I had passed Gus's many times before, but never thought to stop in. I guess the giant glowing sign out front just reminded me of checkered table clothes, sawdust on the floor, the kinda place you wear a Garfield t-shirt and a fanny pack to. I was pleasantly surprised though by the clean, warm decor and large colorful paintings and photos decorating the walls. We started with the cornbread as an appetizer: it might be the best cornbread I've had. Served in a small cast iron pan with butter and jalapeno jelly, a very nice beginning. Next my girlfriend ordered a burger with arugula, grilled onions and potato salad. I got the Baby Back Rib and Pulled Pork Combo with Creamed Corn and Red Beans 'n Rice. Ribs and Pork were both very tender, flavorful, and tasty. Read Beans 'n Rice, I could have eaten just a bowlful of those they were that good. Creamed Corn was also very nice,as was my girl's burger. The only dish to fall flat was the Potato Salad, which seemed to need a bit more salt and lacked the complexity the rest of the food had. As we are both Chefs in the L.A. area, we kept commenting about how all the food seemed to have a depth to it's flavors, the built up layers of taste that can only come from cooking with love, patience and confidence. The portions were also very generous and we had to take half of it home! We will certainly be coming back for more, and making sure we have empty stomachs beforehand! \r
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And a quick note to the previous reviewer (wdlarson): THEY HAVE A GIANT GLOWING PIG ON THE SIGN OUTSIDE, THAT MIGHT BE A SIGN IT'S NOT A GOOD PLACE FOR VEG LOVERS TO EAT. And it's also highly disrespectful to be bringing in outside food to a restaurant. As a Chef myself, I would have done the same as they did to you, so try not to be so surprised. I respect people's right to choose what they will eat, but if an establishment doesn't serve what you can have, then don't eat there. (or take people there who can't eat their food just because YOU can.)
Pros: Great Food, Healthy Portions, Warm, refined Decor
Cons: That I hadn't eaten here before!
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