Gusto! in Atlanta: What to Know About This Fast-Casual Mediterranean Spot

If you spend any time driving around Atlanta, you’ve probably seen the colorful signs for gusto! and wondered what the buzz is about. In the local restaurant landscape, gusto! sits somewhere between a quick lunch stop and a customizable international bowl shop, with a strong focus on Mediterranean-inspired flavors and health-conscious options.

This guide breaks down what gusto! is, what to expect at their Atlanta locations, and how it fits into the city’s broader international cuisine scene.

What Is gusto!?

gusto! is a fast-casual restaurant concept that focuses on:

• Build-your-own bowls, wraps, and salads
• Mediterranean and globally inspired flavor pairings
• Customizable proteins, grains, and veggie bases

You order at the counter, choose a base, a protein, and a “gusto” (flavor profile), then your meal is assembled in front of you. The format will feel familiar if you’ve been to other bowl or burrito-bar style places, but the flavor combinations lean more toward international fusion, especially Mediterranean, Latin, and Asian influences.

For Atlanta diners, gusto! often serves as:

• A quick work-lunch option
• A relatively light, veggie-forward dinner spot
• A go-to for people looking for gluten-conscious or dairy-conscious options (with choices that can be customized to certain needs)

Where You’ll Find gusto! Around Atlanta

gusto! has multiple locations in and around Atlanta. While openings and exact details can change over time, you’ll commonly see gusto! in busy, highly trafficked areas like:

• Midtown Atlanta – popular with office workers and Georgia Tech/Ga. State commuters
• Buckhead – convenient for shoppers, residents, and office buildings
• Chamblee / Brookhaven area – draws from both residential neighborhoods and Peachtree Industrial corridor
• Decatur / Eastside – serves intown families and students
• Suburban hubs (such as areas along major roads like Roswell Road or near I‑285 and GA‑400) – often near big retail centers

If you’re planning a visit, it’s a good idea to:

• Check the hours for a specific location, especially on weekends and holidays
• Confirm whether that location offers drive-thru, online ordering, or pickup shelves
• Look for nearby parking options, since some intown spots have limited dedicated parking

Because gusto! is a local, Atlanta-grown concept, you’ll see it cluster around areas where people are looking for fast but fresher-feeling food rather than traditional fast food.

How Ordering Works at gusto!

The ordering process at gusto! is straightforward and relatively consistent across Atlanta locations.

Step 1: Choose Your Base

You’ll usually pick from options like:

• Grain bowls – often with rice, quinoa, or a blend
• Greens or salad base – for a lighter or lower-carb feel
• Half-and-half – mix of grains and greens
• Wraps or pita-style options – if you want something handheld

This first choice sets the tone for whether your meal feels more like a hearty plate or a lighter salad.

Step 2: Choose Your Protein

Typical protein choices can include:

• Grilled or roasted chicken
• Steak or beef options at some locations
• Tofu or plant-based protein
• Occasionally fish or limited-time proteins

Portions are generally designed to be filling but not oversized, which appeals to office workers and students who don’t want a heavy midday meal.

Step 3: Choose Your “Gusto” (Flavor Profile)

The “gusto” is the flavor theme of your meal—usually a combination of:

• Sauce or dressing
• Toppings and garnishes
• Sometimes a specific seasoning twist

Common profiles may include:

• Mediterranean-style with herbs, olive oil-based sauces, and fresh veggies
• Latin-inspired with peppers, citrus, or smoky flavors
• Asian-influenced with ginger, sesame, or soy-style elements

Each Atlanta location typically posts the flavor options clearly above the counter, and staff are usually willing to describe them or suggest pairings if you’re unsure.

What Makes gusto! “International Cuisine”?

gusto! isn’t a traditional restaurant from a single region like a Greek taverna or a Turkish café. Instead, it blends international flavors into a modern, fast-casual format.

Here’s how it fits into Atlanta’s international cuisine scene:

• It draws heavily from Mediterranean ingredients (olive oil, herbs, grains, fresh veggies).
• Many flavor combinations include global influences — think citrusy Latin touches or Asian-style sauces.
• The focus on bowls and wraps mirrors how international street foods are adapted for U.S. cities.

If you’re exploring Atlanta’s food culture, gusto! is a gateway option: less traditional than Buford Highway’s international restaurants, but more global in flavor than most standard burger or sandwich chains.

