Perfect for: Foodies, families, social butterflies
Past & Present
Visit Gilbert’s Heritage District today and you’ll set foot in what was the original town site. In 1902, the Arizona Eastern Railway asked for “right of way” donations to build a rail line between Phoenix and Florence. William Gilbert offered up his property, and the railroad siding – and the town that popped up around it – became Gilbert. Thanks to the construction of the Roosevelt Dam and the Eastern and Consolidated Canals in the early 1900s, Gilbert’s ag business boomed. In 2013, the “hay shipping capital of the world” designated its downtown area as the Entertainment District, a move that inspired the seemingly overnight boom of restaurants and nightlife.
One Day in Gilbert
First: Coffee at Bergies Coffee Roast House. Your gastronomy tour of Gilbert begins with a latte on the patio of this coffee shop. bergiescoffee.com
Next: Peruse the Gilbert Farmers Market. Thread your way through booths piled with veggies, pallets topped with fruit and tables stacked with just-baked breads, all while slyly side-eyeing the Valley’s top chefs, who often shop here. Sa, 8 a.m.-noon Oct.-April, and Sa, 7-11 a.m. May-Sept., gilbertmarket.com
Then: Dinner at Clay Dawgs. You’ll find no shortage of class-act restos in Gilbert (see “3 Places to Eat”), but we like this spot for its hot dog ingenuity. claydawgs.com
Finally: Drinks at The White Rabbit. Sure, you can hit up O.H.S.O. Brewery for small-batch beers or Dierks Bentley’s Whiskey Row for Western dancing, but this little speakeasy (password required for entrance) pours better drinks in a snazzier setting. twr.bar
Fun for Free
Tour Gilbert’s public art, starting with the mural on the south-facing wall of The American Legion (206 N. Gilbert Rd.). The expansive image depicts Gilbert during World War I and was painted by participants of the Gilbert Chamber Foundation’s Leadership program.
Parking Tips
The main drag is thick with pedestrians and cyclists, so your best bet is one of the lots or garages located on the side streets east and west of Gilbert Road.
5 Questions with Joe Johnston
As a longtime Gilbert resident and co-founder of Agritopia, Joe’s Real BBQ, Liberty Market and Topo, Joe Johnston has not only witnessed big changes in Gilbert – he’s been a fundamental part of them.
How do you view your role in helping to shape this community?
I think of myself as a visionary, which sounds pompous, but all it means is that you have ideas and you put together the resources to make something happen. I’ve always enjoyed creating places where community can happen.
What is a childhood memory of downtown Gilbert?
During the summer when we were working on the farm, we’d take breaks at Jim’s Dairy Bar, which is where O.H.S.O. Brewery is now.
What is the heart and soul of Gilbert’s downtown district?
The Water Tower. It’s a touchstone to the past. Plus, people think of it as cool and modern, even though it’s old. It’s an icon of Gilbert.
What is downtown Gilbert’s best-kept secret?
There are a lot, but one of my favorites is the Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch. It’s 110 acres in the middle of the desert. People don’t realize it’s here, but those who do, love it.
What does Gilbert do best?
Gilbert bridges the city-town thing. When you think of “town,” you think civic-minded, knowing your neighbors, a simpler life. We do a good job retaining that, but we’re also a national-class city in terms of businesses and offerings.
3 Places to Eat
Many of the Valley’s beloved eateries, such as Postino, Clever Koi and Pomo Pizzeria, also have outposts in Gilbert. So for an only-in-Gilbert dining experience, opt for one of these:
1. The Farmhouse Restaurant: This converted 1920s-era home has served as a popular lunch and brunch spot for 30 years. farmhouseofgilbert.com
2. Joe’s Real BBQ: The line stretching out the door of this family-friendly restaurant solidifies its status as a worthy barbecue joint. joesrealbbq.com
3. Nico Heirloom Kitchen: Fancy Modern-Italian fare such as fennel-kissed octopus and hand-rolled bucatini. nicoaz.com
Future Gilbert
On the docket is a 500,000-square-foot project by Heritage North that will feature retail and office space, a boutique hotel, residences and an urban park. Recently completed is The Collab, a shiny and glass-walled mixed-use development of restaurants, shops and offices.
2020 Population: 265,000
2050 Population: 318,000 (est.)
source: MAG
Get Your Bearings
Gilbert’s sprawling historical downtown is bisected by the Western Canal, with its central spine running along Gilbert Road.
