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- Hours:
Mon-Thu, Sun 11 am - 10 pm
Fri-Sat 11 am - 11 pm
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- Free
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Music:
- Background
- Best Nights:
- Tue, Wed, Thu
- Happy Hour:
- Yes
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Good For Dancing:
- No
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Caters:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
80 reviews for Gustav's Pub & Grill
Review Highlights
"My mouth is watering just thinking about the fondue."
(in 49 reviews)
"The happy hour has smaller plates."
(in 20 reviews)
"yummy chicken snitzel, yummy potato pancakes (so delish."
(in 8 reviews)
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80 reviews in English
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Review from Matthew W.
Portland, OR
Gustav's is a solid 3.5 stars for me, but I went with 4 stars since 3 stars would be a little too low. It's a fun place, with a vibrant bar and happy hour, and the food is pretty good, though it is not as authentic as The Berlin Inn or Prost. The beer is both local PDX and German, but the service can be spotty. Overall, it's a place my wife and I enjoy when we are in the Washington Square vicinity.
The Schnitzel is my favorite, whether it is Chicken or Veal (Wiener)...I mean, who doesn't like pounded, breaded, pan-fried meat? Are you un-American?! Oh wait, this is a German place. Sind sie nicht Deutsch?!
Specifically, I am fond of the Jägerschnitzel, which can be chicken or veal and is topped with sauteed mushrooms and a savory sauce. The dish also comes with Spätzle, a German egg noodle pasta "blob" of buttery goodness. You can trade the Spätzle for mashed potatoes, but why would you?
There are a number of delectable appetizers, including Pretzels with German Mustard, and the Fondue is rich and more than a couple can reasonable finish before the entree comes. Get it with a group.
If you are not familiar with German beer, just ask one of the servers. I like the Doppelbock, but there are plenty of choices from Deutschland and other parts of Europe.
The place is loud and there are a number of TVs if you want to catch the big game. So, come for Happy Hour or just to eat a big meal. Prost! -
Review from Dan P.
1/16/2012 1 Check-in Here
I've heard criticism in the past that German food is bland and unsavory. Well my first time to Gustavs didn't help to sway that stereotype. Because I've had German food before but never so cookie cutter or unoriginal. The beer menu was the highlight of my night and even it felt a little boring. I suppose from reading other reviews I should have tried the fondue but I don't know if hot, liquified cheese could have even got me excited about Gustav's.
The entire experience wasn't bad, the space is put together well, our waitress was polite and punctual but the quality overshadowed both. Now usually fast service is a highlight but unfortunately this time it was a warning sign. You see our entrees came out lightning quick, literally just as we started to eat our appetizers and we had only been there for 15 minutes. The food was ok but hardly satisfying, really I was suspect the moment I saw our mashed potatoes. They looked like they had been shat out a pastry bag and burnt by heating lamps. I took one bite and they crumbled apart like starchy sawdust! Overall it felt like there was just no effort put into the food, I guess if it shows up hot you win.
There was no presentation or passion and please if you're going to serve something lackluster do not put it on a white plate! How about serving it on the most obnoxious dinnerware possible, something that distracts the eye because this plain food did not dress up the plate. Really all it did was fill the empty void I call my stomach.
Instead I sat enjoying my .5 liter Spaten Optimator and decided German beer contains enough bread, water and calories to satisfy any German needs I may have at Gustav's in the future. -
Review from Daniel L.
Portland, OR
1/12/2012 1 Check-in Here
I typically go to this place for happy hour, love the small plate menu and the beers are amazing. I ordered the Hot apple cider, the schnitzel strips, and shared a pesto fondue with a friend. The Cider was delicious and just the right amount of sweetness. The Schnitzel Strips were a little undercooked, I typically like them fried for a little bit longer so they get that nice crisp skin around it, but the Hot mustard that it comes with is what makes it amazing. The Fondue, was so-so nothing to write home about, but it satisfied my craving for fondue. Overall I would recommend this place if you have not been there yet.
Loved the service and I felt kinda bad that we stayed a little past closing (I know I know tsk tsk), but i enjoyed how they didn't rush us out or anything they just let me and my friends sit there and chat for a while. -
Review from Janet M.
11/6/2011
We went to Gustav's for happy hour last night.
Here's the thing, it's kid friendly if you don't sit in the bar. YEAH!
Kid had a big homemade rootbeer, it was awesome. I almost liked it better than my wine. Almost.
We had an assortment of wine, tea, beer, and coke amongst the adults.
