Square 1 Burgers & Bar
3105 SW 34th St, Gainesville, FL, 32608
Square 1 Burgers & Bar Menu
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Visit below restaurant in Gainesville for healthy meals suggestion.
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Visit below restaurant in Gainesville for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
3105 SW 34th St
Gainesville, FL, 32608 - Phone (352) 376-5111
- Website https://www.square1burgers.com/
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:00 am - 11
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Good For Dancing : No
Alcohol : Full Bar
Happy Hour : Yes
Best Nights : Fri, Sat, Sun
Coat Check : No
Smoking : No
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Drive-Thru : No
Caters : Yes
Categories
Burgers
Burger or Hamburger is savored as the most desired fast food meal in the United States. A hamburger is basically a sandwich prepared by stuffing ground meat patty, generally beef, between two slices of a bun cut in half. Hamburger is also famous for its seasoning. Most popular condiments used in hamburgers in the United States are mustard, mayonnaise, and ketchup. Besides ground meat patty, hamburgers are also stuffed with lettuce, onions, tomato slices, pickles, and cheese.
Hamburgers are also categorized into two types in the United States. Fast food hamburger and individual hamburgers served at restaurants are two basic types of burgers served in the United States. The individual hamburgers served at restaurants are prepared using everything including lettuce, onion, tomato, and sliced pickles as well as melted cheese on the patty or crumbled on top. American restaurants also serve veggie burgers for those who don't relish meat. Cheeseburgers are also hot favorite in the United States.
McDonalds is the most popular fast food burger restaurant serving different types of burgers in the United States. On the other hand, there are several restaurants such as Burger King are famous for serving the best hamburgers in the United States. Most burger restaurants in the United States often serve hamburgers with French fries and other condiments. If you have a liking for burgers in the United States, then you won't be disappointed. You can easily find the best burger restaurants in your city on our Restaurants Listings directory. Check the reviews and ratings of the top burger restaurants and savor yourself with the best hamburger in the city.
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Brandon F.
This is my favorite burger place in Gainesville! Everything is always so good here. The burgers, the mountain of onion rings. Even the look and feel of the restaurant is inviting!
(5)Stephanie R.
The burgers here are VERY good, albeit a little pricey compared to some local (non-chain) places. Every burger I've had here has been finger licking good and cooked to perfection! Even the non-beef burgers are pretty spectacular. I would highly recommend the chicken Cobb, or the Greek lamb burger. Mmmmm. Getting hungry just thinking about it! Size of the burgers are just right IMO, probably a little on the large side, but not "I'll have to somehow unhinge my jaw" huge. The sides, however, don't live up to the quality of the burgers. Baked beans are meh, sweet potato fries don't come with an accompanying dipping sauce, and the regular fries are ok. This is what keeps it from being a 5 star experience for me. The appetizers are also somewhat disappointing, with not enough options that aren't deep fried. An upscale burger experience and a welcome change from Chili's.
(4)Ashley B.
Delicious burgers! A little on the pricey side but the food was worth it. And the atmosphere is very nice. Looking forward to trying the Kobe burger next.
(4)Gerald H.
I love this place but the patio chairs are the most uncomfortable seat I have ever sat in. Food is great, service is great, atmosphere is great, chairs are wretched!!! I will include a photo to demonstrate!
(4)George V.
Sweet tea good .. But the burger ? Usually the order of a burger from the bottom is bun, meat, cheese and vegi or what ever and top bun . . But i get bun . tomato, lettuce, meat, goat cheese and i guess onion :) and top bun. well the meat was good just little more taste will help .. the rest of burger just mess . Hunting tomato all over try to hold together . The plating is way far from the look of the restaurant . Decor of restaurant is perfect but the look of plate? .. Need little work on . Waitress slow ( prob.tired from 3 tables she had ) . My throat was dry because she came like 3 times in all 50 mins dinner . French onion soup : just beef taste soup with some onion and came cold . there is nothing much to say about the food for that money ? Burger for 17$ should be way way better and the plating cant look worse than mc donald burger .
(2)Jamaal D.
waitress was great and very friendly. Will visit again when in Gainesville
(4)Jeff F.
Enjoyed the first experience at this establishment. I encourage everyone to try the new place in town. It took over the old hungry howies place near carabas. The kids menu is good because there is variety. I had the 3 mushroom burger and I liked it a lot. The wife had the pork slider special. The pork wasn't bad but I don't like my pork soaked in sauce. The onion rings are solid.
(4)Brad K.
Pepsi only no coke. I was actually pleasantly surprised. As we all know in Gainesville we've had our share of pseudo higher end burger joints open up over the years. First it was Five Guys, then Red Robin, then BurgerFi. Square1 is the newest burger joint. Service was very very friendly. A little on the slow side since they just opened. Will probably get better as time goes on. Getting to the point, the burger. I ordered the Bleu with Bacon, opting for the onion ring upcharge (I think it was $3). The burger was excellent. Very tasty, seasoned perfectly, tender, and juicy. Pleasantly surprised. Totally opposite to BurgerFi which was dry and tasteless. I was able to order medium at Square1 versus BurerFi only does well done. The onion rings were very good. My suggestion is you try them as a side first as the full appetizer is like $9. Square1 is part of the new surge in higher end burgers. Yes it was very pricey for a burger. Just my burger alone was like $13, upcharge for rings $3. Since they don't offer coke products (only pepsi) I opted for water. If I had ordered a coke the bill total would have been $20 for just one person. Square1 did an excellent job renovating the old maui and hungry howies location. They totally gutted the place. You will never recognize it when you walk in. Nice Texas style decor. A feature I really liked is their open bar outside seating area. Sitting inside I commented to the waitress it looks like no windows over at the bar. She proceeded to tell me they installed a state of the art AC system, allowing for the bar inside area to be open to the outside patio seating (no windows !!) and it doesn't get hot inside. It's true we actually felt a breeze like we were outside but in a cooler December. All in all I would rate Square1 the best burger joint in Gainesville. We'll see what others have to say...
