Having other Tuesday night plans were futile. An argument was made and these guys ended up at Gilbert's Lodge in St. Claire Shores. A lodge this was. Stonework, a lot of wood work, and deer and fish adorning everywhere. Gilbert's is somehow attached to The Great Baraboo and The Shores Inn, both we have been to. Starting with the frothy tops, there were about 10 flavors on tap. $3.25 for a happy hour 22 oz ML (4.25 regular price). A pretty good selection of burgers. We had the Morning burger and the Great Northern Buffalo burger. Morning burger was intense! We are talking about serious angus beef, bacon, fried egg, cheddar, lettuce, tomato, and pickles. All pieced together as sloppy as practical for $7.99. Burger- 4 Price- 4 Service- 4 Overall- 4 The Great Northern Buffalo wasn't so great. For $8.99, it was pretty small and not huge on flavor. Burger-2.5 Price- 2 Service- 4 Overall- 2.5 Gilbert's seemed like more of family joint that happen to have bar and patio. Nice place and nice people, for sure a place to start the evening with some good eats!
(3)
Laura J.
A few tips Tip#1the service can be hit or miss, -Sit At The Bar-service there is always good. Tip #2, go on Sunday and get the Walleye Sandwich, delicious fish, huge portion and a get price. Tip #3- if you go on Monday, get the pizza, it's half price and pretty good pizza
(4)
D L.
Portions are huge! Decent atmosphere, prompt service. Nice beer choice. It is bar food and in a sea of a lot of similar businesses, this stands just slightly above the others. The location, number if seats and parking is adequate which helps out.
(3)
Bob N.
Closed due to fire 10/10/2013
(1)
Wendy W.
my absolute favorite place to go, food is always good and service is the best!!!! so glad they didn't shut down after the fire, I would have been devastated!!!!
(5)
D R.
Had lunch there the other day. Dead slow but waited 10 minutes for menu and drink order. Ordered a chicken sandwich and 20 minutes later got a bland GROUND chicken patty on a bun. Came with no fries or chips for $8. Only thing on the plate. With fries would have been $2.25 more. Waitress never checked on us and never got a refill on pop. Waived her over for check and waited, then waited, then waited some more to finally get the bill. Atmosphere was dark and depressing, no wonder staff acts as if they hate their job.
(1)
Edward Y.
Probably best known for their pizza (which is half-off on Mondays), but they also have great sandwiches and salads. I recommend the oriental chicken salad or the pretzel bread stacker. Both great with an ice cold PBR and sweet potato fries. Freshly remodeled decor with a warm lodge atmosphere. Great place for kids. They even have a model train that circles through the ceiling. Everything you can ask for in a neighborhood restaurant.
(4)
Dan S.
I have been coming to Gilberts for YEARS. I have lived in the neighborhood for about 10 years, and my brother lived here since about 1989, so I have had many a pint here. They have a pretty extensive menu that ranges from typical bar staple appetizers, burgers and buffalo burgers, and great pizza. They also have a huge list of sandwiches and dinners. Monday is half off pizza day, and you must try it. Also Louie's Italian Sub is great, the toast the entire sub so the bun is browned and crunchy. The nachos are great too. All in all, it's fair to say Gilberts does a lot, and they do it well. If I have one knock on them, it can be inconsistent service. Depending on the server you get, you could be waiting a while for a drink refill, or to even get your order in. Because of this I tend to belly up to the bar because they are a bit better with the service there. If you're in the neighborhood it's worth stopping by!
(4)
Julie C.
Lunch time crowd. Great salads are available at this place. Service was quick and food was fresh.
(3)
Bob K.
I grew up in Clinton Twp., Michigan but this was my first visit back in almost 10 years. When I told my daughter I wanted a fried fish meal she recommended we come here. Entering, I noted the decor was quite dated and it looked like they are (or were) doing some ceiling repairs, but overall I liked the atmosphere. I got the impression that many of the customers were regulars and that added to the "homeyness". The waitress came right over and was quite friendly throughout the service. I ordered the "fish 'n chips" from the menu (oddly, the waitress asked me if I wanted french fries with that... huh?) and my daughter ordered a "Mushroom Burger" with onion rings. A salad came with my meal and was delivered shortly. The lettuce fresh and crunchy but it had not been drained very well and the excessive water diluted the dressing to almost tasteless. After a reasonable wait, the main courses were delivered. The daughter was very satisfied with the burger and onion rings. My fish... the batter was fairly well cooked but not as crispy as I would have liked and the three, very large portions of fish, did not taste fully cooked in the middle. The chips (french fries) were excellent, big, thick, with crispy outsides and soft insides. If I were a local, I think I might return to explore other menu items but with visits being rare I would not put this on my "must do list".
(3)
Amy H.
Agree with the folks who say that everything tastes like it was frozen and thrown in the microwave. Pizza seems to get the best reviews and I have not had that, but I already have my places I go for pizza and I doubt Gilbert's can top them (Mama Rosa's, Bommaritos, Farm Fresh Market) so I probably never will. Boring. I would not go out of my way to go here.
(2)
Joe H.
A neighborhood favorite. I live within walking distance of Gilbert's. The place is always busy, but there isn't much here to set Gilbert's apart from any number of other bar & grill establishments. They do everything well. Their burgers are tasty. Chili has good flavor, but is a little watery. Nachos are very good, but could be easily replicated at home. The pizza is decent, too. I've never had anything that was horrible, but I've only had one thing that was incredible: Every time we go to Gilbert's we order hot pepper cheese balls. These little nuggets of goodness are cubes of hot pepper cheese that have been battered & deep fried until they are golden brown & delicious. There's nothing particularly special about the batter, but for some reason we find ourselves gorging on melted hot pepper cheesiness each time we walk through the doors. Another bonus? They have PBR on draught. $1.75/12 oz FTW! What's a better combination than PBR & fried cheese??? Yup, that's right, there isn't.
(3)
Joe S.
This place has OK food. Its one of those places that I only go to when you cant decide where to eat and you just give up. The prices are OK, and the food was pretty average. I would not recommend the fajitas, they were pretty much the worst fajitas I have ever had, greasy and lacked flavor.
(2)
Michael C.
