The food scene is Gainesville has always been marked by a diverse variety of local restaurants, giving the town its distinctive taste. Bustling with college students attending one of the top five universities in the country, Gainesville has grown from a small town filled with pop-up diners and eclectic fusion restaurants. Nonetheless, for the sake of convenience and popularity, Gainesville has experienced many closures of local businesses in favor of more chain restaurants. Today, University Avenue is lined with the bright lights of Raising Canes, Wawa, and Cava. While these places offer a quick bite for a busy student, they also detract from the popularity of many local restaurants. At the end of the day though, can chain restaurants ever really replace the handcrafted dishes that make up the local flavor of Gainesville?
In my food tour of Gainesville, I carefully curated a list of restaurants to compare. I considered my own preferences, spots frequented by students, and the diversity of cuisines I would include. But, first... coffee. Whether grabbing Starbucks before class or heading to a coffee shop to study on Saturday afternoon, a caffeinated beverage is something most college students consider part of their daily routine. On this morning, I was lucky enough to be double-fisting lattes from two hot-spots in midtown: Dunkin and Pascal's.
Dunkin vs. Pascal's
Heading into Dunkin, I immediately knew what to expect. I didn't even have to look at the menu before ordering my iced caramel latte. The worker was kind and the drink was ready in only a few minutes. At Pascal's, my experience was different: I felt a novelty walking into the warm atmosphere. Lined with study tables and string lights, Pascal's felt like a small coffee haven. Although the options at Pascal's were more limited, I was still able to order an iced vanilla latte. When comparing the two side-by-side, I was truly able to taste the difference. While both provided a jolt of energy, the latte from Pascal's had a smooth taste with hints of rich vanilla. I could distinguish Pascal's homemade syrup from Dunkin's and the coffee taste was much more concentrated. Ultimately, Pascal's was more expensive than Dunkin, but I felt the extra $0.80 was worth every sip. Not only did the coffee taste better, but the atmosphere I drank it in felt inviting, encouraging me to return again soon.
Chick-fil-A vs. Germain's
Next stop on my food tour was to a lunch favorite of most on campus. Packed every afternoon (except Sundays), Chick-fil-A often boasts the title of "best chicken sandwich" in the fast food world. While I have often agreed with this title, I only ever compared it to other fast food chain restaurants. However, since moving to Gainesville, I have heard again and again about the famous Germain's chicken sandwiches. First off, I was blown away by the charming decor of the diner-style atmosphere. The kind staff at Germain's only added to the great experience I had. At the end of the day, what gave Germain's my personal title of "best chicken sandwich" was, simply, the delicious sandwich. I ordered "The Good Feather": juicy, perfectly fried chicken on a buttery brioche bun with arugula, garlic parmesan aioli, pickles, and tomatoes. The real difference between a chain restaurant like Chick-fil-A and a local restaurant like Germain's is the quality of the food. Germain's, while slightly more expensive, had larger portions and fresher food. The delicious "secret sauce" and garlic parmesan aioli along with the ranch fries on the side made this the best chicken sandwich I have ever tried. While I will always love dunking Chick-fil-A's Spicy Chicken Sandwich in Chick-fil-A sauce, I have to crown Germain's as superior, especially when it means supporting a local business.
BENTO vs. Poke Bowl Station
Finally, I decided to end my food tour with one of my favorite food trends: poke bowls. Since entering the spotlight, poke bowl spots have popped up around Gainesville. BENTO is one of the only fast-casual restaurants which offer the coveted dish. Sold in two sizes, large and small, BENTO has a "make your own poke bowl" option which allows customers to choose their base, protein, and toppings. At BENTO, I ordered a small salmon poke bowl. While the taste of the poke bowl did not disappoint, I was disappointed by the price versus the amount of food I received. For nearly $14, I received a very small poke bowl with only a few pieces of salmon. Maybe poke is not the thing to order at a chain restaurant like BENTO, but especially when compared to a local poke restaurant like Poke Bowl Station, I definitely regretted getting poke at BENTO. At Poke Bowl Station, I felt the quantity versus price ($12.85) was unbeatable. I loved the variety of options for toppings including things like wasabi peas, kani salad, and fifteen different sauce options. Being a specialized poke restaurant, it may have had the upper hand, but I think it is times like this where local restaurants prove their ability to provide higher quality food for a lower price.
Shop Local
When considering the difference between local and chain restaurants, both offer their own benefits and downsides. Chain restaurants do provide convenience and affordability, but they often lack the charm and quality of local restaurants. Personally, I preferred the local restaurants I tried over the chain ones. To me, visiting these places kept things new and exciting, giving me the opportunity to try fresh spins on dishes I have always enjoyed. There is nothing wrong with eating at chain restaurants, but it is important to remember that supporting local businesses helps keep the rich taste of Gainesville.