The next time you head to Gainesville for a football game, there’s one place you have to experience. And “experience” is the best word I can use in this case.
Traveling north on US 441, locate NW 23rd Avenue and set your GPS to go east. When you get a couple miles down the road, start looking to the left and keep your eyes peeled for lots of color. You’ll soon see a bright orange building with an aqua, rusty VW van parked outside. This is your one-stop destination for junk, fun and pizza.
Artist Satchel Raye came across the abandoned, run-down property nearly ten years ago, took out a sizable loan and opened Satchel’s Pizza in early 2003. After living a minimalist lifestyle for several years, Raye was fulfilling a long held dream of owning a restaurant. The funky pizza joint with a hippy vibe soon gained a large following and has since become a landmark in this southern college town.
Everything in this place reflects Raye’s personality. From the whimsical mobiles hanging from the ceiling to the mismatched dinnerware, Raye has made sure even the smallest details have his creative edge. But the real artistry at Satchel’s happens in the kitchen.
The pies come in two varieties – deep dish and a much thinner crust. Both are delicious. The secret must be in Satchel’s homemade sauce. It has a slightly sweet taste without going overboard. Each pie is cooked crispy and dark brown on the bottom, the only way a pizza should ever be baked.
Besides pizza and homemade desserts, there are only two other items on the menu at Satchel’s – calzones and salad. Many of the locals come just for those.
Don’t expect your food to come out five minutes after ordering at Satchel’s. Because the place is usually crowded and every meal is lovingly prepared, you could wait as long as 30 minutes before your food is served. But that’s part of the Satchel’s experience. While you wait, take a look around at all the artwork on the walls or get to know your neighbor at the table next to you. No one is in a hurry at Satchel’s. It’s a laid-back place with awesome food and excellent service.
Once you’ve paid your bill, the adventure continues outside. Around back is a whole world of fun and junk.
In 2006, Raye opened Lightnin’ Salvage Enterprises inside an old garage on the property. It’s part junk museum and part souvenir shop and carries a large selection of novelty items. Think Spencer’s with a Florida twist. Here, you can purchase everything from a whirly wheel to your very own mobile.
Attached to the shop is a a covered outdoor lounge where local music acts perform regularly. A nearby playground and bocce court keep kids of all ages entertained.
Take time to walk around the property and absorb the unique artistry of Satchel Raye. The back fence contains a “Walk-O-Junk” made of every item known to man from vacuum cleaners and plastic toys to bicycle wheels and old HP printers. And in the middle of the parking lot is a tall water tower, again, made from all types of junk. It’s a popular picture spot for first-time visitors.
I’ve traveled extensively and I’ve been to a number of unique places. But Satchel Raye’s pizza joint and junk shop in Gainesville has to be at the top of my favorites list. Never have I seen a place incorporate the personality of its owner quite like Satchel’s and Lightnin’ Salvage. Drop by if you have a couple hours before the next Gators game. Be sure to bring cash because they do everything the old-fashioned way at Satchel’s. They don’t accept checks or credit cards. And you’ll want to bring plenty of money for the delicious food and to haul off some junk after the meal. It’s an experience you won’t forget.