Good beer selection and great pizza and burgers. I don't know if somethings changed lately because the other reviews don't seem right. The place looks like there has been a lot of updates to the interior, and I'm yet to have anything off the menu that didn't seem fresh. The soups are good, and only once out of the last 5 times that I've been there was the service slow. The bartender was slammed and all by herself so I brushed it off.
(4)
Mr B.
I have been a gilbert lodge about 6 times, Not a bad place, the food is good and the wait staff aint to bad...UNTIL NOW, listen tho this, went there with my mom, we ordered our food from this waitress that I wont waiste the time to type her name, anyway my mom orders hers first, she said, i" I would like the 1/3 burger with tomatoes and lettuce and" then the waitress interupts her in a unproffesional way as if she was talking to a 3 year old " now wait a minute what did you say , you wanted tomatoe and lettuce with that, is that it, alright what else, " my jaw just dropped and was pissed, so then she looks at me, and I ordered a club with extra this and light that ( IfI pay for a sandwich I wanted how I want it . right? ) and she writing this down like its a problem then I asked could I get on grilled rye instead of the cabbada bread and she stops and doeast move like shes paralized and said" (tss) I'll see if the cook will do it (tss ), then leaves, Like I was the only person in the world ever ordered it like that, by the way it worked out fine, she made it sound like the cook will need to a vacation after that request, then got the food and never came by to ask if I wanted a refill on our drinks. she would probably ( Tss ) at that request. so I probably wont be going back for a while, if ever, If I do, I wil make sure not to sit in section, By the Way, RAMS HORN make a awsome club sandwich. Mr B...Out.
(2)
Kate L.
It's obvious that the fire was not totally remediated, as there is a clear burned smell in the building and char marks on the ceiling. I really didn't feel safe. The seating arrangement is terribly cramped to the point that even the employees struggle to walk between tables. The food was brought out cold and improperly cooked. The manager didn't even care enough to apologize after our waitress tried to get her to come over. I highly recommend Shores Inn or the Great Baraboo, which are all owned by the person who owns Gilberts, and have similar menu items. These two, however, are run properly.
(1)
Jacquelyn C.
Just attended a friends retirement party. Impressed with the service & fair prices for drinks. I am a non-smoker however, I enjoyed the outdoor fire pit & benches for a quiet place to catch up. Pizza & salads were very good as well.
(4)
Kelly A.
Haven't been since the renovation. Outdoorsy atmosphere. Good has been true to it's level. I love the clubs and pretzel burgers. Like sitting outside in the summer. Hey, Eminem worked there. That's something that will tempt anyone who is a fan and not familiar with this establishment. I think that should be pretty good for business if it was marketed correctly.
(5)
Karma K.
Girls weekend in beautiful St. Clair! First time here and we were welcomed by a friendly waitstaff and patrons. So since this restie/bar is in MI they went wild with the hunting theme. I hate huntings so was a bit offended by the sheer number of animal pelts and animal heads adorning the walls. Dear Lord they also have a freaking huge replica of a hunting license plastered on one wall! Well we had a drink and then another and then another and the offensive dead animals became quite blurry and less annoying. Then...we ate, Oh Emmmm Gee did we eat. This place has huge portions for cheap prices. Their menu is also huge so if you are indecisive (looking at you Wendy) good luck with that. You want a salad? Covered. A lumberjack burger? Covered. Pizza? Covered. Calamari (really good by the way)? Covered. Pasta? Covered. They serve breakfast on the weekend for cheap ass prices. Two eggs, breakfast meats (of course), potatoes and thick cut toast for $4.99. Take that Chicagoans! The locals told us this place burned down and was rebuilt. I recommend giving it a shot if in the area.
(4)
Laurie P.
I used to love Gilbert's back in the day, so I was excited to visit again after almost 15 years, and their rebuild after the fires. It was kind of a let down, unfortunately. I ordered patty melt with seasoned fries. The burger was cooked the way I wanted it, but the bread was soggy from the grease. But still, it was ok. The fries were awful - they were so greasy that they were limp, and it seemed that they consider "seasoned" to mean so much salt that they were barely edible. This combo was served with a small side of dry coleslaw. My dining partner had to send her soup back because it was barely warm when brought to the table. She was happy with her burger, though. The service was slow, and not super friendly. Granted, it was busy because there was a Red Wings playoff game on - and that's one of the good things about this place, there are lots of nice big TVs to view a game. So.. Two stars for the atmosphere, and one for the food. I won't be back.
(3)
Guy D.
The place looks really nice. Odd that the employees are wearing fire coats. A lighter fell out of my pocket and everyone thought I was up to no good. Great place to eat but the employees are real sensitive. Hmm, can't put my finger on it.
(4)
Amanda M.
I wanted to like this place. Thought it had a cool atmosphere, and it was quaint-ish and had that "up-north" feel. I ordered their beef barley soup. It smelled and tasted perfect...until I saw the black beetle swimming in my soup cup. :( I pulled the bug out with my spoon, called the waitress, gave her the bug, she said "oh my god, again?" Took the bug, and said, "you don't owe anything, you can leave." I was shocked, and then just left. This is my account of my one and only experience at Gilbert's.
(1)
Stephanie B.
I remember going to this place growing up as a kid and every time my family and I tried to go back recently there was remodeling being done thanks to the fires. Place is nicely finished. Very homey and camp feel to it with the log stick chairs and cabin feel throughout. I'm going to start out by saying how awesome the service was on this particular visit today. It's been a really long time that I have been to a restaurant and have had excellent service throughout the visit. Our waitress answered all of our questions, made sure we always had refills and checked on us pretty often, but not too often where it was too much. My family started out with saganacki and wisconsion cheese fries. Holy crap! The waitress suggested the cheese fries and we are all glad we got them. Large enough to share! We had a party of five and we didn't even finish half. The cheese fries are waffle fries baked with cheddar cheese and topped with chopped bacon, scallions and sour cream. So. Dang. Good! We brought leftovers home! I was pretty full before my entree arrived but I did end up eating some of my meal and I had pulled pork sliders. Soft fresh bun. Pulled pork pilled high with cheddar cheese and fried onion strings. 3 sliders served and side of sliced pickles. Not bad for $7.49. I also tried my Mom's spinach artichoke quesadillas. They are just what they are said to be. Tons of cheese, spinach artichoke dip and pico de gallo filled inside flour tortillas served with salsa. Definitely not something I have had before but really yummy! best part was the quesadilla wasn't soggy at all. Plenty of seating and TV's throughout. We received our meals within 15 minutes of ordering. No issues and everything was made correctly and everything was piping hot. Daily specials, happy hour and trivia on Tuesdays. Very large menu with something for everyone.
