11:Eleven Cafe

This restaurant was so unique!
They put Mac and cheese in a grilled cheese sandwich and they put cheese with Nutella and peanut butter and somehow it always ends up amazing. We tried the «crazy monkey» sandwich and it was fabulous it was a mix of cheese peanut butter and Nutella and also bacon! We absolutely loved it ! We also got the Alton Brown sandwich and made it better with bacon and tomatoes and it was also amazing. The marinated apples were great and very flavorful. The Gabby loves mac and cheese was very cheesy and most kids (and some adults too) will love it ! All in all this was a fantastic restaurant and I would definitely recommend it if you are looking for something cool, fun and unique!

I have to say, I do love the food here. I recommended it to Alton Brown on Twitter. BUT, today the waitress was overworked or just in a bad mood. I like to get a pulse from a waitress, a smile, something. And I was turned off by her clearing a table, fingers in discarded drinks then using those same unwashed hands to scoop chips. I will probably go back when I’m in the area and try again but I’m not looking forward to it. Chef does a great job though.

11: Eleven Café on San Carlos Boulevard indulges in some pretty serious cheese worship, and it does what it does very well. Basically, you can order unlimited combinations of cheeses and toppings in five incarnations: a grilled cheese on a variety of bread choices; a loaded baked potato; a spinach salad; naan bread; or a fresh baked Belgian waffle. There is an a wide variety of combinations on the menu, or you can build your own masterpiece. The first time I went, I ordered the Buffy, with tons of fresh roasted garlic, sharp white cheddar, Asiago, and mozzarella cheeses on marbled rye. Delicious. Homemade corn chips with fresh black bean salsa as a side. The black bean salsa (with corn and red peppers) was puréed and not spicy at all. It could’ve easily been called a black bean gazpacho in its form, but even as a gazpacho it would’ve needed more acidity, more tang. And for me personally — more spice. Would’ve been great with some roasted habanero peppers. David got The Alton Brown Ate Here — avocado, Asiago, Parmesan mozzarella and Swiss on sundried tomato swirl bread. Good ingredients make a simple concept a really successful restaurant. The restaurant itself is a pleasant little place: One small but cheerful blue room is decorated with works by local artists, and customers’ drawings ripped from the white paper spread across each table. A basket of crayons, salt and pepper and hot sauce on each table. Games stacked in the corner help with what can be a half hour wait for food in busy times. Didn’t try the tomato soup but I wish I had. The balsamic pasta salad (rotini with black beans, corn, red peppers, capers) was tasty but pasta could’ve been more al dente. The service tends toward the friendly and unrushed. It’s a welcome addition to the area.

I had Tom is a Pest and it was delicious! I went for lunch then brought the kids back the next day because it was so good! They loved their sandwiches and the décor. They enjoyed the games that they had there as well. Will definitely go back!

UPDATE: I’m giving 11: Eleven a full 5 start rating. Everything is delicious from the grilled cheese to the soup to the sides, don’t miss it!
If you like a good homemade grilled cheese with a twist, look no further than 11: eleven!
I love the buffalo chicken grilled cheese and their side of apples are awesome.
They have limited seating and usually only one waitress, so you will have a bit of a wait. Just know, it’s worth it!
Tip: make sure to come early, they tend to run out of the best sellers/​sides

We ordered the Alton brown w bacon and the Hawaii on pretzel… both Big! Messy on Pretzel but still yummy
Sides needed a little help (like a side of Mac would be an easy addition)

i am obsessed with this place. almost so much that i dont want to write this review and let anyone else know about it. i love their special sandwiches the best. i wish they had the bat out of hell (meatloaf grilled cheese) all the time as I don’t really love anything as much on their regular menu. The limited editions are much more delicious. Keep track of what’s goin on with them on Facebook.

«No famous people eat here.»
«This one’s Alton Brown’s favorite!»
¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Conflicting idiosyncrasies aside, 11: Eleven slings seriously cheesy chow. It’s a queso panino joint (that’s grilled cheese, ya rubes), and they do what they do well. Pick a bread, pick a cheese or four, pick assorted topping, pick a side, pick another pick…
I’ll admit the Choose Your Own Adventure approach is unnerving. Even the recipe suggestions have additional recommendations or alterations (of course) at a price. So goes the bane of grilled cheese cafes, bread and milk and salt can easily reach $ 12 – 15 should you choose to elevate.
That said, I enjoyed the hell out of my fiery jerk chicken sang-​weech on Hawaiian sweet bread with pineapple. Requested the ghost pepper jack cheese o’ the day, got regular jack, and that’s okay — the product was money. Dug the pasta salad, too.
Cold brewed with coffee cubes for $ 4, and refills are $ 2! Say hi to Alton if he’s there, which he won’t be, because the famous eat elsewhere.

