My wife and I weren't sure where to go for dinner. She's even more indecisive than me, so she made me pick. We wanted to try somewhere new and had never been to gusto grill before, so I suggested it. It was a Saturday night so we thought there might have been a long wait. Although the place did seem a bit busy, we only had to wait about 5 minutes before being seated at a high top table. For apps we picked the korean sticky ribs and the shrimp and avocado spring rolls. The spring rolls were well packed and covered in a good amount of sauce, but not too much. The ribs were pretty good, but I don't think I'd get them again. I tasted them first and mentioned that they had a weird initial taste, and when my wife tried them she had the exact same thought as me -- they tasted like dog. Like wet dog. I know this sounds both ridiculous and disgusting, but it wasn't a deal-breaker. Overall, they were decent but I'd rather try something else instead next time. As positives, they were very tender and decently sized. For our entrees, I picked the bulgogi beef bowl while my wife went with the bourbon steak sandwich. The bulgogi bowl was a good portion size and was tasty. Would've liked more meat, but I wouldn't say they skimped. The steak sandwich, however, was the highlight. The bread was their own focaccia which was great. The sandwich was delicious and the steak was incredibly tender. She was too full to finish it so she saved half and it all reheated well in the air fryer the next day. The ambiance was nice as well. It was noisy and it wasn't exactly intimate, but it was nicer for a casual establishment. Not where I'd go if I were looking for a romantic date night, but for a casual date night with delicious food, I'd recommend for sure. read more

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Amazing food, service and atmosphere. Love it here! Mel is the best bartender and server, along with the other super friendly and expedient staff! :) read more

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Phenomenal meal. From the char-grilled octopus to the cavatappi with short rib, to the coffee after the meal, DAYENU! Dining companion had the beet salad with shrimp which she found "lip-smacking." Not much by way of atmosphere, but great service. We'll be back. read more

I loved every dish. Calamari is def the best and grilled octopus. Great for date night read more

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Every dish I've ever had at Gusto Grill has been lovely - their pasta dishes are great, the burgers are juicy and flavorful, and they have an interesting mix of delicious apps/small plates. On our most recent visit, we sat at the outdoor patio seating area during happy hour - the happy hour sliders were super soft & flavorful, and the dirty Gusto chips were great. We also enjoyed a few ffordable drinks ($8-10 each) from the happy hour menu. I loved the fried goat cheese app from the regular menu - two decent sized pucks of goat cheese, fried with a light/crispy outer crust, served with a honey-fig reduction. For the entrees - the truffle Gouda smash burger had a unique blend of flavors, and the loaded mac & cheese is one of our usual favorites - soft cavatappi pasta spirals, super cheesey, and delicious salt bacon sprinkled throughout. The ambiance is casual and calm, but still more elevated than your run-of-the-mill chain restaurants, and the service was attentive & friendly. read more

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This was a disappointing and embarrassing dinner. We took out-of-town family here for a graduation dinner and it was bad all around. Service: everything took very long. Our waitress was great but she was working the entire side of the restaurant where we were sitting. This was especially pronounced because one of my guests couldn't leave late. Food: subpar. We were here a few times a few years ago and I remember it being much better. The wings were good, especially the sauce. The sticky ribs were too salty and the ribs, while tender, tasted dry and overcooked. The pastas we ordered were overcooked and soft. The beef bulgolgi wasn't great. It was ok. Overall, a disappointment. Price is high for quality of food. Ambience: I remember this place being more lively and full. This time, on a Friday night, at dinner time, it was half empty. Other: trauma alert- read at your own risk. Once read, it cannot be unread!! When my daughter opened her napkin with the utensils, a spider jumped out at her and she was screaming! It took a while to get another set of napkins and utensils but when we finally did, I had to open the napkin for her because she was afraid to open it.... read more

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It's been too long since I've been to Gusto Grill but it ended up being the perfect spot for a reunion with some friends. All of us with very different diets ended up finding something we loved. All of the good: -There was no trouble for 4 of us to get a table around 2:30ish on a Saturday. The space is huge, and it looked like they were even holding a private party upstairs. -A big menu with lots of options. We had everyone from vegan to basically carnivore at the table and the only trouble came when we realized most of their bread options had milk in them. The friend with a vegan diet knew to ask, but this would have been totally missed by me. She ended up getting a noodle dish and we all ate very happy. -My veggie burger was pretty good! As much as I love them, I can be a veggie burger snob. It's one of those things that need to be done right and the Gusto Grill veggie burger was done well in my opinion. Loved that it was a bit different with edamame as one of the bases. A great meal and a great time getting together with old friends. Highly recommend! read more

