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Spurrier’s new place Famed coach's restaurant strives to be ‘the epicenter of Gator Nation’ STORY + PHOTOS BY BRAD ROGERS
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he Head Ball Coach himself recently led a group of Ocalans on a tour of his new restaurant and bar in Gainesville, called “Spurrier’s Gridiron Grille.” The former Florida Heisman Trophy winner and championship-winning University of Florida football coach said he got the idea to build the restaurant when his daughter suggested he needed a place to display all his memorabilia from more than a half century as one of football’s most recognizable stars. So, while Spurrier’s Gridiron Grille, along with the rooftop bar “Visors,” will be a place to dine and drink, it will also serve as a museum to Spurrier’s career as well as some other Gator greats. “It’s not just a restaurant, it’s an experience,” said Freddie Wehbe, Spurrier’s business manager and managing partner in the restaurant. “This is going to be the epicenter of Gator Nation.” The concept, which Wehbe said was developed after $1 million in research, is to provide fine dining in a Gator-themed environment. The restaurant/bar is expected to attract UF fans from across the state – there are 6 million of them. Spurrier’s Gridiron Grille’s target market is from The Villages to Lake City, and the state’s tourism agency is so impressed with the restaurant/museum concept that it is planning promotional billboards along I-75, Wehbe said, adding that the state agency believes it could draw some 280,000 visitors a year. With seating for 525 diners, Wehbe said it will be among the 10 largest restaurants in Florida when it opens. The rooftop bar, Visors, will have a capacity of 220. The sign at the entrance of Visors, which has a retractable roof, is made from coach Spurrier’s old visors. Plans call for 375 employees, including 10 chefs. Head chef Market Heigl says the cuisine
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| JUN 2021 | OCALAMAGAZINE.COM
The front of Spurrier’s Gridiron Grille at Celebration Pointe in Gainesville. The restaurant and bar will feature a museum dedicated to coach Steve Spurrier’s long career as a player and coach.
Wallpaper in one of the restrooms featuring plays Spurrier drew up over the years.
will be eclectic, but most of the dishes are going to feature locally grown or harvested meat, seafood and vegetables. Besides the expansive dining areas, Spurrier’s will also have four private rooms for meetings and groups, the largest being the Bull Gator Room. Wehbe said there is a misconception among some that Spurrier’s is just another sports bar. “This is not a sports bar,” he said emphatically. “This is a premier restaurant. This is a ‘polished casual’ restaurant.” Wehbe said Spurrier’s different approach has caught the attention of other coaches, among them Alabama’s Nick Saban. Spurrier’s Gridiron Grill is expected to open in July and is located in Celebration Point, just off I-75 at the Archer Road exit in Gainesville.
Spurrier, left, and business manager/partner Freddie Wehbe, talk to a group of Ocalans during a recent tour of the restaurant.
