Underground Kitchen in Gainesville - Phone Number, Reservations, Reviews

This place has great ratings. I drove across town but couldn't figure where it was. I found the spot, I think, but it wasn't open, as far as I could tell. Maybe some better signs or more information online could help. Seemed like it would be my kind of place. With more info maybe I'll succeed next time.

The food came out amazing we ordered collard greens with neck bone and the seafood Mac and cheese. I would love to try the baked Mac and cheese next! 5/5 very authentic place seeing the garden was super cool. Food was ready on time and hot! Thank you!!!!

They were closed, but the hours said they’re open 3-8 on Sundays

From Sacramento, CA and by luck game across this restaurant on the Internet when I was traveling. All I can say is the food did not disappoint and everything was so fresh.

Amazing food, best place in Gainesville

Came here for the first time today and it was AMAZING. It's been a while since I ate something and immediately said "wow this is really good." I didn't even feel like talking or watching whatever show I put on because I just wanted to enjoy the food. The person who came out to greet me was also really kind and was kind on the phone as well. Tips for newcomers: call early in the day and order for pickup later, check their Facebook for the current menu, if they don't pick up at the end of the day then they're done for the day. I will definitely be back to try every single one of their menu items!!

Incredibly delicious food! The hot chicken was outrageous and crispy. The warm cornbread with honey was perfect and moist! I really loved the mac and cheese also!

I eat out all the time, cook delicious food, and had one of the absolute best meals I've ever eaten. Thank you, Chef! Please check out Underground Kitchen's Facebook for specials, and if you want unbelievably amazing food, look no further!

At this restaurant, the staff's dedication to creating a positive dining experience is evident in their every gesture. The sophisticated decor, paired with their attentive service, makes it a standout choice for those seeking a memorable and enjoyable meal.

“That was so freaking good!” Was the statement by all. The pastry on the apple turnovers was perfection. The crispy catfish was perfect. The seafood Mac and cheese yum yum. The baked spaghetti was meaty! I wish I lived in Gainesville because I would eat here a lot.

We arrive in town, goggled best food in area ordered from UK and OMG what a delightful journey of delicious food! Thank you we will be back!

Chef Carl's food is delightful! It's almost therapeutic. It's so tasty it makes you smile!

The restaurant's staff turned an ordinary meal into a memorable experience with their attentive service and genuine smiles. The sophisticated yet inviting ambiance provided the perfect backdrop for savoring every dish.

Delicious food and the portions sizes are no joke! I happily had 2-3 meals from one order! Great quality, and incredibly friendly service.

Man this food SMACKED! Anytime I come into town this will definitely be a spot I’ll visit!

This is a hidden gem in Gainesville. The food is sooo good it has to be cooked with love. If you haven't been here yet you must stop by get a plate.

Greens taste like smoke greens no seasoning lamb 6/10 macaroni a 1

Absolutely great food, and Carl is an absolute angel to deal with. The food is great for curbside pickup, and I have never had any problems dealing with Carl. He answers every question I have, and is always on top of everything.

The place is so simple which I like it. The staff are very friendly and the food is amazing!

The food is delicious! Can’t believe it was my first time trying just yesterday! We ordered the Blackened Salmon and the Shrimp and Grits. ABSOLUTELY DELICIOUS! Everything was so hot and just good. The seafood Mac and cheese 🤤🤤. I love that they have a garden and get a lot of the veggies they use in their dishes from there! I will definitely be going back!

Just tried this place for the first time. Good food and such a nice staff! Definitely give it a try if you love some good old southern food!

Went for a last minute dinner near closing time. So impressed with the service from taking order to car delivery with smiling eyes and a big “Y’all have a great night” Loved the food will def be returning time and time again.

All I can say is WOW!!! 100/10 would recommend!! Very,very good!!

I had the catfish, macaroni, and greens. Everything was well seasoned and fresh. The greens were slightly overdone but the neckbones in the greens set it off. I will definitely be back the next time I’m in town.

Seafood mac and cheese left me speechles and y'all are so friendly. Thank you again!

Unbelievable. Really hard to review adequately. This place exceeded very high expectations. Full endorsement, we will be back for more.

Super crispy fried chicken, vegetables were seasoned perfectly, seafood mac and cheese was delicious! Large portions. To go only.

