The Root Cafe
1500 S Main St, Little Rock, AR, 72202
The Root Cafe Menu
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Address :
1500 S Main St
Little Rock, AR, 72202 - Phone (501) 414-0423
- Website https://therootcafe.com/
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Tue
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch
Parking : Street, Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : No
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Hipster
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : No
Dogs Allowed : Yes
Waiter Service : No
Drive-Thru : No
Caters : Yes
Categories
Burgers
Burger or Hamburger is savored as the most desired fast food meal in the United States. A hamburger is basically a sandwich prepared by stuffing ground meat patty, generally beef, between two slices of a bun cut in half. Hamburger is also famous for its seasoning. Most popular condiments used in hamburgers in the United States are mustard, mayonnaise, and ketchup. Besides ground meat patty, hamburgers are also stuffed with lettuce, onions, tomato slices, pickles, and cheese.
Hamburgers are also categorized into two types in the United States. Fast food hamburger and individual hamburgers served at restaurants are two basic types of burgers served in the United States. The individual hamburgers served at restaurants are prepared using everything including lettuce, onion, tomato, and sliced pickles as well as melted cheese on the patty or crumbled on top. American restaurants also serve veggie burgers for those who don't relish meat. Cheeseburgers are also hot favorite in the United States.
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Julie H.
This place gives me hope for the healthy and delicious food future of Little Rock. I visited my family for about a week and ate here about five times. They're only open for b'fast & lunch at this point, but hopefully down the road they'll be open til dinnertime. At any rate- I'm so glad to have been introduced to this place.
(5)Jeff T.
This place is awesome. The food tastes great and it's all local! Fun place, rather small but it's worth the wait. Super friendly staff and in a great neighborhood. I will be back!
(5)Saul K.
What attracted me the most was the fact that most of their ingredients came from this region. Taste was good and they had quite interesting stuff on their menu. The ambiance was cool and nature-oriented. It's not expensive but expect to spend at least 10 bux/person.
(4)Lindsay S.
A friend and I had our first visit here today and will definitely be back again. We both got the root benny (eggs benedict) - 2 eggs, delicious hollandaise sauce, cooked greens, ham and crostini arranged on a retro plate that looks like it came out of my grandma's kitchen. Sustainability is very important to this cozy restaurant - cloth napkins, mason jar glasses and smart recyclable carry-out containers are only a small bit of their effort to go green. I also love their use of locally sourced ingredients whenever possible, my coffee was roasted right here in Arkansas. Restaurant is serviced by a knowledgable, friendly staff who love to chat with patrons and answer any questions about their menu. My friend also had their bread pudding which she claims was "out of this world" and comes in a big portion (you could share but you might not want to!). When there is warmer weather they have a great outdoor seating area complete with a slide and teeter totter for those of us who dine with kiddos. I enjoyed my visit and look forward to returning soon!
(5)Zachary H.
Wow. We were passing through Little Rock on our way to Austin. I have to say the best food we had on the trip was not in Austin...it was at the Root Cafe in Little Rock. Every single thing we ate, from the bread, to the burgers, to the salad dressing (so simple!) tasted incredible. This is really probably one of the best restaurants I've eaten at in my life and I've had some pretty good fare in "fancier" places. Go here while you have a chance!
(5)kate m.
There's is the best reuben I've ever had. I've tried the burger and the bratwurst. They were good. The reuben is so delicious that I don't really even want to talk to anyone while I'm eating it. It's just me and the sandwich. I'll try the banh mi when I have someone who will split that and a reuben with me. When the fried okra is in season, it's amazing. The chocolate chip cookies are a great option for an appetizer. The vegan cupcakes completely changed my mind about vegan baking. I'm no longer a skeptic. They are delicious. The donut muffins are another deliciously acceptable option. Overally, I'm pretty happy about this place. I go as often as I can.
(5)George H.
Bad experience for sure! They say Sunday Brunch but really it is just breakfast....although traditionally brunch includes both breakfast and lunch...this is not mentioned on the website which says "brunch". Be advised, you tip at the time of ordering and then figure out you bus your own table. Afterwards be prepared to stand for 20 minutes waiting for a table to become available (silently wondering if you will be eating your food while standing). But don't worry, it takes another 45 minutes to get your food, at least half of the party will. Just wait another 10 minutes or so for the rest of the food to arrive. Oh, did I mention that the people who ordered after us already ate and left and the people who ordered after them are eating their food? So when you ask about your order the girl looks insulted and says well there are tickets in front of yours..... To top it all off the pancakes tasted like onions. Maybe it just wasn't our day or maybe it was because it was Sunday. However, we wont be returning for a third visit.
(1)Carley R.
Yum! Locally grown and organically sourced. A cute outdoor sitting garden. Cloth napkins. Really loved the hippy feel of this little place. The egg white omelet i had was good, it had feta cheese and some mystery green I had never had before. But it was quite tasty and seemed on the healthier side of things. Also had a donut muffin which was almost like a snickerdoodle in muffin form. AMAZING.
(4)Tecia D.
Organic, self sustainable, green, fresh, yummy to my tummy. while in Little Rock for the weekend we were up early and looking for something different and NOT hotel food. This place looked closed and was so tiny we almost didn't go in. SO HAPPY we did. They didn't have very much on the menu for vegetarians but I had the egg and cheese biscuit. He had biscuits and sausage gravy. They had cloth napkins that were all mismatched and they washed on site, every coffee mug was its own, they had organic coffee and organic sugar in the raw. I would drive all the way back to little rock just for this place. MUST TRY
(5)Eric W.
Great atmosphere, all local & organic meat and produce, and everything is prepared with care. Long wait. Chill environment. The spicy bahn mi is delicious.
(4)John C.
Great food from local sources.
(5)Christopher T.
Some friends of ours took us here while we were visited them in Little Rock. In short, the food was great. The scrambled tofu Bahn mi was amazing. Even better was the sweet potato hash. Will definitely go back next time we're in town.
(5)Dan G.
Awesome people, awesome food. Owner came out to give us some recommendations as we were driving to Nashville.
(5)Arelia J.
When I visited The Root Cafe they were out of what I wanted, ham and cheese, as well as ruebens, sweet potato fries, and salad. It was after 1:00 and they close at 2:00. I ended up with a curry chicken salad sandwich, which I waited about 20 minutes for -- they were pretty busy and crowded. They exchanged the small side salad that was supposed to come with the sandwich for about a 1/4 cup of blueberries and blackberries. It's a super cute cafe and I'd like to give them another chance sometime but it's really too expensive there for such a bad experience and to receive a tiny cup of fruit in place of a salad. The chicken sandwich was good but just a little too heavy on the curry for me. Probably fine if you really like curry, and I even got used to the amount of curry after a while.
(2)Courtney B.
Amazing local foods grace the menu with options for meat-eaters and vegetarians alike. Oh my gaaaaaaawd, BORSCHT.
(5)Benjamin L.
The food was very good, I do have to say. The problem is the workers at this cafe completely ruined the experience. The guy up front taking the orders was borderline rude at many times and the rest of the staff went down hill from there. My personal favorite was when I said thank you for something and that guy made a "gruff" noise as he walked off. Classy.
(1)Kay W.
Great to have a wonderful healthy veggie place with other options. Like Soul Food meets Hippies. I had the chicken salad on greens, hubby had the cheeseburger (with real cheddar). We shared a small portion of the purple hull peas w/cornbread. American food that is NOT fast food. YAY! Soooo good. Homecooked food like I love to cook at home, and we are on the road in an RV. Excellent. Kudos also for their spirit "building community through local food". Looks like the building was an old ice cream place so they even recycled the building. lol And I love the mason jars, real eating utensils (not plastic) and cloth napkins. However, it is small (we were there early for lunch 11:30), and it was slam packed when we left. Hey! Go get some good healthy homecooked meals here!
(5)John R.
Great food and casual atmosphere. Most unique restaurant, but very relaxing and enjoyable. Expected John Prine to walk in any minute. Good music to boot.
(4)Jill L.
Had lunch here today. The shiitake mushroom "burger" was amazing. Lots of great vegetarian options. Will def go back! Wish more places would emphasize the fresh/organic options rather than over processed foods.
(4)Rachel A.
This place is hippie central! None of the tables/chairs/plates/utencils match, it's what gives this little place it's charm. The decor is pretty random, and modern-hippie-esque, it kind of threw me off when I first walked in. The breakfast menu is small: house made biscuits that you can have with eggs, cheese, sausage, butter, and/or jam, house made muffins (this morning they were apple ginger muffins that looks amazing), and cheesy grits casserole... if they had other breakfast selections, I did not see them. They offer both brewed coffee and espresso beverages- I had the coffee, and it was great! It's locally roasted too! I ordered a biscuit with eggs and Cheddar cheese, and it came with a small pile if local greens on the side. Hmm, breakfast sandwich and salad? It was a little weird, but I was stoked at the same time! I had a few lettuce/spinich leaves with each bite of biscuit, and it was delish! I really loved it! I might add greens to my breakfasts at home now! When you go there, you order at the counter, go get your silverware/cloth napkin, and choose a seat. They will bring you your food. When you are done, you take all your dishes/napkins/recyclables to the bins by the door. Great concept. My trip to the Root Cafe was interesting, and a little odd at times, but I love it and will definitely be back! Can't wait to try the sweet potato fries and house made soups! Go hippies!
