Title: Delicious Food, But Beware of In-House Dining FeeRating: ⭐⭐⭐I recently visited the social with my son and wife, and overall, we had a satisfying dining experience. The highlight of our meal was undoubtedly the mouthwatering Tender Mountain with Swamp Sauce. The flavors were fantastic, and the portion size was quite generous, leaving us feeling satisfied and content. My wife opted for the Buffalo Mac and Cheese Bowl, which she said was ok, but was a much smaller portion for nearly the same price.The food quality was commendable. The flavors were well-balanced, and the dishes were prepared with care and attention to detail.However, my enthusiasm dampened when I realized the in-house dining fee. Paying over $7 just to dine within the restaurant seemed exorbitant and left a sour taste in my mouth. This unexpected cost was disappointing and took away from an otherwise enjoyable experience. It's important for restaurants to be transparent about additional charges, as it can significantly impact a customer's perception.While the food deserves praise, I must admit that the in-house dining fee has made me hesitant about returning. It's disheartening when a hidden charge leaves you questioning the value of the overall dining experience. I hope the management takes into consideration the impact such fees can have on customer satisfaction.Without this fee I would recommend the social to others solely for the delicious food and impressive flavors. However, I would advise potential diners to be aware of the additional cost associated with dining in-house. If you're not bothered by such fees, then this restaurant might still be worth a visit for its delectable offerings.
Harry Baker III
Went in for drinks w/10 others & got seats right at the bar. The place is Open & Airy, wit h is nice in Gville. Place gets packed before, during & after any Gator game regardless of the sport.
Michael “DETH KIDS” Darata
Has anyone ever worked in a kitchen and the line cook coughs straight in his hands while plating every order. Then at last call walked out during the last 30 mins of orders came back and because he shut the grill off and couldn't cook burgers... Took the old cooked burgers in the trash can and serves it? Welcome to the social.
Jeff C
The happy hour prices are fantastic here of course that's compared to places that aren't next to a college. Bartenders were very friendly with good service. Food not bad in great deals at happy hour. A good place for the older crowd to hang out in the earlier hours that is convenient to see a football or basketball game at the university.
Britney Megnath
Love social especially on thursdays they have aycd and the vibe there is so chill. It is also a really good spot on game days. They usually always have something going on and they have karaoke on wednesdays. Also I’ve only had the food once I had the Buffalo mac and cheese it was soooo good like one of the best dishes ever
Ella Camaro
Went to watch Utes play Gators and when we drove to Gainesville this was the first bar we saw. The line builds up fast to get in on a game day. There are entrances on both sides of the building. You can walk through the whole bar and walk out to the other street in the back of the building. This bar is massive. 2 stories. We went to the rooftop area. There are 2 bar areas upstairs, food truck, restrooms and lots of seating areas.The ones under pergolas are reserved. Pay attention, they usually tape a piece of paper with the name. You have a great view from the top on all the tailgating going on across the street. There are at least 2 bar areas downstairs, you can play pool and sit outside. We met a lot of friendly Gator fans, there was barely any hostility against Utah fans. We mingled and hanged out on a rooftop from 12 pm to 6 pm at least. The drinks were good. I enjoyed frozen mango margaritas the most. Perfect for a hot muggy day in Gainesville.
Marcia Daubenmire
Service was excellent! The food was tasty!I really enjoyed the salad but a didn’t like the small bowels they serve in. It makes a mess when you try to dress your salad.The decor was industrial comfort. The space was open and the bar was huge! I would go again!
Richard J. Vargo
Rating: 4.8 StarsI really love the food here. Pre-Covid, this place was so much fun to visit, socialize, drink, and get amazing food. The open air-atmosphere and plethora of TVs meant you could enjoy live-action sports in a great environment. They had my favorite beer--Funky Buddha Floridian--on draft, which was awesome. The food here was always good, so definitely continue to give them the business. The Social Mac N' Cheese was awesome, especially the BBQ Pork Mac. It had great overall flavor! Yum. The Mojo Pork Tacos were some of the best tacos that I have ever eaten; it is disappointing to see them off the menu. Hopefully, they make a triumphant return post-COVID! While it is sad you can't enjoy this place like you could before the pandemic, definitely give them the take out business!