The service was very nice. Water was brought without us asking. Refills were brought without us asking, and the man was still super friendly and cool when we told him we were ordering off happy hour menu. ( unlike some other places we could think of).
Happy hour food is every day 3-6 and it's inexpensive. And tasty! We had some deep fried salmon bites ( delish) with a tarragon mayo sauce, spaetzle with cheese and roasted garlic, chicken snitzel strips with french fries and dipping sauces, cheese fondue,and potato pancakes with sour cream and apple sauce.. Kid thinks dipping things is the bomb, so she dipped away and left us to our adult talk and drinking. Nice.
It was a little carb heavy but we figured we'd have salad another day soon.
Including tip, we got out of there for less than $55 dollars.
I think we will go back.. You ought to give it a try.Listed in: Happy Hour
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Review from Wayne G.
Beaverton, OR
1/3/2012
I've always enjoyed Gustav's but never as much as the Rheinlander on Sandy. But this location is much closer to our house so we go here more often. And I have to say, lately this location has really stepped it up. On a busy Sunday night we took my Mom here for some Weinerschnitzel and it was to die for. The portions filled up the entire plate! It was light and not too bready. Very nice job. We also got the fondue as always and our kids loved the noodles with cheese sauce. They have a large variety of fresh, real German beer and pretty much everything they make is really tasty. Kudos. You guys have got it going on.
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Review from Kristy M.
Genesee, ID
10/24/2011
5 stars for the food.
4 stars for the beer.
3 stars for the drunk a-holes sitting at an adjacent table.
My husband and I shared the fondue with sausage. I could live on that alone - so delish! Then we shared the Shepherd's Pie. We each had a pint of delicious brew - I had a hefe weisen, and he had an Oktoberfest.
We left delightfully full, with hopes of returning again on our next visit to Portland. -
Review from Cybil S.
Burbank, CA
12/6/2011
I'm not a fan of German food in general, but this place has a killer root beer (not refillable sadly) and great chicken. Everything was too salty for me, and the pretzels were so so. Still a fun place to go and a few steps up from Denny's, but in a foodie place like Portland I'd hit other eateries instead.
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Review from Jae K.
9/9/2011
3.5 stars for the food. 5 stars for service.
I liked the cool environment. Had a great beer list - a lot of German ones obviously as well as a few local ones.
Love the sausage, bratwurst, sauerkraut, and other German stuff. I didn't like the potato pancake with salmon on top so much. The salmon was so salty.
Yeah, I would go back for more Dunkel and brat. -
Review from Chuck B.
8/27/2011
Due to the paucity of German eateries near our home in Salem, SWMBO and I must travel far afield to satisfy her occasional appetite for the dishes they provide.
Gustav's is forty odd miles away. Considering this, our meals were not bargains by any logical calculation but we think they were worth extra expense.
It's easy to find, just off 217 on Greenburg RD. Incongruous as it may seem, it's housed in a neat Spanish Villa style building partitioned into smaller dining rooms. I'm really not sure what the design concept is here, but it works just fine.
My bride ordered Wiener Schnitzel with Mashers and Crisp, lightly sautéed Green Beans. Gustav's uses the traditional Veal in this dish. The portion was huge, covering most of her large platter. She shared. It was superb. I had their Peasant's Trio; excellent Lentil Soup, thick slices of Bread topped with a mixture of Mayo, Pepper, Garlic and Swiss and Parmesan Cheese all toasted and melted (I've got to try this at home!) plus a House Salad with Arugula, Iceberg Lettuce, Red Cabbage, Julienned Carrots with House Honey Mustard Dressing. Julie, or server's, timing and service were perfect. -
Review from Olivia T.
7/27/2011
Excellent happy hour to be have here including on Saturdays. The Happy Hour Swiss Cheese fondue is big enough to share among 4 people. You will get unlimited bread chunks with that fondue and for couple dollars extra you can add tasty sausage to it.
Gustav is not only serving great fondues, but also other European dishes such as Shepherd's pie, Fish & Chips, Habanero potato croquettes, and Scotch eggs. All of them for under $6 each and they will fill you up. I like the Shepherd's pie a lot. I'm not an European food expert, but nothing says comfort food like mashed potatoes with chunks of meats covered with gravy and cheese on top.
You can pair all these delicious happy hour food with refreshing German beers. A pitcher for $12.50 that's a mighty steal. If you are a cocktail lover like me, go ahead order the "Love for Sale". It has Absolut mandarin vodka in it and the taste resemblance the Orange Creamsicle soda drink.