(4)James O.
Wow! I went into this place with my anti-chain restaurant bias and was completely blown away. Yes it is pricey, very pricey. But the food is delicious and the staff are friendly and its hard to argue with that! Lots of diverse choices at the menu, and if you want to make your already expensive burger 'fancier' you can with buffalo or Kobe beef. Will I come here again? Maybe. It'd be a good place to take a friend for his birthday. But its expensive so unfortunately can't really see this place as a regular. 14 bucks for a burger...is pretty hard to justify!
(4)Andrew H.
Fresh burgers and a great atmosphere. It was clear from the first bite that Square 1 serves a great burger. They have other menu items also but being my first trip I had to go with the house "old fashioned" cheese burger. The burger was cooked perfect and the beef tasted so fresh I could tell it was not your typical burger. I can't wait to go back and try a milkshake also. Bottom line is they have a great bar and friendly staff and a long list of burgers to try.
(5)Mark C.
Very tasty. Good diverse burger selection. Quality booze.I've eaten at two locations and will return. Nice to have a regional pure burger joint with a bar.
(4)Fred P.
I've had better, much better, at a better price. The first thing that I noticed, as we walked by the kitchen, was that the kitchen needed a cleaning. The menu is large and offers many choices. The burger I had was heavy on the grease and lacked any speciality that would be worth the price. Ordered cheese fries for $5.99 and received the smallest portion imaginable -- not even enough for 1 person to enjoy; let alone 2. There are much better burgers in town. Five Guys and Macs make a MUCH better burger. Embers and Blue Water Bay's burgers are much better and sadly even cheaper.
(2)Kate S.
This place is nothing special- completely average, overcooked burgers for a premium price. The atmosphere is nice and service is prompt. That's about it. I would take Five Guys or Mac's over this place 10/10 times- better burgers and half the price. Even Relish is better.
(3)Jose A.
This place is great. My wife loves the toga burger. I like the rise and shine. Sweet potato fries and onion rings.
(5)Ashkan P.
Just had the 3-mushroom burger and the mac and cheese. Both were extremely delicious. The cheese sauce was rich and the bread crumbs add some nice texture. Similarity, the burger was full of flavor and the mushrooms and sauce were right up there. My recommendation is to eat it nice and slow with a few pauses to realize how good it is. Yep, it is a bit more expensive but the food and service are well worth it.
(5)Karen P.
I was Excited to try a new burger in town! The decor from the other locations caught my eye and so ventured off to try this new venue and Honestly ?..................................... I think it was overpriced. I like my burgers thin and to the point. I ordered the 'All American' it's a cheeseburger with lettuce tomato and mayo. My boyfriend had the 'Old Fashion' a plain cheeseburger no lettuce no tomato both were $9.99 and came with an extremely slim side of French fries. The price honestly wasn't the biggest thing for me it was more-so the fact that my bun was soggy because it was sooooo drenched in burger fat from my patty. I knew by just holding it that it would be my first and last time visiting. My waiter was really nice but the food was a complete disappointment we spent $50.00 for two cheeseburgers and 2 beers and fried jalapeños(those were good). BTW, what grossed me out the most was that they splattered mayo on my burger on top of the cheese it was gross. Go to Burger Fi and get a good burger for half the price!!
(2)Ryan C.
Great burgers, onion rings, and milkshakes served by an over the top friendly staff. The fried mac and cheese is outstanding as well. The prices are higher than what you would pay for comparable burgers at other Gainesville joints, and the sides a little smaller. Still, you won't walk away hungry and I enjoyed the visit. Not my favorite burger place in town, but I will definately add it to the rotation.
(4)Chris D.
I am following up my previous review with a more updated review. After my last visit to square one burgers I left a review stating our server had too many tables or the restaurant was understaffed. After I reviewed square one the manager reached out to me personally and apologized. This is a true testament to the dedication the management has to his staff, restaurant, and his customer's experience. I've written many reviews on yelp and Mike was the first person to respond back to me. I will definitely be back to square one burgers. I will support any business that takes a true interest in their customer's satisfaction.
(5)Antoinette O.
It's hard to find a restaurant that's doing everything right, but Square 1 gets darn close! Delicious food, great service, great atmosphere, great prices...it was all great! My mom and I ordered chicken fingers with onion rings and a bacon blue burger with fries, respectively. The onion rings were FRESH, which goes a long way with me. The burger was also cooked to perfection how I like it - medium, with a little pink in the center. I also enjoyed a blood orange margarita from the bar. It's was stiff, and I don't mind that either. Overall, I can't wait to return to Square 1 with my husband!
(4)Gina C.
