Gusto opened 5 months ago replacing Vietnam House. Infrastructure same. New decor, seating arrangements. Ordered on kiosk since I didn't know ordering at counter was an option. Faded pic on kiosk meant item was temporarily out. 3rd choice was a charm. Flatscreen showed Norway vs. Brazil soceer game. Food came in 18 minutes. Instrumentals in background. Offerings (Mediterranean, African ...): sandwiches, Conscious/Kebab/Shawarma plates.. Sips (comped): Lipton yellow label black tea -easy sipping smooth tea. Bites: Joojeh Sultani Plate (26.99) -salad of mixed green, onions, red cabbage fresh tasting. Sumac dressing added a lemony tang. -saffron rice fluffy, tasty, not plentiful -flatbread fresh, ate with kebabs. -Joojeh chicken very tender. Melt in mouth quality. Persian skewer of marinated chicken in yogurt, onions, bloomed saffron & lemon juice. -koobideh-seasoned, minced ground beef tasty ok. Not as spectacular as Chicken. -large piece of grilled green pepper that looked like a jalepeno. Not spicy 4.5 stars Worthy! Great service. Quantity: reasonable Quality: unique food prep. Food made to order. Would repeat for cow tongue, Marquez. read more

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4- stars $17.08 Beef Shwarma Bowl +xtra cucumber: well seasoned beef, with only a subtle hint of gaminess. A little chewy but well prepared. Good size, good value. read more

Gusto - Beef Shawarma Bowl - Mediterranean Near Me - Berkeley, California

I arrived there, and the business wasn't even supposed to be open because of the FIFA game. The gentleman there was super nice and said we could come in while he opened. It was gonna take 20 minutes. The food was worth the way. It was fresh. I had lamb, which was very moist and tender. Along with some couscous, I had raisins on top. It was very tasty. And I had the carrots and green beans also added to my bowl. It's kind of like chipotle where you can pick items from the hot plate table and then they build a bowl for you. It's a Mom pop shop, but it's super cute. read more

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I got the lamb couscous and the serving was massive yet delicious and tender. It felt hearty and rustic, like I was eating a home cooked meal. And like a great host, I have leftovers for days. It barely fit in the to-go container! Even better, when I asked for a side of sauce so it won't be too dry later, I thought they'd just ladle some over the top; instead they gave 2 giant ladlefuls in a separate container. And before all that, they gave me a complimentary can of lemonade. This was my first visit and I'm thoroughly pleased. read more

Gusto - Mediterranean Near Me - Berkeley, California

Went to eat at gusto's soft opening and I'm glad we did. The food was delicious. We ordered the Joojeh Sultani plate that included a skew of ground beef and a skew of chicken,grilled tomato rice saffron, and a salad. we really enjoyed it. It was delicious. The service was great and the music they played was good to listen to while we dinned in. They did have lots of orders to go, which means the other food is great. I will definitely be back to try again different things on the menu. Place was well decorated and clean. read more