Our server was very friendly and gave good suggestions on their menu. I love it when delicious food, tasty drinks, and good service combined together and make a perfect harmony. Hip Hip Happy Hour indeed!Listed in: Best Happy Hour
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Review from Jamie H.
9/21/2011 1 Check-in Here
We love Gustav's! They have extremely tasty food. The fondue is a must!
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Review from Bryce H.
Portland, OR
10/24/2011
Yum yum. The sausage and bread with bear fondu. What a way to start the night with this great dish. I tried the 8oz steak and while it came out medium rare and I order medium, it was still good. I should have sent it back, because I really find it a turn off to see blood on my plate. To be fair they offered twice to cook it more. But it was so tasty, I could not give it up, so I just tried not to look a my plate too much. We also tried the apple streusel and that was awesome. Another treat was the piping hot rolls....another just awesome experience. We will be back.
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Review from Valerie W.
Hillsboro, OR
How can you not be a fan of somewhere that serves some of the best fondue ever!? Ok yes, Melting Pot and Urban Fondue are good, but alas, fairly expensive. Gustav's is on point especially during happy hour! Place is always packed, but the service is good. SO many options for delicious food. The drinks are a little spendy and really not much of a deal during happy hour but the food makes up for it overall.
I recommend (obviously) the fondue. The rosemary cheese bread is also super delicious as well as their schnitzel strips. The fish and chips were a tad too greasy and the parking is a sad mess, but other than that they have great food any time of day!Listed in: Best Happy Hour
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Review from Carol M.
Honolulu, HI
7/3/2011 2 photos
Yum! Great value & fun environment. Super hospitable and great German food! Will be back!
There is a pub side and a restaurant side to the restaurant. There is a wonderful accordion player and singing waiter who played German, Austrian and "Sound of Music" favorites. Everyone, including us, started singing in this fun place. -
Review from Pui S.
One of the best Happy Hours in Portland!!!
I had a beer sampler set, Schnitzel Strips, Swiss Cheese Fondue & Reuben Pie.
Parking is a b!tch but tolerable...Listed in: Best Happy Hour
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Review from Flora R.
2/26/2011
Go for the happy hour. After 9 pm, Gustav's has great happy hour deals. I enjoy the lentil soup and the flourless chocolate cake (I can't eat wheat).
The Easter brunch is also great and offers more than pancakes and scrambled eggs. They also provide sausage, potato pancakes, German desserts, fresh fruit and array of other German goodies. -
Review from Gregory M.
Beaverton, OR
1/17/2011
Gustav's is always a great option. Whether meeting friends or going with the family it's always good quality and good service.
Fondue with sausage is always a fun starter, and they offer a wide variety of entrees. Of course German style food always goes better with a stein of your favorite beer.
While it may not hit the ball out of the park for everyone, it does have many menu options. This is a smaller "chain" restaurant (4 locations locally I think) and the menu reflects that. For dinner options you find rotisseried meats with carefully selected sides, and of course this is a German style restaurant so there are classics like schnitzels, saurbraten, and sausage. In addition, they have seasonal specials, but not necessarily daily special based on the chef's whim.
Service is always good, which I am always grateful for since many similar establishments with multiple locations seem complacent about their level of customer service.
Can be a bit pricey for what you pay what you get, but I still consider it a good value.
Bottom line is it's a great place to go if you're looking for dependability, not necessarily adventure. -
Review from Scott N.
12/25/2010
Gustav's Pub & Grill is one organized and very well managed restaurant. This becomes apparent as the hostess opens the front door and then very efficiently leads you to your table. The service here is friendly, polished, and professional.
The atmosphere at Gustav's is fantastic. A humongous photo of the Hofbrauhaus in Munich adorns the walls of the bar. The dining room is almost garden like with interesting photos of rural Germany on the walls. The perfect atmosphere for some hearty food from Europe's heartland.
Speaking of hearty food, Gustav's truly excels at meat preparation. They serve excellent roasted chicken and roasted pork loin. Gustav's Pub & Grill offers a variety of tasty sausages and all of the schnitzels are superb. The German potato pancakes at Gustav's are the best I have ever had. Grilled to absolute perfection. The fondue offerings here are among the best in town. Especially when paired with Gustav's sausages and Bavarian pretzels. My only complaint is that some of the vegetable side dishes are a little on the sloppy and watery side. However, in general the food is very well plated at Gustav's.