(4)Alice C.
Tasty burger, tasty Reuben, tasty soup. We didn't try any of the drinks, but I was tempted by the Mexican coke (as always). I really appreciated that they had sweet potato fries as an option and that it was a small portion, for $1.50. Could I have eaten 3x that amount for $5? Yes, but I didn't need or want to. One suggestion that I would make, is the bread for the Reuben needs to be sliced a little thicker. It was grilled nicely but the sandwich was falling apart. Definitely worth return visits.
(4)Kim M.
The best pickled squash I have ever had. Everything is local and organic. It s nice seeing that stretch of Main St. In a state of revival.
(5)Kat B.
We stumbled on this cafe as we were passing through little rock on a family road trip. We were searching for something gluten free friendly and this was! We ordered the omelette with sausage and it came with a side salad. Both amazing and fresh. Husband says it was the best omelette he's ever eaten. Kids split an egg/cheese/sausage open faced sandwich on gluten free bread (baked locally and one of the best gf breads we have tried). Everything was earth friendly - mason jars for water, cloth napkins, etc. It was a very laid back and casual atmosphere but attention had been given to details. The Food was sourced locally and staff was friendly and knowledgeable. Very kid friendly, with a little green area and baby slide outside. Clean restrooms and good organic coffee rounded out the great breakfast experience!
(5)Stan S.
good but cramped quarters. great concept and i hope it thrives. good for healthy choices, locally produced food and for eating outside. almost a really good restaurant, almost. call me crazy but it seems to me you should never run out of pancakes and i've been twice for breakfast and they were out both times. weird bacon too. this is one of those restaurants that with about 7% more execution would be a great place. attention to detail folks, if the restaurant is packed and there is one open table that is dirty then there shouldnt be 3 people behind the counter doing nothing. if you are going to put cilantro on something then i expect - since you are a restaurant - to actually de-stem the cilantro, c'mon elevate the game.
(3)Jessie C.
One if my favorite places to eat downtown! Everything is made with super fresh, local ingredients from Arkansas farmers and is cooked fresh when you order so it tastes absolutely amazing. The place it's self has a funky, laid back, almost 60s hippy, outdoorsy, farm feel. It is mostly an outdoor open breezy area. They are usually pretty busy so you may have to wait thru a line to order, and since everything is made fresh to order in house, it might take around 30 min to get your food after you order. But trust me. Be patient. Your taste buds will thank you. It is so worth it.
(5)Rose Y.
The food was delicious, but the wait was pretty long. We came here on a Sunday, the busiest time for brunch. We ordered the root benny, beef tenderloin benny (special), hash browns, and toasted caramel coffee. The coffee was strong and brewed just right, and both benedicts were good. I wanted to get the bread pudding, but the food was not covered and flies were buzzing around the quiches, pastries, and pies. I refrained. As for atmosphere, The Root Cafe definitely has a hipster vibe to it. Food is locally sourced, and the decor very much reminds me of Austin or Portland. There is some indoor seating and ample outdoor seating. After we ordered, we waited a good 35-40 minutes before we got our food. Since we weren't in a hurry, we didn't mind and just enjoyed each other's company. However, if you're not prepared to wait for your meal, don't come here on a Sunday. I definitely will come back, but my one suggestion is that they cover their pies and pastries so flies are swarming all over.
(4)Lesley M.
The most local of central Arkansas that you can get! This place is a Little Rock classic. Owner Jack and his wife proudly source seasonally from Arkansas producers and every item is packed with flavor. My personal favorites are the ginger lemonade, chicken curry salad, and eggplant fries (summer time only!). Their brunch menu is the best in town and well worth the 30+ minute wait--plan ahead or order out and stroll through the Bernice Gardens if you're in a hurry! Plus, they have an adorable, warm-hearted staff who can charm just about any crowd. The Root is a must-visit be you a LR resident or just passing through.
(5)Noah H.
All right, realistic expectations: First, there will be a line out the door - just about any time they're open. Luckily, it's not a big place, so "out the door" isn't that far. It is around half an hour on a good day though. Second, it's really small. And since it's popular, that means *busy.* There's wraparound patio seating, outdoor seating, and a very small interior space. Third, they're only open until 2 pm. Word is that dinner is on the way (and we can be excited about that prospect!) but until then, it's early or nothin' Fourth, and final, when you get through that wait, see those stacked chalkboard menus and smiling faces behind counter. Suddenly, it all feels worth it. And then, you try to the food! Oho the food is awesome! And, it's worth noting, the service (waitstaff, cooks and cashier) is excellent. Really, really excellent, which is nothing short of a miracle considering how crazy it gets in there. Most recent experience: On a brunch note, we came on Sunday morning, around 8am when they open, and already the line was out the door. It was a good, fun crowd, and there was a guy playing violin at the door, so it wasn't bad, but it was still half an hour wait in the hot, hot sun. Once we made it inside, we ordered (I got the Gravy Mountain special and the always-delicious Honey Ginger Lemonade) and squeezed into a little table inside. The next hour was so full of "ooh" and "ahhh" that almost no conversation was had until all the food was gone, which is a great sign when you're looking for food! The decor can only be described as "quirky," my favorite little touch being the table markers for servers to bring your food. Each marker has a picture and a little blurb about one of the many local farms The Root sources from. Nothing beats the "hey, I know that guy!" of sourcing locally! Etiquette notes: Bus your own table please. I know it seems crazy in our service-oriented world, but it's part of the charm of the Root and if you like what they do, it's the little something we can do to give back :) Also, this sounds crazy too, but please please don't hold a table for people in line - it keeps the people who already have food from eating and leaving, and actually makes the line go slower
(4)Ainsley D.
Even my nonhippy organic loving family mouthgasmed all over this place . Every morsel moment of food is local and you can taste it in every blissbite. I started the moment with a cardamon coffee on ice and it was perfect. I have never gulped down a coffee so fast. Then I had the Benny which is two poached eggs with a side of seasonal greens (kale soaked in lemon) and ham (from flower fed happy pigs). I. Words. No. Capture. Good. So. So good. If you are into vegan, paleo, primal, keto or eating human friendly food this place is for you. There's a binder of the farms they get the food from. You can go visit them.
(5)Elizabeth D.
Good local food. A little expensive and the place is teeny. But YUM!
(5)Neal C.
Smaller menu, but they do most of it well. Friendly folks, local food, and a hippie environment. Know that for weekend brunch or any day lunch the line will be long, and the food can take 10-20 minutes to arrive, but it's pretty good when you finally get it. The eggs banh mi is my favorite dish: eggs, plenty of shredded carrots and slightly sweet/sour vinegar sauce along with a few crunchy baguette pieces to add a crunch. Portions are fairly small here, but the flavor is on point and the prices aren't too high. It's worth a stop downtown LR.
(4)Nia R.
The vanilla cardamom soy latte is out of this world. Added a couple shots espresso. I'll be stopping here when ever I'm in Little Rock.
(5)Will S.
Personally this place had big shoes to fill as I grew up walking down the street to get an ice cream cone from Sweden Cream. Great food using local / regional ingredients. Because there is limited quantities of ingredients things sell out pretty fast so get there early before the lunch rush. The atmosphere plus the food make it such an authentic experience that it's poised to become a downtown institution after a few more years. They could use a new logo that better represents how great they are.
(5)Leslie S.
I must have missed something here. Yes the chicken curry sandwhich is pretty good. Is it the best thing I have ever tasted and worth the 40 mins wait and no ac on 93 degree weather outside eating? Umm no. Not even close. If this place is height taco, then yes it is worth it. This place ain't. In fact, I prefer the ice cream place across.
(2)Mark H.
What is not to love about The Root? Organic, funky yet quintessentially Southern in nature, organic and FRESH in food, but not a bunch of nutrition NAZI's who insist there is a "right" diet to maintain. Nope, the options are on the boards, and the options are plenty! Vegan pancakes sit next to the Root Benny (two poached eggs served on a bed of seasonal greens with ham and hollandaise), next to the incredible Eggs Banh Mi (two eggs topped with garlic mayo, pickled carrot and daikon radish, jalapeño, cilantro, hoisin and sriracha), listed next to one of the signature breakfast sandwiches, the Big Ole Bessy (bacon, egg, Swiss). In short, The Root is inclusive and will serve you what you want whether you are a well adjusted, progressive thinking hipster or an anal retentive, angst ridden Evangelical Christian with more than your quota of kids. The restaurant provides good options to allow everyone to co-exist, happy and stuffed with goodness!
(5)Kandie A.
Local, local farmers, funky atmosphere, vegan brownies with a hint of chili powder? Decorated with powdered sugar with a raccoon design. Had the tofu bhan min and the eggplant fries. Can't go wrong here. Passing through best find so far in little rock!
(5)David B.
Everyone at this place is so nice. Patrons, staff, everyone. Might be the friendliest restaurant in Little Rock. The food is outstanding and even better, locally grown. Definitely be prepared to wait. Showed up at 1130, ordered at 1210, got my food at 1230. Worth it to me but I had nowhere else to be on a Sunday. Great experience.
(5)Lisa M.
