Sarthak Parakh
Google
Gustav's is one of the first spots you’ll notice as you enter the market area in Leavenworth, and we were excited to try their vegetarian options. We were particularly interested in the Garden Ortega Burger, and ended up ordering three of them.
The burger comes with a black bean patty (nicely grilled), Monterey Jack cheese (I had it for the first time—surprisingly creamy and almost potato-like in texture!), fresh veggies, and a side of salsa. Since we're vegetarians, we skipped the mayo as it contains egg, and also requested to switch the brioche bun (which also has egg) for a baguette instead. They were happy to accommodate all our customizations.
We also chose to replace the fries, which are fried in the same oil as non-vegetarian items, with one Strawberry Spinach Salad to share. I was initially a bit skeptical, but the sweet strawberries paired with the fresh spinach made for a surprisingly delicious and refreshing combo! We also considered the tomato soup but skipped it upon learning it contains chicken broth—glad they were transparent about ingredients.
We arrived around 8:15 PM, just as the restaurant was preparing to close, but the staff—especially our server (we think his name was Jose, based on the receipt)—was incredibly helpful and welcoming. He brought out the full ingredient list, patiently addressed all our questions, and helped us build a meal that fit our dietary needs. Even though it was close to closing time, they didn’t rush us and allowed us to sit and enjoy our meal comfortably.
Overall, a great experience for vegetarians if you're mindful and ask the right questions. The staff went above and beyond to accommodate us, and the food was satisfying and fresh. Would definitely recommend Gustav's to fellow vegetarians visiting Leavenworth!