Over the years, I have enjoyed many great meals at Engrained Cafe, on the second floor of the Memorial Union on the Arizona State University Tempe Campus. This is the old location of Mariposa Cafe, which was there until the big fire in the Memorial Union in 2007. The food used local ingredients, and Engrained used a number of sustainability practices. When you arrive to Engrained, you first get a table (inside or outside) or booth (inside) by receiving a number. You then went to a display area that used to have actual meals on display. Now, you can see the menus and also images of each dish on a screen. You then head to a register where you can place the actual order and pay with cash, credit card, or Maroon & Gold dollars. That is where you give them your table/booth number. You then head to your table and on the way, you pick up any drink you wish (sodas, flavored waters, agua frescas) and then some truffle and sea salt popcorn (which recently replaced chips). Then, when your order is ready, someone will bring it to your table. Voila! Nice and systematic process. On my most recent visit yesterday, my friend and I each ordered an Engrained Burger, which includes a 6 oz local grass fed brisket burger with house made burger sauce, lettuce, tomato, shaved onion, American cheese, house pickle, bacon, and toasted brioche. The burger contains egg, soy, diary, and wheat with a dairy free option or gluten friendly option available. The dishes came with waffle fries. I tried my burger without the burger sauce and tomato. I also asked for some ketchup and mustard on the side. The burger was delicious! The fries were a nice complement to the burger. Other items on the menu included soup, salads, grill items, entrees (including tacos, pasta, salmon, and chickpeas), pizza, and dessert. I've had a number of these items over the years, and I'm generally very pleased. This is THE place on-campus to go for students, staff, and faculty right in the Memorial Union. I enjoy catching up with my staff colleagues here. The staff are great, and the food is always delicious! I look forward to returning again soon. read more

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ASU Tempe favorite. This restaurant is located on the top floor of the ASU Memorial Union. Restaurant is great for business meetings, interview lunches, lunch with coworkers, hanging out with friends and family, or even just going by yourself. During less hot parts of the year, I would recommend sitting outside. There is a great view of the campus and any events that are occurring. I have came here numerous times and my all time favorite meal is the Hot Honey Pepperoni pizza, it is a good size for two or if you want to take leftovers. The menu does change atleast once a semester, so there is new things to try. The pricing is pretty affordable for the Tempe area. Only thing that I would not recommend here is the free chips. They are overcooked, powdery, and not worth it even though they are free. read more

Engrained Cafe - Margherita Pizza - Sushi Bars Near Me - Tempe, Arizona

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The restaurant is located on the 3rd floor at the Memorial Union (MU) at ASU. You check in at the front and they will provide a number for you. They no longer have the food displays by the kitchen/cooking area which is a disadvantage since in the past it helped you look at the dishes and help you decide what to plate looked like before you ordered. They offer soup/salads/grill/main entree/pizza/pasta and desserts. Their menu is seasonal so it can change through out the year. You order at and pay at another counter closer to the kitchen/cooking area. After it is open sitting. They food is brought to your table. The food is decent (can be a hit or miss) and I do appreciate that they offer vegetarian options. read more

Engrained Cafe - Margherita Pizza- Gluten friendly Option is available - Sushi Bars Near Me - Tempe, Arizona

Engrained is the only sit down option for eating in ASU's Memorial Union. It's long focused on sustainable options. Not sure who the chef is this year, there aren't sample dishes on display (or there weren't when I went), which makes the ordering at a register feel a bit odd--like maybe a redesign is in order. That said, I got a smoked salmon salad and it was probably the best salad I've ever had. Loads of salmon, fresh greens, finely chopped asparagus and fennel, panko for crunch, so lightly dressed I'm not even sure it was. Total was around $18 and that includes a drink/coffee and chips. There is no tipping. The fruit water is always a favorite. There's also a selection of soft drinks. Had to ask a runner for a to go box--might be nice to have a stack by the drinks or chips. I've found Engrained to be a bit hit or miss in the past but this was a very promising start to the year. read more

Engrained Cafe - Flourless chocolate cake - Sushi Bars Near Me - Tempe, Arizona

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Tried it for something different but will not return. I ordered the braised short rib at $18.50. What I was given was clearly pot roast. Maybe students that don't cook would not know the difference. The meat was okay but it was not what I ordered. There were some veggies around it that were dried out and lacking flavor. The tiramisu did not taste like coffee at all. Spent $25 and left hungry. Pitchforks dining hall would have been a better choice. read more