Best food I've eaten in a long, long time. The freshness is just incredible. Great staff. Always helpful & willing to please. Make it by there soon. You will not be disappointed. I had their burger. Best in town !!!
(5)Carl K.
Some of the best home cooked food in central Arkansas. The employees of this place always seem to be in a good mood. The music is also always a good mix of old and new stuff. Now onto the important things the food. The burgers here are always top notch. With all meat and veggies sourced locally you don't have to worry about pesticides or steroids in the meat. If you want a good meal and have the time then definitely go to the root cafe. Trust me you won't be disappointed.
(5)Kayla B.
Overwhelmingly menu with lots to choose from. I went with the peach pancakes, 1 scrambled egg, and a ginger lemonade. I just moved to LR from NY so I feel like I found a gold mine. I'll be here weekly for sure. Lastly, friendly staff.
(5)Doug F.
We always stop by the Root whenever we are in Little Rock. There is always a line out the door, and it is laws worth the wait. The food is probably the best brunch in the city, and it is almost all locally sourced. My favorite is the biscuits and gravy... Hands down, but there is no way to make a regrettable menu choice. Only reason I gave it four stars, is the fact that the place is small, crowded, and disorganized, not to mention a bit slow when things are really busy. I'm looking forward to their expansion!
(4)Lanna C.
I could not find a negative thing to say about The Root if I tried. We've been eating there since they opened their doors and while the layout of the building has changed somewhat, it's all been for the better. As a vegetarian, their willingness to customize the menu is awesome, along with their regular veg menu options. The tofu bahn-mi is delicious, and has a great sriracha kick. My recent favorite has been the house salad (usually with a fried duck egg added). Calling it a house salad is maybe misleading...this is no bowl of iceberg with a few grape tomatoes and some bacon bits. They use a variety of delicious, fresh greens, roasted veggies, local cheeses, and house-made dressing on the side to top it off as you please. I could eat this salad every day for the rest of my life and never get bored...probably because they mix it up with what's seasonal. Like I said...not a negative thing to be said about the place. Amazing food, wonderful and friendly staff, and the owners are just about the sweetest people in Little Rock. Looking forward to their upcoming changes and expansions!
(5)Kristen A.
This place is the quaintest breakfast and lunch joint in town! My friends from other cities often say it feels like it belongs in Portland. They have garden seating with a slide and seesaw for the kids, outdoor seating that is sheltered from the weather with plastic curtain walls, or indoor seating. But it is very tiny, and fills up fast! Lunch often brings a long line, so don't go if you're limited on time or don't like standing. They have options for vegans, vegetarians, meat lovers, and even the gluten avoiders. Everything I've had (which is almost everything) is spectacular, even down to the grilled cheese. Most dishes come with a side salad, and the house made dressing is awesome! Sweet potato fries should not be missed! The service is friendly, but this is not the sort of spot to ask for stuff off menu, or lots of modifications. The staff is small and the food is mostly sourced locally, so plan on ordering as-is on the menu.
(5)Dre G.
I love the root and so does my 1 year old German Shepherd. I'm always on the lookout floor spoof friendly places with good food and they knock it out of the park on both counts. They always being him a water bowl and all of the staff are super nice. The food is great and I love that it's locally sourced. I won't wait more than 5-10 mins for a chain restaurant but I'll gladly wait at the root!
(5)Peter L.
Go before the lunch rush starts and on a pretty day. Great, great food and fun atmosphere. Staff is a little too cool to be nice, but it's worth it.
(5)Rob M.
A small, eclectic menu with vastly more outdoor seating than indoor; if you want air-conditioned comfort, go elsewhere. We sat out on the patio under umbrella-covered shade, but sweltered in 95F heat and humidity. That gripe out of the way, the menu is actually quite interesting; the chicken salad salad was just the thing for the circumstances, and quite tasty, too. Recommended, but only on off-hours or if you don't mind outdoor seating.
(3)Sue B.
Great, quality food !
(5)Heather G.
Great anniversary dinner. They even made us a congrats card. Delicious food, and fun atmosphere.
(5)Christopher S.
Super great food (locavores take note), vibe was dope AF and owner was a nice dude. you should totally come here for a delicious lunch. welcome to Arkansas.
(5)N P.
Fun. Quirky. Goooooooood. I didn't know what to expect from this place. It was either a hip dive or a terrible mistake. Thankfully it was a phenomenal find. If you are looking for standard, uniform, and uptight, stifle you snobbery and try this place. You may have to wait. You will sit close to your fellow diners. You will have to get your own water. But this place has good, wholesome food. And the vegan brownies could fool a non-vegan. :)
(5)Melissa D.
Never been the one to write a review but this place has stolen my gluten free/lactose intolerant heart. In town just for work and rely on vegan restaurants when I'm on the road. Even though not vegan, I am restricted by gluten and lactose. Best breakfast I've had that met my allergy needs. Adorable outdoor atmosphere, great service.
(5)Jessica D.
Excellent food. A little pricey, but definitely worth the price.
(5)Tonya D.
Oh so hipster kind of place, I loved it. Boyfriend was disappointed over lack of pancakes, I mean, a breakfast place that runs out of pancakes? A good one. The food we ended up with was really good and the atmosphere was excellent. When sitting outside, sit under a fan so you don't have to deal with flies.
(4)Ellie W.
We found this quirky little delight along our travels and the food was fabulous and so fresh!! Highly recommend stopping here.
(5)Julie C.
Thanks to Yelp we knew to immediately come here for breakfast. And thank goodness we did not settle for anything else because The Root serves up amazing delicious treats and is super cute! So glad for the find. Even the tiny human in the group was in love with her breakfast and her lavender lemonade, which was amazing. Still kinda wishing I had tried the ginger lemonade, but my needs for coffee were too great! So my mom and I had the eggs bahn mi with pork belly. One word. Amazing. I loved this dish. LOVED IT! Generous portion. So much perfectly seasoned delicious pork belly-combined with fresh eggs, picked veggies plus a little salad, raw jalapeño and toasted pieces of baguette. Fantastic! Truly one of the best breakfasts I've had in quite some time. Sibling had the sweet potato hash with house made sausage...also fabulous and served up with two poached eggs, but it was a little heavy to just eat alone. We ended up going halfsies with the bahn mi...just to break up the richness of the hash. Niece had a sausage egg and cheese biscuit- the biscuits are absolutely delicious. Rich and buttery...I could have eaten several, but she was so greedy I had to make do with just a few little crumbs. Loved the patio options and the live violin! (We were there for Sunday brunch). It's a little hectic getting settled...basically you walk in and place your order- it definitely helped that I knew what I wanted because it was mad busy and I would have had to let people behind me go ahead and order or feel like an ass holding up the line while I read the menu. Once you pay you basically get a little card to sit on your table so they know where to bring your food, and then you can grab a mug or mason jar for your drinks and begin the quest for a table. And by quest I mean the process where you eyeball the room and/or patio; frantically looking for empty plates and people that look like they're getting up soon and gently stalk out the table you want. Somehow it all worked out and we weren't stuck holding our drinks for long. This is definitely a cute and quirky local spot serving up food goodness and I would recommend and return.
(5)Charles G.
Hot, cramped and full of hipsters, The Root could easily be a candidate for a poor rating if the food were not absolutely blow-your-mind awesome. Fortunately, after the first bite of literally anything on the menu, you'll forgive this place of its shortcomings, and maybe even come to see them as quirky charms instead.
(4)Lara L.
Excellent! Every single thing exceeded expectations! The grown-ups had the Roots Benny (lived the greens!) and Eggs Bahn Mi - wow! Kids had pancakes (best I've tasted with hot real maple syrup) and Biscuits & Gravy. Even the fresh-squeezed lemonade was outstanding and my Cafe au Lait! Kitschy little place kept the kids interested. We'll be back to try lunch someday!!!
(5)Harold H.
Great food, funky ambience. Organic, local, fresh, yummy. Vegetarian and Vegan options available. And Mountain Valley Water in the glass bottle! I love this place. Try the Shitake burger or the Eggs Bahn Mat. And the Root Benny. And the Sweet Potato fries. Oh, hell, everything is great.
(5)Tommy R.
I've been eating at the root for about a year now and I must say, it's hands down my favorite eating establishment in the state. (Chuck's BBQ in Hot Springs is a very close second.) This place is dope, the staff is super friendly, the food is off the chain good and on top of all that, all of their meats, eggs and bread is all locally produced as well as most of their vegetables, fruits, nuts and cheeses. On Sundays they have specials that are always fun, different and new. Seating is a little cramped sometimes when they're busy and wait times might get a little crazy, but this place is the real deal with real people who own it and real people who work here. I met the owner or owner's wife or whatever one time at The Green Corner Store which is across the street and she was just the sweetest and nicest lady. I saw something about the big orange on one of the reviews, which I think is silly seeing how you really can't compare the two. I like that place just as much as the next guy, but don't forget the the people who own that place also own Zazas. . . and I heard a new brewery? Like I said, this place is the real deal, not just another "concept restaurant" on some millionare's list of investments. Check it out sometime. . . then walk across the street and treat yoself to some ice cream from Green Corner Store. You've earned it.
(5)Randol H.
