Tucked inside a humble strip mall on Cordova Road in Fort Lauderdale, Gilbert’s 17th Street Grill has been quietly winning over food lovers one plate at a time. With a 4.7-star rating and nearly 2,000 glowing reviews, this family-run American restaurant is far more than just a burger joint.
Locals and travelers alike rave about the ribs, wings, and homemade desserts that keep people driving from miles away. If you haven’t heard of this hidden gem yet, you’re about to find out exactly why it deserves a spot on your must-visit list.
The BBQ Ribs That Started the Conversation
Some restaurants earn their reputation quietly, one satisfied customer at a time. At Gilbert’s 17th Street Grill, the BBQ ribs have done exactly that.
Reviewers consistently describe them as tender, deeply flavorful, and cooked with obvious care and skill.
One customer wrote that after trying the ribs, they came back the very next day for lunch. That kind of loyalty says everything about how good these ribs really are.
The meat practically falls off the bone, seasoned just right and full of smoky richness.
For a no-frills spot tucked into a Fort Lauderdale strip mall, serving ribs at this level is genuinely impressive. Whether you’re a lifelong rib fan or trying them for the first time, Gilbert’s version is the kind of meal you’ll talk about long after the last bite.
A Family-Run Restaurant With Real Heart
Walking into Gilbert’s feels like being welcomed into someone’s home. The restaurant is owned and operated by Lenore Gilbert and her son Richard, who are often right there at the counter greeting every single guest personally.
That warmth is not an accident — it’s built into everything they do.
Lenore has been known to walk customers through the menu herself, sharing what makes each dish special and asking about their preferences. Richard keeps things running smoothly with a friendly energy that makes first-time visitors feel like regulars.
Together, they’ve created something rare: a restaurant where the owners actually care.
Multiple reviews mention how refreshing it is to see a family genuinely happy to be working together. In a world of chain restaurants and automated service, Gilbert’s is a breath of fresh air that reminds you why local spots matter.
Burgers Made With Organic Grass-Fed Angus Beef
Not every burger joint uses organic, grass-fed Angus beef — but Gilbert’s does, and you can taste the difference immediately. The patties are thick, well-seasoned, and cooked precisely to your requested temperature.
Medium rare? Done perfectly.
Well done? Still juicy and flavorful.
One reviewer compared the taste to the legendary Le Tub in Hollywood before it changed hands, calling it “delicious, just the right amount of salt, and a slight charcoal to it.” That kind of compliment doesn’t come lightly in South Florida’s competitive burger scene.
The open kitchen setup lets you watch the cooks grill everything right in front of your eyes, which adds a fun, transparent energy to the whole experience. When quality ingredients meet skilled hands and real heat, the result is a burger that earns its reputation honestly, no hype needed.
Grilled Wings That Deserve Their Own Fan Club
Chicken wings at Gilbert’s are not an afterthought — they’re a full-on event. The restaurant offers several styles, including grilled, jerk, barbecue, and lemon pepper, and every version earns high praise from customers who clearly know their wings.
What sets them apart is the use of full wing sections, meaning you get both the flat and the drumette together. One reviewer jokingly called it “almost two for one.” They come out well-cooked, steaming hot, and packed with seasoning that hits every flavor note you want.
The homemade ranch that accompanies the grilled wings has its own loyal following. Customers who ordered them for a birthday dinner described the experience as absolutely perfect.
Whether you go jerk-style or stick with classic barbecue sauce, these wings are the kind of side dish that quickly becomes the main reason you return.
The Bacon Jam Burger — A Must-Order Menu Star
If you’re the kind of person who believes a burger can be elevated to something truly special, the Bacon Jam Burger at Gilbert’s was made for you. Sweet, savory, and deeply satisfying, it combines the richness of thick Angus beef with the bold complexity of homemade bacon jam.
One loyal customer raved about it after visiting with a friend, saying everything was “out of this world” and wishing they had discovered the place years earlier. It has that quality where every bite feels intentional, like someone genuinely thought about how each ingredient would work together.
Paired with a side of crispy fries or golden onion rings, this burger becomes a full meal that checks every box. It’s comfort food done with care and creativity, which is exactly what makes Gilbert’s stand out from every other burger spot in South Florida.
Fresh-Made Desserts That Steal the Show
You might come to Gilbert’s for the ribs or burgers, but you’ll stay for the desserts. The display case near the counter is filled with house-made sweets that stop customers in their tracks — key lime pie, fresh-baked cookies, and the show-stopping Caramel Brownie Cheesecake that has become a fan favorite.
One couple celebrated a birthday there and ended the meal with that cheesecake, calling the whole experience absolutely perfect. Another reviewer described the desserts as “out of this world” and made sure to take cookies to go.
The massive cookies in particular have drawn their own crowd of admirers.