Chips instead of fries and very expensive. All I have to say. The place is very pricey and for the price the charge I do not think it's worth it. Fake boujee. read more

I really enjoy this local vibe the food is delicious it has a low key setting its warm and cozy bring your favorite friend

Gusto grill is a very nice space. The location is very cute and they have a nice outdoor dining area. The service is ok. Not great, but not bad either. The food was very good. I have been a few times and have liked it every time. The drinks could be better in my opinion. I wish they had better options. Overall, definitely a place I would go again for some appetizers. read more

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I was excited since this place seemed to have pretty good reviews, but I think it was alright, especially considering the price point of the dishes. As a group of 4, we ordered a bunch of small bites/shareable dishes. We ordered the brussel sprouts, goat cheese, wings, fish tacos, and calamari. I would say most of the dishes were pretty standard, but the only dish that really stood out was the calamari, this was a hit all around. The calamari served with mango and other vegetables and sauce was so tender and so flavorful. I would definitely get that again if I came back here. Server was friendly, but service was alright! Though there were only 6-7 tables seated at the restaurant, it did take a little while each time to try to find our waiter. Though the food was good, the price point for the quality/quantity of the dishes is definitely on the pricier side so for that reason, I would maybe come back if I'm in the area. The ambience is nice and the price point is pricier while the food was alright, so for those reasons, I would be open to trying other dishes from here and give it another chance. read more

Gusto Grill - Fried Goat Cheese - Bars Near Me - East Brunswick, New Jersey

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I grew up in the area and I'm actually surprised I have never written a review. Used to always come here back in the day when it was stuff yer face. Then would come here after work for a drink, but I remember them closing early. Now it's usually for dinner and drinks. There's always people inside, it's very easy to make a reservation and the staff is nice. There's a decent variety to the menu and the food has been pretty good. Definitely a good option if you're in the area and looking for a place with good food and drinks. read more

The food was good but a bit too expensive for the quality. The experience was just average. Our waitress was clearly new, which is fine but she made a lot of mistakes including forgetting drinks, spilling drinks on people, not bringing silverware, not super attentive, etc. She was really nice but was in over her head and it didn't look like she had many tables. For a drink I tried the raspberry jalapeño marg and it was very tasty! For dinner I tried the chicken parm and it was pretty average. The brownie Sunday was very tasty for dessert! read more

Gusto Grill - Chicken Parmigiana - Bars Near Me - East Brunswick, New Jersey

This is a fun spot for a girls night to catch up. The first Tuesday of every month is bingo which is fun but if you aren't into that it can definitely be distracting. It also looks like they have partnered with make a wish which gives major bonus points. The flatbreads are very good and the ambiance is cute. Service is also fairly prompt. I do wish portions were a bit bigger because I never leave felling feeling super full. read more

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I stopped in late on a Saturday night, the kitchen was only open for 15 more minutes. I ordered quickly and the staff accommodated my haste. The food was served with a nice presentation on a cutting board style plate. The restaurant was clean, quiet and still had a few tables occupied. Even though the dinner service was over. It was an enjoyable experience, I'll definitely be coming back to sample more of this menu. I'd also like to give a thank you to the bar staff. So well versed in their art. Thank you to Nicole for making a quick stop memorable. read more

Gusto Grill - Sliced steak with caramelized onions and rustic chips. - Bars Near Me - East Brunswick, New Jersey

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Service and food is always fabulous High tops are perfect for up to 4 Drinks, small plate and that beet salad is great read more

Service is very nice and friendly. The drinks are good, albeit the cocktails are a bit sweet. The food is mediocre. We ordered the the small plates of brussel sprouts and octopus. Both were over cooked. I got the veggie burger which was impossible to eat as a burger as the in house made patty just fell apart. The fries were breaded, which isn't my favorite preparation. They didn't rush us out after we were finished eating, on a Friday night, so that was appreciated. read more