Love this place. The food is excellent and the service is pretty solid. I really have nothing to complain about except that the place is so small that it gets pretty crowded and hard to get a table during busier hours. I like the fact that they do everything possible to have local stuff on the menu. Obviously nobody s growing coffee in Arkansas, at least as far as I know, but it's roasted in the next town over. All of the little table markers have something about the farms or ranches they use for their ingredients. The menu is basic breakfast and brunch stuff with a smattering of hamburgers and locally made sausages for lunch service. I've had the biscuits and gravy as well as the omelettes and they were both very well done. Sriracha is available in the kitchen if you want it. The decor is also a very nice touch, antique and vintage milk bottles, advertising and other farm-ish paraphernalia are a very nice touch. The salt and pepper shakers on every table are chintzy little souveniers from various places around the world. Definitely worth a visit if you're in the area.
(5)Shannon S.
I think this restaurant has some really great things to offer in Little Rock. I love that it's a hippie-hub, and that the focus upon the environment and sustainability and locally harvested foods. I had a bacon, egg, and cheese biscuit with the cardamom latte. All things were nice, but the only thing that really stood out, flavor-wise, was the raspberry jam. It was so sweet and tart, and I enjoyed it with the biscuit. I should've tried something more unique like the pancakes of the day. The only thing I disliked: ordering at the bar and foraging for ourselves in a tiny space. Walk-up ordering could be awesome, so long as you have the space to accommodate the line that forms. Even food trucks navigate this process better. If you're going to keep the place tiny, then have full service waitstaff. That way customers and food runners don't run over each other.
(3)Judi A.
Best deviled egg salad sandwich. Traveling from VA to NM and not eating t at any chain restaurants. This is a must stop!
(5)Melissa V.
One of the best breakfast places I've had in a long time. Reminded me a lot of places in Portland! Would definitely try the vegan pancakes and spicy vegan brownie! STUPID GOOD!
(5)Crystal W.
The "root benny" is so yummy! (Eggs Benedict) Service is friendly and helpful! My order came out wrong, pretty sure by my mistake, they were wonderful and fixed it right away! Their coffee is yum too!
(5)Lizzy F.
The food is great and part of the trending locavore movement. The customer service and seating could improve, now that they are becoming more popular. I think they're just a little understaffed and could rethink seating to really become top notch.
(4)Suzanne T.
I am from a larger city, Columbus, OH, so I love finding out of the way restaurants like this one! It lived up to its reputation for good, healthy food. The atmosphere is casual and comfortable. I loved my scramble for brunch. It was worth the wait. If I wanted fast food, I would go elsewhere! I will go back very soon!
(5)Nancy D.
okay, I stand in line for 30-60 min then I'm asked if I want to tip off that experience, thank you, no. The fries come out 5min before my lunch. The Bahn Mi, is not a Bahn Mi. The carrot daikon pickle was not pickled. There was no cucumber, one sprig of cilantro. On the flip side my husband's burger was awesome. One piece of advice, get some servers and get some better tables that don't sugar packets under them. Sorry, way too granola for me, but still capitalist wanting that tip before I got any service
(2)Cristie T.
Favorite spot! Biscuits and gravy with scrambled eggs is the best breakfast item. I love the carrot cake and coffee. Hamburger is the best lunch item. Super nice people and great tasting food from local farmers. Wish the menu was larger and sometimes find dead bugs in salad...nothing commercial here except the Little Rock water, so bring your own.
(4)Charlie K.
I wish I could give less than one star. I hate The Root so much. I've gone a number of times trying to like this place and I just can't. At all. The staff is always rude, the food takes forever, and then is never quite right when it gets there. To top it off, the food is at best mediocre. Maybe the cold hipster vibe and bland meals is part of the perceived charm, but I sure don't get it.
(1)Carolyn G.
A Little Rock favorite. I've been several times, for breakfast and lunch, and it never disappoints. Great staff, fantastic food, and locally sourced ingredients. Plenty of options for vegetarians and the gluten-wary alike. Get there early to beat the crowds and try the Eggs Bahn Mi!
(5)Chris C.
I had the Bahn mi sandwhich and it was terrific! I was surprised at how much care was taken to make a quality sandwhich; it really looked as good as it tasted. I think some people would perceive the price to be high, but I believe it was completely in line with the quality of the food. it's a very casual atmosphere with great food; I've been once before and this will not be my last time, no doubt.
(4)James J.
This placed delivered as promised. The Pros: they use a farm to table approach with a lot of thier menu items. I love Breakfast and I was told they had some of the best breakfast fair in town. I ordered and egg white omelet with everything. The Roots version of a everything came to the table with excellent presentation. The look, smell, and taste of farm fresh eggs and veggies lived up to all the hipe I had been promised by friends. Overall I can say the food and culinary combinations offered are great. The Cons: Several friends and family members stated it was crowded, provided a very new age hipster type atmosphere and that is very true. But It wasn't just crowded it was closet sized get to know your neighbors crowded. Slightly pricy. Of course if you account for the attempt to offer as much farm to table and organic food as possible then it is cheap. All in all the Roots Cafe breakfast did not disappoint.
(4)Stephanie M.
This place is so so sooo good. The atmosphere is incredibly kitschy and almost dive-y (mismatched place settings and Mason jars as drink glasses for example), but definitely a pleasant change of pace from pretty much every other restaurant ever. As for the food, I'm not the biggest sandwich fan by a long shot, but their vegan bánh mì is definitely the exception to that rule. Unfortunately I can't say much more about it or else I'll end up feeling the need to eat a second one today. They also have incredible vegan brownies, which may be eyebrow-raising to some, but just trust me on this one. My one complaint though would have to be their limited hours. They're only open in the morning and afternoon, which is when I'm either sleeping or working. There are also several flea markets and such in the garden down the street which end around the same time The Root closes, and it would be awesome to sit down and eat here after working outside all day. But as it is, I can settle for my bánh mì to go.
(4)Abby B.
My mouth waters just thinking about the root. I love everything about it. I love the concept of doing things local and fresh. That's the best way to go! I've never been disappointed and the food is always delicious! It's a very small unique restaurant in the somo area. I feel like it really shows newcomers what Arkansas had to offer and it's not just fried food! I always feel very welcomed when I come to the food. Everyone's always smiling and always very busy. Biscuits n gravy are my absolute favorite and my boyfriend really enjoys the sausage and sweet potato mix. Either way you'll leave with a smile and a full belly.
(5)Evelyn C.
One word - WOW. I ended up in Little Rock by myself on business and found this place through Yelp. Coming from NYC, I wasn't sure what kind of food I'd find there (such a stereotype - horrible, I know) and was so excited to try The Root Cafe. The place itself is adorable and super cozy. I ordered the Eggs Bahn Mi and a Caramel Iced Coffee. The food was fresh, delicious and inventive. Loved that they use local ingredients and support sustainability. I was sad I couldn't try more on the menu! This place is a MUST TRY if in the area! Wish they had one in NYC!
(5)F. John R.
If you are looking for the perfect brunch/greasy spoon place then you have found it. The food is awesome, and the atmosphere is the most chill place you will find in Little Rock.
(5)Emilia R.
While I can appreciate your comments regarding your using local vendors you did not address my comments regarding the fact that your food was marginal for the price you charge. Perhaps you can take some lesson from Big Orange. Their food was expensive by comparison but the quality was exceptional. We don't mind paying more if the food is up to that standard. We've dined at Big Orange many times, paid more and have yet to have been disappointed. The Fold is another of your competitors from whom you may consider taking lesson. Their food is very high quality, presentation on par with gourmet restaurant, price was extremely reasonable. BTW, there was an older couple seated next to us whose comment regarding their meal was, "We don't get what the big flap over this place is." Let's just chalk it up to y'all were having a bad day and you put out less than noteworthy food. Perhaps one day my husband and I may give y'all another shot. But it likely won't be any time soon. We wish you nothing but great success... sincerely.
(1)S. V.
This place is CRAZY GOOD, you gotta try it !!! First let me say I was a little disappointed that they don't serve breakfast until they close. So I had to (dear I say) settle for something off their lunch menu. But, OMG my toasted curry chicken salad, salad was by far the best thing I've ever had for lunch. Topped it off with a Honey/Ginger Lemonade and I was in heaven. The reason why is, I'm traveling across the country to LA from FL and had to eat at place in east AK and it was so bad I left before my meal came. Nothing but Fried, Fried and more Fried FOOD. I was starving too, just couldn't stomach the thought of mashed potatoes from a box...what's wrong with people, why settle for crap from a box??? The story here is everything is FRESH & Organic, don't worry there's meat there too. If I ever make it back to Little Rock, I headed here for breakfast. Bottom line, this Place ROCKS !!!
(5)Taylor R.
Loved the breakfast here! The Root Benny was incredible, as was the omelette and the biscuits/gravy. It was all "locally sourced," so it tasted so fresh! I'm a sucker for hipster, local places, but this lived up to and exceeded my expectations :)
(4)Trevor N.
We just missed breakfast (which looks awesome) but were totally pleased with our lunch. Staff was friendly and nailed the details.
(4)Todd M.
