I Might head into Gainesville this weekend and eat here. I love this place. My girlfriend loves it more.
But my question is this....
What do you guys get there?
I've had the jerk chicken, oxtail, dutty fries, and brown stew chicken.
brown stew has been my favorite so far.


Oh and for all you newbies out there. This place rocks, tons of veggie and vegan options too.

The bands are only part of the reason to go to Fest. The food I think sometimes is a bigger reason.

try the festivals, especially if you have extra room in your belly, try the dulce de leche festivals.

i usually get the veggie mince special bc that rules. i find the vegan steak sandwich to be a bit underwhelming for the price.

Spicy festivals for an appetizer and if I'm working I always get brown stew tofu. If i'm there on my day off, I get either escoviech tofu or the brown stew tofu sandwich. Escoviech is by far my favorite sauce.

A Festival of food sounds like something I should be getting involved with!

The mango smoothie is AMAZING.

I usually get from the vegan/veg options. Curried tofu/tempeh/seitan with cabbage and plantains. Delicious. I've yet to try the jerk veg stuff because I can't take that much spice.

TRUTH

The food from all the mom and pop places in Gainesville is great and one of the main reasons I go to Fest every year. Whenever I come down with friends who have never been, I always encourage/try and take them to Reggae Shack or any of the other independent restaurants in town vs Taco Bell or any other chain places. Gotten a bunch of folks hooked on so many places this way!

Confession: I've missed bands I wanted to see multiple times due to taking breaks to go eat, and not just to grab something fast; but to actually go sit and enjoy the atmosphere of sitting at Reggae Shack, Boca, or any other place in town. I think its because I love the food in Gainesville so much and I know I can only get it a couple days out of the year. I also try and go to a few of my favorite joints as many times as possible during the few days I have.

Unfortunately "grabbing something fast" at Reggae Shack or Boca is not an option over Fest weekend, be prepared to wait up to an hour even for takeout! So worth it though, one of the main reasons I'm coming in a few days early is so I know I can get a table!

Reggae Shack crowds depend I've noticed, sometimes they aren't filled and can be pretty quick. Boca is always crowded.

Whats the food like in general at these mom and pop places? Are they all spicey places?
I'm allergic to spice but up for getting away from the chains (haven't been in Mc'ds etc for 9 years or so) I can handle a little pepper but thats about it and that 'oh you'll be alright with this, its not that spicey' meal usually makes my mouth and lips swelll up. I'm not veggie or anything like that.

I'm assuming pizza is fine?
I love leonardo's plus you can get a kick ass salad there.
also you'd be safe at gator dawgs.

If you like amazing coffee volta is where it's at.

I think you'll be able to find stuff just about everywhere. Even Reggae Shack. Since you're not vegetarian, they can even give you a sample plate (although this might be a bit difficult during Fest rush) but as long as you avoid anything jerk or escoviech you should be fine.

Gyro Plus, Flacos, and El Indio would probably be good bets for you. There's a new place right next to Common Grounds (RIP) that I haven't been to yet, but it sounds not-spicy. If you want to stray from downtown, Buddha Belly can make most stuff unspicy, and the Jones and Temp Bistro have great sammiches.

Great, thanks. Looks like I have a fair bit of choice then.

Vegan Steak Sandwich at Reggae Shack is legit the best meal I have ever tasted and I honestly cannot wait to get another one this year. or ten.

When you get the Fest guidebook at registration, they usually give a couple pages listing all the food in town. You can pick and choose what sounds good to you!

There's also Leonardo's, you can just get pizza.