Thinking of spending the weekend in Gainesville watching our Seminoles go head-to-head with our rivals this holiday season? Don’t drown in the swamp (unless it’s with alcohol) and get yourself ready for rivalry weekend in a not-so-familiar place.
Where to Get Rid of the Munchies:
Though Gainesville has no Guthries in sight when we want to feed our late drunkies, it’s safe to say the Gators still have their fair share of delicious food for all pot heads and late night partiers alike. If you find yourself lost in the swamp, anywhere on University Avenue is bound to help you cure that grumbling stomach. The best places to eat are:
Relish: Do yourself a favor and eat here because though Chubby’s has great burgers, Relish’s burgers might be even better. This place has triple Angus beef burgers, veggie burgers, salmon burgers and even a turkey burger. It gets better, you can add even add bacon, fried eggs and avocado. It’s like the Chipotle of the burger restaurants. I also highly suggest getting the Poutine fries which are real cheddar cheese fries with brown gravy. If you were wondering why it’s called Relish, well they have dill and corn relish to make that burger have a little kick.
Pita Pit: Whether its morning, noon or dinner time, Pita Pit is the place to eat at all hours of the day with their breakfast pitas, veggie pitas and meat pitas, because whoever thought falafel and hummus was just a night time meal, obviously didn’t spend some time in the Ville. This place along with Relish is always packed and is the best place to end the night after partying it up at Schuck’s or Cantina—not party as hard as us Noles, of course.
Italian Gator: Consider this place similar to Gumby’s except that there are no pokey stix, but their pizza topping selection is on fleek. Since it is Italian expect to see lots of mushrooms, peperoni and sausage on varieties of its pizza selections.
Flaco’s Cuban Bakery: Open until 2:30 a.m.! This is the place for all South Floridians visiting the Ville and missing their Cuban coffee in Tally. Here you get a chance to embrace the greatness of what is Cuban coffee and café con leche. If you want some empanadas, arepas and a guava and cheese pastry then get yourself to this restaurant immediately. I know I will need some comfort food at some point during this rivalry weekend.
If you are feeling homesick, don’t worry right in the same area of midtown you’ll find Jimmy Johns who deliver just as fast anywhere in the state (yes, even in Gainesville because the JJs workers do not represent the skills of the Gator football team). And yes, of course there is a Chipotle, if there wasn’t, we’d really be talking sh*t about Gainesville now, wouldn’t we? Check out Blaze Fast Fired Pizza too!
Where to Get Wasted in the Swamp:
Courtesy: Tumblr
If you’re not going to the game and are tailgating before, make sure to go to TEP or PI LAM, not only because we don’t have these frats at FSU, but because their tailgates are like being at the club, at a restaurant and at an open bar all in one place. TEP has mac and cheese (one of the best you will ever experience) and dang a** hot dogs. Some other frats to consider visiting and for those more into a calm environment and the Southern Tally vibe is Sigma Chi, Phi Delt, Pike, ATO and SAE.
To continue the tailgating festivities and watch the game, go to either Shucks or Cantina to continue to down some beer and get ready for the game of the year. Cantina and Shucks have usually free cover but unlike Tally, the rules are strict and there is separate tent next to Cantina for 21-year-olds and above and cover is usually $20 bucks.
What to Wear or Not Wear:
Courtesy: Emenett Files
Honey, when you enter Gainesville you’re not in Tally anymore. So don’t think that those garnet and gold sparkly shoes are acceptable. Well, I don’t think those are acceptable anywhere, unless you’re trying to get yourself back home. In UF, girls usually wear rompers and dresses, just like us with the obvious difference that theirs are shades of orange and blue. But don’t worry about over doing it like we usually do in Tally with flash tattoos, curling our hair and wearing those cow boy boots and flowy dresses because though you are free to wear whatever you wish, in Gainesville people dress according to how HAM they plan on going. Meaning, word of advice avoid at absolutely all cost wearing white converse to a tailgate or your favorite $50 shoes—totally not worth it. Also, everything is more spread out in Gainesville which means a whole lot more walking than we usually do in Tally so be prepared to trek it. Some sorority girls might wear high waist shorts and cut up t-shirts, and some may say you can add a hat or some type of accessory at your own risk.
Though the Gators don’t munch like we do, turn up like we do or dress like we do, I will say going to Gainesville should still be a must on anyone’s college list. What better way to get rowdy than visiting our rival’s city?