Early Birthday/Game brunch. The seating is limited, but this is a cute (very hipster) place in the Quapaw Quarter. The food is pretty good, but it is crowded. The atmosphere is NOT fancy at all, but that is part of the charm. You can get your own coffee and select your own mug. Looks like a collection of every coffee mug since the beginning of time. Grab for brunch one of the crazy root benedicts - they are worth a try. But fair warning - no bloody marys!
(3)Gregorio R.
I love this place because its culinary creations are out of this world and made from locally sourced produce and meats. The atmosphere is very casual and unpretentious. However, it is a bit pricy while the accommodations (seating, cooling, and heating) are lacking. I know they have not been open for long, so I am sure the necessary upgrades will happen soon.
(4)Amber N.
We ordered take away because we were just driving though town and the place was packed when we got there. Luckily we got there when we did because after we ordered there was a line out the door until we left.... an hour later... for take away. My husband and I ordered vegan Bánh Mì and put in our name with the order. We decided to wait outside because no matter where we tired to stand inside we felt in the way. We waited for a good half hour before my husband went in to check on our order. He didn't see it anywhere and the lady behind the counter was too busy to be bothered without us being rude. We waited another good 15+ minutes before he went in again and managed to talk to someone. Apparently, our food had been sitting there for quite a while. For a place that is so small inside it makes sense that we would wait outside and because we put in our name and there was a waitress running food out to the tables outside it doesn't seem too far fetched to assume they would have called our name outside after or order was ready, or at least after it had sat there for a while. But I suppose we could be faulted since we didn't continually bother the staff for our food. The food was good, but not worth the wait or the crowd we would have experienced staying there since their vegan options were somewhat limited.
(3)Michelle ..
This place was highly recommended from my preceptors. I finally had the chance to make it out before their breakfast ended at 11. I would describe this place as a hole in the wall cafe. The parking lot is very small --only 6-8 parking spots? However, there is lots of street parking and I did not have a problem finding parking. The inside in very small and not much going on decor wise. There is about 5 table varying in size inside and there is outdoor sitting. I can't image coming here during the winter because of the seating issue. Definitely would not want to sit out side in the cold (I imagine they would have space heaters out). When you come in, you order your meal and pay at the counter. They give you a number grab your own drinks and cutlery and sit yourself. I ordered the egg banh mi which was good! It is their spin off of the Vietnamese sandwich. I did notice the hints of Vietnamese flavors. It was very good. My only negative was that I wished they gave you more bread. Next time I would also ask if my eggs can be a bit more runny. I also wanted to try the tofu scrambler but they were all out =(. The special of the day was french toast which looked very good too but already knew before coming in that I wanted to try the egg banh mi. I look forward to coming back and trying other menu items and bringing my family and friends here. I also the love that they support local farmers and use local products. That is always a plus in my book and they are not expensive!
(4)Kevin T.
Delicious local food. Found this place on a road trip east and loved it . The atmosphere, the food, and the people are all wonderful. When he heard we were headed to Nashville, the owner showed us a magazine about a famous chicken place in Nashville and talked with us for a while. Such a nice guy and such a tremendous restaurant!
(5)Juju N.
I'm an out of towner from St. Louis, MO. So fill the bias's accordingly. Wanted to get a healthy brunch to get me energized for the day and decided to try here. Below is my review. Atmosphere: Great, very unique. During winter months bring jacket to wear inside while you eat. The seemed to not have any form of heating going on. It is busy in there, I suggest ordering to-go and when a table opens just sit and eat. They do not clean their tables so make sure to have a napkin to wipe off before you sit. We also left the restaurant smelling like a restaurant for the entire day (I know you guys know what I mean... So if you come visit make sure to have perfume or leave your jackets in the car) Customer service: Hostess/ cashier is nice but failed to answer a simple question. Asked if they had vegan pancakes ... Said yes and after ordering they came up and said they didn't and I just got regular pancakes for $7. Food: Came for brunch, so I ended up getting original pancakes ( originally ordered vegan pancakes, but they didn't have any that day), fresh OJ, and Bahn mi scrambled eggs. The fresh OJ was pretty good, the pancakes in my opinion were not worth $7 and tasted like something I could make bymyself. The Bahn mi scramble looked amazing but tasted very salty ( advise ordering without the sauce, if you want to watch your sodium intake). It's just not how I wanted to start my morning ... Feeling salty and bloated. The toast the comes with the eggs was stale and not warm. This review is based off their breakfast menu, service, and atmosphere. Please note we are from a more metropolitan area and are used to little restaurants like this and this review is based off the experience of eating at vegan/healthy type restaurants.
(2)Elton D.
Good for hippies, but they serve meat too!! Extremely happy with the salad and burger. One of the best. In town for 3 days for business and going back once more. Very friendly and talented staff.
(5)Wizdom T.
So I opted for simple although they certainly have an interesting menu. I had the egg & cheese biscuit with a side of greens. The latter request is not typically sold as a side item but they accommodated me with a smile (after a pause of...huh?) Meal was delish, side of freshly squeezed OJ topped it off. I bought a choco chip cookie that looked like it was made in somebody's Grandmas kitchen, can't wait to chomp down on that for my "later on" treat. Really cute spot, I'd definitely recommend trying out if you find yourself in Little Rock & not feeling the deep fried everything local fare I've been noticing as the staple out here.
(5)Emma K.
Best espresso I've had in a loooong time - excellent choice for brunch. We were traveling through and looking for a place to eat vegan. A few, excellent choices for vegans and vegetarians. We had the shiitake burger with an order of the 1/2 and 1/2 fries (regular and sweet potato) - they were delicious. Loved the crunchy vibe and outdoor garden set-up - seemed like a great place to bring kids too. Yay for vegan, local, no chemical food! It's great to see that this is becoming a strong trend throughout the country.
(5)Sarah G.
I've been waiting months (about 6) to write this review. I finally decided to bite the bullet after another breakfast experience the other day -- probably my 6th or 7th time eating a full meal at The Root. I *definitely* appreciate what they're doing. Farm to Table is commendable and expensive and hard to pull off in a place where it's not yet the norm for consumer markets. At the end of the day though, the food and space just doesn't live up to the hype and it feels monotonous. Oh, and it breaks the bank. I've ordered: eggplant fries, sweet potato fries, soups, salads, eggs banh mi, the burger, pancakes, and sausage and egg biscuit, and most recently the omelette. The latter is, obviously, what pushed me over the edge. It's just not that good (and definitely not special), especially for someone who buys local eggs, cheese, and veg when finances permit. As usual, it came with the standard side salad but...it's local lettuce and a house dressing. Presumably most local food advocates are using local lettuce and making a house dressing at home. I ordered sausage on the side...and a coffee (just a straight up coffee...also, pretty standard brew) and while everything is fair enough, it's too expensive and too standard to warrant more repeat visits. Clearing your own table is cool and all but people are filthy...I don't think I've ever sat down to a clean table. And the wait. The wait can be intolerable. An instance comes to mind: popped in for lunch with two folks I was bringing to the airport at 1:00. We recognized the potential wait but decided that *no way* it would take more than 45 minutes to receive our order. It took 90 minutes (on a weekday) and they had to eat their food at the airport. I scarfed it down in my car. And yay local ground beef...but boo bone fragment. I also once made the mistake of ordering a house soda with my burger and eggplant fries and I ended up with three sips of relatively sweet simple syrup, soda water, and a $24 tab for one. That's just too lame for me to handle.
(2)Betty E.
This place was amazing! Such a cute place! The vegetarian options are amazing and the desserts so yummy! There was a line to get in but so worth it!
(5)Kolin G.
Visiting little rock on business and stopped in for lunch. Super fresh, cool atmosphere, amazing food. Five stars isn't high enough. You won't be disappointed. Try the burgers.
(5)J K.
Quite possibly the best pancakes I've ever had! I don't know what made them so good, but they were outstanding. Soft butter and warm maple syrup. Two eggs over easy and a latte. Small place so I bet it gets jam packed on the weekends. Mismatched chairs and tables. Cool little place to have a great breakfast.
(5)D D.
Kinda tight space, felt like a shack. Small seating/table space but food was pretty good. Fries had too much salt though. Would go back to try their breakfast.
(4)Cate N.
This is not a place that people frequent because of quality service or elegant decor. Rather, people from all walks of life come streaming in to enjoy the high quality food from local farms and producers in Arkansas. My Eggs Bahn Mi were delicious. I enjoyed the spiciness along with the carrots and salad on top. My lavender lemonade was also tasty and was a nice compliment to the spicy heat of the eggs. It was the first time I have had a Lapsang Latte, which was quite nice and the chocolate chip cookies are absolutely outrageous... (Don't leave here without trying one). The only thing I did not enjoy was the awful discordant hard rock music blaring in the background. This place is without a doubt worth a stop if you don't mind discordant clanging while you eat.
(3)Elsie N.
Went for breakfast at this cafe that promotes "building community through local food." Staff was friendly and we had a discussion with another customer waiting for food in this small indoor space. Not quite ready for their outdoor seating!Prices were a bit higher than listed online but enjoyed our food. The veggies and cheese were the stars in the omelette. A side salad with juliennes of jicama and a pungent ceasar-like dressing was a good complement. My partner had the Root Benny. Flavorful without being too salty locally sourced ham worked well with fresh, lightly cooked spinach and two slightly over-poached eggs. He would have liked a little more hollandaise. Three crostini added texture to the dish. For being a small place, there were a number of interesting menu items to try. Rooting for you!
