second week in the Reitz Union on UF campus. The new initiative places a rotation of local eateries in the food court to diversify UF’s options for students and visitors.
“Gainesville is a unique community with diverse demographics, but many students haven’t stepped beyond campus,” Jenn Moyer, UF’s business services marketing and communications specialist, said in a press release. “Restaurant Row is a way to bring that diverse community into campus for a true Gainesville experience.”
The starting lineup for Restaurant Row includes Mi Apa Latin Cafe, B’z Gelati, Fat G’s BBQ and Catering, Big Island Bowls and The Little Sombrero.
Each of these will serve its food at Reitz Union once a week from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. for the rest of the summer and the fall semester.
- Monday: Big Island Bowls
- Tuesday: B’z Gelati
- Wednesday: Fat G’s BBQ
- Thursday: Little Sombrero
- Friday: Mi Apá Latin Café
Other restaurants can apply online to join the rotation for the spring semester.
At last week’s opening event, all five restaurants showed up, allowing potential customers to try out the different options.
Sarah Pilley, a third year UF student, said the opening was a great preview.
“We got to test out all of the different restaurants,” she said. “Usually it’ll be just one each day.”
Pilley said she is excited that Restaurant Row is here and thinks students will look forward to it.
“I really like the options,” Pilley said. “Apá is like one of my favorite places around town.”
Flanked by a Wendy’s and Panda Express and staring across the room from a Starbucks, Restaurant Row is one of the few places students can get local food instead of chain restaurants.
Pilley said the option will help campus students who might not get into town as often and try these local places.
She said the row got off to a quick start with GNV Days, when incoming freshmen visit for orientation activities.
“I definitely would be excited to start here right now,” Pilley said.