(5)
Tiffany M.
I was actually pleasantly surprised with this place it was kid friendly the food was great and they have great lunch specials for 5 bucks I ended up getting the mini sliders stuffed with feta cheese and they were awesome the French fries were crispy and delicious and to go I got the beef stir fry and a cheeseburger which I heard is amazing I also had the pizza they had there which happened to be half off on special today :-) the pizza was very good it resembled a Jets pizza style square loaded with veggies and sausage I had the lemonade to drink and the service was quick and the food came out in a timely matter. For the price overall I will be back I was really impressed.
(4)
Nick M.
I don't know why this place averages three stars because it's a five-star dining experience. The specials every day are awesome and always changing, while the beers keep flowing and the menu staples stay the same for regulars. I always find something new to eat on their huge menu and have not eaten one bad meal -- ever. Do yourself a favor and give this place a try.
(5)
Daar F.
Joined the reopening, after two fires and a vehicle crash. Place looked and smelled great. But the pulled pork sandwich, although tasty, was a bit too shredded and was a meager portion served on a meager sesame seed hamburger bun. Definitely not worth the 7.99 they're charging. Have this feedback to the owner. He told me that they should've served it on a Kaiser roll (no price refund offered). The metal ceiling makes for sound conduction not conducive to table talk. The place looks great, smells good, but I won't be back anytime soon.
(2)
Nancy M.
After I saw the article in the Sentinal, I have been wanting to try them. We wanted to sit outside so we waited for a table. The parking lot was packed so I was expecting a long wait...the place is so much bigger that we only waited 15 minutes. The only thing I would change...the channels. I wanted michigan game and was forced to watch michigan state football. It was worth it. My hamburger was cooked to order and delicious. My friend said his was good too; however, he wanted more bacon...doesn't everone?? The bar is another story...I think the bartender was new because my drink was warm with little ice. My friends was the same and weak. Hard to mess up cranberry and vodka... I would still give him another chance. Beer please. Definitely go!!!
(4)
Ricky P.
Over time Gilbert's has won back my heart. Their food has really stepped up and so has their service. I'm overall happy with this place now.
(4)
Amy W.
Finally was able to visit after the fires - Gilbert's did not disappoint! We visited on a Saturday afternoon and were seated at the bar because it was so busy. Our server was great, and the food was good! Great beer selection. While it took a bit longer than usual, keep in mind that almost everyone there is new, and they only had one day to train properly before reopening. If you don't understand that, you've obviously never worked in the service industry. Love Gilbert's, will definitely be back!
(5)
Jay H.
Soooooooooooooooo many tvs! I strongly recommend that you sit at the bar. The beer tap is always flowing and the food is above average. I love the vibe from the the sport fans even though I'm not a fan personally.
(5)
Rene B.
Good food and always busy here, a good sign for a restaurant. The atmosphere is rustic and has lots of character.
(4)
Hazen R.
First time back after they had reopened and it seemed much improved from before. I admit I don't recall their old menu so I have no idea if that changed or not, but in the times we came before I never left impressed. This time we did. The parking lot was packed and we were worried about waiting but we got right in, a testament to how much seating they have. They were very busy but our server was very attentive. I got one of the daily specials (fish tacos) and it was phenomenal!! My son got pizza and we tasted it, it too was great. My husband thought his was ok, but wasn't wowed. All in all we were very happy and we will be back!!
(4)
Tracie M.
If you're in need of a late night dinner or just a midnight snack, you've come to the right place. The kitchen is open till 1 a.m. Monday through Saturday. I had the black and blue burger with roasted red pepper on a pretzel bun. It was absolutely delicious! My coleslaw was slightly sweet, just how I like it. My fiance had the seafood stuffed portabella mushrooms, he says they were satisfying. Overall I love the atmosphere, it made me feel like I was on a mini vacation up north. The service and the food both were upstanding. I think I found my new late night dinner spot. :-)
(5)
Renee A.
post-fire What a waste of a good opportunity for this restaurant to revamp it's look and menu. Failed. It's obvious money was spent to add details like outdoor fireplaces instead of renovating the whole restaurant. I don't even care about how it looks, my problem is the food. The menu is almost the same and it's the same or worse quality. My table ordered a salad, lettuce was brown and it had about a quarter of a chicken breast on it. Favors didn't go together, pecan chicken salad. The menu said "chicken florentine" and had the correct date printed on it, but they didn't actually have it. So I ate beef barley, too salty to eat. Seems like the staff is pretty new, it took a long time for us to get service. She was clumsy, forgot stuff, and waited for us to put the money in the envelope. The positives, it's a cool bar, but don't expect good food. Stick to the fried stuff, or appetizers like stuff. This place will not benefit from the press and spotlight it's been out in, because the food isn't good. It could have really killed it, if the food was good. But it wasn't, so it will just continue to exist as it did before the fire.
(2)
Marcos R.
What can I say? I go all the time...
(4)
Olivia F.
I like the food , but the way they treat employees is just wrong. I know someone who worked there and was getting cheated out of tips left and right.
(1)
Chanda G.
I've passed this place over a thousand times. Was sad when they burned down and thought I'd never be able to experience this place. Well, the moment they re-opened, my brother and I paid them a visit and I was throughly impressed! Our waitress was the best....can't remember her name but the day we were there, she shared that her grandbaby left a VM calling her YA-YA for the first time!!! She was so excited and I was excited for her. All that to say that the staff is friendly and inviting and she represented them well! Food was great and the atmosphere compfy. If you haven't been in, once you do you'll wonder what took you so long.
(4)
Robin J.
Sorry to say still a disappointment, the food is not worth your time, I would rather go next door to charlie's and eat. too bad the fires didn't help it still is just bar food, when you had too much too drink it all tastes good.
(1)
Emily O.
Not sure why such a low rating. I love the service, atmosphere and the food here. I absolutely love the calamari. I'd recommend ordering that as a starter!
(5)
Lisa T.
