Greater Gainesville restaurants fatten up the American classic
There is beauty in a well composed, straight-shooting burger, and below are a few establishments doing just that.
DJ’s Cast Iron Burgers
The birth of DJ’s Cast Iron Burgers really was the silver lining of the gray cloud that was 2020. Locally owned and operated by Jose Nieves and Miguel Cardona, the pop-up burger operation took Gainesville by storm with their smashing good smash burgers and their colorful Instagram page reminiscent of Nickelodeon classics and ’90s-kid nostalgia. The technique of smashing the ground beef to a ripping hot cast iron creates a perfectly seared, juicy-on-the-inside, yet, crispy-on-the-outside patty. Hungry yet?
Pro tip: Do not pass up the dirty fries. Made up of hand-cut French fries smothered in homemade chili, cheese, bacon and scallions, this little basket of goodness is wow-worthy.
Dick Mondell’s
Dick Mondell’s is a nod to the classic American burger with a new-school spin and fresh, quality ingredients. All meat is Florida-sourced and humanely-raised, resulting in top-notch flavor nestled between each bun, and Dick’s offers the Impossible Burger and their house-made veggie burgers that surely rival the traditional beef patty.
Pro tip: Indulge in the chocolate shake and the classic-cut French fries for dipping. Trust this combination.
Public and General
It is no secret that Public and General makes a mean burger. It is pretty straightforward with melty American cheese, lettuce, onion, pickle and burger sauce, but the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. The bun stands the test of time without succumbing to the juiciness of the burger and condiments, and that alone says a lot about the quality of a burger.
Pro tip: Public and General run a Burger night special on Tuesdays from 4-9 p.m., where just nine bucks gets a burger, fries and a beer.
Mac’s Drive Thru
Looking for a classic, no-frills, just tasty burger? Look no further than Mac’s Drive Thru. Mac’s is an institution in Gainesville, and it is no mystery why. Mac’s has fed nearly every mouth to pass through this town, and each patty is perfectly seasoned and made fresh to order.
Pro tip: Heads up, this is a cash-only establishment, and do not be fooled by the line that wraps around the building at nearly any given point in the day. The fine folks operating Mac’s move fast and so does the line, and it is always worth it.
Goldie’s Burgers
Gainesville’s new kid on the burger block opened its doors to the public in March 2021. Tucked into a little train car on the tracks of Depot Park, diners come for the burgers and stay for the views. The service is quick, and the employees are friendly, plus the burger buns have both sesame seeds AND poppy seeds, so yeah, they are a pretty big deal.
Pro tip: Keep up with Goldie’s Facebook page for specials and secret menu items, such as the wrangler — an absolute beast with American cheese, barbecue sauce, bacon and a fat onion ring to boot.
By Madison Rae