(5)Harper Z.
Man I miss this place. I moved out of the Little Rock area about 6 months after The Root opened and make sure I return each and every time I visit. Breakfast/Brunch/Lunch, it doesn't matter. Each meal is locally sourced and fresh tasting. This is how food should taste. I haven't had anything I haven't enjoyed and the staff is awesome at helping you make a choice or describing new items or specials. You can tell food matters here. Decor is non-annoyingly hispter and comfortable if not a little tiny. It can get a bit crowded during peak hours (10ish for brunch, noonish for lunch), but the staff helps move things along and added seating outside has made things run smoother. Glad to see The Root is doing so well and I look forward to many more visits in the years to come.
(4)Kara L.
Delicious local food and homemade lemonade. I had a salad with farm fresh strawberries, pecans and goat cheese. I asked for chicken on it and got chicken salad (kind of weird but whatever) Only complaint was it was EXPENSIVE! A salad and lemonade ran me 16 dollars ouch! But none the less a cute local spot.
(4)Kylie D.
This is by far my favorite place to grab breakfast or brunch in Little Rock. You cannot go wrong with the Root Benny or Shitake Benny. However, the Eggs Banh are by far the most amazing thing on the menu. Their house dressing is an added touch as well. I love the atmosphere and the staff is always welcoming. Call in orders are very easy because you can skip the large line.
(5)Rupal B.
This is a place that I take my out-of-town guests for brunch regularly. It is definitely easy to miss if you are driving too fast. But nowadays, I just tell people to look for the adjacent building with the vegetable mural. Now let's talk about the food. It is delicious. I would like to state that I was on the Sriracha bandwagon as a kid and we used to refer to it as "Vietnamese chutney" in our household. Hence, it is not surprising that I usually get the eggs banh mi or veggie banh mi. My friends have ordered the salads and the french toast and all of them raved about it. If you're looking for a fancy-schmancy place, this is probably not it considering they have a box of what look like wood scraps used to put under either your chair or table leg to keep them from rocking. I, of course, find it incredibly charming. So, if you're looking for a yummy and unique (for Little Rock) place for brunch or lunch and are not a claustrophobe or a yuppy, go to the Root Cafe. You will deifnitely not be disappointed.
(5)Abraham R.
The food is great and the outdoor tables in the front yard are a great place to have lunch. It is more of a local cafe so don't expect it to be fancy.
(4)Maegen B.
This is our favorite place in Little Rock. We go here often and have never had a bad experience. The food is fantastic and always fresh, service is great, and the staff is very friendly. If they are packed you might have to wait a little longer for your food but it will come out hot and delicious. Make sure you get dessert!
(5)Louis K.
Good place for breakfast in Little Rock. I was surprised to find this type of place in LR while driving through on route 40. The pancakes were good, the fruit was fresh, but the coffee is just ok. I would give this place a solid 3.5 stars but the people were really nice so I'm giving them 4 stars here, it's more of the type of food you'd find in a bigger market.
(4)Heather N.
Back again! This time we came for breakfast, since their breakfast menu sounds almost as good as their lunch menu. I ordered an omelette and added local sausage (served with a side salad... never had salad for breakfast, but the dressing is so delicious I was not going to complain). This was HUGE and so delicious. It was two eggs, stuffed with grilled onions, peppers, feta, cheddar and sausage. I'll put it out there as the best omelette I've ever had. Graham had the Root Benny, which is two poached eggs served over bed of seasonal greens with local ham and topped with hollandaise. I didn't try this, because the thought of eating runny egg yolks makes me gag, but he loved it. He said the eggs were good, but the real star were the greens & the ham. My only complaint about their breakfast menu: no potato item for a side dish. We were going to improvise and share another basket of their amazing fries, but they don't start making fries until 11:00. That was disappointing and frustrating. I like carbs, and my very low carb breakfast had me hungry again really quickly. This place has such a cool vibe, and the food is amazing. Definitely check it out!
(4)Delilah R.
I've been to soooo many actual viet owned restaurants all over So cal and the root cafe has the best banh mi tofu sandwich ever! It is just amazing. It's also super filling also. The sweet potato fries are homemade and they are super yummy. I actually haven't tried anything else from that place but the banh mi and the sweet potato fries but that's only because they are so good and I refuse to order anything else. The only flaw I can say is the place is super small inside and packed it's kinda like a fire hazard Ahaha.
(4)linda s.
This place is fabulous, everything is great. I love the root
(5)Maggie C.
What an excellent little hole in the wall cafe! The food was both comforting and unique. We had their special heirloom sandwich with fresh basil & corn topped with balsalmic over wholewheat sourdough bread. The devil egged sandwich. And the curry chicken sandwich. All were delicious, hearty and perfectly seasoned. Oh and how could I forget what was quite possibly the best chocolate chip cookie, think fresh out-of-the oven, soft middle, kind of a cookie. On top of the great food. The ambiance was cozy and inviting. The staff was hospitable and prompt. While I don't live here I won't be able to frequent... I will certainly return to the root cafe when I come back to town.
(5)Jami C.
Was having a spur-of-the-moment breakfast with a couple of friends & decided to try here for something new & different.... So glad we did! I had the eggs bahn mi - yummmm! The description on the menu is spot-on; shipwrecked eggs w/ their delish sauce(s).... Would've never thought I'd appreciate a salad w/ my breakfast but this was a good match - the leafy greens were so fresh & just-right! My friends had the biscuits & gravy & sd it was great too - sadly, none of us wanted to share ;-) The seating area is very small but I believe they open up quite a bit more outside.... An eclectic, funky vibe in the place & great food - a definite hit!
(5)Greg W.
Stopped in for lunch right before 11am on a Wednesday. The menu wasn't huge but you can tell they key in on signature items. Had the currey chicken salad sandwich that came with a side salad. My co-worker had a burger and salad. As promoted, "farm to table" is evident in the amazing flavor you get from a simple salad. At the risk of sounding like too much of a hippy, simple and organic works! Would recommend stopping in for lunch, parking is good and get there at a decent time and enjoy the outdoor seating and country style.
(5)Paulette D.
We arrived during a late lunch rush so there was a bit of a line to order. There is a small seating area inside, a small enclosed patio and an open lawn area with a few tables. We ordered the curry chicken salad, a cheese burger and a small french fry. The curry chicken salad was delicious. The curry flavor was balanced and not over powering. The cheese burger was juicy and cook perfectly. They had a little too much garlic mayo on it but it still tasted great. Both came with a small mixed green salad with a delicious dressing which I think had dill in it. Everything tastes fresh. Nice friendly employees who handled the crush of people with a smile.
(4)G W.
One of the best diners I've been to and I'm from out of state. Great small town atmosphere with a very friendly staff. Outside seating is really cute and relaxing as well. The food is great and they use local produce and meat which makes it all the better! OJ is all natural and their biscuits are a must try! Highly recommended!
(5)Chef D.
Enjoyed a lovely Sunday brunch here today. The food was impeccable, but the solo violinist was transcendent!!!! Really swept us away into a blissful morning.
(5)Ed D.
A perfect (and unexpected) find! That basically sums it up. I was in town for business and while I love BBQ and typical Southern cooking I can only eat that infrequently. I was craving something for breakfast other than processed carbs and fat and searched Yelp and was so happy to find Root Cafe. I had the Eggs Banh Mi and they were a perfect combination of spicy and healthy. If I'm back in Little Rock I'll definitely be stopping here again!
(5)Cate C.
I saw some pictures of French toast on Yelp and was bummed to find out it wasn't on the menu...Perhaps I needed to make a special request? Anyway, I got the Root Benny instead. Touted as "Eggs Benedict with a twist," it was more like "Eggs Benedict deconstructed." Everything was separated: two poached eggs, ham, spinach, and 3 crostinis w/ a drizzle of Hollandaise that was not noticeable. My partner thought it was forgotten entirely. Individually, everything was cooked and prepared perfectly. However, the dish as a whole was not great and certainly not worth the 9 bucks I paid. I was initially surprised that crostinis were used since it's hard and pretty much a cracker. But now I know you aren't meant to top it with anything and you'll be lucky to sop up the eggs with it. Pretty disappointed. Will not be returning.
(1)Yun W.
Cute family-run cafe in downtown Little Rock. We tried the Spicy Bahn Mi sandwich (fried tofu, house pickled carrot and daikon radish, fresh cilantro, jalapeños), the Toasted Curry Chicken Salad Sandwich (with homemade pickles, grilled carrots, and curry), and the Cream of Mushroom Soup. Everything tasted good and the service was very friendly. Highly recommended.
(4)Anton J.
Absolutely delicious locally-sourced food, great prices, and terrific music. It's like going over to your organic-gardening granny's house for a heart warming meal. If I lived on this side of town, I'd eat here everyday. Fantastic.
(5)Jensyn H.