I was just here for lunch. The food is perfectly cooked, the atmosphere is fun and welcoming, and the PEOPLE are just AWESOME!! They go above and beyond to make sure that not only is your food good but that you feel right at home and enjoy your entire experience. I mis ordered something that contained an allergen of mine. I was more than thoroughly taken care of by the entire staff here, the problem was solved immediately and without any attitude or sighs or any of the typical irritation that comes with putting a new order in. The people and the food are great here. :) I hope you all check it out soon!!
(5)Nicole O.
Probably one of the best burgers I have ever had!! I had the Juicy Lucy which was to die for!! Stuffed with cheese...oozing out with the first bite... and topped with caramelized onions. And the onion rings are out of this world!! It was our first time here but not our last! We try to eat healthy so knowing that the meet is hormone free, antibiotic free, certified organic, free range cows is awesome!! If your going eat out and treat yourself every know now and then, you may as well do it right!! Price is reasonable considering the quality, taste, atmosphere and service!!
(5)Terry M.
Second time in a row service was slow and food was not hot. I don't think I'll be back
(2)Kristina M.
We've been here about four times now and have ordered different items off the menu each time. Service is QUICK. We've always been seated mere minutes after entering the door, even when we're with a big party. The waitresses and waiters have all been attentive, super nice, and helpful. When you leave, they may ask you to fill out an email subscription for coupons. If you get there during happy hour, which is actually a good portion of the day (all hours not during dinner rush), you get some awesome deals. Pair going during happy hour with an emailed coupon and this place becomes more affordable and a really good deal. The burgers we've gotten have been great. More on the oily side because of all the burger fat, but fortunately the buns haven't ever been soggy for us. The patties are slightly on the thicker side, but uber juicy and tasty. The sides are mediocre. I'd say the onion rings are worth mentioning, as well as their wahoo seasoned fries. I ordered fried pickles as an appetizer once and will never again. It was swimming in grease when it got to our table, and the crunchy fried batter was falling off and soggy. The sauce was good though! One thing they have been consistent with is cooking meat to the right rarity or wellness! This is an awesome thing to experience - to get medium done correctly. Square 1 also doesn't play with caramelized onions. They come out fantastic! Shakes. They're all pretty damn amazing, and considering how rich they are they could be your entire meal. Beware. They're huge! The reason why I didn't give them five stars (they would be deserving of 4.5) is because of price vs. taste for other items aside from burgers. I have not found a non-burger item on the menu that was not on the more positive side of mediocre.. While the chicken, turkey, and beef burgers are great.. The salmon burger wasn't awesome.. You come here for the burgers. As I mentioned earlier.. They're pretty pricey for their serving sizes. Pair going during happy hour with an emailed 5 bucks off coupon and this place becomes more affordable and a really good deal. Oh yeah, I also absolutely love the decor in this place. :)
(4)Merlonda J.
I'm not a burger lover, eater or person at all but I actually enjoyed my first time eating dinner here tonight. I ordered the Juicy Lucy and was very pleased. It was stuffed with cheese and was seasoned to perfection. The server we had (Vanessa) was excellent as well. The decor was also very attractive. We will be visiting here again.
(5)Benjamjn H.
I go here for some of the best burgers I ever have had in my life quite frequently. But the Kobe Red Wine and Blue is by far the best I think I have had from them. It's a must try, especially with sweet potato fries.
(5)Margaret G.
Great, HUGE, burgers, excellent fries, onion ring appetizer enough for 8! Very good vegan burger as well. Nice happy hour deals!
(5)Nicholas H.
Went to check out the new burger spot in town and had high hopes, was severely let down. Disclaimer: I am a hardcore burger lover - I try them all over the country at all price points. The decor is really nice compared to most gainesville restaurants. The service was really good - our waitress was highly attentive and very energetic. Ordered the fried pickles to start and they were pretty good. The meal was off to a good start. For my main entree - I got the Rise and Shine burger medium rare with the Kobe beef. What a letdown. I'll start by deconstructing the burger: The egg was done perfectly - sunny side up with yolk oozing (eggs on burgers are hit or miss with people, I like them). The applewood bacon was actually cooked just right and it was very crispy and flavorful. The onions were also very tasty. So why two stars? All these great burger dressings and the star of the show doesn't show up! The awful excuse of a burger patty (Kobe no less!) was nearly deli meat thin! I don't know why they bother asking for meat temperature since it's too thin to matter. I have no problem paying $17 for a burger but don't put that sorry excuse of a patty in front of any paying customer. I have had Kobe beef, Waygu and plain old grass fed angus and this Kobe beef was completely unremarkable. Very little flavor at all and somehow greasy enough to soak and soggy the bun. The fries were average. Not amazing but certainly not bad. The burger patties here are roughly the size of mcdonalds burger patties and only slightly more flavorful. If they one day stop skimping on the beef and make a real burger then they may be successful. It's a shame that the owner slanders the good Texas name with such pitiful excuses for burgers.
(2)Elizabeth B.
Yummy, yum, yum. They have adult milkshakes!!! Burgers are delish! Visiting my brother and the family has eaten there twice. More upscale, had the Togo Burger & Turkey Cobb Burgee w/ no blue cheese. Both times I liked the food ecen liked the Fried jalapanos. Love the fried Mac & Cheese. I always try Mac & Cheese where I go. First time was take out, second time was sit down. We asked the server not to come back until happy hour started but although the place was empty she insisted on checking on us so we felt rushed to order. The Sangria at happy hour...Horrible! The margarita...hit the spot. We stayed for at least an hour & half. I'll be back!!