The portion size of the food we got was great and the flavors were even better! We got the seafood mac and the catfish 😋 The service was good just know that at this time there is only curbside pickup. It’s kind of off the beaten path but there are picnic tables to sit at outside if you don’t want to eat in your car or take it to go PLUS the owner said a huge indoor dining space is coming soon. The only thing I’d say is I wish the cornbread had more flavor but you can tell it was homemade, yum!

I can’t rave enough about how fabulous this food is! Pickup only- call early because Chef Watts does run out and you want to get your order in! His proteins are perfect but honestly the sides are so phenomenal I almost don’t need the main protein- I could eat my body weight in the greens- they are DIVINE. Seafood Mac is delicious. This place is a Gainesville gem.

Visited 7/29/2022. The meticulous ordering process is well worth it to try Underground Kitchen. Food quality is superb and just always delicious. Prices reflect the effort put forth by the kitchen and the head chef is very friendly. Give it a try for delicious Soul food!

My boyfriend and I went this weekend and they brought us water bottles while we waited for our food. The food was incredibly tasty. Great service and great food, highly recommend!

You can’t dine in here!! Just a heads up but they only do contactless delivery now. Ordered the porkchop, cornish hen (special) and blackened salmon (special). Favorite dish was definitely the chicken but I absolutely loved all the food!! Very tasty and flavorful and definitely a must-try if you are in the area. It does seem like they change specials quite a bit which gives great variety to their few staples. The portion sizes were huge and definitely match the prices

Chef Carl can cook, ya’ll! He just sponsored an event at our office where he donated blackened salmon and shrimp that was so good it nearly brought a tear to our eyes. On top of the amazing food, Underground Kitchen is an awesome business that focuses on giving back to the community. He does this by empowering and teaching people with the skills they need to succeed in the culinary field through training in his kitchen. Local business like this with community-centered missions are the businesses we need to be supporting. And the food is phenomenal. Cannot recommend highly enough.

Got the Black Grouper with a seafood mac. Service was spectacular and the dish was beautifully salted.

AMAZING soul food. Everything we've ordered has been delicious. My favorite dish was the Duroc pork chop with mac and cheese as a side - but really, you can't go wrong. The beef and yardbird were also amazing. Check the Facebook page for nightly specials. Food is ready quickly and if you're doing takeout, your order is brought to your car when you arrive.

Customer service could definitely be worked on. My second encounter was much better and the food was good.

My husband and I both had great meals. The blackened catfish was flavorful and cooked perfectly. The crab cakes were delicious. Seasonal veggies were full of flavor. Seafood Mac and cheese was great as well. Filling portions. We will be back to try more from this Chef!

Wow!! I am blown away by how tasty thier crab cakes were!! The seasonings were absolutely perfect and it was a great portion size. Their vegatables had great flavors as well. But the delicious ailoi is what made this meal phenomenal!! I love what they stand for as well, helping others find a trade and to learn how to cook is amazing. Keep doing what you all are doing. They were only taking curb side to go orders when we went and the chef was kind enough to bring us water as well. Such a wonderful experience!! We will be back next time we are in town 👍

All I can say is Wow! I am completely satisfied with everything I ordered. I can't wait to make my next order!

Loved the pork chops (very tender!) and shrimp & grits. So good!

I have to start with: Chef Carl is a legend! The owner also the head chef of Underground Kitchen, Carl, has the biggest passion and love for cooking, which I have tons of respect for. His food is beyond delicious, it is big portion, reasonable price, and it has unique flavor but it doesn't lose the taste of homemade. Also, Chef Carl values the customers' feedback professionally, he would call us back after we picked up our food to make sure everything is fine. If anything goes wrong, he would make sure we would have the compensation next time we order. Besides the great quality of food and customer service, Chef Carl has a kind heart. He dedicates his day offs to cook for the charity for free. Nowadays, it is difficult to find anyone who has such a big dream for cooking anymore, and Chef Carl is the one. My boyfriend and I are his and Underground Kitchen's biggest fan. I really believe one day Carl can make it and has his own fine-dinning restaurant. Keep up with the great work!!