Absolutely loved the atmosphere and food of this spot. I am an ASU student and was intrigued to try Engrained as it is a more healthy option than near by spots such as Chick-Fil-A and Burger King. I am so glad I did as it is one of my favorite spots on campus now. Engrained offers a different dining experience than other spots as their food is made by culinary students here at ASU and the ordering system is different to say the least. I walked into Engrained and was immediately met with a front desk and a host. I knew the ordering system was different so I told the host I had never been here before to avoid confusion. The host then helped the people behind me first before walking me around the whole establishment to explain their dining experience. This was above and beyond service to me and could not thank the host enough for being so personable. To start off you do not order at the host table, although there is an ever-changing overhead menu above. This is instead where you are asked how many in your party and asked for in door or outdoor seating. You are then given a number assigned to your food so the staff will bring your food to you. There are stations set up around the inside where you can walk around and see what foods are being offered that day to help you pick what you want to order. Once you decide you then go to a register near the back of the restaurant and place your order. You are also given a free drink and endless chips with your order. The drink selection was great. They have infused water such as watermelon mint which was offered when I went. They have cups of chips which do not have many but you can grab more if you would like. The outdoor seating was amazing, great view and shade covering to help with the hot summers of Tempe. I ended up ordering a buffalo chicken sandwich which had shredded carrots, jalapeños and cilantro. This also came with potatoes wedges and came out to $13 total. This Cafe also takes m&g which is great for students. The sandwich was amazing and very flavorful. I went to Engrained during the lunch rush and ended up getting my food within 5 minutes of sitting down. My food was hot and seemed freshly made as the bun was not soggy. Overall I enjoyed my experience at Engrained and think other would too because of its ever changing menu. I was told they change their menu weekly so you have endless possibilities. The staff was very kind and accommodating for confusion about ordering as well as great about coming and cleaning off your table when you are finished eating. Will be visiting Engrained more in the future. read more

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This is definitely the best place to eat on the ASU Tempe Campus. Probably the only place where you can find healthy options. They have a rooftop seating area which is nice when the weather is just right. It is very fast and good quality healthy food. They have a limited menu of around 5-6 options, but that's the reason that the food and service are fast. Drinks, coffee, and snacks are included and you can help yourself - snacks-wise, you can grab a plate of freshly made seasoned chips while you wait for your order. I will keep going back here as it is a nice lunch spot and always reliability fast in between a busy schedule. Recommended! read more

This was a go to place for when guests come over. But, this semester they went through major change in menu. The $15 pasta is not great. Under cooked and a rip off. I should try other menus to find out if their renewal went sideways. read more

Engrained Cafe - Cashew Pesto Pasta - Sushi Bars Near Me - Tempe, Arizona

Good place on campus. I can get take out or dine in. They will be closed during the school break. The menu always change and there are lots of options for vegetarians. I love their Asian inspired dishes and their burger. The burger here is huge with a bud size of fries. I usually have them for lunch and dinner. Spicy fried cauliflower is so delicious. Poke bowl or sushi roll are yummy. Drink is included with the meal price. Soda, variety of iced tea, fruit infused water, and coffee are to choose from. The crunchy chips are also included with the meal. read more

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So I went to Engrained another time after having lentil soup. This time I had some really great roasted turkey, beef short ribs, arugula goat cheese salad, roasted sweet potato, and lentil pilaf. I thought that the beef short ribs were great because they were nice and soft. They were so soft that they literally melted in my mouth. I thought they were better than the roasted turkey. However, the roasted turkey was pretty good and not dry. There was also asparagus. I liked the asparagus as it wasn't charred. I don't like when asparagus tastes burned and has too much charcoal flavor. The golden raisins were also pretty good. They didn't taste as much like raisins as regular raisins do. There was also sweet potatoes with some beans. Overall, I thought that the beef short ribs were the best. I wonder if they would make it for us if we specially requested it. Their menu rotates occasionally and it doesn't stay the same every year. read more

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The pear and chicken salad that I had was clearly prepared way before it was served. The chicken in it was cold and the pears had gone bad. For the price, I can't believe how bad was the salad. Also, the waiters constantly running around you and staring at you to finish your food when there are plenty of space is very disturbing read more

Everything is always delicious! Seasonal local menu. Love it and it's in the Memorial Union so makes me feel like I'm 20 again when I'm on campus!!!!! read more