For a casual strip-mall grill, the dessert program at Gilbert’s is surprisingly impressive. Everything is made with the same attention to quality that goes into their savory dishes, which means finishing your meal here feels just as rewarding as starting it.
The Jerk Chicken Sandwich — A Daily Special Worth Chasing
Daily specials at most restaurants are filler. At Gilbert’s, they’re something to look forward to.
The jerk chicken sandwich has appeared as one of those specials and left customers so impressed they immediately planned a return visit just to try more of the menu.
Bold Caribbean-inspired seasoning gives the sandwich a personality all its own. The chicken is tender, the spice level is well-balanced, and the overall combination makes for a lunch that feels exciting without being overwhelming.
It’s the kind of dish that reminds you great cooking doesn’t need to be complicated.
Staff members are happy to walk you through whatever specials are available that day, making the ordering process feel personal rather than transactional. If you see the jerk chicken sandwich on the board during your visit, do not hesitate.
Dishes this good tend to sell out before the afternoon rush hits.
Onion Rings and Fries That Hit Every Time
Great sides can make or break a meal, and Gilbert’s knows this well. The onion rings come out crunchy, salty, and satisfying in a way that makes it hard to share.
The sweet potato fries offer a slightly sweeter contrast that pairs beautifully with the rich, savory main dishes.
One reviewer specifically called out the plain fries and sweet potato fries as “everything perfect” during a birthday dinner visit. That level of praise for a side dish tells you these aren’t just an afterthought — they’re made with the same care as the burgers and ribs.
Whether you’re dipping them in the house-made ranch or enjoying them straight from the basket, the sides at Gilbert’s pull their weight every single time. They’re the kind of comfort food classics that remind you why simple things, done well, are almost always the best things.
Coleslaw and Soups Made From Scratch
Scratch-made sides are a love language at Gilbert’s. The coleslaw has been called out by multiple reviewers as a standout — creamy, fresh, and balanced in a way that store-bought versions simply cannot replicate.
It’s the kind of side that makes you realize how much effort goes into doing the basics right.
The soups rotate as specials, and the carrot ginger soup has developed a devoted following. One customer specifically recommended it as a must-try, calling it a highlight of their visit.
Warm, aromatic, and clearly made with real ingredients, it adds a comforting dimension to a menu that already delivers on every front.
These scratch-made additions reflect the restaurant’s overall approach: nothing here comes from a bag or a freezer if they can help it. That commitment to freshness is exactly what keeps customers coming back week after week, year after year.
Service That Makes Every Guest Feel Like Family
There’s a server at Gilbert’s named Wellington who has been mentioned by name in so many reviews that he’s practically become a local celebrity. Customers describe him as attentive, friendly, and genuinely invested in making sure every visit goes perfectly.
Multiple reviewers have called for him to get a raise or a promotion.
But Wellington isn’t alone. The entire staff at Gilbert’s seems to operate with the same warmth and enthusiasm.
Reviewers consistently note that the employees “actually seemed genuinely happy to be there,” which is a refreshing change from the checked-out service you often encounter elsewhere.
From the moment you walk in to the moment you leave, the team at Gilbert’s treats you like you belong there. That kind of hospitality is not something you can fake or train quickly — it comes from a culture that starts at the top with the Gilbert family themselves.
A Relaxed Atmosphere Perfect for Any Occasion
Gilbert’s doesn’t try to impress you with fancy decor or mood lighting. The vibe is low-key, clean, and comfortable — exactly the kind of place where you can relax, watch a game on one of the TVs, and focus entirely on the food.
It’s a burger joint in the best possible sense of the phrase.
Families, couples, solo diners, and airport travelers all seem equally at home here. The strip-mall location might not look like much from the outside, but inside it has a genuinely homely and welcoming energy that reviewers describe as refreshing and unpretentious.
You order at the counter and the food is brought to your table, keeping things casual without sacrificing any of the hospitality. Whether you’re celebrating a birthday or just grabbing a quick lunch near FLL airport, Gilbert’s sets the right tone from the moment you walk through the door.
Why Locals Drive 45 Minutes Just to Eat Here
When people are willing to drive 45 minutes each way just for lunch, you know a restaurant has done something truly special. That’s exactly what one loyal customer admitted in their review, adding that the Gilbert family always makes them feel taken care of no matter how many times they visit.
Word of mouth has been the engine behind Gilbert’s growing reputation. Reviewers say they send every friend and family member to the restaurant and always receive a thank-you afterward.
That kind of social proof is more powerful than any advertisement, and Gilbert’s has earned it entirely through consistent quality and genuine hospitality.
Located at 1821 Cordova Rd in Fort Lauderdale, the restaurant is open Monday through Saturday from 11 AM to 9 PM. Call ahead at +1 954-768-8990 or visit gilberts17thstgrill.com to check out the menu before your first — but definitely not last — visit.