Nap's is Closed (bummer)

Old Mossback Gator · Feb 7, 2019

Our daughter informed us the other day that Napolatano's Restaurant closed permanently.

For years (perhaps decades) my wife and I went to Nap's after almost every home football game to meet fellow Gators, watch football games on the TVs, eat a Super Deluxe pizza and drink pitchers of Yuengling beer.

On more than one occasion after a loss I would ask "Nappy" if i could get aspirin as an optional topping on our pizza and Nappy would say that "aspirin isn't nearly strong enough,"

Our daughter used to say that Nap's was an old folks' restaurant but she still met us there and ate the pizza without complaining (but I always paid).

Anyway, after hearing the news, I kinda feel older. But, we will find another alligator hole.

Arrivederci Nappy

Go Gators!

GR8 2B · Feb 7, 2019

Thanks for the update. I remember going to Naps right when it first opened. It was on the outskirts of town at the time. I later heard that SOS had a private dining room there where he could eat in peace.

78 · Feb 7, 2019

Health issues with one of the owners. They're switching to catering.

Napolatano's closes, plans to cater

Swamp Queen · Feb 7, 2019

Saw this was happening a month or so ago, definitely a bummer. When I was younger we used to do Friday night’s on game weekends at Nappys!

ChiefGator · Feb 7, 2019

So you can still get catered food??

stephenPE · Feb 8, 2019

Catering — Napolatanos

MCMCKUF · Feb 8, 2019

GR8 2B said:
Thanks for the update. I remember going to Naps right when it first opened. It was on the outskirts of town at the time. I later heard that SOS had a private dining room there where he could eat in peace.

I can confirm this. While working for UF as a student at IFAS, we had a Christmas party there. Mrs. Spurrier came in hot, upset we were in the room because Steve was on his way with a recruit. They moved us out and went along our way. And no, I don’t know who the recruit was back then. This was AOL dial up days and recruiting info wasn’t what it is now.

Theologator · Feb 8, 2019

I’m surprised. We used to stop there regularly anytime we were driving through Gainesville at dinner time. It was always busy, even in the summer. Not many of my old haunts (UF ‘83) are around anymore.

Double Gator Dad · Feb 8, 2019

I am actually not surprised. We used to eat there every time we were in town and when we recently moved back home to Gainesville Naps was one of the first restaurants we went to. I don’t know if we built it up too much or what but it wasn’t nearly as good as in the past. I was really surprised and disappointed. Sorry to see another landmark restaurant die. I can add Naps to the list with The Primrose Inn and Ashley’s Pub

TheDouglas78 · Feb 8, 2019

Last time I was there was for our High School reunion. It's really odd to hear the place is closed. Seems a lot of the places of what made Gainesville, Gainesville to me growing up are all going away.

78 · Feb 8, 2019

The reason cited by the news brief was the owner's health, but it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that the G'ville eatery scene has changed dramatically over the past 25 years from a lot of mom and pop establishments to now including just about every conceivable chain in the biz.

If I want Italian, I'm probably going to Carrabba's on 34th, where I know I'm always gonna be served a great meal, over Napolatano's. The environment has become uber-competitive.

oxrageous · Feb 8, 2019

TheDouglas78 said:
Last time I was there was for our High School reunion. It's really odd to hear the place is closed. Seems a lot of the places of what made Gainesville, Gainesville to me growing up are all going away.

Yeah, that pretty much sounds like reality as time passes everywhere.

They tore down the damn Hume basketball courts to put in a parking lot. That tore me up.

TheDouglas78 · Feb 8, 2019

oxrageous said:
Yeah, that pretty much sounds like reality as time passes everywhere.

They tore down the damn Hume basketball courts to put in a parking lot. That tore me up.

I don't know how many days after school and before my parents got off work, me and some friends would be up at those courts.

78 · Feb 8, 2019

Gainesville things I hated to see go, mostly for nostalgic reasons. In no particular order.

Snuffy's
The Rat
Dubs
Skeeters
Backstage Bar
Great Southern Music Hall for that matter
Mother Earth
In & Out
White Castle
The Alibi
The Old College Inn

Is Lillian's still open?

AlexDaGator · Feb 8, 2019

78 said:
Gainesville things I hated to see go, mostly for nostalgic reasons. In no particular order.

Snuffy's
The Rat
Dubs
Skeeters
Backstage Bar
Great Southern Music Hall for that matter
Mother Earth
In & Out
White Castle
The Alibi
The Old College Inn

Is Lillian's still open?

You didn't mention the PURPLE PORPOISE!?!?!?

(and you didn't mention Burrito Brothers or Chinee Takee Outee)

You're dead to me.

Alex.

T REX · Feb 8, 2019

78 said:
Gainesville things I hated to see go, mostly for nostalgic reasons. In no particular order.

Snuffy's
The Rat
Dubs
Skeeters
Backstage Bar
Great Southern Music Hall for that matter
Mother Earth
In & Out
White Castle
The Alibi
The Old College Inn

Is Lillian's still open?

Lillian's is still there. Went last year.

78 · Feb 8, 2019

I knew someone would take me to task over the Porpoise. Allen's Gator House, too, along with Bilbo & Gandolfs. Nichol's Alley and Richenbacher's. Copper Monkey.

This could go on awhile.

Good recollection here of the music scene back then.

Great Gainesville Bands & Musicians, Part Four

I must have listened to Archer Road Band play a hundred times my senior year, mainly at the Alibi. Muffy Richardson Trio at the Backstage and Richenbacher's.

Good times.

T REX · Feb 8, 2019

Gainesville - U.F.

Cool site

Albert · Feb 8, 2019

We didn’t want him anyway.....

Swamp Queen · Feb 8, 2019

Copper Monkey is back! We drove by one on SW 2nd where the old Calico Jack's was. Apparently there's one on Newberry Rd in Jonesville as well.

Legendary Burgers in Florida | Copper Monkey

Nap's is Closed (bummer)

Member

A Florida Gator

Dazed and Confused

Mrs. Sasquatch

A Chief and a Gator, Master of the Ignore list!!!!

Senior Member

Member

Enchanter

Senior Member

Well-Known Member

Dazed and Confused

It's Good to be King

Well-Known Member

Dazed and Confused

The Hammer of Thor

Well-Known Member

Dazed and Confused

Well-Known Member

Enormous Member

Mrs. Sasquatch

Users who are viewing this thread

Birthdays

Forum statistics