You ever eat a meal so surprisingly great that you feel compelled to share your experience with strangers on the internet? That’s me right now after eating a meal from Underground Kitchen. This might be one of the best restaurants in Gainesville. The portions are big, and wow is the food good. I mean, really good. Great even. I shouldn’t be too surprised. I saw the pics online after all. I’ll be coming back here again and again. The people taking my order were so kind over the phone, and I love that the restaurant is tied to a broader mission. Well done all around!

Omg totally worth the drive from Tampa to Gainesville, I absolutely loved the food. Great variety of options on the menu the food was hot, flavorful and filling with excellent portion sizes. Will definitely be back! Thank you guys.

My friend treated my husband and I with their takeout meal with salmon, rice, corn, zucchini, and squash. Excellent meal!

Really delicious food! I had the seafood mac and cheese and it is everything you want in a meal. Flavorful, hearty and exciting. Also had a side of cornbread that was top notch. Hoping to visit again soon!

Great Cajun food. Carl did a great job. We loved the Cajun shrimp and the crab cakes. I’d go back.

If you live in Gainesville, like Southern food, and you’re not ordering food from Underground Kitchen, you’re making a mistake. Everything on the menu is amazing. My personal favorite from their regular menu is the Crispy Yardbird (the fried chicken, Mac n cheese, and collard greens in the photo.) However, they have weekly specials which are constantly changing and always on point. On top of that, their business represents a great cause.. I advise you, EAT HERE!

AMAZING. That is really all there is to say. Literally everything on the menu is incredible, and the specials that come in are unique and delicious. I love mac and cheese but am usually reluctant to try it from restaurants because of price (can make it at home for $1). However, I caved and tried the seafood mac & cheese from UK yesterday and WOW. Easily the best pasta type dish I've ever tried. Why are you still reading this? JUST GO TRY IT

The food and service were absolutely fantastic! Grouper was expertly seasoned and the Salmon with the seafood Mac and cheese were amazing. Definitely a must visit in Gainesville. We will be going back soon!

IMO, UK might have the best food in Gainesville. We’ve eaten there probably once a week in average for months and haven’t had anything even mediocre. Their specials are always phenomenal and the main menu of soul food is just as good. And with all that the owners do for the community, it’s a no-brainer. Go eat at UK.

We drove in from Tulsa and found this place on our way to Orlando. The food was so incredible, I am almost turned around just to come back and shake this guy's hand! AMAZING.

The shrimp/crab cake salad is the best in town!

I had the Crispy Yardbird the best classic southern meal everything was fresh and flavorful ….call ahead to place your order you will not be disappointed……came back on a Sunday the owner recommended special he had running …Blackened Grouper with seafood Mac and greens …it was the best meal Iv had during my travels do not second guess coming here it will be a great treat

Trust me, this place has the best food in Gainesville.

I am over the moon for the Underground Kitchen! Incredible food, Carl is a joy, and my coworkers and I can't stop raving about the taste, quality, and price! Definitely give them a try, and check out their wonderful program for aspiring chefs. They are an asset to the community, and if I could give more stars, I sure would. I ate my seafood mac and cheese before getting a photo, but I promise you, it's as delicious and gorgeous looking as the rest of the food I did get photos of. Seriously, try them!

I recommend everyone to order from underground kitchen. The food was very good, flavorful, tasty, and not salty at the same time. Me and my husband drive 40 miles twice a week to eat here.

