For my next trick, I am going to guess your favorite place in the world. Close your eyes and think of this place and of where you’d rather be than where you are. Imagine the environment. The sounds. The smells. The sights. Have you thought of it? Great. Now, open your eyes, and I will guess what you were thinking of.
Too easy. You were thinking of Sweetberries. I knew it. It was obvious because Sweetberries is everyone’s favorite place. Do you think I mean a favorite place in Gainesville? No, I mean the entire universe. Sweetberries surpasses all other places ever known to man. Boston? Never heard of her. New York City? Irrelevant. Epcot? Close second. London? Sounds like a city that would cancel your study abroad randomly. Sweetberries would never cancel your summer plans. Sweetberries is where you would go to lament your sadness over said canceled plans.
The food, environment and customer service are what makes Sweetberries the crown jewel of Gainesville – no, of the universe. First, I’ll begin by describing the menu, which ranges from soups, salads and wraps to sandwiches and custards. Their turkey sandwich is without fail the best turkey sandwich I could ever ask for, and they also nail the dessert side of things. I’m someone who does not like ice cream or sweets, but I beg my friends to get late night Sweetberries frozen custard with me regularly. Their Kookie Koncrete is where it’s at, with Oreos and cookie dough thoroughly blended into a rich vanilla custard, resulting in a creamy blend of perfection. When they ask what side you’d like, get the homemade macaroni salad. You won’t regret it. I could eat at Sweetberries every meal for the rest of my life.
The environment is also lovely. It’s simultaneously soothing and conducive to a productive study session. I spend a lot of time there working or reading. Rather than taking me to Starbucks for a study date, bring me to Sweetberries, the real way to my heart. On the inside, art covers the walls and stained glass hangs from the windows, sending colorful prisms dancing across the room. On warm, sunny days, you can sit and eat on a large deck with an oak tree in the center. Outdoor bulb lights draped across the patio make for an ambient setting, and there is regularly someone playing guitar outside. There’s also plenty of free parking, so if you’re worried about getting towed or having to pay for a spot, don’t be. Sweetberries is home to a relaxing, down-to-earth atmosphere, but the best part of this quaint little restaurant is the customer service.
Regardless of how your day is going, the folks at Sweetberries will be sure to put a smile on your face. They always greet me with a warm “Hello.” Next time you go, be sure to say hey to Keevil for me. He always goes above and beyond to ensure that my experience at Sweetberries is perfect and knows my order by heart. In fact, he’s more than just a waiter at Sweetberries. He’s my friend.
Sweetberries is the best place on earth if you like fresh food, a relaxing place to spend time with friends or get ahead on your studies and a positive customer service experience. If this article hasn’t convinced you yet, try it out for yourself. You’ll be pleasantly surprised about how lovely a shop Sweetberries is, and you’ll never want to eat anywhere else.
Hannah Whitaker is a UF English sophomore. Her column appears on Mondays.