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Mediterranean and Middle Eastern eateries have been recently popping up so quickly that the nuances in the cuisines of the countries they represent sometimes gets lost. Everyone expects kebab, hummus and pita. This place felt a bit different because it's uniquely Algerian, not a familiar cuisine to me. I just remember when this space was Turkish Kitchen whose most memorable feature was a rice serving shaped into a pyramid. It was raining buckets when I arrived here. I had already made my order on Uber Eats which prompted me with a complimentary can of Algerian soda. I took a pass since I wasn't familiar with the sugar content or the flavors offered. There were two young guys behind the counter. One was dealing with a trio of disorganized bros who kept changing their minds on what to order. The other server let me know it would be a few minutes before my order was ready. Perhaps noticing my soaked condition, he offered me a complimentary cup of hot mint tea which I truly appreciated. I ordered the $14.99 Chicken Sharma Bowl, an ample bowl of grilled chicken mixed with lettuce diced tomato and onion, and yellow basmati rice, all of it drizzled liberally with tahini sauce (Photo 8). It was a different sort of savory from other schwarma bowls I've had. Quite flavorful with a bit of a welcome crunch in the texture. Complementing the bowl was the $8.99 Homemade Lentil Soup, a rich puréed blend of onion, carrot, celery, potato, and coriander that was the ideal antidote for the rainy day doldrums (Photo 9). I'd definitely come back to try other Algerian specialties like the Merguez Sandwich or the Couscous au Poulet. I believe the combination of unique dishes, exemplary service, and a prime Gourmet Ghetto location bodes well for this low-key eatery. FOOD - 5 stars...unique Algerian dishes provide a savory twist to familiar Mediterranean fare AMBIANCE - 4 stars...spacious...I took my food away SERVICE - 4.5 stars...nice, attentive guys TOTAL - 5 stars...definitely a cuisine worth exploring RELATED - Exploring Berkeley? Here's my collection of places l've patronized and reviewed: https://yelp.to/lngSnPuHEF read more

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I've enjoyed eating here a couple of times, since food is plentiful and very delicious and the staff extremely warm, but I am hesitant to return because there was food on the floor from a previous customer and flies were hovering. read more

Great taste and portion! Not for the ambiance (it is a college town). Open seating. You order food at the counter and they bring your food to your table. The table we picked was wobbly and chairs needed to be cleaned but, hey, that doesn't discourage us to give this place 5 stars. Water, to-go containers on the side table which are free to grab. We had Couscous Au Poulet Plate and Chicken Shawarma Wrap. Both delicious. read more

So delicious! I ordered the dolma, baba ghanoush and chicken skewer and it was so delicious and packed with flavor. The customer service was incredible - the manager went out of his way to make sure we had everything we needed. Will definitely go back! read more

Such amazing food! They gave us this drink for free and it was so so delicious. The service was quick and kind and they were playing the World Cup game. read more

Gusto - Drink - Mediterranean Near Me - Berkeley, California

I am so glad there is now a place to eat "proper" couscous in Berkeley!! I need to preface this review by saying that both my parents were born in Algeria, I grew up eating my dad's couscous, and he is an excellent cook. So I believe I have a pretty high bar when it comes to this cuisine... Gusto did not disappoint!! We tried their Tajine and two types of couscous (poulet and mixte), the flavors were rich, and the "graine" (i.e. the actual couscous under the stew) was perfect. Oh and the owner went above and beyond to make us feel comfortable and valued. Mille mercis pour le Makroudh - it was perfect, just like my mom liked it. :) This is a gem of a place and we will definitely be back! If you've never tried Algerian food, hurry to Gusto - it's the real deal. read more

The food here is so incredible that I am obsessed! I love the uniquely Algerian seasoning on the tender meats that have just the right amount of char! The vegetables are fresh and the sauces compliment the dishes perfectly. The Mediterranean flair takes each dish to the next level. Each dish is mouthwateringly good and completely affordable! The service here is great, probably the friendliest service in town. The owner is a very kind man with a passion for his restaurant. He's been known to add some nice additions to customers' orders on the house and seems to genuinely enjoy making his customers' days with his delicious food and beverages. The environment is very stripped down and casual. Despite having some nice tiles on the wall and other decorations, the eating area is very simple, allowing the food to shine in its own. I'm so glad this place opened. I can't wait to come back. Definitely 5/5 stars! read more

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SO GAS!!!! apple soda drink was delicious as well. chicken shawarma was perfectly seasoned + the dips for the fries were DELICIOUS read more

Gusto - chicken shawarma - Mediterranean Near Me - Berkeley, California

The margherita pinsa has a wonderfully light crust that perfectly balances the fresh tomato sauce. It is an amazing spot for a casual lunch when you are craving great Italian food. read more