The bar has a very good menu also. The bar food is generally smaller and less expensive than the regular menu. Occasionally an interesting item like an Alsatian tart will find it's way to the bar menu. The bar offers an incredible selection of German beers on tap. Can remember going to a bar in Frankfurt and hoping that German Hefeweizen wasn't as good as Widmer's. Damn it! German beers are still the best. Guess all of those years of experience have paid off.
Whether or not Gustav's Pub & Grill serves the best German food in town is merely a matter of personal preference. It's a debate that I wouldn't want to get into. What I do know is that Gustav's Pub & Grill can serve you a hearty European meal with great consistency and stamina! -
Review from Cheryl D.
1/10/2011
Gustav's is solidly good on every occasion I have been there. I have been there for lunch and dinner several times each.
You are greeted the moment you walk in and the service is great. The food is wonderful, although in my opionion a bit pricy for the portion size. I love, love, love the the Cheese Fondue. The Wiener Schnitzel is very good as is the Lentil Soup. The desserts are also very good.
It is one of our favorite restaurants, although it can be very busy, it is a very large establishment so the wait is generally not that long.Listed in: My Favorite Restaurants
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Review from Ryan A.
2/22/2011 1 Check-in Here
Chance after chance after chance I've given Gustav's. Well, to be specific, the Gustav's on Sandy in NE Portland. Turns out, it wasn't that Gustav's I needed to give a chance, it was any other Gustav's I needed to go to in order to get the Gustav's food I remember from a few years back.
This was one of the best dining experiences I've had anywhere in awhile. The service was good and the food was wonderful. I had never experienced the wonder that is the crab and red pepper fondue, but now I don't know that I can ever go back to the regular cheese fondue. Everything else was good as well. Maybe I just need to try the crab fondue at the NE Portland location and all the other faults will be forgotten, or maybe this location is just better. Either way, I look forward to my next visit. -
Review from Frank L.
11/17/2010 1 Check-in Here
With prices a bit on the high side, I can't say I'd be too thrilled about having dinner at Gustav's. However, the happy hour food is pretty good--a large selection of small plate items for under $5. We ordered fondue, reuben pie, potato-habanero croquettes and fries. I also got myself a stein full of a very tasty, spiced German ale with a name that I couldn't even begin to pronounce or dare attempt to replicate here. Gustav's does have a fairly large selection of German brews on tap.
Weird decor for a German restaurant. Was this place formerly an Elephant Bar? Strangely tropical for a German place. The service was excellent--friendly and very attentive. Gustav's is getting an entire star from me just for that.
Can't say I'll be rushing back to Gustav's, but I'd definitely put this place on my "a-ok list". -
Review from Andrew S.
I've been here twice now when in town on family visits. Both times have been extremely enjoyable.
Service: Wonderful each time. I wish I remembered our server's name on my first trip, but Anya was our waitress today, and she was great. Attentive, good sense of humor, and knew the menu.
Food: Very good. My first trip last year, I ate the meat and cheese platter. That was great for somone not looking for a big meal. Today, I had the reuben. Very lean meat, spiced just right, without an overabundance of thousand island dressing. Their house sauerkraut was very tasty too.
All in all, I hope to return next time I'm in town. -
Review from Amber F.
Kelso, WA
5/16/2011
I have never been dissapointed at any of these establishments. Dinner is a little pricey, but good. Happy hour is great though! Great prices, and lots of choices! We will be back!
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Review from Richard H.
Beaverton, OR
12/7/2010 2 Check-ins Here
Good German Beer!!!!!
Back durring the great war (WWI) european soldiers (when they weren't fighting) would huddle around small cans of heated cheese. They would dip their bread and other rations into the cheese and talk about home. There have been reports that on Christmas some would invite the enemy over to share and to talk about home over Fondue.
Gustav's has a few types of fondue. Even one with crabmeat. You sit, you talk, you dip bread into the fondue, you eat, and you drink good German beer. It is nice.
The place has bee here for a few years and I tend to go mostly during the fall or winter. I guess the food just warms me up. Or is that the beer.
This time we were there for a family event. And we all had a good time. Service was good, the food was good, the company was good, and of course the beer was good.
Its a happy place of sorts. But try to keep out of the courtyard. Its really loud down there and you can hear the people talk from across the table when the place fill up. -
Review from Rustie D.
Hillsboro, OR
8/22/2011
The food here is very good. The service is sometimes a hit or miss, but the wait staff is always friendly. When I say hit or miss, I mean timely or perhaps overwhelmed...depends on whether they are short-handed or not. The cheese fondue is wonderful! The desserts are always tasty and more than adequate for your sweet-tooth. The main dishes are hot and full of flavor. Like I said, sometimes the wait is a little long.
