16 November 27 - December 3, 2025 miaminewtimes.com | browardpalmbeach.com NEW TIMES | MUSIC | CAFE | CULTURE | NIGHT+DAY | NEWS | LETTERS | CONTENTS | Month XX–Month XX, 2008 miaminewtimes.com MIAMI NEW TIMES | MUSIC | CAFE | FILM | ART | STAGE | NIGHT+DAY | METRO | RIPTIDE | LETTERS | CONTENTS | ▼ FORT LAUDERDALE CERTIFIED LEGENDARY Fort Lauderdale is full of wonderful burger joints whipping out mouth-watering ham- burgers, and now a beloved spot has just got- ten some major national praise. Southern Living, the publication that practically defines Southern food culture, has named a Fort Lau- derdale staple for old school burgers as one of the 20 best burger joints in the South — and it’s the only burger spot in the entire state of Flor- ida to land on the list. Let me repeat that: out of every beloved, decades-old, deeply nostalgic burger joint across the Sunshine State, only one made the cut, and it’s a place New Times has already been championing as one of the best burger spots in the Fort Lauderdale area. The restaurant? It’s none other than Gilbert’s 17th Street Grill, located along Cordova Road. If you’ve been to Gilbert’s, you already know. If you haven’t, you’re about to under- stand why locals are obsessed. According to Burger Beast, the diner-style joint was founded by husband-and-wife duo Bob and Lenore Gil- bert. After Bob ran a catering business for nearly 40 years, the Gilberts moved to South Florida to open a steakhouse in Davie (which they sold in 2004), and later opened Gilbert’s 17th Street Grill in 2008. After Bob retired, the restaurant was passed on to their children, son Richard, and daughter Beth. Burger Beast writes, “Walk in and chances are Lenore greets you — warm, genuine, and halfway to remembering your name. Daugh- ter Beth runs the floor; her husband, chef Corwin, works the grill; and son Richard keeps things moving behind the scenes. It’s a family operation through and through.” Since opening, the spot has been a favorite for old-school, meaty, and restaurant-style burgers (no smashburgers here). Gilbert’s is classic South Florida, characterized by warm service, unpretentious plates, and burgers that are both straightforward and unforgettable. An unassuming gem in the Harbor Shops Plaza, Gilbert’s is what happens when a seasoned res- taurant family decides to do burgers their way. “South Floridians swear by this family- owned restaurant where a commonly shared value is to ‘treat your family like family,’” writes Southern Living. “Although the diner- style spot serves a variety of dishes, including wings, salads, and fish, their burgers are what truly stand out. You’ve probably never had a burger on an English muffin, but a regular bun pales in comparison to the toasted and garlic butter-slathered English muffins that the ‘Havarti Burger’ is sandwiched between.” Gilbert’s 17th Street Grill’s certified Angus beef is fresh, never frozen, and grilled to juicy perfection. New Times Broward-Palm Beach even once wrote, “Ask for a burger — voted among the best in South Florida by readers of the Sun-Sentinel — and what you get is a half- pound, all-Angus beef patty grilled to a healthy char and cooked to your liking inside. There are several varieties, like their Cajun spice-rubbed burger with cheddar cheese or one with crumbled blue cheese stuffed inside the patty. Each is served on a tray lined with faux newspaper and finished off with crisp, greaseless fries.” Add in hearty portions, friendly service, and standout sides like those aforementioned fries, and it’s clear why this local favorite has stood the test of time. For a state not histori- cally known for its burger heritage, being the only Florida representative on such a storied Southern list is no small feat. Gilbert’s 17th Street Grill.1821 Cordova Rd., Fort Lauderdale; 954-768-8990; gilberts17thst- grill.com. NICOLE LOPEZ-ALVAR ▼ PINECREST SUNKEN TREASURE Sushi Rock, the longstanding Japanese and sushi restaurant in Suniland, appears to have quietly closed after more than two decades on South Dixie Highway in Pinecrest. The restaurant at 11293 S. Dixie Hwy. in Pinecrest has been listed as permanently closed across multiple platforms, and its on- line ordering portal now displays the busi- ness as closed, accompanied by a message stating that online ordering is temporarily unavailable. The exact date the dining room stopped serving customers is unclear, al- though the closure appears to have occurred sometime earlier this year. Sushi Rock debuted in the early 2000s, and for residents of Pinecrest and Kendall, it served as a consistent go-to spot for casual su- shi dinners, takeout orders, and group meals before or after errands in the Suniland area. Sushi Rock built its reputation on a large menu that mixed Japanese and Thai influ- ences. Alongside standard nigiri and sashimi, the restaurant offered an extensive list of ma- kimono rolls, ranging from the classic tekka and California rolls to more elaborate spe- cialty sushi rolls that were popular among area teens, young adults, and families alike, such as the “Spicy Tuna Lover,” “Spicy