Gecko’s Grill & Pub

Nice large pub with heavy lunch trade. Good menu with usual sandwiches, pizza, wings, salads, tacos, etc. Outdoors patio is well shaded and view of pond and nice landscaping. Service dogs allowed outside so be sure to assign some duties to your critter that you bring. We enjoyed mahi tacos and a big taco salad, getting efficient rapid service and full hospitality.

The service was excellent and the food delicious with a huge craft beer selection. would definitely recommend this place.
Thanks for the recommendation Unilocalers!

Full disclosure: I’m from Orlando, and I was visiting a friend here in Sarasota, so I’m not sure how well Gecko’s stacks up against other Sarasota restaurants. But what I can say is that they were quite satisfying for an out of towner looking for some simple food.
Gecko’s has a ton of tvs set up for sports games, but it’s not really a sports restaurant. You can go there and kick back a few beers as you watch a game, but you can also bring a non-​sportsball loving family in there and still have a pleasant experience.
The décor is pretty warm and simple. It kind of feels like a less corporate version of Chili’s. And the inside is spacious, so you never feel like one wrong move of the elbow will jab into another patron’s side during your meal.
My friend and I came here with her two young children, and they are very accomadating with children. The youngest was given a booster seat to sit in, and they were both given crayons and toy geckos to play with. This is good if you’re looking for a family night out.
The menu has a good variety of seafood dishes, traditional American food, and a selection of sandwiches as well as some bigger dishes like bison meat loaf, ribs, and pot roast.
Since I was coming in from out of town, and I was starving, I didn’t want to get too adventurous, so I kept it simple with their house burger and a side of fries. When a burger squirts out burger juice when you bite into it, you know you’ve got a good burger, and that’s exactly what happened at Gecko’s. It was a basic, no-​frills cheeseburger with BLT but it still rocked and beat some of the other burger places I’ve been to. The fries were standard; they could have perhaps used a little more seasoning, but I think I’m a bit spoiled.
Our server was friendly and helpful. Seeing as how we had two young ones in tow, she was quick to provide us with extra napkins and such to accommodate.
I wouldn’t mind going back to Gecko’s next time I’m in Sarasota. And if they decide to expand and open a restaurant in Orlando, I’d be willing to eat there.

this is the best place in town to go when its not crowded… when its crowded still ok but much better on say not a football sunday.

Came here with a friend because we heard about the awesome 2 for 1 drink specials that happen every day. I wasn’t super hungry so I ordered mozzarella sticks. They were average. My friend ordered a burger with Swiss cheese and fries. She said it was good, but she ordered it well-​done and it came somewhere between medium and medium-​well. We both had house margaritas and they were nothing spectacular, but pretty much what we expected.
I’m giving three stars instead of four because of the service we received. Our waiter was fine at first. We said we’d need a few minutes to look and the menu and when he came back we asked a couple questions but he seemed to need prodding in order to give us the information we needed. For example, we clarified the drink special and when I asked if it was the margaritas in the drink menu that we could choose from he simply didn’t answer. Then when I ordered one, he said they didn’t qualify and it was only the house margaritas. We still don’t know if they have different flavor options because he never explained what a «house margarita» entailed…
It also took him a long time to come and check on us. After our food was delivered, he hadn’t been back for awhile and our drinks were empty. My friend went to the bathroom and asked me to order her another one if he came to ask. I can only assume he was waiting for her to come back before checking in because I sat there with an empty plate and glass until she did and only then did he come to our table.

Amazing outdoor restaurant, tucked away in the medical area of Sarasota. We went here for Valentines Day (we are quite the romantics) and were pleasantly surprised at how good the food was. I ordered the chicken salad and my husband ordered chicken/​rice and beans. It was very light, not too much oil and fresh.
Outdoor seating was also very relaxed, music playing in the background, really nice lights hanging from the palm trees (YES my CHICAGO PEEPS, PALM TREES!!!). Dogs are also allowed to chill at your table and the owner brings them out a water dish. Also, located on a quieter treat away from the hub bub of tourism (or maybe just because it was v-​day??) but either way, parking is easy and free.
Large menu including drinks, desserts, snacks, everything!
Definitely recommended if you are looking for a healthier option while on vacation :)

From wanting to try this place for a long time finally won in everything is wonderful including big advertisers will be going back quite frequently

Since moving into the Southside Village area we have visited or had take-​out from Gecko’s about 15 – 20 times. Being as they are one of the few places in Sarastoa where you can sit down and have a beer and some food at 11pm that goes along way. Plenty of TVs and big screens to enjoy any game you are looking for. Gecko’s itself is a big place so waiting for a table inside or outside is a mere 45 seconds.
Easily some of the more consistent food I have had in the area. Most everything on the menu is above average for an semi-​upscale sports bar type resturant. Flatbread pizzas, homemade potatoe chips, pretzel rueben, cuban. All quite good.
The service at times can be hit or miss but I’ll go with 90% of the time its been good/​great. The servers are mostly young and sometimes you just get a dumb one. Not everyone is an Einstein or a decent server so its all part of human experience of eating out.
We are fans of Gecko’s (the Hillview one) you should be too.

