A Buddy Asked for Recommendations on Gainesville restaurants.

Here are my recommendations as of June, 2015:

Ruby's - African-American/Southern cuisine. Everything is good and may be the best restaurant in town. Fried chicken beats any competitor hands down

Satchel's Pizza - My wife says it is her favorite pizza anywhere in the USA and she knows her pizza. She is from western New York state where the pizza has near cult status. In particular, we enjoy their lunch special which features a huge pizza slice and a "chopped" salad topped with their secret balsamic dressing. The mood and art of the place is whimsical and like no other. Dine there once, you will be a devotee forever.

Mac's Drive-Thru - the best "street" burger in the USA. No kidding. Wax paper and grease. Mmmmmm good.

Southern Charm Kitchen - sophisticated Southern/African-American menu. Many options for vegetarians/vegans including country-fried tofu. One of our absolute go-to favorites. Never falls short of excellent.

Pearls Country Store - excellent barbecue, great sides. Large portions. Be hungry when you go. Tip: breakfast can be stellar

Country Foodly - Our go-to breakfast place. Korean owned and serves standard diner-style breakfast that is perfectly prepared. They also have a number of Korean dishes such as a superb bulgogi omelet.

Sweetberries - known for their frozen custards but I think their dining items are overlooked. Another go-to for salads (best in town) and sandwiches. Not to be missed.

Bangkok Grill - all excellent and top of the line. Their eggplant is a favorite of mine (I eat a vegetarian diet).

Pho Hanoi - always good particularly their Pho Ga

The Mexican restaurant in Archer - a bit run down but a step above any Mexican restaurants in the area.

Square One - high end burger place but I was very surprised that I found their food to be quite good. Very attractive place to dine.

O Sole Mio - Don't think this is a Mexican restaurant. Rather it is wonderful, cozy Italian restaurant in a strip mall near Jonesville.  Have had several first-rate meals there. My favorite Italian in the area.

The Jones B-Side disappoints...again!

We have tried this version of the Jones at least three times. Sadly, no more. Yesterday, we dined there for lunch after church. My wife ordered a salad that was composed of bagged salad mix and accompanying veggies. The lettuces were, shall I say, "tired." The chopped and julienned veggies were better.

My wife did not like the taste of the salad dressing she ordered and, after some effort at flagging down our waitress, ordered an alternative dressing. The substitute was not to her taste and, in each instance, the waitress seemed miffed that she had to answer our questions and correct the order. To bring the dressing up to snuff, my wife had to add white sugar! The only person to show any sign that they were glad we were patronizing them was a manager as we were leaving.

My falafel burger was pretty good but the fries were barely warm and soggy.

I want to commend this restaurant for their apparent commitment to serving many vegetarian options and to patronizing local growers. Serving local foods, however, is only part of the equation for success.

In light of the marginal-to-poor dishes we were served and the even worse treatment by our waitress, we will seek out restaurants that can deliver tasty food and friendly service. The Jones B-Side did not.