You Gotta Have Fun, Baby!

Through the tight alley behind Tulip’s live music venue, I see a standup sign. I am lost until I smell the rich, caramelized patties cooking nearby. As I round the corner, I gaze upon my soon-to-be-favorite smashburger joint in the Fort Worth area: GUSTO’S Burgers + Stuff.

I step into the truck and enter the world of owner and head chef Jonathan Arguello where everyone has the opportunity to experience something extraordinary. Arguello is pushing boundaries and redefining the very essence of what a burger truck is.

“We want to create this awesome workforce,” says Arugello, “A lot of times restaurants are not owned by people that work in them… we’ve always worked in restaurants, so we know the struggle… at the end of the day, of course, we want to provide for ourselves and our family, but we want to create an environment where people can come in, have their part-time job but also work on their passion projects.”

GUSTO’S does not just sell burgers. Every day, Arugello shares his zest for life and love for his community through his truck.

I thought I knew what a scorching Texas day felt like. I am proved wrong the minute I hop into the back of the truck, with orders coming in at a pace I struggle to keep up with.

Photo credit: Anna Parker

Sporting a black logo t-shirt, a well-worn black apron, and a red rope hat, Arguello persuades me, after just a brief moment, that he can talk as he handles orders with ease. He flips patties at the speed of light while dodging flying grease bullets. The truck is a well-oiled machine, and the smile never leaves his face.

As he serves customers, he tells me how he got started. Working in marketing, Arguello yearned for more. He decided to leave and bet on himself. During the pandemic, he rented out a gas station kitchen for $400 a month.

He got the affirmation he needed to fully pursue on his business when he was cooking at a music festival. Australian singer-songwriter (and former vegetarian!) Courtney Burnette tried one of Arguello’s burgers and said it was the best she had ever had. It was a moment he had dreamed of. He went all in on the business, bought a truck, and relocated it to the Hotel Dryce, where he flourished before moving the truck to its current location.

Arguello said his biggest challenge has been keeping faith that he could truly thrive in the culinary business. Not only has he kept the faith, but he’s managed to stand out from other food trucks with his personal touches and charisma.

Aruguello says, “We’re trying to create simple menu items that are cooked correctly every single time and served with hospitality for a good value.” While hungry customers wait in line for their meal, Arguello keeps a positive and calm attitude. He’s thrilled to be where he is.

At last, the anticipated moment of my visit arrives. It’s time to taste the burger.

The patty with its gloriously crispy edges rests on a buttered bun. Best Maid pickles, ketchup, and mustard compliment Gusto’s special sauce. Arguello hands me napkins. I don’t use them. Grease drips down my wrists. This is a recipe I will forever strive to replicate.

Within a few bites, Gusto’s burger skyrockets to the top of my “Best Fort Worth Restaurants” list I keep in my notes app. Arguello has earned himself a dedicated fan.

Photo credit: Anna Parker

As I end my visit, Arguello shares with me his goal for the future. He wants to open multiple stores, all serving the same simple-but-damn-good food with his signature top-notch hospitality. “I’m just trying to create something that I wish someone created a long time ago that I got fed into. If we could create something where everyone gets paid, everyone gets to save a little, and everybody gets pumped up to do their thing, you would create the most loving space in the world.”

[Editor’s Note: Arguello is opening a brick-and-mortar just off Magnolia soon. Stay tuned!]

As I squeezed through Tulip’s alley, excited for what I might find on the other side, I never imagined I’d leave loving this person even more than the food he makes. But Arguello is a joy to be around. He has created not only the best smashburger I’ve yet to have, but he’s made a place filled with love and fun.

Gusto’s motto is, “You got to have fun, baby. Life is too short.”

After a trip here, I think I agree.

Anna Parker is a student in Sarah Angle’s feature writing class at TCU.