I have noticed this new establishment for some time now, and the other day I made it my duty to give them a try. I bought two seafood macaroni and cheese plates, along with one shrimp and grits! Now, there is no walk-in, you have to call and order your food, which is no problem. So I sat on the other side of the road by fletchers and ordered over the phone. I had gotten there around 3:30 and was kindly told there was a 35-45 minute wait to receive my food. Instinctively in my eyes that was a good sign. They had just opened up at 3pm, and orders were already lined up for their food. That means they take Made To Oder seriously, and freshness without a doubt. When speaking to the owner (I believe) , he was so patient, kind and well spoken. Very professional. I ordered, paid and came back. My food was done exactly when he said it was going to be done as he was packing my food up the moment I called back to retrieve my order. Before I pulled off, I looked at the food and I instantly knew that I had made a great decision to support the owner. The food looked exactly like the photos on the website. I love consistency. He also gave me three bottles of water as well. Now I pulled off and the smell of the food was driving me insane, it smelled sooooo good! I was at the red light between 13th and University and snuck me a bite. Why in the world did I do that? 😂....I PULLED OVER just to get me another bite! Had I of sat there any longer both macaroni and cheeses along with the shrimp and grits would’ve been gone LOL! I finally got home and ran in the house. Went straight to my kitchen table and wasted no time. You guys, THE FLAVORS of the shrimp and grits were immaculate!!!!! It had peppers, onions, corn, sausage, and really big shrimp! Im a veggie junkie, so all the vegetables was a plus for me. But I was flabbergasted that something so good as such was prepared right here in Gainesville. I kept saying we are undeserving of this amazing food 😂. Darn sure tricked me into believing I was New Orleans and a mom and pop’s restaurant. Now the Seafood Mac and Cheese! It was rich, a little salty but amazing! It was cheesy, the noodles were cooked perfectly, and the shrimp (which were huge) was right on time. It too was something I would definitely buy again! I can’t WAIT to order some more items off of your menu! I will make it my responsibility to try everything on your menu for sure. The owner did the right by taking his time with this menu! I thank you guys so much for bringing something like this into our city! A multitude of blessings and love will surely come your way! *I did attempt many times upload the photos that I took, but google is not allowing me to for some reason* Thank You

Absolutely fantastic food. So damn flavorful. You might not expect it from just driving past the place, but very good food. I had the scallops and also the seafood Mac and cheese, and after that I have to recommend anyone that can visit to try their food. When they brought my food out it looked so good that I had to taste it before driving home. I ended up eating it all in my car. They do a great job here. If I lived in the area I would be ordering food from here at least every week. Keep up the great work!

This place is flipping amazeballs, you won't find better soul food in Gainesville

Loved every meal we got - owner is awesome. Will definitely be coming back for amazing specials and the regular menu too!

Stumbled upon this place by luck an must say the shrimp and grits were amazing, season well an grits hot an creamy. Thanks from NC

Absolutely delicious, in every aspect! Seasoned just right. I honestly can't wait to try everything on the menu. Highly recommend! You won't be disappointed

All of the food was so delicious that we were dancing in our seats while we ate! They are currently only doing curbside delivery. Then gentleman who brought us our food and took our order over the phone was cool, down to Earth, and professional. We will definitely be visiting this restaurant on a regular basis and I highly recommend that you try it too!

Not just the best food (of any type) I've ever had in Gainesville, but the best southern food I've had anywhere... and they are nice??? That's all there is to say.

Tender, tasty collards and fried chicken that reminded me of my grandma’s. A creative take on mac & cheese and seasonal veggies (squash) perfectly done!

I highly recommended this business. The entrees are above par!

Best food I ever had in my whole life

Absolute low key VIP status when you eat here, food is made to order and its worth the wait. This small business is going places.

Great food. Delicious shrimp and grits. Friendly service. Had a great experience. Thanks.

Food was amazing Shrimp mac and cheese, crab cakes real crab meat not filled with bread crumbs and blackened catfish... Definitely a must try and the gentlemen which brought our food to car was extremely friendly! Love it❤❤💜💜

I ordered the Duroc pork chop with the seasonal vegetables. This was by far the best pork chop I have ever had. Since I’m staying in a hotel I was worried about the plastic silverware being able to cut through the pork chop. I need not have worried. The chop was tender and juicy with tremendous flavor. The pasta and shrimp were amazing. Honestly one of the best meals I’ve had in a long time. Would definitely return if I’m in the area.

This is hands down the best place to get shrimp & grits! It was flavorful & fulfilling.

The food was amazing!! The staff were lovely and I will 10000% be coming back and telling all my friends. Not to mention the awesome work they do.

Great food and the proprietor was super nice! Will definitely be back.

This is truly a hidden gem in Gainesville that I was lucky enough to find. The flavors are deep and complimentary, for lack of a better word: comforting. You can tell with every bite, the skills of the chefs pouring their love of this cuisine into something reminiscent of what a grandmother would do for Sunday dinner. Masterful, exquisite and a gem worth searching for.

The food was excellent and full of flavor.

