New Deal Cafe — Restaurant in Gainesville

I'm gonna rave about this restaurant, so get ready to read an essay.

I love this cafe. I love it so much, I'm eating here right now. I try to get here at least once a week for lunch because it's my favorite spot in Gainesville. When I have guests come into town, I bring them here. I have never left this restaurant without thoroughly enjoying my experience. I'm actually ashamed that I've waited this long to leave a glowing review, because they deserve it.

So what's the big deal with New Deal? You want to know something? The best part is that it's not a new deal at all. There's nothing gimmicky about this joint. It's a classic cafe to grab casual American fare; it's just executed extremely well. Every time I come here, the service is wonderful from the extremely amicable staff, the food comes out within 5 minutes, and it is always fresh and cooked to order.

Here's how my typical visit works. When I stop in by myself, I visit the walk-up counter in the main dining room, order my usual (the seared tuna club with fries and lemon-garlic aioli), and assume my spot at the end of the bar in the back. I do the daily NYT crossword for a few minutes, until the food comes out. That's when the magic happens.

The first things I go for are the fries. Oh, the fries. Straight-from-the-fryer hot, crunchy as hell, salted to perfection, and piled high. Best fries in town if you're into that type of thing (this is very important to me lol). The seared tuna club is actually a creative take on a sandwich that I would otherwise never order. They give you a nice slab of sushi-grade tuna, seared on one side with the usual lettuce, tomato, and thick-sliced bacon on some beautiful toast (with more lemon-garlic aioli). I think this is my favorite sandwich out there right now.

If you're not into the whole Tuna thing, they also make a delicious burger using locally-sourced beef, and they have really good vegetarian options. The salads are delicious, they always have a creative soup of the day, and you can get a flatbread if you're in the mood.

Anyways, here's the moral of the story. New Deal Cafe is a great local lunch spot with walk-up and full-service options (same kitchen/menu) serving creative takes on simple fare executed perfectly and consistently. Please come support this place if you haven't been here yet: you won't be...

Let me explain the reason for one star. Totally because of mgmt. I ordered a glass of wine which appeared to be $13. When the bill came it showed $22. When I questioned the charge the waitress said oh no, that’s not right. When you look at the menu it looks to have two prices (which I did not notice, but if I had I would have assumed one was a long pour). One for $13 and one for $22. They said the price is in fact $22 and not $13 and admitted the menu was confusing. They offered to take 1/2 off. I said okay that works. Then she tells me she has to take the rest of my wine from me. I honestly thought she was kidding. She was not. The manager tried to say it’s like when they give you a discount because you are not happy with a meal. That was not the situation. I said charge me and I won’t be back. If you are willing to lose a customer over $9 you don’t need...

Excellent service, food are great, you guys have to try their chocolate corruption and chocolate PB cheesecake desserts… but beware you guys might enjoy too much their meal its hard to make room for dessert. Unless you make it to go LOL like what we did We ordered calamari for appetizer, classic burgers both well done with fries on the side and the other was salad and chicken tenders and fries for kids meal. Everything tasted fresh especially the salad and the burger was tasting fresh and juicy i just felt it was seasoned very well it doesnt need any condiments at all . Definitely will be back and somewhere i will take guests to. Fyi: I also love that they make sure they clean regularly as when we left the staff were moving frames and wiping corners of wall edges especially by the customers table area. Great to see that when you actually...