Although our waitress was new, or just not great, service was attentive. She didn't know the beers on tap specifically, like a red, a pale ale, etc. But she was nice. The service was just OK. The food was better than the service. I had a piedmontese black and blue burger, which was cooked perfectly. Others in the party had fish n chips, a regular burger, and the special spinach salad. The French fry I snagged from Hubby's plate was very good. Coleslaw was ordinary, not sure if homemade or not. Unfortunately, side salad hubby ordered just never made it to the table. But over all good. I would return. I'm not sure why such low stars. I would give 3.5 stars, if I could.
(3)
Cyndi R.
Really we came here just because Eminem worked here for 6 years. I'm a little upset they don't have anything about it up. Maybe they could get in trouble or something, but I guess I just kind of expected to see something. The bartenders told us that they found out they still have his original application. So that's pretty cool, wish I could have seen it but because it has personal information on it like his ssn its obvious why we couldn't see it. The staff were really nice and friendly. Food was decently priced. I just had a BBQ pulled pork only because I wanted to order something before leaving. It was really good. Everyone else's food also looked delicious and they seemed to be enjoying it as well.
(4)
Shelley W.
Has great pizza which is half off on Mondays. Very nice inside since rebuild. Customer service is not the best and usually very slow and beer is pricy.
(3)
Darren R.
The food isnt that great. I dont see what all the hype is, the staff always in a rush. They dont pay attention to the customers, literally had to wait 25 minutes for our waitress to come back to our table. Not coming back to this place. Food isnt all that and the service is what did it for me.
(2)
Sally C.
Food is excellent as is the service. The atmosphere is nice, family friendly. The saganaki is wonderful. They are always busy so I leave home a little early to meet friends on time.
(5)
Carey S.
Gilbert's. I'm glad you were able to re-open. I'm glad to see business has been brisk. I'm really, really happy for you. But seriously, it's September and still not one beer special?! Not one! Knock it off.
(3)
Karl G.
"The more things change, the more they stay the same" ... and sometimes that can be a good thing as I liked Gilbert's just fine before the fire(s) forced a remodel, ;). Of course, there are a few subtle improvements, like interior lighting, more windows and a revamped patio area, but they still maintain that homey, rustic, "up-north" atmosphere that brought you in the first place. Food & service remain friendly & good, no complaints here, :).
(4)
Cheryl R.
After being closed for almost a year, they bounced right back. Our service was excellent. I loved sitting on the new outdoor patio. Burger was generous, juicy and a value for the $$$.
(3)
Jan N.
Beautiful restaurant that looks like a lodge up in the woods. Outdoor eating. Firepit to stand by. Nice landscaping. Train circles the ceiling in the dining area. Good food.
(4)
B G.
My first time back since they remodeled. It still has a nice rustic feel. Yes, the train is still there. I am sort of surprised they didn't do something about the floor. Prices are reasonable. The service is prompt, and friendly. My friend had a salad, which she took half of it home for lunch the next day. Instead of the typical pizza, which is usually good there, I opted for calamari. I've never had it soaked in Italian salad dressing before. It wasn't bad, just different. Have been going there for years, we'll continue. It's nice to see that it survived the fire.
(3)
Tanya G.
Food is ok, nothing special. It's mainly an older crowd, and the music they play is mainly from the 90's. So definitely not ideal for younger people. My friend and I sat at the bar, both dressed in Michigan clothes, watching the game that was on right in front of us. Instead of changing the other 5 televisions around us to the State game, the manager changes the tv right in front of us to State. The bartender tried telling him we were watching it and he completely ignored it. Such a dick move! Even a few other people at the bar were like WTF?!? As we sat and watched the game from a tv a ways away, we looked around and saw no one even watching the tv's. Because of that, I will not return to Gilbert's. Fuck that douche bag who ignored the customers who came there to see the game!
(3)
Bob M.
This place is not like the old days but its ok. Pretzel burgers not bad had for the first time last time I was in.
(3)
Michael B.
We are so excited they are open again! Why change something people loved?? Great service, great food and great atmosphere! Highly recommended!
(5)
Leslie B.
Just reopened decor looks nice & very clean. No plates given with the app, my sons grilled cheese & fries was the only meal out of 4 that was correct, my other sons cheeseburger came without cheese, my mom and I ordered cheeseburgers mine was supposed to be no tomato, onion, lettuce came with all of it my moms was supposed to be just cheese and a raw onion hers came with everything to. We told her we were allergic to tomatoes she took them back to fix them. My moms came back plain with no onion, mine came back no tomato but, with everything else but, now pickle was added and my cheese was not melted. I'm over looking that after our waitress lit the cheese she announced she hasn't don't in 10 years after she lit it she said in front of my 9 & 4 year old " look at me I'm so pimp". Currently we have been sitting here waiting 15 minutes for our bill. Won't be back
(2)
Don N.
First time ordering pizza since they re opened.....somewhat disappointing, it was lukewarm even though I showed up 5 minutes earlier than they said to pick it up....hopefully they didn't forget why people eat here, the food not just the numerous fire pits
(1)
Greg M.
Waited awhile to do review. It was such a nightmare I did not want to over do it, they should have left it closed. The place was filthy and the service and food terrible. We had a short wait which is fine went to the bar where all 3 bartenders were arguing with a customer about a charge on his bill??? Ordered a Manhattan for my wife it came with 3 fruit flies and could see all the bar condiments were in open jars so they were buzzing around the cherries so she made new one with 2 flies this time sent back again told her to pitch the container a blank look and a drink with no fruit this time. We got called to our table in about 15 min the hostess took us and the table was filthy and had food an old napkins all over the floor I looked around and notice stuff all over the floor. Waitress showed up about 5 min later and said she be right back.... Finally came back for the order, a chicken Caesar salad, fish and chips a mini flatbread chicken pizza and a burger not too out of the ordinary. She then said this will take a while to get?!?! About 20 min later out came the food! The salad AND the pizza had large chunk s of chicken right out of the frozen bag from GFS or Sysco! Fish was the same frozen and fried. This was true institutional food (school, prison etc). This company should know better as they own other places. Will never go back due mainly to how dirty it was ( hate to see kitchen) the poor quality of the food and prices. If I could give zero stars I would. They should have taken the insurance money and ran. Too many place around to get much better food. We all deserve better!
(1)
Sorry, we don't have Q&A for this restaurant.
Sorry, No Coupons available for this restaurant.