Salmon Lover,” “Hot and Spicy Hamachi,” and, of course, the “Dragon” roll. The “Spicy Tuna Dragon” roll was also a fan favorite. The kitchen served far more than sushi. Regulars ordered Pad Thai, yakisoba noodles, fried rice, chicken katsu, teriyaki salmon, shrimp tempura, and mixed seafood combi- nations. Vegetarian guests had options such as vegetable rolls, tofu dishes, and stir-fried mixed vegetables. Combination plates and large sushi boats made it a popular choice for families and larger groups. The menu fea- tured sushi and sashimi combos, multiroll sets, and shared boats for two to four people. Unlike other sushi chains with visible ownership and expansion stories, Sushi Rock kept a low profile. What diners did know was the restaurant’s reputation for consistency, friendly service, and a broad selection that made it easy to satisfy mixed tastes. Oh, and of course, it featured funky musical decor, in- cluding a hanging electric guitar and a few vi- nyl records scattered along the walls. The restaurant was a go-to spot in the neighborhood for lunches, weeknight din- ners, quick takeout orders, and office gather- ings. Its wide menu and affordable pricing helped it remain a reliable option for more than two decades. There has been no formal public an- nouncement regarding the closure on social media or elsewhere. For now, the familiar Suniland storefront has gone dark, marking the end of one of the area’s longest-running and only sushi options. Sushi Rock. 11293 S. Dixie Hwy., Pinecrest. Now closed. OLEE FOWLER ▼ SOUTH BEACH SLICE OF NYC After a short-lived run at the now-closed Oasis Wynwood, one of New York’s most famous square-sliced pizza joints is opening its highly anticipated Miami location -- for real this time. After months of anticipation (over a year to be exact), New York’s Prince St. Pizza is making its presence in Miami a bit more permanent with the opening of its first brick-and-mortar location. Set to open on Thursday, December 11, at 521 Lincoln Rd. in Miami Beach, the out- post will sling the New York-style slices and Si- cilian pizzas it’s known for on Lincoln Road. “We are thrilled to open the doors of our first Miami brick-and-mortar location this December and to bring back our delicious slices to the South Florida community,” says Lawrence Longo, CEO of Prince St. Pizza, in a statement. “Every bite and every interaction at our Lincoln Road location, similar to our other locations, will deliver pure happiness to our guests, and we look forward to being a part of such a bustling culinary scene.” For the grand opening on Thursday, De- cember 11, at noon, Prince St. Pizza (also known as Prince Street Pizza) will be hand- ing out $25 gift card to the first 25 guests. And guests who join Prince St. Pizza’s loyalty pro- gram will be entered to win a year’s worth of free pizza. Praise Cheesus. The news of the location was announced last year, with a project opening of “fall 2024.” It seems like it took a bit longer than anticipated for Prince St. Pizza’s Miami Beach spot to open. When Prince St. Pizza opens next month, Miamians will be able to devour slices like the famous “Spicy Spring,” topped with fra dia- volo sauce, pepperoni, fresh mozzarella, and pecorino romano; the “Naughty Pie,” a col- laboration with food influencer the Naughty Fork, which consists of spicy vodka sauce, pepperoni, fresh mozzarella, ricotta, and Zab’s Hot Honey; and the “Vegan,” with sweet marinara, vegan cheese, fresh basil, and extra virgin olive oil. House-made sauces will also be available for purchase on-site, including the “Fra Dia- volo Spicy Marinara,” “Spicy Vodka,” and “House Marinara.”The location will also be adorned with a Miami-themed mural of piz- zas and palm trees painted by local artist Bari-Lynn Friedlander, as well as exclusive branded Prince St. Pizza Miami-themed Sigal merch created by local designer Sigal Cohen Wolkowiez. The original Prince St. Pizza opened in Manhattan’s Nolita neighborhood back in 2012, where the name “Prince St.” originates. Almost immediately, it gained a cult-like fol- lowing for its rich, savory, and decadent square pies -- and the rest is history. Now, with its Miami Beach debut this De- cember, Prince St. Pizza is embarking on a new chapter, one that proves just how far a family recipe and a fiercely loyal fan base can take a brand. What began as a tiny New York slice shop with a major local following has grown into a national phenomenon. And for the first time since its pandemic-era pop-up in Wynwood, those iconic “Spicy Spring” squares and “SoHo Sicilians” are making their way to South Florida. Prince St. Pizza. 521 Lincoln Rd., Ste. 2, Miami Beach; 305-397-8005; princestreetpizza.com. Opening Thursday, December 11. JOSE D. DURAN | TASTE TEST | ▼ Café Gilbert’s 17th Street Grill photo Fort Lauderdale burger spot Gilbert’s 17th Street Grill is named one of the most legendary burger joints of the South for its Angus beef. Prince St. Pizza photo The highly anticipated Prince St. Pizza in Miami Beach will open on Thursday, December 11, on Lincoln Road with its famed square slices.
