As football fans raged in the streets, would-be customers of Midtown’s beloved Relish Big Tasty Burgers slowly realized their favorite burger place was closed for good.
Relish’s Midtown location — located at 1702 W. University Ave. — has permanently closed its doors. The closure came with no public announcement, leading to rumors about when and why it closed.
Gator Bodega will be opening in the burger joint’s place, but the owner could not provide a specific date. The bodega will offer burgers, snacks, sodas, deli items, coffee and lottery tickets, and it will also operate as a vape store.
Relish, which serves as a build-your-own-burger bar, has become a Gainesville staple for many students. The restaurant features a “Be Creative” slogan, encouraging its patrons to customize burgers with 40 available ingredients.
Ria Pai, a 19-year-old UF psychology sophomore, often went to Relish with friends when she craved comfort food. Pai said Relish has been a long-standing staple in Gainesville.
“It was so fun to load up my burger with things from guacamole to peanut butter,” she said.
Pai isn’t the only student disappointed in the customizable burger bar’s departure.
Hailey Petriccione, a 20-year-old UF history and English junior, said the restaurant encouraged her to branch out in her food choices.
“I’m a huge fan of pineapple on burgers, and Relish is the only burger spot I’ve found that offers it,” she said.
Though Relish fans are forced to find a new burger joint in Midtown, many of them remain loyal to the brand. Relish’s two locations in downtown and on Archer Road will remain open, but the loss is still felt by many students — the others are not as close to campus.
Triston Cropp, a 20-year-old UF sports management junior, said he will continue to go to Relish but will have to visit a different location.
“I was actually craving Relish, so I went to the Archer Road location,” he said.
Similarly, Samantha Hinsz, a 22-year-old UF graduate, was devastated by the closure. Hinsz said she would rather drive to a further location than give up Relish.
“She [Relish] was there for me when literally nobody else was,” Hinsz said.
Contact Rachel Mish at rmisch@alligator.org. Follow her on X @mish_rache62827.
Rachel Mish is a junior English and business major and the Fall 2024 Food Reporter for The Avenue. In her free time, she enjoys playing pick-up basketball or sewing a gameday outfit.
