This is not a restaurant that is easy to get to for non students. Parking is a nightmare. The menu is QR code only, and it's not updated at all. They did not ask if I wanted it for dine in or take out. When my food was ready, I asked if I could get to go boxes, they charged me $5 PER BOX. They don't have any other sauces other than a chipotle sauce and ketchup. They don't have regular fries, only sweet potato fries. The "Chicken tender basket" had 3 small tenders and the rest was all sweet potato fries. Top it off, the food was mediocre at best. The Chicken sandwich was 2 small chicken tenders, and barely any mayo. Workers were not friendly. Terrible experience, will not be going back. There are so many other amazing vegan restaurants out there, I don not recommend this place.
Atmosphere: 1
Service: 1
Partha Shankar
Pleasant and cozy, if a bit small. Service can be a bit slow due to the number of orders but that's to be expected from the only pure vegan place on the UCSD campus. The food is good and flavorful. I don't really recommend the desserts since they're a little mediocre but they're still solid if you really need a sweet.
Vegetarian options: Not just vegetarian but all vegan. No meat or dairy at all and it's still really good.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Vegan Fish Tacos, Sweet Potato Waffle Fries, Black Bean Breakfast Wrap, Vegetable Spaghetti Noodles, Cheesy Fries
jlusin
Friendly service, campus environment, a little expensive
Updated from previous review on 2024-01-20
Gabriela Marcial
I LOVE ROOTS. As a vegan there are little to no other options on campus in terms of food. So appreciative of the designated plant based dining hall. I eat there basically everyday and I’m so hyped that they change the menu every academic year.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Alex Marvin
I have nothing against Roots or people working there, but how come you guys go out of your way to make your menu so inaccessible. Give me a link that takes one click to open the menu from the Google maps location.
Ande Arend
The food was really bad and overpriced for what it was. My friend ordered a grilled cheese with tomatoes on it but was given no tomatoes. The rest of the food was really tasteless. It also too around 25 minutes for our food to be ready.
Vegetarian options: Everything here is vegetarian
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 1
Oasis Endriss
Being a first year student I had high expectations for this place. Being a vegan I have tried a multitude of restaurants and products and unfortunately I’m not impressed. I don’t recommend getting anything on the menu with fries unless you like sweet potatoes. I do recommend the chicken sandwich if you are desperate however plant power isn’t too far of a walk from roots!
muokkaukset
The items are hit-or-miss but the good dishes are fantastic. I personally recommend the ‘fish’ tacos, breakfast plate as well as their desserts.
Norman Michell
I like to go with friends to this place with my highest recommendations. I visit this place often. This recommendation is always successful. The meals are yummy and the stuff is efficient and cooperative. always when we eat in this place we have a pleasing evening. highly recommended.
Asmaa Deiranieh
Very spacious area which is a great atmosphere to study in. The food is always amazing and I love that they have a composting bin and reusable plates! I recommend trying the black beans and rice because it is an inexpensive and filling side dish that is very flavorful and a tad spicy.
Really good for a university housing restaurant. We took their best sellers: fish tacos and roots burger. Their sweet potatoes fries ? are a must. For dessert we had the brownie. I loved the small chocolate chip in it ?
westcornersville
Lots of variety of dishes here, including some that are creative. They have various vegan burgers, plus tacos, gnocchi, noodles made from veggies, BBQ jackfruit, tofu dishes and others. They have soups, salads and smoothies. Tasted great. Slightly smaller portion sizes than I prefer though.
Location is correct on the map--it's in the Stewart Commons in the John Muir College of UCSD (note the address is the UCSD postal address). Nearest free parking (sometimes 2 hours only) is a 1/4 mile walk away on La Jolla Shores Drive.
RushinContractor
I just joined UCSD and this place is going to be a regular lunch spot. I will consume each and every item on the menu over time and the Root burger I had so far was very good indeed. Prices are comparable to rest of the campus food and with a community dining plan this is by far the cheapest vegan place with quality food.
While my rating says 5 stars, I acknowledge that the place is not very accessible to non-UCSD folks. The parking situation in the university is a mess and being in basement of sort, it can be difficult to find. Worth a visit if you ever end up in the university though.
Durpadurp
Wandering through my alma mater and just past my old dorm room I spied Roots. Considering I used to live on Peanut Butter Sandwiches and Ramen noodles when I was last here, This is a huge step up. Had the Root Burger which was your standard burger like veggie patty but it was topped with portobello mushrooms and onions with some lettuce and avocado on the side. You can also get soy cheese and veganaise on it but I’m not into that. I got a piping hot side of sweet potato friend and ate it all outside in the quad of Muir College. Lots of choices and desserts too.
Errhka
Very good - changed my opinion about vegan places. The food here is excellent. I am a total carnivore but I love Roots because they serve tasty food that for the most part doesn't taste vegan. My favorite item is the "fish" tacos because I can't even tell they aren't fish and they taste really good. All of the food is fresh (you can see them making it in the morning) and the staff is super nice. Overall it is a great distraction from the bore that Pines can be sometimes. There is lots of available seating and it's a good place to study while you eat.
