As classes get out and crowds of students rush past the Arbor, a line begins to form in front of a little cart near the University library lawn. “What can I get for you?” Peter Gaum, owner and operator of Die Bretzel, the German sausage stand on campus, asks a student.
Die Bretzel is the longest-running University Center food operation on campus, celebrating 35 years of business this year. The stand serves authentic German sausages, pretzels and hot dogs. Michael Spanjol / Daily Nexus
Die Bretzel is the longest-running University Center food operation on campus, celebrating 35 years of business this year. The stand serves authentic German sausages, pretzels and hot dogs Monday through Thursday from 10:45 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Gaum started his time at UC Santa Barbara in 1988, when he moved from Germany to the United States to teach in the German department. It wasn’t until 1991 that he and his then-wife took over a hamburger stand and replaced it with the sausage cart to help cover their child’s medical bills.
While the business was originally opened to help with finances, Gaum didn’t expect it to last as long as it has.
“We thought [the stand was] gonna be a temporary short-term solution for our debts. Never in my wildest dreams did I think that’s what I’m gonna do for my career,” Gaum said.
Gaum previously operated two other food stands, one on campus near Buchanan Hall and one in the Paseo Nuevo mall in downtown Santa Barbara. However, today the original is all that remains.
Since starting Die Bretzel, Gaum has ventured out into other industries around Santa Barbara, opening a bakery, a women’s clothing boutique and a nationwide line of nutrition bars.
Adding to the stand’s authenticity, a majority of the food products sold come from German or local sources. The hot dog buns are baked fresh in Gaum’s bakery every day, while the sausages are custom-made by a German butcher in Los Angeles and the sauerkraut comes from Germany.
Many students had positive things to say about the stand.
“I come here at least every other week. It’s really good,” third-year economics major Isaiah Prophet said. “You know those summer days where you’ll get out of the pool and the hot dogs are ready. This honestly feels exactly like that. It feels very homey.”
As the school year nears its end, the cart continues to attract new customers.
“This is my first time coming to the hot dog stand,” third-year Adrian Addey said. “I keep hearing people talking about it a lot, and I heard it’s a UCSB staple. I’m a transfer student, so I’m trying to be a part of the culture.”
Even years after graduating from UCSB, alumni pay a visit to the stand when they’re in town.
“We have so many parents right now show up visiting their kids, who came to the hot dog stand when they were students here,” Gaum said. “So it’s really funny and they appreciate the memory.”
After over three decades of operation, Gaum has cemented himself as a part of UCSB’s culture, and had a lot of thanks to give.
“Well, I’ve been doing it for 35 years now. I love to be part of the community here,” Gaum said. “I just really want to thank everyone who supports us. It really has been fun. It’s a good ride.”
A version of this article appeared on p. of the May 14 print edition of the Daily Nexus.