Address :22335 Harper Ave
Saint Clair Shores, MI, 48080
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Good For Dancing : No Alcohol : Full Bar Happy Hour : Yes Best Nights : Mon, Fri, Sat Coat Check : No Smoking : No Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Bar B.
Having other Tuesday night plans were futile. An argument was made and these guys ended up at Gilbert's Lodge in St. Claire Shores. A lodge this was. Stonework, a lot of wood work, and deer and fish adorning everywhere. Gilbert's is somehow attached to The Great Baraboo and The Shores Inn, both we have been to. Starting with the frothy tops, there were about 10 flavors on tap. $3.25 for a happy hour 22 oz ML (4.25 regular price). A pretty good selection of burgers. We had the Morning burger and the Great Northern Buffalo burger. Morning burger was intense! We are talking about serious angus beef, bacon, fried egg, cheddar, lettuce, tomato, and pickles. All pieced together as sloppy as practical for $7.99. Burger- 4 Price- 4 Service- 4 Overall- 4 The Great Northern Buffalo wasn't so great. For $8.99, it was pretty small and not huge on flavor. Burger-2.5 Price- 2 Service- 4 Overall- 2.5 Gilbert's seemed like more of family joint that happen to have bar and patio. Nice place and nice people, for sure a place to start the evening with some good eats!
(3)Laura J.
A few tips Tip#1the service can be hit or miss, -Sit At The Bar-service there is always good. Tip #2, go on Sunday and get the Walleye Sandwich, delicious fish, huge portion and a get price. Tip #3- if you go on Monday, get the pizza, it's half price and pretty good pizza
(4)D L.
Portions are huge! Decent atmosphere, prompt service. Nice beer choice. It is bar food and in a sea of a lot of similar businesses, this stands just slightly above the others. The location, number if seats and parking is adequate which helps out.
(3)Bob N.
Closed due to fire 10/10/2013
(1)Wendy W.
my absolute favorite place to go, food is always good and service is the best!!!! so glad they didn't shut down after the fire, I would have been devastated!!!!
(5)D R.
Had lunch there the other day. Dead slow but waited 10 minutes for menu and drink order. Ordered a chicken sandwich and 20 minutes later got a bland GROUND chicken patty on a bun. Came with no fries or chips for $8. Only thing on the plate. With fries would have been $2.25 more. Waitress never checked on us and never got a refill on pop. Waived her over for check and waited, then waited, then waited some more to finally get the bill. Atmosphere was dark and depressing, no wonder staff acts as if they hate their job.
(1)Edward Y.
Probably best known for their pizza (which is half-off on Mondays), but they also have great sandwiches and salads. I recommend the oriental chicken salad or the pretzel bread stacker. Both great with an ice cold PBR and sweet potato fries. Freshly remodeled decor with a warm lodge atmosphere. Great place for kids. They even have a model train that circles through the ceiling. Everything you can ask for in a neighborhood restaurant.
(4)Dan S.
I have been coming to Gilberts for YEARS. I have lived in the neighborhood for about 10 years, and my brother lived here since about 1989, so I have had many a pint here. They have a pretty extensive menu that ranges from typical bar staple appetizers, burgers and buffalo burgers, and great pizza. They also have a huge list of sandwiches and dinners. Monday is half off pizza day, and you must try it. Also Louie's Italian Sub is great, the toast the entire sub so the bun is browned and crunchy. The nachos are great too. All in all, it's fair to say Gilberts does a lot, and they do it well. If I have one knock on them, it can be inconsistent service. Depending on the server you get, you could be waiting a while for a drink refill, or to even get your order in. Because of this I tend to belly up to the bar because they are a bit better with the service there. If you're in the neighborhood it's worth stopping by!
(4)Julie C.
Lunch time crowd. Great salads are available at this place. Service was quick and food was fresh.
(3)Bob K.
I grew up in Clinton Twp., Michigan but this was my first visit back in almost 10 years. When I told my daughter I wanted a fried fish meal she recommended we come here. Entering, I noted the decor was quite dated and it looked like they are (or were) doing some ceiling repairs, but overall I liked the atmosphere. I got the impression that many of the customers were regulars and that added to the "homeyness". The waitress came right over and was quite friendly throughout the service. I ordered the "fish 'n chips" from the menu (oddly, the waitress asked me if I wanted french fries with that... huh?) and my daughter ordered a "Mushroom Burger" with onion rings. A salad came with my meal and was delivered shortly. The lettuce fresh and crunchy but it had not been drained very well and the excessive water diluted the dressing to almost tasteless. After a reasonable wait, the main courses were delivered. The daughter was very satisfied with the burger and onion rings. My fish... the batter was fairly well cooked but not as crispy as I would have liked and the three, very large portions of fish, did not taste fully cooked in the middle. The chips (french fries) were excellent, big, thick, with crispy outsides and soft insides. If I were a local, I think I might return to explore other menu items but with visits being rare I would not put this on my "must do list".
(3)Amy H.
Agree with the folks who say that everything tastes like it was frozen and thrown in the microwave. Pizza seems to get the best reviews and I have not had that, but I already have my places I go for pizza and I doubt Gilbert's can top them (Mama Rosa's, Bommaritos, Farm Fresh Market) so I probably never will. Boring. I would not go out of my way to go here.
(2)Joe H.
A neighborhood favorite. I live within walking distance of Gilbert's. The place is always busy, but there isn't much here to set Gilbert's apart from any number of other bar & grill establishments. They do everything well. Their burgers are tasty. Chili has good flavor, but is a little watery. Nachos are very good, but could be easily replicated at home. The pizza is decent, too. I've never had anything that was horrible, but I've only had one thing that was incredible: Every time we go to Gilbert's we order hot pepper cheese balls. These little nuggets of goodness are cubes of hot pepper cheese that have been battered & deep fried until they are golden brown & delicious. There's nothing particularly special about the batter, but for some reason we find ourselves gorging on melted hot pepper cheesiness each time we walk through the doors. Another bonus? They have PBR on draught. $1.75/12 oz FTW! What's a better combination than PBR & fried cheese??? Yup, that's right, there isn't.
(3)Joe S.
This place has OK food. Its one of those places that I only go to when you cant decide where to eat and you just give up. The prices are OK, and the food was pretty average. I would not recommend the fajitas, they were pretty much the worst fajitas I have ever had, greasy and lacked flavor.