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Review from Melissa V.
Portland, OR
7/30/2010 2 Check-ins Here
We've been here a few times now, and the food always hits the spot.
It's German food, and therefore somewhat bland, but at least it seems to be well-made, and you can pretty much get it exactly the way you like.
However, the service has been very mixed. The first waitress we had was great, on top of it, not perky/fake. The waitress we had the second time was like some kinda robot from Planet Corporatopia. So fake, so transparently trying to get us to order extra courses with higher profit margins. Bleh.
The beer selection is above-average, or very good if you're a huge German beer fan.
Also, the patio outside is quite nice when the weather's good, even if the view is of parking lot and office park.Listed in: Portland's best beer spots
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Review from Jeff S.
Portland, OR
10/11/2010
This place is close to my house and I've driven by it many times and always wondered if it was good, and my roommate and I were wanting something we don't always have, so we decided to give it a try.
It definitely has the atmosphere of any other family-friendly chain restaurant, which isn't necessarily a bad thing, but it gives one the impression of inauthenticity from the moment you walk in. The friendly and oddly attractive host seated us promptly. It was monday night, so it was pretty slow.
Our server was absolutely delightful. She was beautiful and friendly and absolutely delightful to talk to. Delightful as she was, however, she only had two other tables and she could have been a bit more attentive. She didn't refill our water glasses at all and we had to wait a long time for the check. We got everything we needed, but with two other tables, we shouldn't have had to wait as long as we often did. But again, she was delightful and I might have a crush on her.
Being a German restaurant they had a large selection of beers. I don't remember what I had, but it was a pilsner of some sort and it was good. Sadly, they were out of the one I really wanted. They were out of several of them.
The best part of this experience, rightly so, was the food. I ordered the jagerschnitzel, and opted for the spaetzle as a side instead of the mashed potatoes. By the way, my grandma is German. Very German. Like, she didn't know "hello" in English before she came to the USA during WWII. And she's a damn fine cook. The spaetzle was every bit as good as what my grandma made, but in all fairness it's freeform egg noodles, so you can hardly go wrong. The veal was tender and delicious and there was also a side of green beans which were good. It has been ten years since my grandma was able to cook for me, and of course this didn't compare, but I didn't leave feeling disappointed. For an Americanized chain restaurant it was actually really good. Nothing compares to your grandma's cooking, but since I can't have that anymore, this wasn't a bad substitute. -
Review from Harsha R.
4/17/2010
So here is a tip to one of the servers at Gustav's.
When you ID a patron for drinks, do not say out aloud his/her age for everyone in their party to hear. Especially 'her' age since they may not appreciate it! if it happened inadvertently, then STOP yourself right away. Do not attempt to do the same for everyone else in the party, and then try to cover up your faux pas by making a weak joke out of it. It is only going to make the situation all the more uncomfortable! That it should happen was surprising given that the server herself was a woman and I'd imagine she would have known better that that!
While one can still brush aside that initial bit of awkwardness, the service over the remainder of dinner was very indifferent - not so friendly, not so prompt, and not so attentive.
Anyway, the food. Dishes ordered by our group included the schnitzels - both mushroom and chicken, grilled mediterranean sandwich and salmon fillet - all were quite tasty. I can't give a measure of authenticity, but taking at face value, it was good.
I had the "world's greatest beer" (was it the Ayinger Celebrator?, can't seem to recollect). It was good alright but I am not sure if it was absolutely "the greatest". One of my friends had a beer which turned out to a bit fruity and he didn't seem to enjoy it very much. I didn't like it either. Fruity and beer, not my kind of beer!
If not for the service, I would have given them 4 stars. But yeah, I wouldn't mind going here again. -
Review from Kitty P.
Portland, OR
8/31/2008
The fondue is tasty, as were the $7 cocktails with names like "Pink Maddog".
Happy hour menu with a wide range of good cheap appetizers. No drink specials or at least "none that I know of" (come on, a hostess doesn't need to really know everything, does she?)
Our table area was filthy and I had to scoot a bunch of them together myself. At which point I asked that some please rolly-vac the mounds of filth and partially chewed food on the floor.
I think it could have been a 3 star experience if the entire staff didn't seem so completely baffled (put out?) by serving my group of about 15 students who trickled in over the course of an hour or two during happy hour. Maybe I expect too much, but the place was hardly full. Isn't that what happy hour is FOR? To get lots of people to drop in and have drinks?