Gusto Grill - Cocktails - Bars Near Me - East Brunswick, New Jersey

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Impromptu dinner for 10 people on a Wednesday night and Gusto Grill handled it with ease. A very wide selection of food and drink options kept everyone happy. Food quality was good. Service was also good. I had the fish tacos which were fresh tasting and had a nice spicy kick to them. Good beer selection. One person in our group was having a birthday and the server brought a dessert with a candle in it- without us even asking! Nice touch. read more

Gusto Grill - Fish tacos - Bars Near Me - East Brunswick, New Jersey

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Food always good and desserts as well. Plus they donate the money from diners to children's charities. read more

Gusto Grill - Building - Bars Near Me - East Brunswick, New Jersey

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Hands down. An excellent restaurant. Drinks. Good. Appetys. Servers. Fabulously!!!!! Cozy atmosphere delicious We frequently dine there!! read more

Had been here for Sunday lunch....it wasn't crowded. Liked the place (ambience), the food and the service. We tried the Red Sangria and Beer Flight (coffee stout was the best) Tzatziki dip with pita was good. I liked the Charred Veggie pizza. The chicken avocado sandwich and chicken parm were good as well. The sandwich bread could have been toasted well, it was kinda soft when it arrived at the table(as can be guessed from the pics) and then got soggy. Nothing out of the ordinary, but fresh food thats tasty. Definitely worth a visit. read more

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Very disappointing. We used to love coming here. We used to think the food was good but not anymore. We ordered the Brussel sprouts and they were mushy and not caramelized. We sent them back and they came out worse. We also ordered the wings. 6 wings for $15 and if you want blue cheese or ranch they charge you an extra $1. I remember their wings being so tasty and flavorful but they were bland. $20 for mushy tasteless fried calamari. The sliders also had no meat in them. Very skimpy. And then to boot they no longer offer refills so I was charged another $4 for an ice tea. My daughter ordered one drink and it was in the smallest glass. Our bill was almost $100. You could get a better meal at Chilis for $10.99 and get chips, soup or salad and a delicious chicken sandwich with fries a beverage and you can upgrade for a drink for $4. We will not be going back to Gusto when there are so many great restaurants in the area that don't nickel and dime you and offer specials. Go to Pine Tavern where you will always be guaranteed quality, delicious food. The only positive part of our dinner was the service. He was a young kid and was able to empathize with our disappointment. read more

Drinks are great as always, food is average. Service has dramatically declined over the years. I frequent this place, primarily for the seasonal drinks. Last week, I was with a group of 6; the service was subpar at best. The server did not bother to go over the menu specials. When asked about beers, she apathetically said it's all there when you scan the QR. The worst part was the fact that we were rushed to leave once it hit 9:15. Servers asking if they can take our plates. Dropping off the check at 9:30, not announcing last call. Our party dropped a few hundred dollars for some apps and few drinks, and we were still rushed 45 mins before close, which was 10 pm. Despicable. Plenty of other places to check out in that area, do not waste your money. Go where you're treated well. read more

Met a friend for an early dinner on Friday night at 5. It was not that busy yet so we chose to sit at high top table as it was Happy Hour until 6. We each enjoyed a couple of glasses of Sangria. The happy hour menu was bar fare apps. So we chose to have the Burrata appetizer (delicious) and we each ordered Teriyaki Salmon bowls. They were perfectly portioned and flavorful. They get busy on weekends but, worth the visit. We will return as we are local. read more

Came with my husband and 3 young kids. Food was served over 40 min after placing order and restaurant was basically empty. Waitress came 35 minutes and said one of the items ordered was done incorrectly so I said at least bring out the appetizers. Food was brought out cold, pizza was incorrect. Overall very underwhelming all together. Never generally leave a review but very disappointing experience. read more

Our service was slow, the food was okay, the seats we were in were uncomfortably hot. The big issue was we called in advance to let the restaurant know about a birthday and then we reminded them again during the dinner and did not follow through on anything celebratory. Disappointed. read more

