As we head into the holiday season, spending more time with friends and family, there’s an eatery in East Millcreek that is a magical spot for a family breakfast, brunch or lunch: Roots Cafe. The family-owned business emphasizes a commitment to simplicity and affordability. They say, “Our dream is to be a beacon of inspiration for our community, motivating everyone to explore the wonders of local cuisine and make mindful food choices that support our planet and our well-being.”
Well, mission accomplished, if the crowds that wait up to and sometimes more than an hour to be seated to enjoy a meal on a weekend morning afternoon are any indication. Brunch/lunchtime is very busy and, I must say, worth the wait for a table. The portions are gargantuan at Roots Cafe and the hospitality is second to none. The cozy restaurant is brimming with local art for sale and sits adjacent to The Old Flamingo vintage/antiques store. It’s a good place to kill time browsing antique furniture, artwork and trinkets while you await your table. Roots Cafe is open Wednesday through Sunday for 7 AM to 3 PM and they do not take reservations; first come, first served.
Steel Cut Oatmeal
The 3-egg omelets ($13.75-$15.75) are popular, served with house potatoes and a choice of toast, English muffin or pancake. On the sweeter side of the breakfast menu are pancakes, crepes ($11.75) yogurt parfait ($11) housemade apple-pecan cranberry bread pudding French toast ($12.75), and steel cut oatmeal ($8.25) – organic slow cooked oats served with brown sugar, candied pecans, dried cranberries and milk.
Huevos Rancheros
The savory side of the breakfast menu at Roots features things like a breakfast burrito ($13.75), a veggie breakfast sandwich ($14.50), eggs “Benni” ($15.75), and excellent huevos rancheros ($13.50): Two farm fresh eggs cooked as you like them, with choice of protein, black beans, house made ranchero sauce, and pepper jack cheese topped with avocado and cilantro. The huevos come served with warm flour tortillas, or substitute gluten-free corn tortillas if you’d rather.
Roots Big Mole Taco Salad
The salads at Roots Cafe are ginormous, and include a Roasted Beet and Spinach Salad ($14.50), B.L.T.A. Salad ($15), Roots Cho9p Salad ($14.50), and my wife’s favorite: the Roots Big Mole Taco Salad. With the taco salad, customers can choose mole-seasoned grass fed beef or quinoa on a corn tostada with baby greens tossed in a chimichurri dressing and topped with southwestern relish, cherry tomatoes, avocado, jicama, red onions cilantro, cotija cheese and salsa fresca. You won’t leave hungry after tackling this entree size salad. Salad add-ons include grilled chicken breast ($9.50) or sliced turkey breast ($8).
Baby Kale Salad
A somewhat lighter salad at Roots is the Baby Kale Salad ($14.50), which is organic baby kale and spinach greens with fresh oranges, pears, blackberries, candied pecans, bleu cheese and sherry vinaigrette.
Utah Burger
The lunch menu offers a plethora of sandwiches, including a Reuben ($16.75), Veggie Rueben ($15.95), turkey bacon avocado ($14.75) spicy French dip ($15.95), albacore tuna melt ($18.95), veggie wrap ($12.95), walnut chicken salad sandwich ($15.75), bleu bacon burger ($16.95), BBQ pulled pork ($14.75), and more. I am especially partial to the Utah Burger ($17.95), which is a grass-fed local ground beef patty cooked as ordered (medium-rare in my case), with cottage bacon, tasty poblano pepper relish, cheddar cheese, and topped with a fried egg on a split top locally-baked bun. All sandwiches are served with a choice of baby kale, house mixed greens salad or pasta salad, or upgrade to a cup of soup, quinoa salad, or black eyed pea salad for an extra buck.
Roots Cafe entrees during lunch include shepherds pie ($17.50 with organic ground turkey or vegetarian $13.50), chile verde burrito ($15.95), organic chicken piccata ($21.50), enchilada casserole ($16.95), or vegi-catta ($19.50).
At a time when so many are feeling isolated and divided, it’s refreshing to visit Roots Cafe during brunch and see a rainbow coalition of customers coming together to enjoy hearty home-cooked meals in a friendly, safe and inviting space. Don’t feel like waiting for a table? Roots Cafe offers online ordering for takeout.
Photos by Ted Scheffler
Culinary quote of the week: “The most indispensable ingredient of all good home cooking: love for those you are cooking for.” – Sophia Loren
