St. Clair Shores Patch and readers choose a place to dine each week. What's on the menu this week?
Overview: Gilbert's is the kind of place where anyone could go and have a good time and eat well. There's nothing mind blowing at Gilbert's, but everything is consistently tasty and the atmosphere is laid-back.
Appetizers: For those who cannot decide on one, the combo platter with fried mushrooms, hot pepper cheese balls, onion rings, mozzarella maxstix, cauliflower and moose wings is a fine option. Hot pepper cheese balls are an exciting twist on classic fried cheese.
Soups and Salad: Soups change from day to day, but chili is always on the menu. Be sure to try the chili when visiting—it is deep, smoky, and subtly spicy. Caesar, taco, and honey pecan chicken salads are available. Gilbert's chicken salad is somewhere between a cobb and chef salad. Pair it with the house-made avocado ranch to replace the avocado flavor missing from a classic cobb.
Burgers and Sandwiches: Of all the menu sections, choices are most abundant here. Eight different burgers including a lean yet juicy buffalo burger are available. Sandwiches range from traditional to unique, the Lodger is smoked turkey breast with roasted red peppers and pepper jack cheese, with lettuce and tomato on soft pretzel bread. The pretzel bread is a salty, chewy change of pace.
Don't miss out on the quesadillas, either—big, full of cheese and fillings, and served with pico and guacamole. Enough to share as an appetizer or ideal for an entree.
Entrees: Rustic and hearty is the rule. Can't go wrong with the comforting shepherd's pie with ground beef, mashed potatoes, and veggies. For fussy eaters, the chicken tenders plate with fries is enough for at least two normal appetites.
Pizza: It's rare that a place with so many menu items could do everything including pizza well. Gilbert's pizza, especially their square deep dish, is definitely worth trying. Pizza specials run throughout the week, so ask your server if any are going on when you visit.
Gilbert's Lodge
Address: 22335 Harper Ave.
Hours: Open 11 a.m. - 2 a.m. Mon - Sat, noon until midnight on Sunday
Kitchen closes at 1 a.m.
Cost: $
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