Derek Moss
Typical college bar, or Mexican street food restaurant? Suburban neighborhood or hidden gem? As if this place somehow lost its identity, it's the food that converted this place into a sparkling fountain of youth. With a menu starring deals every day for $1 tacos, to quesadillas that made me think it was a hamburger, the food has the whole city of Gainesville on watch. I haven't had street food like this, and with a kitchen that's open late, this is the place to be when you either want a drink or some munchies. If El Jefe's tried more to be a restaurant, they would see success like no other, unfortunately it's attitude still revolves around the bar, where most people sit. The outdoor patio is another hidden gem, with plenty of seating and a full bar, but something needs to be attractive about this place. Unlike the positives, this place is, as one would say, a hidden gem. It's not noticeable from the outside, and whatever reputation it held beforehand was that of a bar, not a restaurant. The potential for being the next swamp is strong with this restaurant, but the swamp had more seating, hint hint.
Trevor Reader
You're going here to order drinks, dance, and meet people - not to have a fine dining experience. The music is loud and great to dance to, you have pool and a chill patio when you're done dancing. Downvotes are from people who don't know how to club...
Edit: I guess the quality isn't controlled well. Ordered again, got some wings that taste like they lived at the bottom a fryer for a few days. Sigh.Great wings.Ordered late night on a whim. Easily the best prepared wings I've had in Gainesville.
Gator Fans
It is not the best food or the best atmosphere :(. My waffle was cold and I felt unwelcomed here. I support small businesses but I guess only good ones.
Amy Jo
They serve underage, don’t care about safety and generally promote an unsafe and dangerous environment for women and the downtown area.
Trenton Garmon
Great experience at the Restaurant. Good service, nice open lay out and the food was amazing. The owner was very personable and the server was very respectful. Highly recommend the spot.
Selin Kavak
This place is unbelievably loud and absolutely not the place to go if you are a UF student. Sooooooo many better clubs in the area. The food was nasty and delayed and the bass inside makes it unbearable to sit without getting a massive headache after. Save your time and money and just go to the other clubs in the area. The venue itself isn't all that great either...kinda dingy.
Title: Delicious Food, But Beware of In-House Dining FeeRating: ⭐⭐⭐I recently visited the social with my son and wife, and overall, we had a satisfying dining experience. The highlight of our meal was undoubtedly the mouthwatering Tender Mountain with Swamp Sauce. The flavors were fantastic, and the portion size was quite generous, leaving us feeling satisfied and content. My wife opted for the Buffalo Mac and Cheese Bowl, which she said was ok, but was a much smaller portion for nearly the same price.The food quality was commendable. The flavors were well-balanced, and the dishes were prepared with care and attention to detail.However, my enthusiasm dampened when I realized the in-house dining fee. Paying over $7 just to dine within the restaurant seemed exorbitant and left a sour taste in my mouth. This unexpected cost was disappointing and took away from an otherwise enjoyable experience. It's important for restaurants to be transparent about additional charges, as it can significantly impact a customer's perception.While the food deserves praise, I must admit that the in-house dining fee has made me hesitant about returning. It's disheartening when a hidden charge leaves you questioning the value of the overall dining experience. I hope the management takes into consideration the impact such fees can have on customer satisfaction.Without this fee I would recommend the social to others solely for the delicious food and impressive flavors. However, I would advise potential diners to be aware of the additional cost associated with dining in-house. If you're not bothered by such fees, then this restaurant might still be worth a visit for its delectable offerings.
Went in for drinks w/10 others & got seats right at the bar. The place is Open & Airy, wit h is nice in Gville. Place gets packed before, during & after any Gator game regardless of the sport.
Has anyone ever worked in a kitchen and the line cook coughs straight in his hands while plating every order. Then at last call walked out during the last 30 mins of orders came back and because he shut the grill off and couldn't cook burgers... Took the old cooked burgers in the trash can and serves it? Welcome to the social.
The happy hour prices are fantastic here of course that's compared to places that aren't next to a college. Bartenders were very friendly with good service. Food not bad in great deals at happy hour. A good place for the older crowd to hang out in the earlier hours that is convenient to see a football or basketball game at the university.
