Gainesville restaurant news: Asian concept coming to Archer Road; Tex-Mex chain near UF closes

A Vero Beach-based concept that "blends old traditions from stand-out Chinese, Korean and Japanese recipes," appears to be coming to Gainesville.

Bambuu Asian Eatery filed licensing paperwork with the state to open just its second location in the former Hot Birdie's Chicken building at 3606 SW Archer Road, next to Panda Express.

The restaurant — owned by Longwood-based MDP Restaurant Group — uses healthier ingredients, according to its website, and its menu includes vegetarian, vegan and gluten free options.

Bambuu joins a host of other fast-casual restaurants taking part in the popular bowl concept, where diners select from a choice of bases, proteins and sauces to create a personalized meal.

Base options at Bambuu include veggie lo mein, brown rice and quinoa, and vegetable fried rice. Combine your base with entrees like bourbon chicken, kimchi Brussels sprouts, sweet and tangy shrimp, and Mongolian beef, among many others. Top it all off with Yum Yum sauce, spicy mayo or sweet & sour.

Bowls at the Vero Beach location range in price from $10.29 for one base and one entree, to $12.99 for a Bambuu Bowl, which comes with your choice of two bases and three entrees.

Tijuana Flats

The fast-casual spot for Tex-Mex across from the University of Florida campus on West University Avenue has closed, according to a sign posted on its door.

The sign invites diners to "Please visit our other Gainesville location at 3205 Clark Butler Boulevard."

The location is also no longer on the Maitland-based restaurant chain's website.

The Gainesville location joins at least four other Florida locations to close in recent weeks. The Times-Union reported that the restaurant chain has closed four of its 11 locations in Jacksonville.