This was a very pleasant, unexpected surprise. My noble chum and I came here last Friday night before a punk concert at nearby Starland Ballroom (judging by some of the interesting hair colors in the dining area, we weren't the only ones). This is honestly one of my least favorite areas of the state, and I wasn't enthused about the nearby dining options on paper. Gusto Grill had a convenient location for us, and a fairly safe though slightly edgy cuisine we could both get behind. I arrived a few minutes before my friend and was able to grab a high-top table in the bar area very easily while I waited. Everyone I interacted with from the minute I got in the door was super courteous, professional and accessible - exactly what you want, and one of those intangibles you don't always get, unfortunately. I decided to get the Ghostly Encounter cocktail ($12), partly because of the name, partly because it had a unique/intriguing blend that included rose, vodka and the star of the show, house-made ghost pepper syrup. Did not disappoint - it definitely has a kick to it at the end, but I didn't find it over the top. Their bartender has a legit mixology skillset, which to me is 90% about walking the tightrope of different ingredients, and with ghost pepper syrup? You better know what you're doing so the patrons don't have smoke coming out of their ears. Fine work. We split the sesame ginger calamari ($18), and I opted for the sashimi tuna app ($22) as my entree. Both were very good. Calamari to me comes down to texture more than anything, and this dish had the perfect crispness to it - the fact that it was seasoned perfectly with a nice Asian zest was a bonus. We polished it off pretty quickly. The tuna was also excellent. I definitely wasn't as hungry as I could have been, so if you're walking in here with a legit appetite this is not something I'd get for your main meal. But it was the perfect portion for me. The tuna was fresh, and it's very similar to a sesame ahi tuna entree you'd get at a steakhouse (which I do get fairly often when I'm not feeling QUITE as carnivorous/assertive of my place at the top of the food chain). I already touched upon it briefly, but the service was absolutely top-notch. Our waiter came by often to check up on us, and I can't recall a single time when we were looking around or waiting for him to bring us a dish, the check, etc. We also were not the only people in the bar area (this was a Friday night around 6:30, so there was a decent crowd), and he still managed to show up pretty much the instant we wanted him. I don't know who's in charge of hiring for this place, but they know what they're doing. Strong, strong recommend. My chum, who is not given to effusive praise, remarked throughout the meal how impressed she was and that she wished they had a location further up north where we live. Gusto Grill is the rare breed that sets itself apart with a lot of unique flavors/offerings, but also with high quality service and hospitality. If you happen to find yourself in the area for a concert by a punk/alternative band that passed its prime 20 years ago, this is a great place to stop by beforehand. read more

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Kitchen is slow front desk appear nonchalant and uncaring. I had to the eep asking about my food that seems the only way I got one of the 3 young ladies at the front to check. I didn't taste the food because I cancelled my order and left in frustration. Over 35 minutes wait. And I arrived 25 minutes after the order was put in. Lastly, they appear to have a very big staff, so I was surprised to see no black employees and only 2 or 3 that appeared Hispanic. If this is so thats not a good look, read more

4.5. nicely appointed restaurant/bar on Route 18 in North Jersey. Good service and tasty food at our visit. Recommend the sangria drink and Brussel sprouts. Both A+. Fish tacos were cooked nicely, with tasty slaw, but a bit too much toppings/sauce on top made them fall apart/messy to eat. Spring rolls tasted fresh and light. Wait staff were very attentive. Would definitely visit again if In the area. read more

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3.5 stars which equals ok in my book. I haven't been here since the new ownership took over around 4 months ago. Unfortunately, it wasn't as good so I have to change my review. Today we had the fried goat cheese and the shrimp spring rolls as appetizers. The fried goat cheese is delicious, but not as good as before. The shrimp spring rolls were really tasty! For dinner we had the salmon and the swordfish special. The salmon dish was bland. The swordfish itself was decent, but the lentils and spinach it was served over was not tasty at all. It was a bunch of mush! For dessert I had the chocolate chip sundae topped with pumpkin gelato. That was delicious! The food overall was decent, but not great. I'll give it another shot. read more

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A consistent hit at Gusto Grill! The vibe and service at the restaurant is always top notch. The wings can't be beat. Some of the best in the area. read more

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Nice place not too pricey. Servants were polite and professional. Would recommend the restaurant

One of my girlfriends and I got together to get brunch. When I arrived I parked in their private lot. I walked in and found my friend. We sat at the high tops and Brandon was our server. He was really good and attentive. For my drink I got the espresso martini and it was very tasty. For my meal I got the fish tacos. The tacos were good but super messy. My friend got a salad and she liked it. It was truly a good experience. read more

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It's always a nice chill time when we come here. The octopus is our favorite octopus out of any place we go in Nj. It's always consistent we love it. We got the Asian wings yesterday for the first time and it was delicious. We then got the rib eye steak special, it was very well cooked but it could of used alittle more salt. The butternut squash salad was delicous and perfect and fresh. We then shared a cookie sunday which is FIRRREEE every single time. If you want warm chocolate cookie and ice cream and want a night to splurge this is a must try. read more

