![The new restaurant opened in late March. [photo by Melissa Hernandez De La Cruz]](https://snworksceo.imgix.net/ufa/ce848d69-2aff-4606-a309-ef787cc418a5.sized-1000x1000.jpeg?w=1000)
From burgers to po’boys, nachos to French fries, Goldie’s Burgers is bringing another food option to Gainesville’s Depot Park.
The new burger joint sits in what looks like an old train car, also known as the Depot Station, located at 201 SE Depot Ave.
Goldie’s Burgers opened in late March and is owned by Top Hub, which encompasses several local businesses around Gainesville such as Boxcar Beer & Wine Garden, Pop-A-Top and The Top.
Bailey Bruce, 32, events directors for the Top Hub, said they’ve been fortunate to lease the historic Depot building which includes a bar, an event space and a general store.
But according to Bruce, another business had been in the works for a couple of years, which is how Goldie’s Burgers came about.
“We know that there's such a necessity for food while people are in the park,” she said. “So although we've been talking about it for a couple years, we've kind of nailed down what we think is best down there, and that's where the burger idea came from. It's easy, it's handheld, people can grab it and go.”
Bruce said in light of the pandemic, Depot Park has become a common place to hang out in Gainesville, where people have access to a bar, lots of spaced out seating and multiple food options, such as Humble Wood Fire Pizza and a rotation of local food trucks.
Josh Palmer, a chef for Top Hub and Goldie’s Burgers, said originally the Depot Station had snack items like chicken tenders, tatertots and nachos, which they’ve kept on the menu for a sense of familiarity.
But he added they really wanted to listen to the community’s feedback.
“People would come into the convenience store and ask if we have fries,” he said. “They would come to the bar and ask if we had burgers, so it's like ‘eh, give people what they want.’”
Palmer helped develop the menu and said a favorite so far has been the patty melt and the tofu po’boy, a vegan option, which he described as pressed tofu marinated in pickle brine then fried in a ‘blackening mixture.’
Andrew Chadwick, 46, heard about Goldie’s via Instagram and ordered the tofu po’boy and fries during his visit.
“The po’boy had a great combination of flavors and felt fresh and filling,” he wrote in a message. “I noticed I was trying to take smaller bites to savor the taste. The crinkle cut fries had some sort of spice on them that was delicious and addictive.”
With Goldie’s as the newest food addition to the area, Chadwick said he’s thankful there’s another food option on the east side of Gainesville where “delicious” vegetarian and vegan options are available.
Palmer said he hopes people see Goldie’s as a quick and easy way to safely enjoy a meal.
“I think right now it's important to have a restaurant that has outdoor seating, and it's just easy and convenient to grab and go to the park,” he said. “I think people really need that now. It's good to take a break. I mean, even if you're not at the park, to come eat a Goldie's and just sit outside, it's kind of therapeutic.”
Goldie’s Burgers is open everyday from noon to 8 p.m. except Tuesdays. More information about the restaurant can be found through its Instagram.
Contact Kristin Bausch at kbausch@alligator.org. Follow her on Twitter @BauschKristin.
Kristin Bausch is a third-year journalism major at the University of Florida and a staff writer with the Avenue. Giving people an opportunity to share their story is one of her favorite things about writing. When not writing, she’s probably dancing.