I don’t understand the excitement about this café. The grilled cheese sandwich was not extraordinary and it should have been for the price. My guest had an Alton Brown over a waffle and it was good again but not worth a repeat visit.
I was expecting a meal to remember and came away wishing I had saved my money.

Just discovered this cute lil café on 11÷12÷15; how did it take over a year to find this AMAZING place. It is small but quaint and brightly decorated. I ordered the «Fun-​Guy» & Garlic aka Portobello mushroom w/​garlic and herbs, Havarti cheese and added the balsamic onion jam on sourdough. It was GREAT! I also had the side of apples… cool, sweet with a nice bite of seasoning — great flavor profile. I came in at the end of lunch and still received great service from Theresa and even got a chance to chat with Chef Christa. Although not noted on the menu they do have gluten free bread option, you just have to ask. I can’t wait to go again next week for lunch and take my husband this weekend!

This is my absolute favorite place in fort myers! Every grilled cheese I’ve tried is amazing. The gabbi Mac and cheese (with bacon) is a favorite, as well as the cheese and bacon on pretzel! The apples are crisp and have a good sauce on them, and the pasta salad is also delicious. Sometimes it can be busy but it is very well worth the wait!

Cool little place. Right next to a brewery that doesn’t offer food which is smart. Speciality grill cheese sandwiches. You can customize a couple of them. I got the special which was a thanksgiving grill cheese that was amazing. The food was made to order and the quality was great. The owner (she) was nice and asked us how we liked our food. Will be back for sure. Eat local. Support local.

Coming back to get the, «Spicy Pecan and Apple, with mozzarella, on cinnamon raisin bread! THIS SANDWICH IS PERFECTION! Take my word for it, I’ve been coming here for months and I haven’t had anything else!

This place is exactly as advertised and so much more. It’s not fast food and they do a great job of keeping up with orders, but do have a small kitchen and small dining room area. The menu is fantastic. I could come back 10 times and still find something new to order. Everything looks great and everything we’ve ever had has been wonderful. The corn chips are great, warm and homemade, and the pasta salad with really tasty with the crunchy sunflower seeds. We shared a special with maple cinnamon sausage grilled cheese and the pretzel grilled cheese with bacon — both were delicious and I could have eaten two more. If you don’t like this place, don’t come back and leave more for me and everyone else that appreciates how excellent it really is!

Such friendly service. Loved that the menu was simple and that I could see right where my food was made. I can’t wait to try new combos. I had a grilled cheese on sourdough with mozzarella, Swiss and Gouda also bacon, ham and avocado. It was pretty much heaven in my mouth. I also got the tomato soup and sweet tea.

When we heard about this place, we were so excited to try it, I mean who doesn’t love grilled cheese and tomato soup?! The atmosphere is very family friendly, there are crayons on the table and lots of games to choose from.
The staff was very friendly. Unfortunately they were out of some things, but the sandwiches we got were delish, the tomato soup was a bit to acidy for our liking, but that won’t stop us from going back and giving it another shot.

I was in Ft Myers for a family visit, and three of us decided to try 11: Eleven Café after hearing some rave reviews. Unfortunately, we didn’t seem to receive the same friendly service as the other reviewers.
We walked in to the small, intimate dining area to no greeting. We waited for about 5 minutes at the door until we noticed the instructions painted on the ground to find our own seats. The only open tables still had not been cleaned from the previous diners, but we gave them the benefit of the doubt and had a seat. We waited another 5 – 10 minutes, still with no welcome.
We then noticed a letter printed on the table which described how their recent spot on Food Network has caused a overwhelming demand on their kitchen and staff. I appreciated their words until I got to the last paragraph which was written in a pretty sour tone about impatient customers.
I respect the fact that they are busy, but something as simple as a «Hello!» or «Welcome!» would have gone a long way to make for a better experience.
I hope to get another chance at 11: Eleven to increase my rating.

Great restaurant! From the moment you walk in you are greeted by a super friendly waitress. The tables are covered in butchers paper so you can draw or color on them. On the table their are baskets with cards, crayon, colored pencils and markers perfect for the kiddos. Also there are games such as playing cards and connect. The food is amazing simple but spectacular. I would recommend the apples for a side they were crisp and delicious with amazing sauce. Definitely a local gem that was worth trying.

Great place for «comfort food» (Who doesn’t like a grilled cheese?) The staff is really nice and helpful. My wife and I have been a few times now, They remembered us which is nice. Try the peanut buteer nutella with bacon + feta (Better than it sounds I swear)
Love supporting a place that isn’t a chain.

This is not a chain.
The food is fresh, the place is clean and better yet, the food really tastes good.
Comfort food at it’s finest. This is a great idea. We need more of these non-​franchise places to go to.
If you’re bored with the same old same old chain/​franchise food, please make sure to visit the 11: Eleven Café!