Darrell’s Dog Gone Good Diner closes Gainesville location

Oct 21, 2025 3:47 pm
4 Comments
Darrell’s Dog Gone Good Diner closed in Gainesville last week.
Darrell’s Dog Gone Good Diner closed in Gainesville last week.
Photo by Lillian Hamman

Southern American comfort food cravers will have to find a new go-to as Darrell’s Dog Gone Good Diner closed its Gainesville location last week. 

The diner with 4.4 stars on Google opened in 2020 at 3117 SW 34th St. Ste. 1 in University Town Center and operated as one of Darrell Warden’s 17 diner locations across North Central Florida. 

Management at one of the Ocala locations said the brand closed the Gainesville storefront because it’s too far from their home office in Ocala.  

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According to signs posted on the empty storefront, Rice & Shine will be moving in.  

The restaurant is from the creators of Zen Noodle Bar located next to the restaurant and will serve “classic brunch fare with an Asian flare,” including Filipino, Vietnamese, Japanese and Korean flavors.  

Staff said they do not have an opening date yet as there is still a lot of work that needs to be done to get the space ready, but updates can be followed on Facebook. 

“We look forward to serving you soon!” the sign said. 

Rice & Shine adds to the area’s surrounding Asian cuisine offerings like Enson Market, Kung Fu Tea, Sohao Cafe, Bestea, Nine Slices Fondue and YH Chinese Cuisine.  

Rice & Shine will replace Darrell’s Dog Gone Good Diner.
Photo by Lillian Hamman Rice & Shine will replace Darrell’s Dog Gone Good Diner.

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  • Lillian Hamman

    Lillian Hamman is a Mainstreet Daily News reporter in Gainesville. She earned a bachelor's degree from Berry College and has worked in podcast production and global news reporting. Lillian is a fan of classic films, maker of all things textiles, and runner of all roads.

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Thomas L. Knapp

“Management at one of the Ocala locations said the brand closed the Gainesville storefront because it’s too far from their home office in Ocala.”

Er … what? If a location is making money, you don’t shut it down because it’s a whole half-hour drive from your home office.

This is disappointing. I had breakfast at Darrell’s Diner several times and thought it was great. I’d been meaning to get back there soon. Didn’t even know it was a “chain.”

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Sally Martin

This was one of our favorite restaurants for Sunday breakfast and my husband said that they made the best omelet in Gainesville. We will miss it! And the homemade surprise cake!

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mike

Doggone shame.

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james

I no longer live in town. Been the case since 2018. Left town because I could not square with all the remaking of what use to be, a beautiful small College Town with lots of diversity and a ton of southern charm. Good by Gainesville, it truly was an honor and privilege to live there.

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