38 Best American Restaurants in Gainesville

“We enjoyed our first trip to Standard Service. The food was delicious and the service was great! Just wish trivia was upstairs rather than in the tap room.“

“A very good waitress and very friendly. Very efficient.“

“Great Food, Great Service, Great Value!

I recently enjoyed a fantastic lunch with my son at Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen. The friendly host quickly seated us, and our server promptly arrived with warm, buttery croissants and took our drink order.

We started with delicious cheese curds, and our main courses were equally impressive. My son's chicken and shrimp dish was a hit, while I indulged in the renowned country-fried steak with a generous side salad and creamy mashed potatoes.

The portions were incredibly generous
– the side salad could have easily been a meal on its own!

The combination of excellent food, attentive service, and affordable prices made for a truly enjoyable dining experience. I highly recommend this place to anyone looking for a satisfying meal.“

“Wonderful food, wonderful atmosphere. And the music isn’t so loud that you can actually talk and“

“just in town for the day and decided to stop in bc my boyfriend is gluten free. the food was delicious and our server was so helpful and friendly. I wish we lived closer, could definitely see this being a regular place for us to eat.“

“A very small but nice restaurant that houses some of the friendliest looking staff and hard working cooks. I ordered the cheeseburger and fries with an horchata. The price was very good for what I got, which is better considering all food prices going up everywhere. It filled me up and while it wasn't the best, there certainly wasn't anything to complain about. I plan to return to try more Mexican cuisine. All in all, I would recommend it if you're passing town.

Parking: Parking is a little awkward though.“

“So good and food is fresh and warm“

“I’ve had breakfast multiple times and multiple different items and everything has been great. Tried lunch today for the first time and the cheeseburger was the best I’ve had definitely worth checking out if you’re in the area.“

“I had a very nice experience at Deli Max! My food (for 4 people) was prepared quite quickly. My wait time was no longer than 10 minutes despite having 3 other people in front of me. Our plates were given to us as soon as they came out and we were definitely satisfied with the plates. Excellent customer service and the place was extremely clean.“

“The food is delicious! Family friendly atmosphere! Desserts are fantastic! Would recommend to anyone! Their service is good - friendly!“

“good food and service. pleasant professional employees“

“First time trying it, it was good, we will be back.“

“Love this place. It feels like I'm home with a bunch of friends. Everyone was so nice there.

Kid-friendliness: It is very kid and pet friendly

Wheelchair accessibility: It is wheelchair accessible.“

“The food was good! There's a lot of choices.“

“Boneless ham spiral sliced“

“We love LONGHORN steak house !! It's never disappointing !! The food is the best , atmosphere is cozy , yet busy and never over crowded . We always enjoy our meal. Their peach sweet tea is soooo good!! Their steaks are perfectly done to your order. Everything is fresh and most delicious!!“

“The real jewels in this crown are the kind-hearted and attentive people you find here. Tim Bunch, Bobby Joe Peck, Clemente’, and Sandy Stone have collaborated literally decades of food service experience to create a delightful hacienda for hungry Epicurians. However, it is hard to beat their hot breakfast pancakes, powder sugar dusted French toast, cheddar scrambled eggs, home fries with onions, country-fried steak with scrumptious brown gravy, french fries, fried grouper filets, delicious tiny green lima beans, fresh-brewed sweet iced tea, generous fresh-cut lemon wedges, tasty spaghetti with meat sauce, complimentary jalapeño and lime juice marinated cucumbers, juicy fried chicken legs, crisp corn muffins, home baked brownies, and the hard to find 18-item deluxe salad bar. Those crunchy croutons really rock! The refreshing bite-sized cut-up fruit dishes are an additional favorite, as well as a healthy dessert choice. The only entree I don’t personally care for is the fried salmon patties. ( In my culinary opinion. they need more chopped onions and lemon juice in the mix to cut the fishy flavor.) However, many diners relish them topped with white gravy. I just cannot say enough good comments about this fine eatery and the quality individuals who frequent here. Come sample their cafeteria-style offerings. Many local people frequent this hot spot daily with good reason. Their food is great. You will not be disappointed.“

“Service was excellent. Drinks were quite good. I had the shrimp and grits from the new 2024-2025 fall/winter menu changes. Quite good. The grits were overdone - hence the 4 stars. Still pleased overall - the pork belly, gravy, shrimp and flavor profile were top notch.“

“We have been looking for some little hole in the wall resturants since we moved here. Finally found this and turns out it wasn't fat from home. GREAT BBQ! We ordered a pork plate, I got the stew and slaw, husband got stew an greens. Didn't even wait til we got home to try it, the smells were so good we immediately grabbed a small bite before we left. Friendly staff and customers. Small dining room area but that was okay with us, and the prices were very reasonable!“

“Great food, great desserts, friendly folks that love and serve people well!!!“

“They've been there 47 years, and a staple of this community. Generational family business with the best slaw dogs you've ever put in your mouth.“

“Pros- Awsome Double Quarter cheese burgers. Cons- No French fries. Exorbitant high prices“

“I'm new to this course. So far seems like good folks.“

“Don't let the gas station throw you off, this place is amazing.
The best torta I've had, very affordable, with very refreshing horchata.
The staff is nice and respectful.
If you're driving by and craving good Mexican, this is the place to go!“

“BLT is what I get every time I eat here“

“GREAT BISCUIT! I LOVE their chicken egg and cheese biscuits! I don't eat there much do to the fact that I'm not out In the area much, but on the few occasions that I've had their breakfast it has been DELICIOUS EVERY TIME! I highly recommend giving it a chance if you happen to be in the area.“