Typical Price Range and Portion Expectations

While prices can change, in Atlanta you can generally expect:

• Main bowls/wraps: in the moderate fast-casual range (often around what you’d pay at a burrito or salad chain)
• Add-ons (extra protein, avocado, etc.): small additional charge
• Drinks and sides: optional and increase the total if you add them

For many Atlanta diners, a full bowl with a drink is typically seen as:

• Affordable for a weekday lunch
• Comparable to other fast-casual spots in Midtown, Buckhead, or Decatur

Portions are usually enough for one meal; some people find the bowls filling enough to stretch into a “lunch now, snack later” situation.

Nutrition, Dietary Preferences, and Customization

Many Atlantans choose gusto! because it’s relatively customizable compared with traditional fast food.

If You’re Health-Conscious

You can usually:

• Emphasize greens and vegetables by choosing a salad or half-greens base
• Opt for grilled proteins and skip heavy toppings
• Ask for lighter dressing or sauce on the side in many cases

The menu tends to highlight fresh ingredients, which appeals to workers and residents around areas like Midtown, Inman Park, and Brookhaven who want a quick but relatively lighter option.

Common Dietary Considerations

gusto! is often used by people with various preferences because you can:

• Choose gluten-conscious options (like bowls over wraps, depending on ingredients)
• Adjust toppings if you’re avoiding dairy in some flavor profiles
• Make choices that fit many common approaches like higher-protein or higher-vegetable meals

If you have severe food allergies or medical dietary needs, it’s wise to:

• Let the staff know clearly when you order
• Ask how foods are prepped, and whether cross-contact is likely
• Review any posted ingredient lists or allergen information at the location

For anything medical or strict, it’s best to treat any restaurant, including gusto!, with caution and ask direct, specific questions.

When gusto! Works Well in Atlanta

gusto! tends to be especially convenient in a few scenarios around the city:

1. Workday Lunch in Busy Areas

If you work around:

• Midtown office towers
• Buckhead business districts
• Technology or startup hubs near the BeltLine

gusto! is designed for:

• Quick in-and-out lunches
• App or call-ahead orders for easy pickup
• Group orders where everyone can customize

2. Pre-Event or Post-Workout Meal

If you’re headed to or from:

• A workout at a gym or studio in areas like West Midtown, Old Fourth Ward, or Sandy Springs
• A casual event, game, or festival

A bowl or wrap from gusto! can feel more balanced than a heavy fast-food burger, while still being fast enough to fit a tight schedule.

3. Family or Group Meals With Mixed Preferences

For households in neighborhoods like Grant Park, Decatur, Westside, or Brookhaven, gusto! can work when:

• One person wants something lighter
• Another prefers something heartier
• Someone is looking for meatless options

The build-your-own format helps groups avoid long debates over one cuisine type.

How gusto! Compares to Other International Options in Atlanta

To understand where gusto! fits in Atlanta’s dining landscape, it helps to compare it to other international cuisine choices in the city:

If you're serious about exploring authentic international food, you might spend a lot of time on Buford Highway, Duluth, Clarkston, and Decatur. gusto! complements that exploration by offering internationally inspired flavors in an everyday, quick-service format.

Practical Tips for Visiting gusto! in Atlanta

Here are some simple ways to make your visit smoother:

• Avoid peak rush if possible:
  Lunch lines in high-traffic areas (like Midtown or near busy shopping centers) can be long around 12–1 p.m. Arriving slightly earlier or later can mean a much faster experience.

• Use online or call-ahead ordering when available:
  Many locations support digital ordering for pickup, which is handy if you’re on a tight work schedule or grabbing food between appointments.

• Check parking before you go:
  Intown spots may rely on shared parking lots or street parking. If you’re heading to a location near dense areas like Midtown or Old Fourth Ward, plan a few extra minutes.

• Ask about flavor profiles if you’re unsure:
  Staff at most Atlanta locations are used to helping new customers choose a “gusto” that fits their taste—whether you prefer mild and fresh or bolder and spicier.

• Consider sharing with kids:
  For families, one bowl can sometimes work for two younger children, especially if you order extra sides or ask for plates to divide the meal.

How gusto! Fits Into Daily Life in Atlanta

For people living in or visiting Atlanta, gusto! is most often used as:

• A fast, semi-healthy lunch or dinner near workplaces, campuses, and shopping areas
• A flexible option when people want something between classic fast food and a full sit-down restaurant
• A way to enjoy Mediterranean and globally inspired flavors without a long menu or complicated ordering

If you’re exploring Atlanta’s international food scene, gusto! can be one stop on your list: a convenient, customizable, internationally influenced option that reflects the city’s broader shift toward fast-casual, globally inspired dining.