(2)Michael C.
Good beer selection and great pizza and burgers. I don't know if somethings changed lately because the other reviews don't seem right. The place looks like there has been a lot of updates to the interior, and I'm yet to have anything off the menu that didn't seem fresh. The soups are good, and only once out of the last 5 times that I've been there was the service slow. The bartender was slammed and all by herself so I brushed it off.
(4)Mr B.
I have been a gilbert lodge about 6 times, Not a bad place, the food is good and the wait staff aint to bad...UNTIL NOW, listen tho this, went there with my mom, we ordered our food from this waitress that I wont waiste the time to type her name, anyway my mom orders hers first, she said, i" I would like the 1/3 burger with tomatoes and lettuce and" then the waitress interupts her in a unproffesional way as if she was talking to a 3 year old " now wait a minute what did you say , you wanted tomatoe and lettuce with that, is that it, alright what else, " my jaw just dropped and was pissed, so then she looks at me, and I ordered a club with extra this and light that ( IfI pay for a sandwich I wanted how I want it . right? ) and she writing this down like its a problem then I asked could I get on grilled rye instead of the cabbada bread and she stops and doeast move like shes paralized and said" (tss) I'll see if the cook will do it (tss ), then leaves, Like I was the only person in the world ever ordered it like that, by the way it worked out fine, she made it sound like the cook will need to a vacation after that request, then got the food and never came by to ask if I wanted a refill on our drinks. she would probably ( Tss ) at that request. so I probably wont be going back for a while, if ever, If I do, I wil make sure not to sit in section, By the Way, RAMS HORN make a awsome club sandwich. Mr B...Out.
(2)Kate L.
It's obvious that the fire was not totally remediated, as there is a clear burned smell in the building and char marks on the ceiling. I really didn't feel safe. The seating arrangement is terribly cramped to the point that even the employees struggle to walk between tables. The food was brought out cold and improperly cooked. The manager didn't even care enough to apologize after our waitress tried to get her to come over. I highly recommend Shores Inn or the Great Baraboo, which are all owned by the person who owns Gilberts, and have similar menu items. These two, however, are run properly.
(1)Jacquelyn C.
Just attended a friends retirement party. Impressed with the service & fair prices for drinks. I am a non-smoker however, I enjoyed the outdoor fire pit & benches for a quiet place to catch up. Pizza & salads were very good as well.
(4)Kelly A.
Haven't been since the renovation. Outdoorsy atmosphere. Good has been true to it's level. I love the clubs and pretzel burgers. Like sitting outside in the summer. Hey, Eminem worked there. That's something that will tempt anyone who is a fan and not familiar with this establishment. I think that should be pretty good for business if it was marketed correctly.
(5)Karma K.
Girls weekend in beautiful St. Clair! First time here and we were welcomed by a friendly waitstaff and patrons. So since this restie/bar is in MI they went wild with the hunting theme. I hate huntings so was a bit offended by the sheer number of animal pelts and animal heads adorning the walls. Dear Lord they also have a freaking huge replica of a hunting license plastered on one wall! Well we had a drink and then another and then another and the offensive dead animals became quite blurry and less annoying. Then...we ate, Oh Emmmm Gee did we eat. This place has huge portions for cheap prices. Their menu is also huge so if you are indecisive (looking at you Wendy) good luck with that. You want a salad? Covered. A lumberjack burger? Covered. Pizza? Covered. Calamari (really good by the way)? Covered. Pasta? Covered. They serve breakfast on the weekend for cheap ass prices. Two eggs, breakfast meats (of course), potatoes and thick cut toast for $4.99. Take that Chicagoans! The locals told us this place burned down and was rebuilt. I recommend giving it a shot if in the area.
(4)Laurie P.
I used to love Gilbert's back in the day, so I was excited to visit again after almost 15 years, and their rebuild after the fires. It was kind of a let down, unfortunately. I ordered patty melt with seasoned fries. The burger was cooked the way I wanted it, but the bread was soggy from the grease. But still, it was ok. The fries were awful - they were so greasy that they were limp, and it seemed that they consider "seasoned" to mean so much salt that they were barely edible. This combo was served with a small side of dry coleslaw. My dining partner had to send her soup back because it was barely warm when brought to the table. She was happy with her burger, though. The service was slow, and not super friendly. Granted, it was busy because there was a Red Wings playoff game on - and that's one of the good things about this place, there are lots of nice big TVs to view a game. So.. Two stars for the atmosphere, and one for the food. I won't be back.
(3)Guy D.
The place looks really nice. Odd that the employees are wearing fire coats. A lighter fell out of my pocket and everyone thought I was up to no good. Great place to eat but the employees are real sensitive. Hmm, can't put my finger on it.
(4)Amanda M.
I wanted to like this place. Thought it had a cool atmosphere, and it was quaint-ish and had that "up-north" feel. I ordered their beef barley soup. It smelled and tasted perfect...until I saw the black beetle swimming in my soup cup. :( I pulled the bug out with my spoon, called the waitress, gave her the bug, she said "oh my god, again?" Took the bug, and said, "you don't owe anything, you can leave." I was shocked, and then just left. This is my account of my one and only experience at Gilbert's.
(1)Stephanie B.
I remember going to this place growing up as a kid and every time my family and I tried to go back recently there was remodeling being done thanks to the fires. Place is nicely finished. Very homey and camp feel to it with the log stick chairs and cabin feel throughout. I'm going to start out by saying how awesome the service was on this particular visit today. It's been a really long time that I have been to a restaurant and have had excellent service throughout the visit. Our waitress answered all of our questions, made sure we always had refills and checked on us pretty often, but not too often where it was too much. My family started out with saganacki and wisconsion cheese fries. Holy crap! The waitress suggested the cheese fries and we are all glad we got them. Large enough to share! We had a party of five and we didn't even finish half. The cheese fries are waffle fries baked with cheddar cheese and topped with chopped bacon, scallions and sour cream. So. Dang. Good! We brought leftovers home! I was pretty full before my entree arrived but I did end up eating some of my meal and I had pulled pork sliders. Soft fresh bun. Pulled pork pilled high with cheddar cheese and fried onion strings. 3 sliders served and side of sliced pickles. Not bad for $7.49. I also tried my Mom's spinach artichoke quesadillas. They are just what they are said to be. Tons of cheese, spinach artichoke dip and pico de gallo filled inside flour tortillas served with salsa. Definitely not something I have had before but really yummy! best part was the quesadilla wasn't soggy at all. Plenty of seating and TV's throughout. We received our meals within 15 minutes of ordering. No issues and everything was made correctly and everything was piping hot. Daily specials, happy hour and trivia on Tuesdays. Very large menu with something for everyone.