This is not a restaurant that is easy to get to for non students. Parking is a nightmare. The menu is QR code only, and it's not updated at all. They did not ask if I wanted it for dine in or take out. When my food was ready, I asked if I could get to go boxes, they charged me $5 PER BOX. They don't have any other sauces other than a chipotle sauce and ketchup. They don't have regular fries, only sweet potato fries. The "Chicken tender basket" had 3 small tenders and the rest was all sweet potato fries. Top it off, the food was mediocre at best. The Chicken sandwich was 2 small chicken tenders, and barely any mayo. Workers were not friendly. Terrible experience, will not be going back. There are so many other amazing vegan restaurants out there, I don not recommend this place.
Atmosphere: 1
Service: 1
Pleasant and cozy, if a bit small. Service can be a bit slow due to the number of orders but that's to be expected from the only pure vegan place on the UCSD campus. The food is good and flavorful. I don't really recommend the desserts since they're a little mediocre but they're still solid if you really need a sweet.
Vegetarian options: Not just vegetarian but all vegan. No meat or dairy at all and it's still really good.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Vegan Fish Tacos, Sweet Potato Waffle Fries, Black Bean Breakfast Wrap, Vegetable Spaghetti Noodles, Cheesy Fries
Friendly service, campus environment, a little expensive Updated from previous review on 2024-01-20
I LOVE ROOTS. As a vegan there are little to no other options on campus in terms of food. So appreciative of the designated plant based dining hall. I eat there basically everyday and I’m so hyped that they change the menu every academic year.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I have nothing against Roots or people working there, but how come you guys go out of your way to make your menu so inaccessible. Give me a link that takes one click to open the menu from the Google maps location.
The food was really bad and overpriced for what it was. My friend ordered a grilled cheese with tomatoes on it but was given no tomatoes. The rest of the food was really tasteless. It also too around 25 minutes for our food to be ready.
Vegetarian options: Everything here is vegetarian
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 1
Being a first year student I had high expectations for this place. Being a vegan I have tried a multitude of restaurants and products and unfortunately I’m not impressed. I don’t recommend getting anything on the menu with fries unless you like sweet potatoes. I do recommend the chicken sandwich if you are desperate however plant power isn’t too far of a walk from roots!
The items are hit-or-miss but the good dishes are fantastic. I personally recommend the ‘fish’ tacos, breakfast plate as well as their desserts.
I like to go with friends to this place with my highest recommendations. I visit this place often. This recommendation is always successful. The meals are yummy and the stuff is efficient and cooperative. always when we eat in this place we have a pleasing evening. highly recommended.
Very spacious area which is a great atmosphere to study in. The food is always amazing and I love that they have a composting bin and reusable plates! I recommend trying the black beans and rice because it is an inexpensive and filling side dish that is very flavorful and a tad spicy.
Restaurantji Recommends
Really good for a university housing restaurant. We took their best sellers: fish tacos and roots burger. Their sweet potatoes fries ? are a must. For dessert we had the brownie. I loved the small chocolate chip in it ?
Lots of variety of dishes here, including some that are creative. They have various vegan burgers, plus tacos, gnocchi, noodles made from veggies, BBQ jackfruit, tofu dishes and others. They have soups, salads and smoothies. Tasted great. Slightly smaller portion sizes than I prefer though. Location is correct on the map--it's in the Stewart Commons in the John Muir College of UCSD (note the address is the UCSD postal address). Nearest free parking (sometimes 2 hours only) is a 1/4 mile walk away on La Jolla Shores Drive.
I just joined UCSD and this place is going to be a regular lunch spot. I will consume each and every item on the menu over time and the Root burger I had so far was very good indeed. Prices are comparable to rest of the campus food and with a community dining plan this is by far the cheapest vegan place with quality food. While my rating says 5 stars, I acknowledge that the place is not very accessible to non-UCSD folks. The parking situation in the university is a mess and being in basement of sort, it can be difficult to find. Worth a visit if you ever end up in the university though.
Wandering through my alma mater and just past my old dorm room I spied Roots. Considering I used to live on Peanut Butter Sandwiches and Ramen noodles when I was last here, This is a huge step up. Had the Root Burger which was your standard burger like veggie patty but it was topped with portobello mushrooms and onions with some lettuce and avocado on the side. You can also get soy cheese and veganaise on it but I’m not into that. I got a piping hot side of sweet potato friend and ate it all outside in the quad of Muir College. Lots of choices and desserts too.
Very good - changed my opinion about vegan places. The food here is excellent. I am a total carnivore but I love Roots because they serve tasty food that for the most part doesn't taste vegan. My favorite item is the "fish" tacos because I can't even tell they aren't fish and they taste really good. All of the food is fresh (you can see them making it in the morning) and the staff is super nice. Overall it is a great distraction from the bore that Pines can be sometimes. There is lots of available seating and it's a good place to study while you eat.
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