I visited this restaurant on July 4th and ordered the beef kebab and merguez. The food was absolutely delicious! Both dishes were perfectly cooked, full of flavor, and among the best I've had. I highly recommend this place if you're looking for authentic, flavorful food. I'll definitely be back! read more

Gusto - Kabab - Mediterranean Near Me - Berkeley, California

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Stopped by for a quick dinner: - Merguez burger - such a great idea, very flavorful. I wish they had an option for a double patty burger though. - chicken shawarma wrap - this was cooked perfectly and the wrapper was very crispy. Came with a garlic dipping sauce. They also have Algerian sodas and we tried the limonade which was very tasty. There are 3 squeeze bottles: - white = cheese sauce, just OK - red = hot sauce, great flavor, not too spicy - yellow = Algerian sauce, tastes like thousand island I really enjoyed mixing the red and yellow bottles! Staff are very friendly and happy to explain everything. read more

The reviews I read on Yelp were largely positive, and I love to check out different types of Mediterranean restaurants. This did not disappoint at all. I understand the place is a little new, but I sure hope this turns into a regular neighborhood joint! read more

I walked past this place and saw a picture outside of algerian tacos. I spent 3 months in France last year and ate french/algerian tacos literally multiple times a week and I was so excited to see a place here in the US making them as they seem to be really hard to find. While the food was still delicious, I would say it was not at all what I was expecting. It definitely felt and tasted more like a fusion burrito than a french taco. One thing that did disappoint me a bit is that it was $15 and did not come with fries in it or on the side. The flavor was still really good and they had a lot of other cool items on the menu, just wish the tacos were prepared in a bit more of the traditional way that you'd find them abroad (i would definitely be a weekly customer if that were the case). Employees were nice and the food came out quickly so that was nice too. read more

The staff and atmosphere is pleasant and friendly. I had the Joojeh Kebob with chicken thigh, grilled tomato, rice, saffron, and salad. I'm picky about my food being not being seasoned enough in that I carry my own seasoning with me. The chicken melted in my mouth and it was delicious. The rice was cooked to perfection and the pita bread and the salad were fresh! I had no need to use my own seasonings. I will definitely return again! read more

Gusto - Joojeh Kabob - Mediterranean Near Me - Berkeley, California

The food was very good, and the customer service was amazing. If you want to try Mediterranean food that's the place to go to. I had Tajin ( olives) and it was amazing. read more

Gusto - The best tajin ever. The customer service was amazing and the food quality is very good. - Mediterranean Near Me - Berkeley, California

Let's start with the customer service the most PERFECT customer service I've seen in my entire life. And the food? The food is absolutely amazing, and delicious. Don't know where to go? Trust me this will always be the place. read more

10/10 food was amazing highly recommend service was amazing food was ready very quick read more

Gusto - Mediterranean Near Me - Berkeley, California

I just ate here for the first time and this place blew me out of the water! It's casual but the food is fresh and smells amazing. It came out quickly too considering the fire to order. The owner and staff were so nice and even gave us a dessert sample and complimentary tea! The meat was super moist and there's not plenty of options. Please get the word out and support because it would be a major failing in our community to loose this gem! read more

Gusto - This is the kebab plate with chicken, beef, roasted tomato salad and rice. In the background is Algerian black tea ane soda! - Mediterranean Near Me - Berkeley, California

I came to Gusto with my family and we were treated very kindly by staff. The food here was top tier and I will be coming again. Highly recommend! read more

Stoped at GUSTO and got some Algerian Tacos. It was delicious,testy and fresh. I would like to go back and try the couscous. Great service, spotless and a nice décore . Highly recommended. read more

ordered the lamb merguez because I'd never even heard of it--and honestly, this place had already saved me from a post-show McDonald's run after catching a show next door at Spats, so I figured it was all gravy. Holy crap. This was so good. A unique, bold blend of flavors with a couple of skinny sausages tucked into a thin bun that lets the filling do all the heavy lifting. I expected it to be dense and bready, but nope--light, balanced, and incredibly satisfying. These folks know exactly what they're doing. Bonus points for the guy working the counter, who gave me a little impromptu Algerian culture lesson when I asked about the photos around the shop. Super friendly, welcoming vibe. Great find! read more

Got the lamb couscous, merguez sandwich, chicken kabob plate. Everything was delicious and good portions.