(4)Tom V.
Had South of the border burger. It was very good. The prices are very reasonable too.
(5)James J.
Representing what most sandwiches want to be when they grow up, burgers are a simple union of some of the most incredible comfort food groups known to man. Cheese, tender beef, and freshly-fried starch straws are a beautiful thing and Gainesville acknowledges this by hosting numerous locations to get them, for both the quick and cheap hankerings, as well as the slow and indulgent meals. Imagine my excitement when I hear that a well-regarded Florida-Exclusive burger bar has decided to grace the town with yet another nod to this American classic. Square 1 has plenty to offer, but in a town like this, severely oversteps its boundaries with its evaluation of that offering. The Space: Located right next to Carrabba's just south of the intersection at 34th street and Archer Rd., Square 1 has ample space and a very appropriately-themed environment for diving into a juicy meat patty. Gaudy in some people's eyes, I am sure, the interior features faux-cattle skulls, antler chandeliers, and fuzzy cow hide booth backings to name a few shameless testaments to the deserved burger obsession of America. Everything is brand new and clean, using a fun blend of the red, black, and white they share with their logo. There is a sizable bar area, and enough TVs for future game day activities. The Service: We came in a party of 4 and were instantly greeted by smiling faces with extended doors. Quickly seated, promptly informed on specials, and eager to help answer questions, it is apparent that the management kept service standards as a top priority for their hired hands, which was definitely a plus. Only very small hiccups occurred throughout the entire meal, which included adult beverages, appetizers, and desserts in what amounts to be a more taxing serving experience (ex. I ordered a beer, but was not also given a water alongside it). Bombarded by questions, the server was happy to field them and give helpful feedback for planning out our choices. The Food: The food was pretty solid: -Spicy egg rolls (B): Fried and crunchy, the pulled pork was moist without making the crispy vegetables, also inside, soggy. Came with a side of slaw and a chipotle ranch, which was odd but decent for the BBQ pulled pork flavor -Poblano Peño Cheeseburger (A): Cooked a perfect medium-rare and featuring jalepenos, poblanos, and a cilantro-lime cream sauce, the burger was a delicious mess right down to the bun, which even had FLAVOR (uncommon at most places unless they rock a pretzel bun); a tad smaller than expected -Onion Rings (C): These were weak, flaky, and difficult to eat without pinching bits of breading to go along with the onion, which consistently fell out. Typical. -Nutella and peanut butter milkshare (B): Straightforward, this was just indulgent and bares no in-depth deconstruction Final Thoughts: Take one more look at my food summaries and consider, NOT how much you WOULD PAY for these things, but better how much you probably have paid for them in recent weeks/months. Burger and fries...probably about $10 with it dressed up, right? Two southwestern egg rolls, cut 4 ways...close to $6, I bet. How about try an UNGODLY $12 for the burger and fries, with a $2 UPCHARGE for literally 5 THIN onion rings! And that egg roll appetizer: $8!! And the Blue Bell ice cream milkshake...$6...and this does not even address the other $6 for a 12oz pour of Swamp Head's Big Nose (literally $5 a pint almost anywhere else in town). I could have replicated almost this exact same experience at one of my favorite LOCAL restaurants in town, both with better quality AND less money involved, not to mention I would have DEFINITELY gotten more food/drink out of each item. I have no idea how this restaurant has managed to get away with these prices elsewhere, except that the cities are bigger, but I can assure you that my return to Square 1 will be considered only with a friend/colleague first uttering the sentence "It's on me." It is good, but not good enough to hop away missing an arm and a leg.
(3)Beth F.
I loved the onion rings & and strawberry salad.The decor was wonderful! I'm rating a 3 out of 5 because of the wait for our food and the price of my salad, to get the full with chicken it was about $14-$15 bucks.. It was delicious, just not worth the price and 20 minute wait to get the salad. The bathrooms were also very cramped!
(3)Alyssa P.
Best burgers ever! If you love mushrooms on your burger, this place is where to go. Delicious food, friendly service, and interesting interior design. Would definitely recommend. Better than BurgerFi in my opinion especially since you are actually full after your meal.
(4)Gavin D.
I wanted to edit this review and give them 2 instead of three stars. The food hasn't changed much but now they have decided that the Thirsty Thursday will only be for crappy Bud products. The place was a ghost town on Thursday so I'm sure it's working well for them. I wont be back. To start off, the only reason I am giving square 1 a 3rd star is because the service is great and the Thursday drink specials are very good. Square 1 is located on SW 34th street, the former hungry howies and Maui Terryaki location. They did a great job of renovating this place and the bar is quite nice. They do have weekly specials that you can view on their website like $3.00 onion rings all day Wednesday and $3.00 drafts on Thursday (local craft brews). The burger itself is overpriced. If I am going to pay $10-18 for a burger it better be big, and it should be tasty. This burger is neither. I have been twice now and ordered the rise and shine and the bacon cheeseburger. If you like your egg runny, it's cooked perfectly ( I personally do not so I wasn't thrilled by this but I should have asked, so my fault there). I would be okay with the pricey burger if it was really great with tasty sides, which it also is not. The fries are not hand cut, and don't taste like much. The fried pickles (7.99) and onion rings (8.99 or $3.00 on Wed) were worth ordering again. To sum up my experience, I will continue to go to square 1 for their good service and happy hour all day Thursday, but if I'm craving a burger I'll head to Embers or Looseys.