(5)Tiffany M.
I was actually pleasantly surprised with this place it was kid friendly the food was great and they have great lunch specials for 5 bucks I ended up getting the mini sliders stuffed with feta cheese and they were awesome the French fries were crispy and delicious and to go I got the beef stir fry and a cheeseburger which I heard is amazing I also had the pizza they had there which happened to be half off on special today :-) the pizza was very good it resembled a Jets pizza style square loaded with veggies and sausage I had the lemonade to drink and the service was quick and the food came out in a timely matter. For the price overall I will be back I was really impressed.
(4)Nick M.
I don't know why this place averages three stars because it's a five-star dining experience. The specials every day are awesome and always changing, while the beers keep flowing and the menu staples stay the same for regulars. I always find something new to eat on their huge menu and have not eaten one bad meal -- ever. Do yourself a favor and give this place a try.
(5)Daar F.
Joined the reopening, after two fires and a vehicle crash. Place looked and smelled great. But the pulled pork sandwich, although tasty, was a bit too shredded and was a meager portion served on a meager sesame seed hamburger bun. Definitely not worth the 7.99 they're charging. Have this feedback to the owner. He told me that they should've served it on a Kaiser roll (no price refund offered). The metal ceiling makes for sound conduction not conducive to table talk. The place looks great, smells good, but I won't be back anytime soon.
(2)Nancy M.
After I saw the article in the Sentinal, I have been wanting to try them. We wanted to sit outside so we waited for a table. The parking lot was packed so I was expecting a long wait...the place is so much bigger that we only waited 15 minutes. The only thing I would change...the channels. I wanted michigan game and was forced to watch michigan state football. It was worth it. My hamburger was cooked to order and delicious. My friend said his was good too; however, he wanted more bacon...doesn't everone?? The bar is another story...I think the bartender was new because my drink was warm with little ice. My friends was the same and weak. Hard to mess up cranberry and vodka... I would still give him another chance. Beer please. Definitely go!!!
(4)Ricky P.
Over time Gilbert's has won back my heart. Their food has really stepped up and so has their service. I'm overall happy with this place now.
(4)Amy W.
Finally was able to visit after the fires - Gilbert's did not disappoint! We visited on a Saturday afternoon and were seated at the bar because it was so busy. Our server was great, and the food was good! Great beer selection. While it took a bit longer than usual, keep in mind that almost everyone there is new, and they only had one day to train properly before reopening. If you don't understand that, you've obviously never worked in the service industry. Love Gilbert's, will definitely be back!
(5)Jay H.
Soooooooooooooooo many tvs! I strongly recommend that you sit at the bar. The beer tap is always flowing and the food is above average. I love the vibe from the the sport fans even though I'm not a fan personally.
(5)Rene B.
Good food and always busy here, a good sign for a restaurant. The atmosphere is rustic and has lots of character.
(4)Hazen R.
First time back after they had reopened and it seemed much improved from before. I admit I don't recall their old menu so I have no idea if that changed or not, but in the times we came before I never left impressed. This time we did. The parking lot was packed and we were worried about waiting but we got right in, a testament to how much seating they have. They were very busy but our server was very attentive. I got one of the daily specials (fish tacos) and it was phenomenal!! My son got pizza and we tasted it, it too was great. My husband thought his was ok, but wasn't wowed. All in all we were very happy and we will be back!!
(4)Tracie M.
If you're in need of a late night dinner or just a midnight snack, you've come to the right place. The kitchen is open till 1 a.m. Monday through Saturday. I had the black and blue burger with roasted red pepper on a pretzel bun. It was absolutely delicious! My coleslaw was slightly sweet, just how I like it. My fiance had the seafood stuffed portabella mushrooms, he says they were satisfying. Overall I love the atmosphere, it made me feel like I was on a mini vacation up north. The service and the food both were upstanding. I think I found my new late night dinner spot. :-)
(5)Renee A.
post-fire What a waste of a good opportunity for this restaurant to revamp it's look and menu. Failed. It's obvious money was spent to add details like outdoor fireplaces instead of renovating the whole restaurant. I don't even care about how it looks, my problem is the food. The menu is almost the same and it's the same or worse quality. My table ordered a salad, lettuce was brown and it had about a quarter of a chicken breast on it. Favors didn't go together, pecan chicken salad. The menu said "chicken florentine" and had the correct date printed on it, but they didn't actually have it. So I ate beef barley, too salty to eat. Seems like the staff is pretty new, it took a long time for us to get service. She was clumsy, forgot stuff, and waited for us to put the money in the envelope. The positives, it's a cool bar, but don't expect good food. Stick to the fried stuff, or appetizers like stuff. This place will not benefit from the press and spotlight it's been out in, because the food isn't good. It could have really killed it, if the food was good. But it wasn't, so it will just continue to exist as it did before the fire.
(2)Marcos R.
What can I say? I go all the time...
(4)Olivia F.
I like the food , but the way they treat employees is just wrong. I know someone who worked there and was getting cheated out of tips left and right.
(1)Chanda G.
I've passed this place over a thousand times. Was sad when they burned down and thought I'd never be able to experience this place. Well, the moment they re-opened, my brother and I paid them a visit and I was throughly impressed! Our waitress was the best....can't remember her name but the day we were there, she shared that her grandbaby left a VM calling her YA-YA for the first time!!! She was so excited and I was excited for her. All that to say that the staff is friendly and inviting and she represented them well! Food was great and the atmosphere compfy. If you haven't been in, once you do you'll wonder what took you so long.
(4)Robin J.
Sorry to say still a disappointment, the food is not worth your time, I would rather go next door to charlie's and eat. too bad the fires didn't help it still is just bar food, when you had too much too drink it all tastes good.
(1)Emily O.
Not sure why such a low rating. I love the service, atmosphere and the food here. I absolutely love the calamari. I'd recommend ordering that as a starter!