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Family and I decided to dine here for the holidays. Staffs were friendly and efficient with their guests. Out of us 4, I was the only one in the mood for an alcoholic beverage... so I got the Moscow Mule. I gotta say, this cocktail hits different than any other Moscow mule I've had. It tasted very refreshing and the spice of the ginger beer was fire! For the appetizers, we shared the asian styled wings and the octopus. The wings were crispy and flavorful, and the octopus was nice and chewy. As for the main courses: my brother got the classic burger, parents shared the figs flatbread, and I got the buttermilk crispy chicken sandwich. The chicken sandwich was very crispy and tender along with the crunchiness of spicy mustard slaw. The chips that came with the sandwich tasted really good: crispy with the perfect amount of salt. Overall, we enjoyed it here and look forward to coming back! read more

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Milestone review number 300! We had 430 reservations on a Sunday afternoon for a party of 3. We were greeted and seated promptly. We started with drinks. Mild complaint was their beer menu was the scam on your phone type. Not a big deal but print them! My old fashion was delicious as was the craft beer and wine ordered. We shared a grilled octopus dish served over greens and garbanzo beans. The octopus was grilled perfectly and delicious. 2 of us ordered the braised short ribs that were served over polenta and the other ordered Tuscan shrimp. Both dishes were delicious. Service was spot on. We'll be back! read more

Great food, great service, great staff , super clean dining area. I've been trying to visit this place for a while now. The food was incredible, and even my wife raved about how much she loved this place. I highly encourage you to save this place to your collections. read more

Gusto Grill - Vodka chicken parm, yum. - Bars Near Me - East Brunswick, New Jersey

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My friend invited my husband and I to join her and her husband here for Friday night dinner. My friend had been here a couple times before, but the rest of us had not. She knew from experience that it would be a good idea to make a reservation a few days before, and she was pleased that the restaurant called the morning of to confirm her reservation. The parking lot was big enough that we found spots right away. The restaurant was quite full but we were seated as soon as we arrived. The hostess asked if we wanted a table or a booth, and we picked a booth. It was comfortable, and we appreciated the privacy. We all remarked that the acoustics of the room were great, and we could hear each other without shouting, and yet did not overhear the conversations going on at the neighboring tables. Our server was courteous and efficient, but not engaging or enthusiastic. She did not say anything at all other than the bare minimum of asking us what we wanted to order. We had asked for two separate checks, and she confirmed that she would do this, but when she brought the bill it was all on one check so we had to do the calculations ourselves. Between the four of us, we tried several appetizers, main dishes, and a dessert. All of the food was decent, but for the price, I was really hoping for more flair. Nothing had flavors that sparkled or made an impact. The edamame hummus appetizer ($10) had a nice smooth texture, but was bland. The person in our group who ordered the soba noodles (please see photo) said that was also not as flavorful as he had expected it would be. It was nice to see Icarus Fruited & Flying Cranberry beer offered on the drinks menu, and we ordered two. The price of $7 for a 12 oz draft was on the high side. My husband and I agreed that we are not sure if we would eat here again. We had a nice dinner, but in this area, for the same price, there are restaurants that offer much more exciting flavors and presentation. read more

I'm giving this place 4 solid stars.. a big part of that is the food and service that Chris, our wonderful server, gave us on a recent visit to celebrate my birthday. I came across the revamped Gusto Grill through a Yelp event that was filled with extremely tasty food. During that event, I said that I wanted to return for my birthday.. Food is rock solid. We ordered my absolute fave.. calamari which comes in a thai sweet sauce that you want to drink.. fried goat cheese, short rib sliders, all very tasty. My LO mac and cheese was good as well. They make a wonderful Manhattan.. and I love that it is served in a martini glass. Chris surprised me with a birthday ice cream cone on a plate which was so cool. That was a hit with my 7 year old! I was sad that they didn't add the AMAZING panna cotta dessert from the Yelp Elite event.. I was looking forward to ordering that!! Thanks again to Chris for a wonderful experience, filled with great service! read more

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Always my wife and I go to spot! We NEVER had a bad meal there! The Berger and fries are delicious and the Gusto salad. Staff is always on point!! Enjoy read more