(2)Alex F.
Went there for the first time last Saturday evening. I've been to another square 1 location and loved it. Our server was Heintz (like the ketchup) and he was fantastic! Very friendly and had great insight on the food offered. I had the rise and shine burger. It was so juicy and the fried egg was cooked perfectly. A little messy, but I didn't mind! The gf had the special- a crab cake burger. Don't knock it until you try it! The crab cake was full of tender crab meat with some dynamite seasoning, and the mango salsa topping was bursting with flavor. They have weekly burger specials, and I can't wait to try them all! I'm so glad square 1 came to gville.
(5)Gregg M.
Great atmosphere, burgers have the perfect crust on them and you can tell the process they went through to find a bun that compliments the burger. Great selection of beef, buffalo, chicken and turkey. I had the Juicy Lucy and it was amazing. The service was just as awesome as the food. Courtney our server was simply amazing and met our every need. You can not go wrong here. I have been to five guys, burger fi and now Square 1 and this beats them all. Even got to speak to Pam the manager and she was a delight also. This is a must try!
(5)anna a.
Not bad, but not good. Not cheap either. I ordered a burger, mac and cheese, and added fries at the last minute because they looked good. The fries were the only thing I ate more than a few bites of - they were great! The mac and cheese was flavorless and kinda gross. They may have better burgers, but the lamb burger with goat cheese i ordered was flavorless as well and the bun was soggy. You'd think that a lamb burger, herbed goat cheese, and dijonnaise would produce some kind of flavor but i didn't even finish half of it. I probably wouldn't come here again on purpose. Five guys burgers are 10x better and $10 cheaper.
(3)micah j.
If you are gonna charge me twelve bucks for a burger, it better be good. For starters, it took 31 minutes to get my food on a slow Monday night. The patty was fairly charred on the outside, although cooked to my specs (medium) on the inside. My sweet potato fries were good and hot, but my dad's onion rings were cold. The waitress finally came to check on us when we were about halfway through our meal. Not impressed, and I'll go elsewhere for my burger next time.
(3)Mike W.
Maybe I was just hungry, but I was pretty much blown away by this place. I had somewhat low expectations as I'd heard Square One was a chain from Oklahoma (turns out, not quite true: the owners are from Oklahoma but they began the chain in Tampa after running another very successful restaurant there [Bella's Italian] for decades). See, in general I very much avoid chains. I feel like local restaurants are normally of higher quality and I like supporting something local and owned by people in the community. However, Square One is a small chain and it was clear as I talked with the manager when she came over to see how things were that she was just as much invested in the fortunes of her restaurant as most owners--she really, truly, cared. The interior is slightly gaudy but in a good way: there's a ruby-red chandelier in one corner and the bar is back-lit, side-lit, under-lit--you name it. The atmosphere is just wickedly fun and inviting without being silly and still seeming pretty mature. It's a bar atmosphere that should appeal to almost anyone. The music was a selection ranging from Luther Vandross to Glen Campbell but much better and more sophisticated than most restaurant rock/soul/country mixes. I ordered the All-American Burger with roasted red taters as the side and a Manhattan. Now, a word on the drink: there are two classic ways of serving a Manhattan--the way you most often see it, in a cocktail glass with a cherry, or on the rocks in a lowball with an orange slice for a garnish. The latter approach is mostly forgotten outside of five-star steakhouses, old hotel bars, and at the home wetbars of people who watch too much Mad Men. However, when the bartender at Square One asked me how I wanted my Manhattan and I said "on the rocks", she made it flawlessly the way it should be made--lowball glass, orange slice and all. That's impressive. The burger was perfect. I'm not a big burger guy--I don't eat a burger all that often, but I'm picky on them all the same. The only burger I've had in recent years--yes, years--that can compare to Square One's is a burger I had at The Ice Plant in Saint Augustine which I consider one of the best fine dining restaurants in the entire state, possibly the whole South. To see a local, casual place turn out a burger this good twenty minutes prior to closing for the night is awesome. The bartender and manager alike were very swift, attentive, and nice. I really have no complaints whatsoever with Square One. I had put off coming here mainly because the menu looked burger-heavy and, well, heavy in general. It didn't look like the healthiest of food and I try to stay healthy in what I eat. But if you want a good burger, you can certainly find one here and if you order wisely, get something decently healthful, too. Very impressed.
(5)Michelle V.
Great burgers! Even the ones not made of beef, like the salmon burger! I would definitely say one of the best burgers in town. Though a bit on the pricey side, it is definitely worth the price. And to make it even better, they have groupons to help save a few bucks. Another awesome part is that they are dog friendly in their outdoor patio. They will bring a water bowl for your pup and they have a doggie menu too.
(5)Shelley H.
