In 1967 Jim and Virginia Johnston built a ranch-style home on their farm in what would eventually become Gilbert, Arizona. They raised three sons there — Joe, Steve, and Paul — on land that had been farmed since 1927, when barren desert was cleared and irrigation made agriculture possible. By the time the Agritopia development converted the family farm into a planned urban farming community, the Johnston family home had been transformed into Joe’s Farm Grill: a retro-futuristic burger stand with a butterfly roof, Jetsonian restrooms, a glass box kitchen, and the original family fireplace still standing in what used to be the living room. It appeared in Season 3, Episode 8 of Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives — “Real Deal Fast Food,” aired May 19, 2008 — and Guy Fieri called the barbecue chicken grilled pizza “a pizza chain killer.” It has since been featured on the show multiple additional times and holds the #1 spot on Yelp for Quick Bites in Gilbert with over 9,000 five-star reviews.
Quick Facts
Restaurant: Joe’s Farm Grill
City: Gilbert, Arizona
Cuisine: American / Burgers / Farm-to-Table
DDD Season: 3
DDD Episode: 8
Episode Title: Real Deal Fast Food
Original Air Date: May 19, 2008
Address: 3000 East Ray Rd., Building 1, Gilbert, AZ 85296
Phone: 480-563-4745
Website: https://www.joesfarmgrill.com/
Status: Open
About Joe’s Farm Grill
Joe’s Farm Grill sits within Agritopia — approximately 12 acres of working urban organic farm in the middle of a residential development. The restaurant harvests fruit, vegetables, and herbs directly from The Farm at Agritopia, which is visible from the outdoor seating. The farm has been producing since 1927 and Gilbert was historically known as the hay capital of the world. The philosophy is direct: common food done uncommonly well, using the best quality ingredients sourced locally when possible. Local all-natural beef for the burgers. Trans-fat-free oils throughout. The annual Free Cheeseburger Day every November has become a Gilbert institution. The dining area encompasses the original home’s layout — the kitchen now occupies where the bedrooms were, and the original fireplace anchors the indoor seating area near what was the family room.
What to Eat at Joe’s Farm Grill
The Ahi Tuna Sandwich with Asian slaw is the dish Guy called “out-of-bounds ahi” during filming — menu items featured on DDD are marked for easy identification. The Barbecue Chicken Grilled Pizza was the other DDD highlight — Guy described it as “a cobb salad on top of a pizza skin” and a “pizza chain killer.” The Gouda Garlic Bacon BBQ Burger with local all-natural beef is the burger most frequently cited by regulars. The Hand-Breaded Onion Rings in rosemary dill panko with ranch dressing are the appetizer most people add to everything. The Freshly Squeezed Strawberry Lemonade and the Handcrafted Milkshakes are the drinks worth planning around.
Joe’s farm-fresh approach deserves a proper kitchen counterpart — Guy Fieri Cookware and Guy Fieri’s Flavortown Ultimate Steak Butter Seasoning bring that farm-grill quality home.
Plan Your Visit
Joe’s Farm Grill is open Monday through Sunday 7:30 AM to 9:00 PM. Counter service — order at the window, find a seat indoors or outside. The outdoor seating overlooks the farm.
Address: 3000 East Ray Rd., Building 1, Gilbert, AZ 85296
Phone: 480-563-4745
Website: https://www.joesfarmgrill.com/
Status: Open
Flavortown Approved
Joe’s farm-to-table burger philosophy is everything Guy Fieri celebrates — stream all appearances on Amazon and bring the farm grill energy home with Guy Fieri’s Flavortown Burger Joint Seasoning.
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Joe’s Farm Grill appeared in Season 3, Episode 8 of Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, “Real Deal Fast Food,” originally aired May 19, 2008. It has since appeared on the show multiple additional times.