Love social especially on thursdays they have aycd and the vibe there is so chill. It is also a really good spot on game days. They usually always have something going on and they have karaoke on wednesdays. Also I’ve only had the food once I had the Buffalo mac and cheese it was soooo good like one of the best dishes ever
Went to watch Utes play Gators and when we drove to Gainesville this was the first bar we saw. The line builds up fast to get in on a game day. There are entrances on both sides of the building. You can walk through the whole bar and walk out to the other street in the back of the building. This bar is massive. 2 stories. We went to the rooftop area. There are 2 bar areas upstairs, food truck, restrooms and lots of seating areas.The ones under pergolas are reserved. Pay attention, they usually tape a piece of paper with the name. You have a great view from the top on all the tailgating going on across the street. There are at least 2 bar areas downstairs, you can play pool and sit outside. We met a lot of friendly Gator fans, there was barely any hostility against Utah fans. We mingled and hanged out on a rooftop from 12 pm to 6 pm at least. The drinks were good. I enjoyed frozen mango margaritas the most. Perfect for a hot muggy day in Gainesville.
Service was excellent! The food was tasty!I really enjoyed the salad but a didn’t like the small bowels they serve in. It makes a mess when you try to dress your salad.The decor was industrial comfort. The space was open and the bar was huge! I would go again!
Rating: 4.8 StarsI really love the food here. Pre-Covid, this place was so much fun to visit, socialize, drink, and get amazing food. The open air-atmosphere and plethora of TVs meant you could enjoy live-action sports in a great environment. They had my favorite beer--Funky Buddha Floridian--on draft, which was awesome. The food here was always good, so definitely continue to give them the business. The Social Mac N' Cheese was awesome, especially the BBQ Pork Mac. It had great overall flavor! Yum. The Mojo Pork Tacos were some of the best tacos that I have ever eaten; it is disappointing to see them off the menu. Hopefully, they make a triumphant return post-COVID! While it is sad you can't enjoy this place like you could before the pandemic, definitely give them the take out business!
Typical college bar, or Mexican street food restaurant? Suburban neighborhood or hidden gem? As if this place somehow lost its identity, it's the food that converted this place into a sparkling fountain of youth. With a menu starring deals every day for $1 tacos, to quesadillas that made me think it was a hamburger, the food has the whole city of Gainesville on watch. I haven't had street food like this, and with a kitchen that's open late, this is the place to be when you either want a drink or some munchies. If El Jefe's tried more to be a restaurant, they would see success like no other, unfortunately it's attitude still revolves around the bar, where most people sit. The outdoor patio is another hidden gem, with plenty of seating and a full bar, but something needs to be attractive about this place. Unlike the positives, this place is, as one would say, a hidden gem. It's not noticeable from the outside, and whatever reputation it held beforehand was that of a bar, not a restaurant. The potential for being the next swamp is strong with this restaurant, but the swamp had more seating, hint hint.
You're going here to order drinks, dance, and meet people - not to have a fine dining experience. The music is loud and great to dance to, you have pool and a chill patio when you're done dancing. Downvotes are from people who don't know how to club...
Restaurantji Recommends
Edit: I guess the quality isn't controlled well. Ordered again, got some wings that taste like they lived at the bottom a fryer for a few days. Sigh.Great wings.Ordered late night on a whim. Easily the best prepared wings I've had in Gainesville.
It is not the best food or the best atmosphere :(. My waffle was cold and I felt unwelcomed here. I support small businesses but I guess only good ones.
They serve underage, don’t care about safety and generally promote an unsafe and dangerous environment for women and the downtown area.
Great experience at the Restaurant. Good service, nice open lay out and the food was amazing. The owner was very personable and the server was very respectful. Highly recommend the spot.
This place is unbelievably loud and absolutely not the place to go if you are a UF student. Sooooooo many better clubs in the area. The food was nasty and delayed and the bass inside makes it unbearable to sit without getting a massive headache after. Save your time and money and just go to the other clubs in the area. The venue itself isn't all that great either...kinda dingy.