How have I never reviewed this place? I feel like I have. Anyway, been here lots of times. Great food. I come for lunch typically with co-workers. Servers have always been friendly and helpful. Some new servers aren't as efficient but the food is usually above average. The choice of protein range from vegetarian tofu, bean, mushroom, to all the meats from turkey, chicken, Kobe beef, lamb and more. So far I have not had any issues with the food. I often get the chop salad with soup at lunch, but have also opted for burgers and portobello "burgers". Their French onion soup is rich and flavorful. Their chop salad is served with just the right mix of greens and bacon. The burgers are tall, juicy, and loaded with flavor. However, once a co-worker ordered "very rare" beef burger and it was almost well done. Another time I didn't get my side dish after repeated requests. Another time the waitress messed up our tickets and we were overcharged. Yet another time there was a screw in my co-workers burger & she chipped a tooth. Each time management came to the rescue, but what this says to me is that there may be some training issues with staff. I still give 4 stars because the menu options are expansive, the servers are friendly, the place is clean, they make drinks correctly, and the lunch menu prices are competitive. I will continue to crave their menu, so Square1 is on my list.
(4)Kara G.
3 out of 4 times I've had an unpleasant experience. Only ordered take out once. Website menu is incorrect. Poor service ordering to-go. Poor service picking up. Order was incorrect. Food was cold by the time I finally got out of there & home. $25 for 2 burgers. SMH
(2)Matt P.
Saw the plethora of great reviews and figured I'd try it out. OK, but it doesn't really stand out considering it's one of the zillions of casual options in the Archer Rd./34th Street area. The interior decor is...interesting. Neo-cowboy with a side of Big City bling? It elicited a few laughs, frankly, but I don't really judge a restaurant on bizarre wall hangings, wild upholstery, or over-the-top throne seating... The food is what matters, and it didn't particularly go that well. Service was fine, but the burger I ordered was rather thin and poorly constructed (which should have been easy considering the size...). It was average, which is better than many dining experiences I've encountered. I would certainly eat here again in a pinch, but it wont be my first choice.
(3)Maureen K.
First off, I have to say that Spouse claims his All American Cheeseburger was the best burger he's ever eaten - and the fact that right on the menu they offer the choice of having it come in a bed of greens, has left him a Square 1 fan. By now we all know I'm the pickier of the two of us, so I'll just say that when I tried his burger, I found it too salty and am glad he was the one who was eating it. I ordered the chicken slider duo - managed to eat one, but could not deal with the other, again because of the huge amount of salt. I mentioned it to the manager, who said, "Yes our food is highly seasoned. Next time ask us to hold the salt." Umm . . . Oh yes, I also had onion rings, and was disappointed because each time I tried to pick one up, the onion slid out, leaving me with the coating in hand and the onion on the plate. Very odd. But I didn't need the extra calories anyway. I should add that Square 1 is super clean, everything super shiny and attractive, and the staff goes out of their way to make it seem like they really care whether you have a good experience (except for the salt comment). The large space is divided into smaller areas so you feel like you're in a more intimate environment. When we were there for lunch they weren't busy, so I can't comment on the noise level, but I'd think all the dividers should keep everything to a reasonable roar even at peak times.
(3)Jim W.
I had a really good burger for lunch here. I ordered the veggie burger with a side of quinoa. The burger was artfully prepared and very tasty. The size of the burger was perfect. The quality of the lettuce and tomato was very good. The quinoa was excellent and the portion was large. I also ordered a side of fried jalepenos. They had a nice light breading and were fried just under golden. They were also very good. They came with a ranch dip. Yummy. My lunch guest had the sliders with a side of cole slaw. He reported that he really enjoyed the burgers. Not overcooked, juicy, flavorful, and a nice portion appropriate for lunch. The hostess was quick to greet us with a smile and get a seated. The restaurant has a unique decorating scheme and has a good vibe to it. Lots of seating in a comfy casual atmosphere. Our waitress was kind and soft spoken. She was quick to take our order, make sure everything tasted good, and got the bill turned around in short time. Important for those on a time schedule. The bar appears well stocked and a good place to tip a few back. The menu has some really cool adult beverage listings that I definitely want to come back to try. They have some interesting happy hour specials too. Parking was fine for lunch but I bet that it can get tight on a busy Friday or Saturday night. There is adjacent parking at a nearby strip mall just in case. Since everyone knows I'm a bathroom snob - here goes. Is there a friggin' bathroom in Gainesville that somebody hasn't flicked a booger on the wall above the urinal? PLEASE STOP THE FLICK! Aside from the sole booger clinging to life in the center of a gleaming 4" white tile, the bathroom was clean, well kept, and tidy. You really need to check the bathroom out just to see the sink. Its very cool. It invites you to wash your hands. Seriously - check the sink out. If you are still reading then I thank you for your time to read my review. Your opinion counts so please give me a quick click on one of the buttons below.
(4)Critics World ..
First off, this is a nice place for a sit down dinner, tastefully decorated with touches of rustic and grandeur. The service was back and forth, the person who sat us was very quiet and seemed put out, but our waiter was excellent and very attentive. I tried the fried pickles, whoo hoo fries, wings, Kobe Decadent Daddy burger and the Juicy Lucy burger, along with 2 other burgers that I can't recall the names. The fried pickles were very soggy, the wing had great flavor, but were lukewarm. I must say that the Fries were awesome! When we sampled the burgers, they were not aweful, but not awesome either. The Kobe Decadent Burger was a little dry with just the right amount of Brie, but was lacking on the curled lettuce and other condiments. The Juicy Lucy was just a sloppy mess with so so flavor. One of the other burgers did not get last bite 2, it was burnt and aweful... I can't say that this place is totally aweful, as there were great menu items. It seems that there was a consistency issue 6 entrees and 2 were burnt one too greasy, one undercooked and one was awesome. I hope they get it together and I can update this review in the future. - C_W
(3)Leigh R.
