- Attraction: The Gem Eatery
- Location: 1043 N State Rd 7, Margate, FL 33063
- Industry: Restaurant
- Website: https://gemeatery.com/
Stepping into The Gem Eatery feels like discovering a secret that locals have been keeping to themselves for over a decade. This unassuming mom-and-pop restaurant, tucked away in the Chevy Chase Plaza at the corner of 441 and Margate Boulevard, has been quietly perfecting the art of homestyle cooking since 2013.
What started as husband-and-wife team Tony and Lori’s passion project—combining his extensive cooking and catering background with her talent for baking delicious desserts—has blossomed into one of Margate’s most beloved breakfast and lunch destinations.
Don’t let the modest strip mall exterior fool you. Once you step inside, you’ll find yourself in a clean, welcoming space where the aroma of fresh-baked goods and sizzling breakfast classics fills the air.
You’ll quickly understand why this place consistently earns glowing reviews and why regulars keep coming back week after week for their fix of authentic, made-from-scratch comfort food.
Breakfast & Brunch Highlights
The Famous Giant Cinnamon Roll: You haven’t truly experienced The Gem until you’ve laid eyes on their legendary cinnamon roll.
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Keep Exploring →This massive pastry—literally the size of a dinner plate—arrives warm with deep cinnamon filling, generous cream cheese frosting, and a delightful crunch that adds amazing textural contrast. You’ll find it easily feeds four people, though you might not want to share something this incredible.
Fluffy Omelettes That Wow: The omelettes here are generously sized and loaded with fresh ingredients. The Italian omelette features Italian sausage, potato, onion, mushroom, bell pepper, roasted red pepper, spinach, and mozzarella cheese.
The Farmers omelette brings together potato, onion, mushroom, pepper, spinach, chive cream cheese and your choice of meat. You’ll taste the difference that real eggs and quality ingredients make—these aren’t your typical diner eggs.
German Pancakes Worth the Wait: Their signature German pancake takes about 25 minutes to bake, but you’ll agree it’s absolutely worth every minute of anticipation. This puffy, golden creation arrives dusted with powdered sugar and served with butter and fresh lemon wedge—a true breakfast masterpiece that showcases their commitment to made-to-order excellence.
House-Made English Muffins: You’ll discover that even their English muffins are crafted in-house daily. These aren’t store-bought—they’re fresh, light, and toasted to golden perfection. Try them with your eggs Benedict or simply toasted with butter for a taste of what real English muffins should be.
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Discover MorePerfect Corned Beef Hash: Their corned beef hash features meat roasted in-house, mixed with perfectly seasoned home fries and served with two eggs and your choice of toast. The corned beef gets beautifully crisped during cooking, creating those coveted crispy edges that hash lovers crave.
Creative French Toast Options: Their cinnamon swirl French toast takes house-made cinnamon bread, dips it in French toast custard, and griddles it to perfection. You can upgrade to their specialty version with cream cheese frosting infused with strawberries, blueberries, or banana for an extra indulgent experience.
Lunch Specialties & Signature Items
Build-Your-Own Quesadillas: You’ll love the flexibility here—simply tell them what you want in your quesadilla and they’ll make it to order. Whether you prefer chicken, steak, or keep it vegetarian, you’ll get a perfectly griddled tortilla filled with cheddar cheese, onions, mushrooms, and peppers, plus your chosen additions.
Cuban Sandwich Perfection: Their Cuban sandwich combines ham, pulled pork, Swiss cheese, pickles, mayo, and mustard on Cuban bread, then gets pressed to crispy perfection. You’ll taste why this has become one of their most popular lunch items.
House-Made Chicken Salad: You’ll find their chicken salad stands out from typical versions—it’s made fresh with just the right balance of ingredients and served on their house-made Kaiser rolls with lettuce, tomato, and onion.
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Keep Exploring →Signature Gem Sauce: Don’t miss trying their unique “Gemasian sauce”—a signature creation that adds their special touch to various dishes. You can get it on fish, in wraps, or ask what they recommend pairing it with.
Atmosphere & Décor
Clean and Comfortable: You’ll appreciate the spotless dining environment with immaculate tables that get cleaned quickly even during busy periods. The restaurant maintains Southern hospitality standards with attention to detail that shows in everything from the real butter to the fresh-ground coffee.
Cozy Strip Mall Charm: Despite being located in an unassuming strip center, you’ll find the interior surprisingly welcoming and comfortable. The space feels intimate without being cramped, with music playing softly in the background to enhance the homey atmosphere.
Open Kitchen Vibes: You’ll often catch glimpses of the kitchen in action, and you might even meet the chef who occasionally comes out to chat with guests about special orders or menu questions. This personal touch adds to the authentic mom-and-pop feel.
Newly Redecorated Space: You’ll notice the fresh updates they’ve made to the dining area, creating a more polished look while maintaining that comfortable, neighborhood restaurant atmosphere that makes you want to linger over your coffee.
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Discover MoreOther Considerations
Pricing and Value: You’ll find the pricing falls into the mid-tier range for breakfast and lunch—expect to spend around $10-20 per person.
While some consider it slightly pricier than typical breakfast spots, you’ll quickly realize the value when you see the generous portion sizes and taste the quality of made-from-scratch ingredients. The giant cinnamon roll alone provides enough food for multiple people.
Weekend Waits: You’ll want to plan for potential waits during weekend breakfast rushes, as this popular spot fills up quickly. The wait is typically around 30 minutes during peak times, but you’ll find it’s worth it for the quality of food you receive. Weekday visits tend to be less crowded.
Limited Hours: You’ll need to plan your visit carefully—they’re only open Tuesday through Saturday from 7:00 AM to 2:30 PM, and they’re closed Sundays and Mondays. They stopped serving dinner several years ago to focus on perfecting their breakfast and lunch offerings.
Parking Convenience: You’ll appreciate the ample parking available in the strip plaza, making it easy to access even during busy periods. The location might be a bit hidden, but once you find it, parking is never an issue.
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Keep Exploring →Custom Cake Services: You’ll discover they also create custom cakes for special events and holidays. If you have an upcoming celebration, you can order specialty desserts that showcase Lori’s baking expertise beyond their regular menu items.
The Gem Eatery
📍 1043 N State Rd 7, Margate, FL 33063
