Gainesville Food Options

Dianne gave up Sonny's name years ago so she could do some different things than Sonny's does. Probably worked best for her to survive in Hawthorne.

 

Need a Wegman’s down there. Love me some Wegman’s.

 

I went to that location a few times. I even adopted a stray black cat that hung out there. He was jet black and I called him “Ali.” He met a lot of cats when I lived at Windmeadows apts.

 

She gave up the name so she could serve breakfast. It is the only place that I know of that still has the original sonny’s bbq. I much prefer it to the corporate chain sonny’s turned into, and drive over an hour past at least a half dozen sonny’s to get to it. Sonny’s used to be one of my favorite places to eat, now I find them to be horribly inconsistent. It’s simply no longer a place I crave.

Dianne’s and Ken’s are the only places that can really scratch my nostalgic sonny’s itch. Ken’s is not the same, but they do have my sliced beef.

 

I think they call it the "mild" sauce now.

 

I'm in Ocala so this doesn't actually help advance the narrative. But since you are giving a thorough run down on BBQ I have to add my 2 cents. If anyone is going south of Ocala a great BBQ stop is Artman's Smokehouse in Summerfield, just off Hwy 301 on SR 42. Its my favorite here in Marion County, yes better than Big Lee's. I highly recommend the brisket or the sliced chicken. The brisket gives you the best of a lite smoky flavor mixed with the best of a pot roast texture and taste. The chicken is my wife's favorite. I really like their mustard sauce on either even though I usually go with sweet sauce everywhere else I go.

The hidden gem of Artman's has to be their sides. You can't miss going with any combo of corn casserole, mac and cheese casserole(as good as my mom used to make), BBQ beans, collard greens, broccoli and rice casserole, tater salad, and plenty of other usual sides. My mouth is watering and its 9 pm. Even better if you get there before 5 pm you can order any of this as a lunch special but you still get almost as much as a dinner anyways for somewhere between 11 and 13 bucks. I'm telling you, if you are in Gainesville, its worth the drive but don't bring a crowd cause it only seats maybe 40 people inside.

And I also still stop at Diane's in Hawthorne any chance I get just to enjoy BBQ the way it used to be.

 

That’s it!

 

If you know, you know.

It’s all subjective. Everyone is free to like what they like. I just hate it when successful restaurants go away from what made them successful. I am a creature of habit and eat the same meals at many places. If you remove what I eat from your menu, you lose me forever, and I will tell everyone I know how you did me wrong.

 

Thanks for the info on Dianne's. I'll have to drive over there soon. I'm assuming if they are open for B'fast they are for lunch too.

 

They are. Come scoop me up, I’ll buy ya lunch.

 

Wasn’t that one not actually associated with the other two? I felt like I read that somewhere and was very surprised. Very delicious still

 

Couldn’t agree more! Why, why change what I love!

 

That's true all over the country, not just Gainesville.

 

Is Leonardo's 706 still open?

 

Nope

 

It's a fricken hair salon in there.

Chicken Mona Lisa.... Mmmmmmm

 

I see you live in St. Augustine. Ever been to Julington Creek Fish Camp?

 

I suggest Sonny's for some sliced pork and amazing sides! If you do not have Publix where you live go there and get some fried chicken from the Deli! Both are very good and affordable.

 

Is it just me or is anyone else now craving some BBQ?

Unfortunately they don’t do it well up here the NoVA.

 

Or the garlic knots that would stay with you for 3 days.