At one point, I was choking on a piece of bread and my friend asked the bartender for something hot for me to drink to try and get the bread down. She told him to go find our server for that. I literally did not have a hot drink for 20 minutes. I still keep asking him, "Really? And you were clear on the choking part? REALLY? No seriously. You told her I was choking. No....."
The people that work there come across as disingenuous and resentful of their chosen profession, venue, possibly both. A breeze of their pale mauve hostility made me pine to be somewhere else, somewhere more endearing, or at least unwilling to let me asphyxiate in their banquette peppered with other diners' lunch crumblins. -
Review from Akemi I.
10/21/2008
Sam is right, we did have a great dining experience here. But it was 3 pm. and it was our first real meal of the day. (After grabbing pastries, coffee and water and then volunteering at Forest Park to help build a turnpike!)
The happy hour food was only so-so for me. I loved the Potato-Habanero Croquettes, but there were only two. The Potato Pancakes had a good taste, but were a little greasy for me. They also didn't come with the advertised feta cheese and tomato concasse. The slider plate was just okay. The three sliders were chicken, bratwurst and beef. They were very tiny - the rolls were much bigger than the meat inside - except for the chicken. The chicken was best - I didn't expect the brat to be a sausage patty... that was weird. I think brats need the casing to have the right kind of texture. The fondue was okay - but I wasn't in a swiss cheese-y mood. The pretzel was good (and it was free with our Winterhawks ticket stub). Waiter brought out 3 mustards with the fondue and pretzel.
I think next time I'll get the burger - 1/3 lb. patty with all the fixin's is only $3.99 (same as the sliders) and you can add bacon for $1 and fries for $.99. I also like their schnitzel strips. I was sad that they were out of the bier onion soup.
Our waiter was great. (I think his name was Alvin.) He remembered that I had ordered my coke with lemon and made sure my refills had that lemon in them. He was patient with our indecision and the fact that we were ordering food like it was small plates (a couple at a time).
We've eaten dinner here on a couple of other occasions. My half-German uncle and my mom who lived in Germany love their food. (I'm not sure about the exact level of authenticity, though.) I like their schnitzels. I like their spatzle. I always wish I had saved room for dessert. (Someday I'll try one of their yummy looking desserts from that lovely tray they bring around.)
I like the large entryway - it's good for waiting (even though we never wait long) and you can see the birds and beasts rotating in their large rotisserie oven. Their booths are nice and big with high backs. It's not too loud here so you can have a nice conversation with your table-mates.
Happy hours = 3-6pm daily and 9pm to close Sun.-Thurs., 10pm to close Fri. & Sat. (Food specials with minimum $2.25 beverage order - that's the price of a soda.)
Overall it is a pretty solid place to eat. I'm looking forward to more cocktails here with Sam. Especially the seasonal caramel appletini! -
Review from Katie W.
Beaverton, OR
Updated - 11/16/2008
They replaced the Rogue Hazelnut Ale with Mirror Pond. WHY WOULD YOU DO THAT?! I mean, don't get me wrong, there's nothing wrong with Mirror Pond (it's my beer of choice at most bars), but you can get that anywhere! The hazelnut ale is the only reason I go to Gustav's!
Sigh.
Anyway, after that, the service was slow, the sourdough bread thing was room temperature and the butter was ice cold (a bad combination, no doubt), which, I could have forgiven...
Until my food came out cold. Sigh. There is nothing appetizing about cold pasta, and even less appealing about cold chicken.
I sent it back, and my next plate was warm(er)... and that's about it.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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1/6/2008
I don't really like German food. So when a bunch of my friends made me go there because everybody… Read more »
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Review from Brant W.
Beaverton, OR
10/20/2010 1 Check-in Here
Holy cow batman. Below average food for above average price. Where do you think we are? Japan? I was unimpressed, should have picked a better place like Olive Garden (great salads and bread sticks).
The fondue was kinda lame. The sausage had no taste etc. I could have made the stuff at home taste a lot better and for only $1 rather than the $10 appetizer price.
The main course was an over priced snack. $15 for the mushroom plate that I had down and was still hungry. I just spent $20 bucks and Im still friggin hungry? What country are we in again?
Oh dont forget the crappy service. Its a game how long and how many times they can walk by and not fill my drink. This place ranks right up there with walking the the Gobi desert with and empty jug of water. They all ask how is your meal as they look at my empty glass and smile and just keep on walking. Great!!!
Wont visit again.
=B -
Review from Andy B.
