Mac’s Drive-Thru was one of my favorite road trip stops in 2019. But, the truth is that Sandwich Inn in Gainesville was the initially planned restaurant visit.
Sandwich Inn has been around since 1963 and is the oldest restaurant in Gainesville. There were many similarities between both burger joints, particularly the double drive-thru system.
Marcela orders the double-double burger with all the fixings. We’re talking double meat and double cheese with LTO.
We’re polar opposites when it comes to eating burgers, but hey, this is what she likes.
My Double Double Burger is ordered kiddie style, as I call it, with American cheese, pickles, ketchup, and mustard. I loved it, and as an added bonus, the meat was crumbly; a damn fine burger.
We shared fries I hadn’t seen before, crinkly seasoned potato wedges. They were perfect for dunking in ketchup.
And, of course, I wasn’t leaving without a patty melt.
More Like a Burger Melt
Patty Melts are one of my obsessions. I’m a stickler for the official ingredients that make it a real-deal Patty Melt.
A Patty Melt is a burger patty with grilled onions and Swiss cheese on griddled rye bread. Sandwich Inn’s Patty Melt leans towards more of a burger melt but make no bones about it; this fella is great.
I’d order this burger again in a heartbeat, and you should grab one too.
On a subsequent breakfast visit, I loved the Sausage Melt.
Sandwich Inn
10 NE 16th Avenue
Gainesville, FL
(352) 376-0924
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/sandwichinngnv
Monday 6 am – 2 pm
Tuesday 6 am – 2 pm
Wednesday 6 am – 2 pm
Thursday 6 am – 2 pm
Friday 6 am – 2 pm
Saturday CLOSED
Sunday CLOSED
About Sandwich Inn
Opened in 1963, Sandwich Inn is the oldest locally owned restaurant in Gainesville Florida. Still standing in its original location on NE 16th Ave and Main Street, the throwback double-sided drive through with a walk up window is still booming! Our food is classic-with a southern twist- old-fashioned hamburgers, crispy golden fries, fried okra, sweet iced tea and thick frosty milkshakes using real DeConna ice cream. Our service is fast and sprinkled with southern hospitality! As a North East Gainesville landmark, we have grown up with many locals who speak of generations enjoying the Sandwich Inn as a special treat spot.
True to local spirit, the Sandwich Inn has only turned hands three times. The current owner, Bob Rella, bought the business in 1996, and it has been a family affair since then. The introduction of breakfast and decision to make the menu available all day was a hit! Burgers in the morning, breakfast egg sandwiches in the afternoon…you get to choose!
But we promise one thing, Sandwich Inn will always be a simple drive-thru, with great food, and southern hospitality…don’t be surprised if we know your name!
from Sandwich Inn’s defunct website