The Root Cafe is one of the best local gems I've ever seen in Little Rock. I had no idea what to expect. It's a small, super hip, local joint in one of the best areas of Little Rock, right across from the Green Corner Store (check that out too). I'm not one for sweet drinks, but the hazelnut latte is delish! There's free refills on coffee! And, I love the cabinet of silverware and linen napkins. Every customer helps herself to make sure she's ready for the meal! The servers and cooks are down to earth, chatty and super welcoming. I felt like I had gone home. Oh wait, I was back in Arkansas....so maybe the accents got me!
(5)Iron B.
This place serves amazing breakfast. Southern eatery with in Austin vibe. If you're in the area stop by and eat here. Scratch made biscuits and gravy and the sausage is phenomenal - go eat here today.
(5)Andrew W.
Great food at reasonable prices. I go there about once a week for breakfast or lunch. Everything on the menu is doing well and all the staff are friendly.
(4)Rebecca C.
I was in town visiting family and went for Sunday brunch. Had the Scrambled Tofu Banh Mi and we shared some vegan pancakes. Nom nom. So good. The decor is very eclectic and everything is mismatched, so it's funky. It was very crowded, but another couple shared their table with us so we made friends. I can't wait to go back to Little Rock to try some other menu items.
(4)Sharona L.
Wow!! Just. Wow. Hands down the best burger in not only Little Rock, but the surrounding metro area. This is a place that knows service!! Typically I'm compelled to post after crappy service. But this place deserves 10 stars, not just five. The small atmosphere remarked in by some makes this place cozy. Every last detail has been thought if not just with care, but love. It is very obvious this place knows customers. And customer retention. A little pricey but when a place locally sources THEIR ENTIRE INVENTORY I will gladly pay more for it. A burger that melts in your mouth, honey decor, and extremely happy, helpful, and knowledgable staff. A serious thank you is in store. The new grant given to them could not have come to a better place. Keep up the amazing work. I promise to continue diet cheating for that scrumptious burger. I've also had the grown up grilled cheese. Equally to die for. The world needs more places that are this conscientious about their brand and product. I'll be back!! And I tell everyone and their grandma they should too!!
(5)Andrea S.
After suffering fast food on a road trip to Little Rock, we were happy to find this place. The rare "homemade biscuit exists here. It's flavorful and toasty on the outside. Paired with eggs and cheese, it's the perfect breakfast. If the biscuit crumbles, don't worry-you'll still eat them.
(4)Christina L.
Excellent! Had the eggs bahn mi for breakfast, superb!!!! Husband got biscuits and gravy, delectable. I tried the vanilla cardamom latte, it was SO good!!!!! The ambience is laid back with an Austin hippie vibe. I highly recommend this place!
(5)Eliza P.
My favorite brunch spot! Bahn Mi with Tofu --- to die for. I can't bring myself to order anything else because it's so delicious.
(5)Kurt H.
If your looking for a restaurant that serves locally sourced food in Little Rock, your search is over. The Root Cafe is an eclectic restaurant in an otherwise dismal restaurant market. The menu is limited and so is seating. The Root Cafe can hold ~20 people inside and about the same on the outdoor patio, which is semi-enclosed. I have been here twice. The first time I went to the Root Cafe,it was for lunch (~12:00) during the week. I ordered a cheeseburger and a cup of lamb stew. The lamb stew was the daily special when I was there. The stew was excellent. I wish they would put it on the menu! My second time to the Root Cafe was on Saturday for a late lunch (~1:30). I had spicy bahn mi and an espresso. Both were quite good. I really enjoy the Root Cafe. The only reason I did not give it 5-stars is the wait. Given the size of the Root Cafe, I would recommend coming here early. Also, since the Root Cafe is usually busy, they tend to run out of daily special items early. On my second visit I also wanted to some soup/stew but the cashier told me: "ran out of soup 'bout an hour ago [~12:30]. The Root Cafe has vegan/vegetarian options available. In Little Rock, there is not many vegan restaurants so you need to but this one on your list but expect to wait on line. The sweet potato fries--while not an healthier than regular fries--are excellent. The Root Cafe is open for breakfast too but again, the menu is limited. Given the eclectic nature of the restaurant, this is a place to go with friends and not a date spot, unless you're both vegans in Little Rock. They offer a few local brews but no wine. I was pleasantly surprised with the espresso I had. At $2.50 for a double, it priced well. The Root Cafe is only open for breakfast and lunch. They could expand the menu and offer dinner but the kitchen appears to be small so I don't know how this would work. Owners if you read this, think about how to offer a dinner service or live music on Friday or Saturday nights? The Root Cafe is certainly a breath of fresh air in a city that has few, very few good restaurants.
(4)Hart R.
I'm not sure how you could give this place anything other than 5 stars. It was amazing! We had the portabella burger and the spicy bahn mi. Both were amazing. We topped it off with a vegan brownie. It was all delicious. When it was all said and done I realized we were accidentally charged for an extra brownie. Not only did they give us back the money, we received the 2nd brownie as well. The world needs more folks like these. I also wish we had The Root Cafe in memphis where we live.
(5)Paul O.
Had the sausage,egg and cheese biscuit. Fantastic it was one of the best biscuits I have ever had. My lady got the special (French toast) which she loved..... Price is just right and atmosphere is definitely different. It's great though. We will def be back!!!!!!
(5)Margaret J.
Have been going here for years. I always get the praline salad and some sweet potato fries, but everything else is delicious too. Friends recommend the burgers and bahnmi sandwich. Love the Soma neighborhood!
(5)J R.
Good food. Open air, hippie kind of place. Garden & Gun review brought me here, egg salad is why I will be back.
(4)Erin L.
This place is aggressively cute. The napkins, plates, and cutlery are mismatched. The water is served in canning jars. The place is stuffed full of kitschy crap. The bathroom offers zines as reading material. Hand-lettered signs adorn the walls. Etc. Mostly self-service--food runners bring your plate out, but everything else you get yourself. (The cashier carefully points out the "optional tip" on the iPad payment kiosk.) But, my gosh the food is good and pretty cheap too. The spicy banh mi is a revelation, with mounds of crunchy veggies and lovely hot sauce. The sauerkraut served with the brat is house-made: sweet, crunchy, and herbaceous. I normally hate sauerkraut but I loved their version. The burger is sloppy-delicious and bursting with flavor. The side salads served with each dish are wonderful with a zesty house dressing. The only disappointment was the sweet potato fries, which were spiced well and served with a nice dipping sauce but arrived at the table unforgivably cold and soggy. The line was far out the door when we stopped in for lunch on a weekday, but the wait was worth it. Wade through the hipsters for the sake of the food. Bonus: should you hanker to see where all the local cheeses, greens, meats, and other assorted foodstuffs come from, you can peruse the scrapbook by the front door, which kind of looks like a serial killer made it, but, you know, a really cute serial killer.
(5)L T D.
Let me begin by saying that my review has nothing to do with the food, because honesty I could not get past the awful service to even get to the food. I was really excited I was to go to The Root as it sounded similar to my old favorite, Heartland Cafe in Chicago. During my last visit to Little Rock, I saw The Root and told myself that I was definitely going to check this place out when I was back in town. Then I saw the piece in the news and definitely said to myself that I was going to check it out next time. I wakeup on my first morning at my parents house and decide to make the trip. I first had an AWESOME experience at the Green Corn Store an Creamery but maybe I should have gone afterwards because it made my experience at The Root just that much worst. I walk in the first set of doors into a sort of enclosed patio area where I find 2 people cleaning. I pause for a moment to see if this is where I get seated but no acknowledgment from either, so I keep it moving and walk into the main room where the "cashier?" is helping 2 customers. Their interaction lasts for about 5 minutes while countless other employees walk up to the register and all the while not a single person has acknowledged me. At this point I actually start to get nervous and uncomfortable. I then decided to take a chance and ask an employee "that was clearly on a mission" "excuse me, should seat myself" him "HEY!!! You order at the counter". It was so rude that the girl cleaning actually gave me a slightly terrified look. At this point, I walked back across the street to the Green Corner Store where the AWESOME Hannah apologized profusely for my experience (how bad is it when a non-employee has to apologize for you. She then suggested that Boulevard server basic breakfast. I went and had great service and really good oatmeal and toast.
(1)Melissa G.
I LOVE the Root Cafe~~~!!!! They use locally grown meats and veggies and old fashioned cloth napkins! They keep a scrap book with pics and info from all the farmers they work with by the door. Everything is Delicious, but my personal faves are the cheeseburger and the Bahn Mi sandwich. I. have. never. tasted. such. a. good. burger.....and I don't even eat red meat that often. Also- if they still have any brownies left when you arrive GRAB ONE!! They are out of this world. The only downside to Root is the long line. Get there early because you'll probably have to wait. Or just avoid the usual mealtimes.
(5)James H.
A great place to grab some Sunday brunch nestled in the heart of downtown Little Rock. Very simple menu with a lot to choose from and everything is very fresh. The orange juice is a must and their coffee is from Rose Bud which gives it a great local taste. I can definitely see myself coming back.
(4)Robb G.
While visiting Little Rock for the first time, I googled "best breakfast in Little Rock," and was delighted to find a gem like The Root Cafe. From the moment you pull up, you get an authentic vibe. They have a cozy indoor seating area, patio (ish) seating, and small grassy garden/yard with tables. The woman taking orders was warm and helpful by immediately recommending something from the menu. They had an easily navigable menu of what was obviously the dishes they do best, and several breakfast specials. The meal was outstanding. The coffee was strong and locally roasted. And, they even had a delicious ginger lemonade. Oh, the pancakes were THE BEST I have ever eaten. No joke.