More on the expensive side but it's really good. The atmosphere in there is really nice and all the waitresses are very kind.
(5)Kasey G.
In comparison to other Burger restaurants nearby I would say that Square 1 is similar, and not necessarily better. I opted for the Kobe Beef patty on my Burger, it was good, but not as good as it had the potential to be. Their appetizers were good, especially their Fried Mac & Cheese, and their Milkshakes are decent. If you come here on your birthday, any item on the dessert menu is free. All things considered, nothing was exceptional, but I would give it another try.
(4)Jay O.
I really do not understand why people are comparing this place to a fast food restaurant. This place has a very nice decor, great drinks, happy hour, gourmet burgers and amazing service. I would not compare it to anything less than Chillis or Fridays. I've been here twice in one week and have tried the Cajun Salmon Burger and the Rise and Shine. The burgers were delicious and perfectly cooked. $10-$13 for a meal was just the right price for such good food. The staff was amazing every time and the food was serve very quickly. They have totally won me over and I will choose this place over any other local restaurant.
(5)Brit V.
New restaurant in Gainesville that just opened within the past month. Walking in, the decor is an awesome mix of red velvet walls, old wooden plants, cow chairs and booths, and antler chandeliers in their signature white, red, and black theme. It is very well designed, with a fantastic bar connected to an outside patio, or you can choose to sit in the typical restaurant area. We ordered 2 beers off their tap menu, and they were great. They have some great happy hour specials, and other specials on certain days (including their famous onion rings for $3 on Wednesdays, I think). Our food order consisted of the pulled pork egg rolls, the crab cake burger with mango strawberry salsa and spicy ranch sauce, onion rings, and the BBQ burger with fries. Unfortunately, we never received our appetizer, as the kitchen did not start preparing it until we received our burgers. Nevertheless, the burgers were fantastic. The crab cake burger was moist, containing much more crab than bread crumbs. The onion rings were a great golden brown crunchyness, without the oil dragging it down. My husband enjoyed the BBQ burger, but said the fries could have been better. Overall, great service and atmosphere. Great food. Prices range $8-15 depending on the burg and sides you decide on (onion rings are $2 extra, sweet potato fries $1 extra, can exchange fries for cole slaw or salad). We will definitely be back. Excited for cooler weather to sit on the patio and watch the games.
(4)Luke G.
Upscale casual resturant, kinda like a BJ's. The boomer sooner margarita was gross! Don't waste your money on it. The sangria however was amazing! Very sweet and easy to drink. The burgers and fries are great!
(5)Heidi J.
I really loved the Mary's lamb burger! Its juicy and the goat cheese was the perfect cheese for the burger too. You have to try it! I like the decor inside because every section is different and has its own unique look. Ill definentely be coming back!
(5)Caroline M.
I am normally not a fan of burger places but boy was I blown away. My boyfriend recommended we stop by here for lunch as this was a fairly new place in town, reluctantly I agreed but it turned out to be a great decision. Together we shared the 'x rated mudslide' which had kalua and vodka as well as the nutella and peanut butter shake. The latter was a sweet and rich treat for those not feeling up to alcohol. My mudslide was both sweet and strong which is a great combo. We sat outside to enjoy the fall weather tho the inner decor was nice as well. Service was both pleasant and fast. Our entrees were amazing. I got the juicy lucy with fries and it was great. Huge portion and true to its juicy name. They made it perfectly medium rare as I had asked. Definitely a fork and knife burger. Ky boyfriend got the mac n cheese and south of the border burger which he said "was an explosion of flavor and I kept wanting there to be more". I can comment on the mac since I managed to snag a bite before he downed it and its a definite thing to get if you come here! Our foodie neighbors even brought their dog in who also got a meal!!! There's an incredible amount of menu selection. Its unique and it all sounded delicious with various options for both meat and veggie lovers. Both my boyfriend and I agree that we need to come back to try their kobe beef, salmon, buffalo burger, and lamb!!!
(5)Matt K.
Onion rings were amazing. Not your typical fast food joint, this place has class. Burgers are out of this world.
(5)Allison S.
I've given them several tries, but every time I go I leave broke and disappointed. Their beer prices are ridiculous, and the limited happy hour specials aren't conducive to Gainesville's demographic. The burgers are alright but the prices are WAY out of whack. Not sure what their ingredients/labor costs are like but no one should have to pay $5 extra to upgrade their beef patty to lamb when the base price of the burger is already at an average of $13. Service is relatively friendly but the nickel and diming factor of their menu just ruins it for me. Sorry.
(2)Terry H.
This is my favorite burger place in Gainesville. I highly recommend the blue bacon burger and onion rings. Definitely take the onion rings over the fries unless you normally don't care for them. I also loved the meatloaf burger I had on their specialty weekend. My wife loves the salmon burger. If you haven't tried this place, go!
(5)Madison E.
We went when a game was on and it was great. Great atmosphere, service, and food. I am vegan and they had a mushroom burger so that was very exciting. The decor is unique to say the lease. The bar is big and awesome with TVs all around and there is back patio where you can eat, sit at the bar outside, and watch the TVs. It is quiet expensive but worth it for a night out at a nice place.