Amazing food and even better mission! Chef Watts and the U.K. are impacting the lives of so many people in the community. Can’t wait to see where they take this incredible concept!

Bro..I never had food this good. It's worth the wait. Im coming of a road trip through the South and I ate out the whole time... georgia, kentucky, tennessee, florida.....this restaurant was better than all them combined. Never tasted food this good. Never...

this was next up in our Saturday pandemic take out dinner tour - and it was one of the best meals we’ve had in Gainesville in I can’t say how long. Pork chop; salmon; mahi; and shrimp/grits... every plate was wonderfully seasoned, flavorful, and so tender. Check out the fb page for specials. Thanks Carl!

Delish we had shrimp and grits, crabcakes w veggies, mac&cheese and cornbread. I will definitely recommend Underground Kitchen to my friends and family.

Awesome place, excellent quality specially their mac and cheese, and staff are really friendly.

Definitely never disappointed me !!! Everything served fresh and stayed hot ! I’m highly sastified in you guys customer service and business. Rated 5 STARS !!!

I live in the neighborhood and when I work from home this is my go to lunch destination. I have had several items on the menu and have yet to be disappointed!

First time trying Underground Kitchen & I am now a customer for life! The chicken & waffles are absolutely amazing! You get a half chicken that is cooked to perfection. It's juicy & bursting with flavor atop 4 fluffy Belgium waffles with a delicious rosemary syrup. Their salad & crab cakes were also excellent. I haven't had a salad with ingredients so fresh in months! Oh & let's not forget the complimentary bottled water that accompanies each meal! 10/10 recommend this new gem in Gainesville!!

Wow the food here has exceptional flavor!! I got a pork chop that was super juicy and easy to cut through with great taste. It came with sides of black eye peas greens and broccoli which all went super well together with great flavoring. Added a side of Mac and cheese which was some of the best I’ve bought in Gainesville! My wife also got the crab cakes which were delicious as well. Quick cook times too for the types of food they make

The seafood mac was AMAZING and the green beans were just as good! Perfect place to eat if you’re craving real food made with fresh ingredients. Pickup was prompt and contactless. I’ll be back to try more from their menu!!

Great local joint! We had the blackened snapper and rainbow trout special! The sides were great--mac and cheese, collard greens, and potatoes. Calling and curbside pickup was friendly and easy! We highly recommend!

The extremely friendly service was somehow out done by the amazing food. Yardbird, mac and cheese, and greens were all some of the best I've ever had. All while helping the community? I'll be back soon to try everything else.

Definitely fresh! Great taste and great customer service! See y’all tomorrow 😩

We had the pork chop, yardbird and shrimp and grits! AMAZING!!!!! We will be back

This is the second time I pick up some food from UK and both times I ate everything before I could take a photo. Best Mac and cheese I’ve had from a restaurant. So far had the pork chop, yard bird, shrimp & grits, and catfish. All of them are delicious. GENEROUS portions but just overall excellent technique and skill in the kitchen. You can tell the chefs in the kitchen are dedicated to their craft and work hard to keep a high standard. Might move into my top 2 restaurants in Gainesville and it ain’t 2.

Everything we have ordered from here has been outstanding. It is lighter than what I think of as traditional Southern food, but with all of the deep, delicious flavor. Also, the people working there are so nice and wonderful to talk to.

First time customer and will definitely add this to our short list of go-to restaurants. Food was DELICIOUS! Fried chicken had great flavoring and the pork chop was cooked perfectly! They are very friendly and helpful. Looking forward to trying other items on the menu!

Awesome experience starting from placing the order to finishing the meal. The customer service while placing the order over the phone was extremely friendly and courteous. When we went to pickup our food, we were also given water bottles with our order which was very considerate of them. The food was incredible. Yes, everything is as good as it looks. The pork chop I got was so tender that I could cut it with the plastic butter knife we got with our order. Mac and cheese is delicious and flavorful. Certainly recommend this spot and will be back!

The ox tail was delicious! It's in a sweet and slightly spiced red sauce. Not traditional brown gravy ox tail, yet just as good! I recommend the scalloped potatoes, creamy cheese with tender thin sliced potatoes. Looking forward to my next order.

The food is delicious, and supports a great cause too!