Ford's Garage Ft. Myers — Restaurant in Fort Myers

I'm changing my original review from 5 stars to 2 stars for food and service with 3 stars for the atmosphere. I'm a Naples Florida Chef, I've visited Fords Garage downtown Ft Myers location, probably a dozen times now. It's just not that great. The atmosphere is cool. But, the men's bathroom smells horrible. It smells like an 80s movie truck stop bathroom. I used to think their burgers were delicious, but as more and more time passed, their burgers had lost their luster. I used to love "The Estate Burger!" Now, their onion marmalade is sickly sweet, the burger has zero salt, and the burger patty tasted oxidized on the outside. I ordered my burger medium, it was raw in the center, and pink for 1/4" or so outwards to gray for the remaining couple inches from the center. They stabbed the burger in the middle more than once. My bottom Brioche bun was squished to 1/8" thick & full of grease and water?! Who knows? Tater tots were cold and old. Every ketchup bottle at every table around and including our table was just about empty.. I checked 4 tables bottles while looking for a filled ketchup! Arugula on my burger was nice and fresh! My wife seemed to enjoy her chicken strawberry salad. Our r year old guest enjoyed her junior cheese burger and fries! The "Bacon Truffle Aioli," essentially Mayonnaise, Truffle Oil, and Bacon blended together, was not very delicious. My top bun looked cool. Service staff was okay, although our server told me he's usually behind the bar when I told him all the ketchup within a 15-foot area was empty. I didn't want to hurt the servers with a poor tip, so I tipped $20 on $56, seasons over, and it's about to get tough for servers. But, I felt like I didn't want to tip good, not because of our server, just because everything was just lackluster, really! But I felt bad. But I'm still writing this review. Hopefully, management or the owners will see it and fix the issues I had on my, for now, last visit. Sum it all up: let's recap. Seated quickly, even after a supposed 15-minute wait, turned into an 8-minute wait. Men's bathroom is gross and smells. Burger raw in middle, poked with holes, tasted oxidized, bacon Truffle Mayo is not good, onion marmalade sickly sweet, Arugula was super fresh, bottom bun squished and soaked. The dining room floor was greasy, slippery, like an ice skating rink. There are no signs saying slippery floor! Overall, cleanliness needs attention. I had to clean the toilet seat for my 4 year old nephew could use the potty. It was gross, I almost held him in the air to hover!

This review is not to disparage a local business. Only for constructive criticism, and it will be removed once management or...

Dining at Ford’s Garage in Fort Myers, Florida, was nothing short of legendary and it felt like we passed Henry Ford’s final exam with flying colors. From the moment we stepped inside, the atmosphere was electric with nostalgic charm: vintage Ford memorabilia, gas pump door handles, and old-school garage vibes wrapped around a modern, buzzing kitchen.

But let’s talk about the food because that’s what put this place in the Hall of Fame.

He started with the Ahi Tuna appetizer, and within two bites, he was literally shouting “HENRY!” in joyful disbelief. Perfectly seasoned with just the right balance of sesame and soy, it was melt-in-your-mouth fresh. He said, without hesitation, that it was the best Ahi Tuna he’s ever had, and that’s saying something this man is no stranger to good tuna. The portion was generous, beautifully plated, and full of bold flavor without being overpowering.

Then came the Estate Burger, and let us be clear this isn’t just another “good” burger. This was a hands-down, drop-the-mic, best-in-the-USA kind of burger. A juicy, flame-grilled patty stacked with all the right toppings, hugged by a perfectly toasted brioche bun. Each bite was pure bliss savory, tender, and deeply satisfying. Ford’s doesn’t cut corners, and you can taste it. This burger set the new standard.

To end on a sweet note, we shared the Funnel Fries, which felt like a warm hug from the state fair. Crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, and served with sweet dipping sauces, they were fun, nostalgic, and completely addicting. Dessert was the perfect cap to a meal that exceeded every expectation.

Service was fast, friendly, and full of personality our server/bartender made us feel like regulars even though it was our first time. The energy in the restaurant was upbeat, and despite how busy it was, everything came out fresh and right on time.

Ford’s Garage in Fort Myers isn’t just a theme restaurant it’s a full-on experience. From the roaring flavor of the food to the fun, immersive environment, it’s a place where great meals and great memories are made. Henry Ford might have been known for his cars, but we’re convinced his real masterpiece is this restaurant. We left full, happy, and already planning our next visit.

If there were a grade, we’d say we scored an A+. If there were a race, this meal just crossed the finish line...

I had the Ford's Signature burger which is outstanding - one of the top 3 burgers I have ever had. Presentation was great, too. I also love the location of this restaurant - right in the middle of the fantastic neighborhood of the Fort Myers River District.

The thing that bothered me was the poor level of hospitality I received from my waitress - her name begins with the letter "T". From the moment she engaged with me, she was chilly, and did not make me feel that she was glad I was there. I was by myself, and asked if i could sit outside at one of the tables along First Street (the main street of the River District). The hostess attempted to put me at a table around the side of the building, which was away from the main street. When I asked if I could sit along the main street, she moved me to the one table sitting directly in the sunlight, without umbrella shade. The waitresses here have their name tagged on the front of their uniform, so when my waitress approached me I greeted her by her name, but didn't receive even a smile. I got the feeling she was aggravated I was there. I noticed a few minutes later an older couple was seated in her section, and she approached them much differently - very warmly. The only thing I can figure is that she thought she would be getting a bigger tip from the couple, and treated them accordingly. She disappeared for long stretches of time, and when she did engage, it was alwasy with the same spirit - except when she handed me the bill, at which point she managed a semi-smile. I gave her a tip, as a matter of courtesy, but not the one I would have given her, if she had treated me kindly.

I love the Fort Myers River District. It's too bad that my final visit there left a bad taste in my mouth, not because of the food, but because of the lack of hospitality at this restaurant. I felt undervalued as a customer. I own a tourism business, and we teach our employees that to earn five stars you have to SWEAT:

S - safe W- warm E - engaging A - attractive T - timely

People in the hospitiality business ought to be hospitable. Your customers don't exist to give you money. You exist to serve your customers. If you do this well, you will do well.

“Your income is determined by how many people you serve and how well you serve them.” –...