(4)Customer Q.
I ate at Square 1 Burgers & Bar tonight with two friends and was very pleasantly surprised by their good food, attentive service and pleasant dining room. You can order all the burgers any way you want -- and they have variations on cheese, toppings, buns, and the make-up of the patty (e.g., Kobe beef, lamb, veggie, etc.) I ordered an All American burger with fries, while one friend had an All American with onion rings, and another had a burger that involved bleu cheese. Among the three of us, we also had fried mac and cheese and an appetizer of wings. The burgers were quite good, definitely the best I've had in Gainesville. Possibily even among the top ten I've had in the US. I had mine on a brioche bun, which really added to the flavor. The burger came out correctly cooked the first time, and it was relatively fast. The wings were good, with a smokey flavor that was surprising in a good way. I was impressed that despite all the things we ordered that COULD have been greasy -- the burgers, the fries, the onion rings and the wings -- nothing was. That's rare in a burger joint. The atmosphere is pub-like, with sit-down service, a bar, and an outdoor heated seating area in addition to the dining room. The service was friendly, fast, attentive and quite competent without being overbearing. The manager came over in the middle of our meal to inquire about our experience. It's difficult to find quality restaurants in Gainesville, and Square 1 is a welcome addition. Two thumbs up and five stars.
(5)Tracy D.
Sat at the bar: service was fast, friendly and efficient. Food: We tried the Beer Cheese Soup - good, but had an unexpected kick. Not your typical Wisconsin style soup. We tried the fries (forget name) with Gravy and cheese (very little cheese) - delicious, and my favorite part of the meal. My dining partner very much enjoyed her "Greek" Lamb burger. My Rise and Shine burger was tasty, and well seasoned. Bacon wasn't crisp, but was still good. Egg was a bit underdone while the burger was more Well than Medium. The Manager did come by to check on us, but the points I mentioned I didn't bother letting him know about as overall it was a satisfying burger. I tried their Mac & Cheese as a side for a $2 up charge. NOT worth it - small amount, also spicy, and just not that great. My dining partner said the Onion Rings for the $2 up charge were "awesome, tasted like a beer batter and they were seasoned really well." One major issue - the PRICE. For the price I paid (almost $13 each plus an upcharge on the side), I could have gotten a decent steak elsewhere and about the same small size for the meat. If you have money to burn, go here. Good food, Big City prices in a college town. We'll see if it lasts. Overall, some highs and lows.
(3)Darlene V.
Really terrific menu with a great variety of burgers (and non meat). Fun interior with really spacious booths. Try the Decadent Kobe beef burger...literally melts in your mouth!
(4)Peter V.
Waitress was helpful and very friendly. We also had a manager come help us when a burger we ordered rare was a little too rare. The onion rings are awesome and come with a nice sauce. $3 good craft beers for happy hour. Burger was good. I got the rise and shine. A little messy but that's what I expected. Maybe a little expensive though .
(4)Ray K.
I am a burger junkie and this was one the best I ever had and the onion rings were absolutely the best. Cold beer, very friendly staff and an amazing menu. I am a purist and so I had the All American. It was cooked perfectly and when the juices roll down your arms you know you are in burger heaven. If I lived here i would be "Norm" to this place. Don't miss this place.
(5)Julie F.
Loved this new restaurant, but wish they had a few low calorie options, even the salads were high. Having said that, my veggie burger was excellent, probably the best I've had. It was opening night, so service was good, the manager stopped by to chat. I loved the decor inside, but we ate outside which was also nice, too bad it faces busy 34th avenue. good selection of beers and okay wine. We had a nice time, food was good and reasonably priced. I recommend.
(4)Karly G.
The bar is awesome! So many delicious options on tap. Their happy hour is great too. $3 onion rings on Wednesday I think it is? Or Thursday. But a great deal. And their chicken wings are soooooo good. On happy hour they are five bucks! I love it! I pretty much come here for the awesome happy hour and bar. The food is good! Just a bit pricey for me since I'm a college student on a budget. But I really like this place! Come for happy hour!! 3-6, and 9-close
(4)Gabriella M.
Great food, decor, and service. This place is definitely awesome!!
(5)Romi G.
The burger was good, if underwhelming in size. The toppings were also good. However, a vinaigrette, even a dijon vinaigrette, should not be the consistency of mayonnaise. Either make a proper vinaigrette or just call it something else. The decor is... interesting. Did Ed Hardy steal the chandeliers from Betsey Johnson's house and then throw up all over a cow? Coupled with the odd selection of music--everything from the Johnny Rocket's playlist to Madonna's hits--it shrieks, "Just like me, please!"
(2)Theresa G.
Decided to try the new burger joint in town and I was pleasantly surprised. The burgers were great (a little expensive) and the onion rings are amazing! On Wednesdays you can get a huge order of the onion rings for only $3. My only complaint was they serve Pepsi products. If I had a diet coke to go with their food I would give it 5 stars!!
(4)Jennifer M.
Finally a place to get a good burger and sides with a cold brew! The beer selection is decent; not extensive but diverse. Try the woo hoo fries and you won't be disappointed. I plan to work my way through the other appetizers and will check back in when I do.
(4)