4/13/2010 5 Check-ins Here
I've been sitting on this review for almost a year because I found this place to be very difficult to rate because of the utter inconsistency of the food and service: some days this place deserves 5 stars, other days it deserves 1, and sometimes it bounces up and down the scale within the same visit!
It all started when I had an excellent fondue with Bavarian pretzels for lunch and I thought I found a new favorite hangout. One evening I brought a small group an hour before closing. There was no host to greet us and we stood around several minutes waiting for someone before just heading to the bar, waited around for a bartender, waited another 15 minutes to get our drinks (nothing fancy either, just beer and sodas), and finally got a table by flagging down the only waiter. If it weren't for the excellent potato pancakes served to me later that evening, I would have completely given up on this place after that experience.
Fast forward to another dinner visit several months later: service was prompt, attentive, friendly, but the food was very lukewarm and I really don't like cold mashed potatoes.
I returned at a later date for lunch for my classic fondue with Bavarian pretzels. Did I have to specify that I wanted my cheese hot? At least the waitress corrected it quickly.
Finally, today, I had the appetizer sampler and it started out wonderful but got progressively worse as I ate each part. The fondue was absolutely delicious and reminiscent of my very first visit and the sausages were great as well. The schnitzel was all right, the potato cakes would've been good if I didn't put some ~sour~ (as in bad) sour cream on it (shame on me for not trying it before topping my food with it and shame on you for giving to me in the first place), and the crab cakes were very disappointing. My dining companions really enjoyed their meals, so maybe I just have bad luck. -
Review from Ajia T.
Portland, OR
6/12/2009
Disclaimer: I am NOT familiar with German food. I do not know cabbage and sausage like the back of my lederhosen. I have never been to Germany. I am not accustomed to drinking German beer. I don't like sauerkraut. This is all very new to me.
For these reasons, I have absolutely no expectations when dining at Gustav's. The service was great, atmosphere was casual and comfy (perfect for dinner with family and friends), prices were extremely reasonable, and our meal was tasty. It was not the best meal I've ever had, but all of this makes me happy.
For appetizers, our party of 4 shared the German potato pancakes with applesauce and sour cream, as well as the fondue with bread and sausage. Everything was delicious! The trio of mustard on the table was especially fun for me. I had the Northwestern salad and another, more personal helping of the fondue for my meal...both were so very yummy. My husband had the Southwestern Schnitzel and loved every bite. Only one of us could manage dessert, the Strawberry Pizza, which looked divine (I was too full to even try it). Next time I come here, I'll save room for the Bread Pudding, though (whiskey-caramel sauce....um, yeah, I need that).
All of this, plus beers (only water for me, of course) and after-dinner coffee and it was still under $100 for 4 people. Pretty awesome. The best part? When I couldn't finish my fondue and was wondering aloud if they had a mechanism for transporting the cheesy goodness home for my 1 am snack, the waiter came by and literally said, "You'll need a box for that fondue. It's great at 1 am." Mind-reading waiters who know the pleasure of midnight fondue...now, that's what I'm talking about. I'll be back.Listed in: Get Sated, Mama's Night Off
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Review from Brian M.
Beaverton, OR
12/16/2007
Having grown up with Rheinlander and then the Gustav chain of restaurants I was disappointed with my last visit to the bar.
The bar staff was not very attentive and borderline annoying by breaking into song at in opportune times.
The fondue was expensive compared to say the Widmer brew pub offering. It was also cold and runny. Not enough bread was offered and I had to request it twice. The fries were not hot and soggy. The only thing I enjoyed was the mustard that came with the schnitzel strips I ordered. -
Review from Jana S.
Chicago, IL
11/4/2009
Disclaimer: This review is coming from a born and raised German.
With that out of the way...This place is closest to home as I have found in multiple states. I have been here for lunch, dinner as well as happy hour. Happy hour is probably my favorite, and I've tried almost everything on the menu. In regards to tastes and flavors, it is as authentic as I have found here in the U.S. Keep in mind that there are many different regions in Germany, that all have different flavors. I am from Munich, Germany.
The beer selection is superb. Especially during the time of Oktoberfest. Be sure to snag the limited edition 'mass' of beer. You get to keep the glass and it is a liter of beer. Can't go wrong with that! Stay away from ordering a Rum and Coke or any drink for that matter as you will be super disappointed by its size.