Food was super tasty! To be honest, I came for the merguez sandwich but it was late in the day so they were out. I instead I got the Koobideh Kebob which was really tasty! I definitely recommend! Altho I would prefer lamb over beef, it was still a good substitute. Everyone was super nice and asked specifically how I wanted the meat cooked. Will be back for more. read more

Gusto - Koobideh Kebob - Mediterranean Near Me - Berkeley, California

The best food ever , very friendly people and great food we celebrate together the Morocco wining team . You will feel like you are in Morocco or back home read more

The food was good, but the cook's arrogant attitude really took away from the experience, I hope they improve their attitude because the food has potential read more

The best couscous in town. Definitely will be going back. Great central location Nice service people Small business read more

Kind and helpful workers. Clean environment. I ate the couscous with lamb and chicken and I felt like I was "home." Soul food, international style. read more

I had a wonderful experience at GUSTO in Berkeley. From the moment I walked in, the reception was warm, friendly, and genuinely welcoming. You can immediately feel that this place cares about its guests and the atmosphere they create. The food is absolutely excellent. Every dish is prepared with care, flavor, and authenticity. The couscous, in particular, is outstanding -- perfectly cooked, rich in taste, and truly comforting. It's one of the best I've had. A special thank you to Alex, who made the experience even better with his kindness, professionalism, and attention to detail. He goes above and beyond to make sure guests feel at home. GUSTO is more than just a place to eat; it's a place where you enjoy great food, great service, and a great vibe. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a memorable dining experience in Berkeley. I will definitely be coming back! read more

Outstanding chicken shawarma wrap! Half a sandwich with the included fries was more than enough for lunch. So I had the second half at home for another meal, which made it a really good deal. Nice people, comfortable place. Bonus if you like soccer ("le foot") -- on the big screen was Egypt vs. Cote d'Ivoire... unusual for Americans to see! And I got to speak French (as I like to) with the Algerian gentlemen. I will be back soon to try the couscous! :-) read more

Some of the best service in Berkeley! Had delicious vegetables and an Algerian carbonated drink.

Food was high quality and a good portion, the service was very friendly and quick! I recommend and would come back.

When we came there at 8:30 p.m., the restaurant ran out of everything except for lentil soup, salad, dolmas and babaghanoush and some chicken. No couscous, no hummus! However, we were kindly offered a bigger portion of lentil soup and additional fries, together with two sodas we didn't ask for. At first we were happy as it seemed like the portions were generous so we left a good tip (cash) on the table. Then we were surprised with another tip added to our credit card bill without us authorizing it. We were given two receipts: the original one had a correct amount of $27.53, but the second receipt given suddenly had $5.51 tips added to it. Please note that the screen where we paid with the credit card was turned upside down and we hardly could see it. Was this the trick of adding the tip of $5.51 without us authorizing it? Then, when we saw our credit card bill with the added tip and saw two receipts given to us with different amounts (and realized that on top of it we left the cash tip at the table), the lentil soup started having an unpleasant aftertaste. read more

Delicious kababs, outstanding baba ganoush, wonderful flavors. And truly special and attentive service. Highly recommended!

Came in for the sultani kabob and honestly it did not disappoint -- super juicy, really delicious, no complaints. The owner was welcoming and made the whole experience feel genuine. Amazing food, good energy. Would definitely recommend and I'll be back for sure. 10/10.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ read more

From the perfectly seasoned Merguez sandwich to the attentive service and the warm, inviting atmosphere, every detail of our experience at Gusto restaurant was exceptional.​ read more

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