(5)Robyn K.
Recommend to us by a farmer friend that supplies some of their ingredients. The chicken salad was delicious but a little heavy on the arugula for my taste. The praline salad was a delicious combination of unexpected ingredients. The dressing was amazing! I was happy the ice tea was unsweetened with simple syrup near by. A little slice of hippy paradise on our trek across the south.
(4)Renee G.
Such delicious breakfast! Shiitake Benny and fresh OJ! Loved every single bite. Yum! Other plates looked equally good, if I'm every back I'd go back to this lovely little place.
(5)Stacy E.
Amazing. Wish I lived there to go a few times a week. Super friendly, great food - for vegan/vegetarian and carnivores. Super fresh, local ingredients and extremely affordable. Garden patio was great, our dog slept in the grass while we ate!
(5)John S.
Great brunch and lunch spot. Awesome vibe and atmosphere with a staff that are really cool. Very artistic patchwork vibe, tiny crowded space that somehow works, with great outside seating. Sweat potato fries are amazing!!! Burgers or French Toast if you're on brunch are both great with your choice of Dempsey gluten free or boulevard bread, also plenty of vegetarian options. Awesome spot. PS make sure to walk across the street to the Green Store for desert and the best Ice Cream of your life!
(5)James D.
Went here with the wife during her lunch break. When we arrived, the location was busy but definitely handling itself well. The building is small and is only able to seat 15 people inside. The line was approximately 10 people long and it took us roughly 10-12 minutes to place our order; we did not mind. Right away, we noticed that menu was small yet adventurous. I ordered the Spicy Bahn Mi(spicy tofu sandwich) and my wife ordered a side salad, sweet potato fries, and a fruit cup; with a Mexican Coke. The sandwich was great, awesome flavor from the tofu, fresh carrots, cilantro, and balanced well with the hoisen sauce. The bread was made local and had a lovely fresh feel to it. I ate this and enjoyed a Spring Valley sparkling water, which was good as well. My wife made several comments about her food, citing how fresh and great it tasted. She really liked the fruit cup, saying it tasted sweet and delicious. Conclusion: I give high marks to any restaurant willing to take on big business by providing local everything while maintaining an intimate relationship with all the other little things people take for granted while eating. The serve yourself water with mason jars, the mismatched napkins, and the local beers are an awesome touch that most restaurants don't care much about. Our food was great, the wait time was short, and we loved having a Mexican Coke with our meal. Pros: -Local, organic everything -Eeverything made fresh/from scratch -Mexican Coke and locally brewed beer -New and interesting flavors -Innovative solutions to time-consuming tasks(water, napkins, dinner-ware, etc.) -Wait in line was short -Food arrived quickly -Posts information about the origin of their produce; nothing to hide Cons: -Location is very small, not pleasant during busy hours on a hot day. -Interior is noisy but not loud enough for conversation -Parking is limited but not impossible
(5)Shyann B.
Environment was so refreshing, food was on point, pricing wasn't ridiculous. Definitely would return and recommend.
(5)Reza M.
Hidden gem in Little Rock. The staff is awesome. Whenever I have enough time in town I'll always try to come down to the root. The ham and cheese sandwich is unreal. On this last visit I actually showed up after closing but Hannah (she rocks and also informed me that her name is a palindrome) stayed open past closing to make my food herself! Thanks Hannah!
(5)Tami A.
Great laid back atmosphere. Perfect food and outstanding service. Locally sources food, cloth napkins and real silverware makes this place one of my favorites.
(5)Briana R.
Friendly service. Down to earth people. Excellent pancakes! I gave it four stars because of the small menu. There isn't a lot to choose from, but whatever you do get is probably going to be delicious.
(4)Christopher M.
It's too bad the food sucks here. All these other reviews give glowing praise of their people, the ethic, the kitschy decor, local focus etc., and I like that too, but damn the food sucks. And the service kind of sucks too. Went in on Friday the 8th 12:30. Ordered both of their daily specials, and also got their much-praised cheeseburger. Had a side of their 50/50 regular/sweet potato fries too. Food speed was slow but not horrific. The only service wrinkle was the waifish teenage kid who was supposed to be the food runner/busser. While attempting to drop off a Reuben sandwich at our table (despite there already being one) I inform him that it should actually be a turkey pesto. He looks at me terrified and blurts out that "this is what they gave me!" I inform him that he is holding a Reuben, that I ordered a turkey pesto, and that he should return to the kitchen and inform them. He complies and eventually we get a terrible turkey sandwich. The bread on the roast turkey sandwich is not just un-toasted, it's cold. Which makes it chewy and hard. The turkey is not warm, or roasty, or anything. Instead it is ice-cold, hard, dry shredded turkey-meat with a gelatinous edge to it. "Arugula pesto" was entirely flavorless. One of the worst sandwiches I have ever paid for. The burger was an itty-bitty tiny affair, far too small and insignificant. I know that this is a healthy place and all that, and that the meat is probably super expensive organic or whatever, but it is completely unsatisfying. I wouldn't get it again. Fries were terrible. They are single-frying them and not blanching them. The result is a soggy, overly-dark, uncrispy fry. They are also under-seasoning them. I dunno if the hippie population in Little Rock will carry this place once the foodie population moves on.
(2)Alison A.
We loved the warm & funny staff, the organic & locally sourced food, and creative menu - I had a shiitake mushroom burger with jalapeño marmalade - yum! A must if you find yourself in Little Rock! And just a mile from the moving Central HS Little Rock Nine Museum.
(5)Chris F.
I love local places like this! I had the mushroom burger.. which I totally missed the fact that it was vegan until about halfway through. The sweet potato fries are the. best. I've. ever. had. This, coming from someone who loves sweet potato fries in general, everywhere. My lunch date had the curry chicken salad sandwich, and I think I'll get it next time. We didn't so much enjoy the chocolate-spicey brownie that we had for dessert, but I won't count it against them. I'll be back ASAP.
(5)jennifer w.
Love it every time. The eggplant fries are amazing! Always love the fresh local salad as well as the chicken salad. My husband loves the burgers. The lemonade is also excellent! Yes it is small and parking is limited but well worth the wait!!!
(5)Amber L.
I was pretty excited to hear about The Root Cafe opening, as they have such a great concept. Their goal is to "build community through local food." Almost all of the items they are serve are made from fresh, locally grown products. The cafe is located in the Soma (Southside Main Street) district. There is a small selection of indoor seating, but most seating is outdoor, covered patio style seating. The restaurant is decorated with various antiques and collectibles. They use a variety of cloth napkins, dishes, etc. that give it a very organic, earthy feel. They also serve Cokes, Grapette & Orangette Sodas in traditional glass bottles. It takes you back to a different time, before modern fast-food joints, accelerated technology, and the fast-paced lives we all live today. I tried the Curry Chicken Salad Sandwich, toasted on a Boulevard Bread bun (another local company - pretty much the tastiest buns around!), which comes with a small side salad. I added on sweet potato fries for an additional $1.75. It tasted delicious and as organic food should, felt good for my body (versus all of the processed foods we eat today!) The sweet potato fries were good, but I would do without next time, as I was stuffed upon leaving. My friends tried a Cheeseburger and a Reuben sandwich - both were very pleased. The staff was very friendly, and even offered free samples to try before buying. My only complaint (which isn't even really a complaint per-say) is that it took 7-10 minutes to actually place our order, as the restaurant was packed. It was hard to order, eat, and get back to work in an hour. I have no doubt that once they learn their traffic patterns, things will become more efficient! It is a good problem to have.
(4)Ceal P.
Albiet a small town, this a big gem in Little Rock! We swung by for lunch on a Wednesday around 1230 and found the place hopping! Had heard that the owner/chef has adopted the "support local, eat local" phenomenon that appears to be sweeping the food world. The space itself is very homey and has a co-op feel to it... bus your own tables, water comes from a water cooler, napkins are towels not napkins. Even reading more about it, you realize the building is "green" in construction. The food is fresh fresh!! Apparently they try to get everything from Arkansas which is awesome. Tried some of the shitake burger and that was DELISH for mushroom lovers (and veggies). I had the chicken salad, salad, which wasn't a revelation, but overall just delicious because it was so fresh. The rest of the menu is adventurous enough for those that dare but also so approachable that it can appeal to anyone swinging by for lunch. Lots of office people around for lunch. Definitely commend them for doing something so important and awesome. I think this concept could work in any city, but more endearing to find it in Little Rock.
(5)Kate T.
This is a great little spot that fills a void that desperately needed to be filled in the little rock food scene. Their use of locally sourced ingredients and vegan options thrilled me so much that I have been here twice this week (the first time I had the bahn mi sandwich and the second time I had the praline salad). I grew up in little rock,but there was nothing like this when I lived here, except for maybe boulevard bread co. Other things I love are the cloth mismatched napkins, bottled Mexican coke, and overall decor. The one thing I don't really like is that you bus your own table and many people don't clean it properly. So be careful where you put your elbows, though I guess miss manners would say that teaches me not to be rude and have my elbows on the table in the first place.
(4)