Gjusta Gjusta Gjusta
2 Likes
Glad you liked the hummus as I did. Truly amazing stuff.
I need to try that Paris Brest and lamb merguez. Sound right up my alley.
3 Likes
Iām not going to make any friends here, I know that. Iāve been sitting on this statement for about 2 years because I know how unpopular its going to make meā¦ butā¦
I donāt like Gjusta.
Not at all.
Not even a little bit.
Iāve been more than six times. Iāve had the veggie sandwich, the falafel, the smoked fish, the tuna, the waffle, the breakfast pizza, the carrot cake, the huevos rancheros, and at least twelve salads, toasts, drinks, and desserts (I donāt eat meat, but do eat fishā¦ yes, I know). I liked bits and pieces, but mostly I was frustrated and disappointed. I understand this makes me a philistine.
I feel like they lean to heavily on bitter elements like tahini, and cured/pickled elements. I always leave feeling like Iāve eaten too much salt and spent too much money.
Iām not going to say I hate it, but I will say that if I was forced to go with friends Iād probably order a few salads from the case and call it a day. I simply havenāt liked any of the menu items to order them again, and a few (the veggie sandwich and the falafel, to choose two standouts) were actually pretty unpleasant.
I feel like Iāve revealed a deep dark secret about myself. Iāll slink off and hide now.
12 Likes
Donāt feel bad at all.
At times, this board may feel like the Gjelina/Gjusta/Raku/Langerās/etc. boosters club.
ā¦ But itās not. And your voice weighs equally along with everyone elseās.
Iāve never even been to Gjusta.
7 Likes
Gjusta rates 3 1/2 * on yelp. This obviously indicates that on a relatively large rating base, many feel the same way as you about the place. No one is expecting you to follow in line with what many like here - a counterpoint is respected.
Now I think if you had said something to the effect of, ā_______ sucks,ā and worse - not qualifying it, your comments would have little if no respect.
7 Likes
Hi @Moomin,
No, no, thereās no need to āslink offā! Thatās what makes FTC (and our old board) so much fun. Everyone has a unique palate and their own opinion. Thatās why this is a discussion board and not just aā¦ static āpollā or āpetitionā type situation where everyone has the same opinion. 
Definitely respect your feelings on Gjusta. I have friends who despise Providence (they seriously hate it). I happen to enjoy Providence, but we still talk and go visit other restaurants together.
Just notice the threads on Pizza, and how people love or hate different places, swearing by some and hating others. In the end itās all good.
Thanks for posting!
3 Likes
@Moominās a witch! Burn him!
Seriously, though, your comment does make me wonder how much I would love Gjusta if I werenāt a meat eater. I mean, I do love the veggies and salads more than you seem to. But the items that keep me coming back are the porchetta melt, chicken parm, Italian sub, prime rib, and brisket.
2 Likes
Same here. I just live vicariously through this thread.
2 Likes
Yeah, I know. And I do appreciate the support from everyone.
The thing is, I live nearby, and every time I see the gushy Gjusta posts, I feel likeā¦ Okay, Iāll walk on over and try it again. Then I go, and I feel like most of what I order walks the line between adequate (but hugely overpriced), and kinda gross.
I like some of what Iāve had at Gjelina, but again, mostly salads/veggie itemsā¦ but there too Iāve felt like I could probably do just as well for half the price.
Mind you, there are other sacred cow places that leave me cold (like Guerrilla Tacos, which has the most exciting looking menus in town, but tends to skew toward bitter/bland/soft flavors and textures in my 5-6 experiences), so it might just be me.
1 Like
Ooh I need to try that merguez sandwich. Iāve had the sausage as a plate at Gjelina and it was delicious.
1 Like
Anyone know if it is the merguez baguette from when they first opened? that was one of my favorite sandwiches!
Hi @Moomin,
Gjusta, fine, but hatinā on Guerilla Tacos?! Thatās it! Youāve crossed the line. 
(j/k!)
Seriously, itās fine. Not everyone has to like every restaurant. I still donāt know why Jonathan Gold loves Eagle Rockās Casa Bianca Pizza so much, but thereās something there he enjoys and others donāt. Everyone has different tastes. Post on.
Hi @aaqjr,
Ooh! They had a Merguez Baguette when they first opened? Good to know. I tried asking about that, and the manager said they canāt 100% confirm (it was before their time), but thinks it might be, because they have a history of rotating in / out a few sandwiches over time.
Either way, we really loved their Merguez Baguette thatās on the menu right now. 
Iām surprised that just about anything that has a veggie or fruit doesnāt sing to you here. I might be biased but when I see the multiple trucks delivering fresh produce throughout the earlier part of the day, I start imagining Chef Lett pondering all the potential combinations he can consider with what ever the local farms have brought in.
The produce in Gjustaās/Gjelinaās various dishes have a vibrancy that I really donāt associate with other places - at least not consistently - and Chef Lett is pretty much a wizard at working produce in ways that Iād personally never consider. Not all dishes are hits to me, but I often murmur to myself, āgeniusā¦ā. Maybe his stuff just isnāt your cup of tea? I find it hard to criticize the quality or preparation - on the other hand, tastes will differ.
1 Like
youāre safe here, Moomin. I agree about the heavy reliance on bitter / pickled elements. I just happened to really like those flavors, and find them a nice change from the fatty, meaty, cheesy and/or salty elements that so many of the restaurants in the hood use in a lot of their dishes, including vegetables. Actually, I agree that Gjusta can also be too heavy on the salt sometimes, but thatās my feeling about pretty much all restaurant food. And everything does feel about 20% too expensive, although I get that theyāre using high quality ingredients and a lot of the dishes are deceptively labor intensive (I learned that from the Gjelina cookbook). But thatās why even though Gjusta is super convenient for me, itās an occasional treat rather than a regular lunch spot.
4 Likes
Hi @bulavinaka,
Yah, my friends and I feel the same as what you describe. I try eating vegan when I can; I like M Cafe de Chaya, Cafe Gratitude, etc., and while some dishes at Gjusta might be saltier than others, Iām pretty sensitive to salt, and I donāt find Gjusta ātoo saltyā at all.
There are multiple (rotating, always updating) Market Salads (that rotate out every few days) that weāve found delicious, and compared to the Salads at, say, Whole Foods, Tender Greens, etc., theyāre not even close.
Gjustaās Veggie Sandwich is actually quite light, and Iāve enjoyed it far more than, say, Mendocino Farmsā various Vegan and Vegetarian Sandwiches. From the quality of the Housemade Breads (various kinds), to the balance of flavors in the Veggie Sandwich, itās never been too salty or bitter, but thatās why everyone has their own unique palate.
1 Like
How I feel about LA / Intl. favorite Din Tai Fung, save the live nearby part.
Your dedication to continue eating at a place you dislike just to see if you might change your mind one day is admirable.
Not that you have to answer, but Iām kind of curious where you DO like eating?
Had a great lunch todayābasic turkey sandwich and a chocolate chip espresso cookie. I couldnāt believe how insanely crowded it was. Pro tip for FTCersāyou can order online to pick up at Chownow. It tells you when it will be ready. Walked right in, got my sandwich, and walked outside to eat.
You canāt get all of the salads doing this, but in my experience, if youāre already up at the register paying, theyāll let you add on.
3 Likes