Steve Spurrier celebrates one year anniversary of Spurrier’s Gridiron Grille

On August 11, 2021, Spurrier’s Gridiron Grille opened its doors for the first time. One year later the Head Ball Coach was in the building with a sold-out crowd celebrating its anniversary.

Steve Spurrier is a winner. He was a state champion, the 1966 Heisman winner and national champion. He is the winningest coach in Florida and South Carolina history. Spurrier won more SEC Championships (6) at UF than he lost home games (5). So when he was approached about opening a restaurant, he needed to know how he could win in this space.

One year later, Spurrier’s can boast that it was one of the top five restaurants in the state of Florida, going toe-to-toe with a South Florida landmark in Joe’s Stone Crabs. It goes without saying that Spurrier’s Gridiron Grill is winning, just like the Head Ball Coach is used to doing.

Freddie Wehbe is the managing partner for Spurrier’s Gridiron Grille. He runs Wehbe marketing and recognized a hole in the Gainesville food scene. There were no upscale casual restaurants. That is the void that Spurrier’s has filled.

They are determined not to cut corners either. Spurrier’s doesn’t advertise it but they’re a farm to table establishment. The coffee they serve? Well, that’s from Gainesville’s own Opus Coffee. The short ribs that go in the short rib risotto (my favorite dish) comes from Quincy Farms in Chiefland. The cheese that is served inside the restaurant isn’t making a long trip either, just a couple miles from Hawthorne Creek Creamery.

The attention to detail is something that Wehbe takes pride in and one of the reasons the Head Ball Coach agreed to sign on and lend his name. Now, one year later, Spurrier’s Gridiron Grill looks to be a staple in the Gainesville food scene for years to come.

Stats from Spurrier’s first year of business

PEOPLE

Number of Guests: 197,859

Brunch Guests: 25,184

Private Events: 784

Private Event Guests: 32,488

Tours: 1,877

People On Tours: 16,013

Team Members Since Day One: 62

FOOD AND BEVERAGE

Dishes served: 311,696

Cocktails Served: 128,962

Beer Pours: 57,788

Bottles Of Wine: 38,644

Cups of Coffee: 7,544

Desserts: 89,600

Cheesy Rolls: 122,691

Short Ribs: 20,800 lbs

Jerri’s Cookies: 37,606

Merchandise Items Sold: 3,612