Back to the menu. The happy hour has smaller plates. Try the sliders, fondue (must add pretzels), bratwurst, chicken skewers,shepard's pie. All are excellent. On the main menu, the schweinshaxe, sausage trio, potato cakes and jaeger schnitzel are great. Definitely try a side of red cabbage as well. I do not recommend the spaetzle (which they compared to noodles) with ham or with the Alfredo sauce. The one item on the menu that has nothing to do with any German establishment, and probably just an attempt to appeal to the masses. Doesn't taste bad at all, just not authentic at all. If anything, bring me some damn Kasespaetzle! Thanks.
In regards to design or decor - definitely a corporate feel. Clean though with a nice bar area. During the summer, the patio is great. -
Review from Kristina W.
Portland, OR
7/4/2011
I have been going to Gustav's often for years and the food and service continue to be amazing. Tip: Go for happy hour and get the fondue!
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Review from Aleksandra E.
Portland, OR
Updated - 8/1/2009
After my first, not-so-positive experience at Gustav's, I chose to return and give the place another try. Convenience, others' fondness of Gustav's and the owners genuine concern for my experience being different, helped with the decision to come back.
Let me start with the owner's response. Shortly after my review posted, she e-mailed me and apologized for my experience and the hair in the salad. She stated that she appreciated my feedback, and hoped I'd give her restaurant another chance to make things right. She also offered her time, willingness to speak to me in person and mentioned that the chefs would be happy to make a vegetarian dish upon request, which is awesome. It was definitely one of the most appropriate and professional responses an owner could write.
The second time around, I ordered a fish dish and a Cesar salad, both of which were incredible. And hairless. Once again, the sourdough rolls were hot and fresh and the service was wonderful. We had a large group that, even during the busy lunch hour, was seated promptly and served all at once. And just for the record, we weren't given special treatment because of me. I hadn't told anyone about my review or the owner's response, and no one at the restaurant knew I was back.
Based on my second trip to Gustav's, and the owner's genuine concern for my well-being, I added a few stars and promise to go back soon. I think any establishment deserves another chance, especially after the owner takes the time to apologize and ask what she can do to change the matter.
Thanks Suzeanne!1 Previous Review: Show all »
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7/30/2009
For lunch, a group of us decided to go to Gustav's. They were concerned about my no-meat diet, and… Read more »
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Review from Catie L.
5/24/2007 2 Check-ins Here
Just thinking about the fondue at this place gets my mouth watering. I always have it with the bier sausage, bread, and I even ask for extra radishes. There is always a bit of a wait, but the servers are always prompt and courteous. Plus you can enjoy some complimentary cider or lemonade in the lobby while you wait. Once you're seated the real fun begins. They serve Franziskaner Hefe Weisse(n) beer (I believe on tap), and it is a divine compliment to almost any food served here.
Their Pork Cordonbleu was extremely tasty, and their spatzle with chicken and alfredo sauce also has little roasted garlic cloves that knock my socks off. I enjoyed their smoked pork chops, but their Shepard's pie had a flavor to it that just didn't work for me. They used to have a tomato and basil salad that I LOVED, but it has been replaced with a similar salad called the "Mediterranean". I tried it, but it was WAY too rich with its giant stack of pickled beet slices. Thankfully it was saved a little by the tomato slices I ordered special with it. When my boyfriend and I shared an entree, we were really please to see they brought it to us split on two separate plates. All in all I love dining here, and I'm sure I will return many times in the future.
Update: I went again last night (06/05/07) and remembered that their Konig Ludwigweisse is a great substitute if they're out of the Franz. Plus they have a great waiter, named Mike, who even balances your drink orders on his head. He does take a "Jamaican Minute" to do about everything, but he's a hoot!Listed in: Top Restaurants, The Places I Go Out
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Review from Sam w.
10/19/2008 1 Check-in Here
We hit Gustav's up for happy hour (3-6pm every day, plus some other times... check their website). We got a mix of happy hour foods (potato pancakes, habenero croquettes, sliders, fondue) and I got the "farmers schnitzel" which actually ended up being the mushroom schnitzel which was fine w/me. The food was very good.
Our waiter was very attentive (even though he ordered me the wrong schnitzel). He brought be a few tasters of beer so I could figure out which hefeweizen I liked best and made sure my wife had a fully filled coke the whole time we were there.
They have a wide variety of beers on tap and some pretty yummy sounding cocktails. They also have seasonal food and drink menus, so be sure to check those out. They have an interesting sounding seasonal cocktail using Pendleton Whiskey, sage and orange that I think I will try next time.
This was a great dining experience and made us wonder why we never thought of Gustav's for happy hour before.