(5)Lisa T.
Although our waitress was new, or just not great, service was attentive. She didn't know the beers on tap specifically, like a red, a pale ale, etc. But she was nice. The service was just OK. The food was better than the service. I had a piedmontese black and blue burger, which was cooked perfectly. Others in the party had fish n chips, a regular burger, and the special spinach salad. The French fry I snagged from Hubby's plate was very good. Coleslaw was ordinary, not sure if homemade or not. Unfortunately, side salad hubby ordered just never made it to the table. But over all good. I would return. I'm not sure why such low stars. I would give 3.5 stars, if I could.
(3)Cyndi R.
Really we came here just because Eminem worked here for 6 years. I'm a little upset they don't have anything about it up. Maybe they could get in trouble or something, but I guess I just kind of expected to see something. The bartenders told us that they found out they still have his original application. So that's pretty cool, wish I could have seen it but because it has personal information on it like his ssn its obvious why we couldn't see it. The staff were really nice and friendly. Food was decently priced. I just had a BBQ pulled pork only because I wanted to order something before leaving. It was really good. Everyone else's food also looked delicious and they seemed to be enjoying it as well.
(4)Shelley W.
Has great pizza which is half off on Mondays. Very nice inside since rebuild. Customer service is not the best and usually very slow and beer is pricy.
(3)Darren R.
The food isnt that great. I dont see what all the hype is, the staff always in a rush. They dont pay attention to the customers, literally had to wait 25 minutes for our waitress to come back to our table. Not coming back to this place. Food isnt all that and the service is what did it for me.
(2)Sally C.
Food is excellent as is the service. The atmosphere is nice, family friendly. The saganaki is wonderful. They are always busy so I leave home a little early to meet friends on time.
(5)Carey S.
Gilbert's. I'm glad you were able to re-open. I'm glad to see business has been brisk. I'm really, really happy for you. But seriously, it's September and still not one beer special?! Not one! Knock it off.
(3)Karl G.
"The more things change, the more they stay the same" ... and sometimes that can be a good thing as I liked Gilbert's just fine before the fire(s) forced a remodel, ;). Of course, there are a few subtle improvements, like interior lighting, more windows and a revamped patio area, but they still maintain that homey, rustic, "up-north" atmosphere that brought you in the first place. Food & service remain friendly & good, no complaints here, :).
(4)Cheryl R.
After being closed for almost a year, they bounced right back. Our service was excellent. I loved sitting on the new outdoor patio. Burger was generous, juicy and a value for the $$$.
(3)Jan N.
Beautiful restaurant that looks like a lodge up in the woods. Outdoor eating. Firepit to stand by. Nice landscaping. Train circles the ceiling in the dining area. Good food.
(4)B G.
My first time back since they remodeled. It still has a nice rustic feel. Yes, the train is still there. I am sort of surprised they didn't do something about the floor. Prices are reasonable. The service is prompt, and friendly. My friend had a salad, which she took half of it home for lunch the next day. Instead of the typical pizza, which is usually good there, I opted for calamari. I've never had it soaked in Italian salad dressing before. It wasn't bad, just different. Have been going there for years, we'll continue. It's nice to see that it survived the fire.
(3)Tanya G.
Food is ok, nothing special. It's mainly an older crowd, and the music they play is mainly from the 90's. So definitely not ideal for younger people. My friend and I sat at the bar, both dressed in Michigan clothes, watching the game that was on right in front of us. Instead of changing the other 5 televisions around us to the State game, the manager changes the tv right in front of us to State. The bartender tried telling him we were watching it and he completely ignored it. Such a dick move! Even a few other people at the bar were like WTF?!? As we sat and watched the game from a tv a ways away, we looked around and saw no one even watching the tv's. Because of that, I will not return to Gilbert's. Fuck that douche bag who ignored the customers who came there to see the game!
(3)Bob M.
This place is not like the old days but its ok. Pretzel burgers not bad had for the first time last time I was in.
(3)Michael B.
We are so excited they are open again! Why change something people loved?? Great service, great food and great atmosphere! Highly recommended!
(5)Leslie B.
Just reopened decor looks nice & very clean. No plates given with the app, my sons grilled cheese & fries was the only meal out of 4 that was correct, my other sons cheeseburger came without cheese, my mom and I ordered cheeseburgers mine was supposed to be no tomato, onion, lettuce came with all of it my moms was supposed to be just cheese and a raw onion hers came with everything to. We told her we were allergic to tomatoes she took them back to fix them. My moms came back plain with no onion, mine came back no tomato but, with everything else but, now pickle was added and my cheese was not melted. I'm over looking that after our waitress lit the cheese she announced she hasn't don't in 10 years after she lit it she said in front of my 9 & 4 year old " look at me I'm so pimp". Currently we have been sitting here waiting 15 minutes for our bill. Won't be back
(2)Don N.
First time ordering pizza since they re opened.....somewhat disappointing, it was lukewarm even though I showed up 5 minutes earlier than they said to pick it up....hopefully they didn't forget why people eat here, the food not just the numerous fire pits
(1)Greg M.
Waited awhile to do review. It was such a nightmare I did not want to over do it, they should have left it closed. The place was filthy and the service and food terrible. We had a short wait which is fine went to the bar where all 3 bartenders were arguing with a customer about a charge on his bill??? Ordered a Manhattan for my wife it came with 3 fruit flies and could see all the bar condiments were in open jars so they were buzzing around the cherries so she made new one with 2 flies this time sent back again told her to pitch the container a blank look and a drink with no fruit this time. We got called to our table in about 15 min the hostess took us and the table was filthy and had food an old napkins all over the floor I looked around and notice stuff all over the floor. Waitress showed up about 5 min later and said she be right back.... Finally came back for the order, a chicken Caesar salad, fish and chips a mini flatbread chicken pizza and a burger not too out of the ordinary. She then said this will take a while to get?!?! About 20 min later out came the food! The salad AND the pizza had large chunk s of chicken right out of the frozen bag from GFS or Sysco! Fish was the same frozen and fried. This was true institutional food (school, prison etc). This company should know better as they own other places. Will never go back due mainly to how dirty it was ( hate to see kitchen) the poor quality of the food and prices. If I could give zero stars I would. They should have taken the insurance money and ran. Too many place around to get much better food. We all deserve better!
(1)