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Unusual school run vegetarian cafe

5 Posted on 03 / 06 / 2013

Roots is a university operated vegetarian dining spot that has mostly vegan food. It is highly unusual among school cafeterias in that respect, and something that should be copied by other schools. The food is great - there were plentiful choices. We had a Hetch Hetchy(Potato Gnocchi) bowl,Sweet Passage (Polenta, Marinara & Veggies), and a bowl of black bean soup. All the dishes were tasty and filling. This place is a great option if you are in the neighborhood. I don't know what the parking situation is though. I thought prices were reasonable.

Pros: Almost entirely vegan, relaxed atmosphere, very helpful staff
Cons: Closed Sat & Sun, closes 4 PM Fri

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Perfect

5 Posted on 02 / 15 / 2013

Roots is awesome. The food is fresh, healthy and delicious, pricing is affordable, staff are friendly, the dining area is spotless and artful, and the tables have plenty of breathing space between one another. And it's amazing that a university runs a vegan resto on campus. But I hear that the meat resto above Roots is busier, so please patronize Roots and boost their benevolent business!

Pros: Taste, Price, Ambience
Cons: None

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Roots - UCSD

3 Posted on 08 / 08 / 2012

[edit by staff] The Valley View and the Curry Down the Mountain are my fav salads and the Sweet passage which is yummy grilled veggies in tomato sauce is my favorite entree! GO VEGAN!!! ps- don't get the smoothie with cayenne pepper and dont let the smoothie with silken soy base sit too long! Also this restaurant is basically the only dining hall with vegan food. The small stores on campus have vegan food but its more expensive than eating at a dining hall. Always ask the dining staff if something is vegan.. they usually don't know but it will make them be more aware that there is a demand for vegan food on campus.

Pros: only vegan food at UCSD, yumm
Cons: not open weekends and closes at 4 on fri, expensive for dining dollars, far if you don't live in muir

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Pretty good, a little pricey

3 Posted on 01 / 17 / 2012

I ate here the first day of classes and it was OK, but not great. The serving size was small and not all that filling for $7. That being said, comparing it to the other dining services on campus it was pretty good, but the Indian place in Price has better bang for your buck, and the co-op seems healthier and WAY cheaper, I will most likely continue to eat at the co-op. I hope Roots gets better, I love the idea and would like to support it.

Pros: decent on-campus food, interesting menu, good atmosphere
Cons: expensive, small portions, a little bland