I have been a few times to this location and find service and quality of the fold to be excellent. Flatbread selection is my favorite

I’ve been to this location a few times and every visit has been enjoyable. The first time, I remember assuming it was going to be a typical bar but was surprised at how nice the interior was.
We usually set up shop at the bar and just get apps and drinks so I can’t say too much about the food. Although, I don’t remember ever being disappointed with anything we’ve ordered. The bartenders are always good-​natured and smiling. I love that they have a card to keep track of the different beers you’ve tried every visit.
They do have trivia, I think on Tuesday or Wednesday, and that’s always been a ton of fun.

My wife and I have eaten here 20+ times. Hill View location. The food is very good and prices are reasonable. The service is always good. I would highly recommend going here if you are looking for a fun atmosphere and great drinks while watching sports or really just need an honest meal.

I ate here twice and food was good. Nice atmosphere and good beer selection. I liked the hamburger and the pastrami sandwich. Had a really good Sarasota beer, had peanut butter flavoring. Sorry can’t remember it, but it was also good.

THE TUNA NACHOS WERE SO AMAZING! I highly recommend getting those. Great, fresh food and lovely staff. They also have a really good beer selection if you like that sort of thing. I can’t wait to go back and get the nachos again!

Another location of a restaurant that I had little hopes for that absolutely wowed me. I had the bison meatloaf and it was very hearty over the mashed potatoes and vegetables.
Seasoned perfectly with a hint of black pepper and the savory gravy pulled it all together. The meatlo was a tad dry but because of it, it really sponged up the gravy.
Good clean eats. The hill view area is really nice so if you can get a table outside to people watch, do it.
Friendly waiter.

Never have had a bad meal here, but I come back and back for the Tuna Nachos! Chips topped with seaweed salad, then seared tuna and a yummy wasabi sauce… plenty for a nice lunch.
Very pleasant atmosphere and friendly staff.

Drove by looking for a place open on a Sunday night. This place was open. Six of us showed up at 10. Atmosphere is fantastic. Waitress (s) were friendly and super helpful. All six entrees were great. Black bed Tilapia, BBQ shrimp flatbread, shrimp fettuccine, wings — all was great. Thanks again Carly!
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
Originally gave a 4, but after discussing with family, increased to 5.

This is the third time I’ve eaten with family and friends at the Hillview Gecko’s. I’ve ordered French onion soup each time. You would think I’d have learned my lesson by now. The first time I ordered it, it came out perfectly. The cheese was thick and covered the top of the cup and overflowed perfectly around the edges. It was browned and delicious. I sent my complements back to the kitchen.
I’ve ordered it two times since. It has been horrible each time, even after I told the server exactly how it should be done. It’s not rocket science. The second time, they attempted to make it right, but succeeded only in plopping more cheese into the middle of the bowl. It didn’t even come close to going over the edges. Finally, they made it all over again and it came out nicely.
Tonight, I ordered it again, as did my wife and two friends, and again, even after I told them of my previous problem, it came out badly. They attempted to correct it, but again, only made it half-​way good. Additionally, there were very few ONIONS in the soup! It was more like onion broth… all four bowls. I spoke with the manager, but he really didn’t seem too interested and while he did offer to make another bowl, I didn’t have the time.
We all ordered four 1992 salads and while they were tasty, none of them came even close to looking uniform. Now, I realize that fresh food does not always look «uniform» and I don’t expect it to. It shouldn’t. But please, give me a break! Four salads and one had way too much lettuce, another had hardly any cheese, while another lacked much turkey and ham.
I will not return to Gecko’s. It saddens me, because they do have some very good food there and the servers rock. They are gracious and friendly. The KITCHEN is in desperate need of training. Managers of Gecko’s! Take note of this. Teach your cooks how to prepare foods and to take an interest in their work.

I went here for lunch with colleagues that live here.. I ordered the ultimate cobb salad… it was huge and delicious.. I plan on eating lunch here again. quick. in and out in less than an hour

First time at this Geckos. See review of the other Geckos for my feelings about this restaurant group in general. Love It.
This one feels a bit more upscale. Same Menu. maybe a $ 1 more expensive on some items probably to pay the rent but the entire ambiance is that of a nice bistro.
The servers and managers are all friendly and helpful. For an outstanding experience request Lindsay or Chloe. On the whole the Geckos chain does everything right and this location makes for a nice choice when you want the same quality food but want to feel like you are eating a much more expensive and well appointed location.

One of the best restaurants in town! Locally owned and run, with great food and service. There are several food selections to choose from, and the restaurant it’s constantly updating. And there are plenty of alcohol and beer selections, including craft beers courtesy of JJ Taylor and Gold Coast Eagle.
If you’re looking for a place to go whether it’s with the family, for a couple, on a date, or you just want to get together with a group of people to watch a game, then this is the place to go!
And Gecko’s is the official game watching party location for the Sarasota Seminole Club. You can watch every FSU game at either the Clark or Hillview locations on all of their HD TVs! #GoNoles