“Love me some waffle house!"New" waffle irons are horrible...make me want to boycott the waffles until you can actually eat them again. I'm heart broken ? with this change.This trip - food burntService - Cook too busy flirting with a waitress to get food above mediocre. My Waitress left (abandoned me) without offering refills or checking on me as well. Service was definitely under par today ?. I almost walked out just because of the poor food and lack of customer service. I drove 80 miles to get here, too ?. They were not even busy....no reason to provide such a low standard today“

“Good food at a reasonable price. The owners were very nice as well as their staff. Great service, good food, friendly staff, reasonable priced what more could you ask for?“

“I absolutely love coming to this location!! From day ONE Tosha took our order, and she has remembered our whole entire order by memory every single time !! She does not slip a beat , she is why we come here because she is so friendly and her service is absolutely a 10 + !! I can not speak more highly of anyone than her , she is the kinda person who actually cares about her job and her customers!! What an amazing person you have working for you , I definitely would be so thankful if I could have her at my company !! She is absolutely one in a million !!“

“Hannah was excellent! Food was delicious however it was all room temperature. Didn’t take long to get our food or to get seated.“

“From Blairsville, had been by Yonah Burger many times but had not eaten there in several years. Stopped by today on a whim to grab lunch. Burger was good, kind of expensive, but so is about every place else. What really struck me, though, is the friendly greeting, they take your NAME for your order, not a number!..asked everybody ordering how their day was going and how they were, and when everybody leaves, told everybody thank you and have a great rest of your day..that is SOOO rare these days...usually a short, insincere greeting and rarely a thank you nowadays at most places..this place is a breath of fresh air! Will be back..BTW, I remember Yonah Burger as a kid back in the '70's..and I know it has survived at least one fire, and has been grazed by a tornado during those many years..I hope it continues for many more!“

“Angela is the best Waffle House worker in Georgia! Love her so much! We come ONLY for her. We’ve been to so many Waffle houses, and it’s a drive, but we come for Angela’s amazing hospitality and service! Give this woman a raise ASAP !!!!“

“Stopped here for lunch while traveling. Service was great, food was good. Would go again if I remembered where it was! JK.

Parking: Lots of parking available, I believe the lot is also accessible for trucks/trailers/motor homes.

Wheelchair accessibility: TONS of room in the restaurant. No problem seen at all as far as accessibility.“

“If you are on your way back after a trip, this is the best place to stop at. The location was filled. However, the service was fast, the food was good and fresh. However, it was unbelievable cold inside the establishment. I believe someone must have said something, because shortly before our departure the temperature seemed to be brought to more normal levels. I know this was an issue as the servers were wearing jackets on top of their uniforms.“

“Chili’s Grill & Bar, an emblematic staple of the American casual dining scene, is more than just a restaurant; it is a culinary intersection where the familiar meets the diverse. To approach a review of Chili’s with the gravity of an intellectual lens is to delve into what makes this chain not merely a purveyor of food, but a consistent presence in the rhythms of everyday life. It is easy to dismiss chains for their ubiquity, yet Chili’s deserves an analysis rooted in the profound dualities it embodies: comfort versus novelty, uniformity versus uniqueness, and simplicity versus complexity.

What sets Chili’s apart from countless contemporaries is not a singular dish or an isolated feature but an interplay of attributes that contribute to its enduring appeal. The menu is a testament to a balance between innovation and tradition. One can trace the popular cultural influences in its offerings: from the perennial appeal of Tex-Mex-inspired dishes to the ever-popular ribs—tender, smoky, and glazed with a barbecue sauce whose recipe flirts with nostalgia.

This is not simply an endorsement of the flavors but an acknowledgment of the sensory tapestry that Chili’s constructs. The sizzling skillet of fajitas, with its aromatic theatrics that capture the attention of not just the patron who ordered it but the surrounding tables, is an experience that has transcended mere food to become a shared spectacle. It is in such moments that one begins to see how Chili’s navigates the space between the restaurant and the theater of dining.

Equally noteworthy is Chili’s mastery of consistency, an oft-overlooked art. With hundreds of locations across the globe, maintaining a standardized yet fulfilling experience is no small feat. Here, uniformity is not synonymous with bland repetition but with the reliability that assures patrons they will receive the same quality of honey-chipotle chicken crispers in Dallas as they would in Dubai. In an era where fast-casual dining dominates, Chili’s continues to occupy a space that celebrates the sit-down meal—a defiance against the rush of modern life.

Yet, the true essence of Chili’s is its embrace of sociability. From the robust bonhomie of its sports-bar sections to the more subdued booths that welcome families, the atmosphere is engineered to cater to the varied cadences of human connection. It is this ability to morph into a communal space for different groups that elevates its role beyond that of a mere eatery.

The beverage selection is another point of contemplation. The margaritas, legendary in their own right, encapsulate the spirit of Chili’s ethos: vibrant, multifaceted, and just indulgent enough to warrant celebration. They serve as a bridge between dining and festivity, a reminder that the heart of the restaurant lies in its role as an accessible escape from the mundanities of life.

Critics might argue that chains, with their formulaic approach, fail to offer the depth of independent establishments. Yet, to critique Chili’s without understanding its intricate dance of accessibility and flavor is to ignore the very essence of what has made it a staple for decades. It does not strive to be a gourmet sanctum but thrives as a purveyor of joyful familiarity.

Five stars are reserved not just for perfection but for places that resonate with something elemental. Chili’s, with its confident stride into the comfort of a well-spiced, multi-layered meal and the echo of laughter over shared plates, is that place. In its lively dissonance of chili peppers and American hospitality, it finds its voice—and for that, it deserves every star.“

“yes very good Sweet people thanks“

“Awesome staff! Incredible owners! Love the bartender, Jenn. Thanks for your hospitality.“

“Great morning breakfast . Always friendly staff“