I finally made it over to Engrained and I was pleasantly surprised at how great everything tasted. Fresh, healthy, organic, and vegan-friendly eats in the middle of a college campus. I ordered the Vegan Pakora Platter - $10.75. It came with 4 pieces of pakora, saffron wild rice, and a chickpea & cucumber salad with mixed greens. (It also comes with tomatoes, but I omitted them.) Everything was so flavorful. This is a far cry from the boring campus food from my university days. I considered this to be a large and filling portion. I got a side of their Seasoned Fries - $2.75. I loved the seasoning and the fries were light & crispy. I also tried the Peach Rhubarb Crisp - $4. It was good, but next time I'll skip the Vanilla Bean Meringue that came on the side, which seemed to give it a sour taste. A drink is included with any purchase, which was a nice surprise. I love how many vegan options they have! There is at least one vegan option in each menu categories. For pizza lovers, they offer vegan cheese upon request; veggie burgers are also available upon request. There are lots of gluten-free options as well. This cafe is pretty large and has ample seating for large groups. For wifi, connect to ASU's free guest connection (you'll need to register if you don't already have an account). As a campus cafe, they are only open 11am-3pm, M-F, so be sure to get your fix before the weekend. I was very pleased with my meal at Engrained and I'm looking forward to trying more of their culinary creations. read more

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This place is the definition of eating fresh and local... sometimes hyperlocal (meaning, produce from your own property). I love they they change their menu items throughout the season and that everything is organic and they have a plethora of options for those with dietary restrictions, like me. I ordered the black bean flatbread and could not put it down no matter how hard I tried. The softened or the bread and the tenderness of the patty left me salivating. HOT DAMN! They have a few other vegan and vegetarian friendly options as well... along with gluten free and nut free. Can't wait to see what else this place brings to the table. If you're one the ASU Tempe campus and are trying to get away from the large student crowd, this place is a must. read more

Engrained Cafe - Vegan black bean flatbread - Sushi Bars Near Me - Tempe, Arizona

Food was okay but not worth the money. The ordering system was a bit weird. Free drinks though and brownie points for cucumber water! Also very nice outdoor seating area and clean indoor area. I got the mushroom stroganoff. The taste was a bit bland and the pasta was slightly overcooked. Honestly I think I can cook better pasta dish. And for $10? No way... Also for my friend's burger, the beef was 100% done. They didn't even ask how it wanted to be cooked. My other friend's Asian noodles were subpar. Food was just okay here. The ordering system was what confused me. It looks like you can order food at where they're making the food because there's display and glass dividers, just like a deli section. So I was walking around and getting ready to place my order. Then I was told I actually have to order it at the cash register, which by the way had a slow a long line. Alright, that's weird. Then what's the point of the big area where you can walk and browse? Why don't just make a bigger kitchen at the back and fence it away like Panera Bread? After ordering and paying at the cash register, they give you a number for you to display at your table, just like Panera Bread. Hm... Not the most efficient and space-maximizing way to run a canteen. However, I gotta say I'm impressed with the cucumber water! That's exactly what I needed in the Arizona heat! I don't think it's worth the price they charge for the food they serve. read more

Engrained Cafe - Mushroom stroganoff $11 OK - Sushi Bars Near Me - Tempe, Arizona

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This place always has great food, and recently they finally started providing reallllllly good Vegan bowls. I highly recommend checking it out. Not many places can you get freshly made, localy sourced meals for around $10. read more

Such an eatery gem on the ASU campus. SO many delicious and allergy-friendly options. My friend and I split three dishes because we couldn't decide on just one. The poke bowl and veggie sushi were or favorites. Clean and savory tasting with decent plating made for some happy bellies. The hummus was just okay, and the plating was a little lackluster but we wouldn't complain (just hard to stack up next to our other dishes). The apple creme brûlée dessert was nice. Kinda bread like (bread pudding ish) and not overly sweet, but tasty. The complementary drink and potato chips are such a great touch. Put our group of six in such a jolly mood before the food was even served. Can't wait to come back! Also, beware of the birds who you will eat your food if no one is at the table! read more

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After three years of eating cheap junk food in the Memorial Union, I finally found a place on-campus that offers a pleasant environment as well as a great variety of delicious options for a reasonable price. As a student who spends long gruesome days on campus, this place is amazing when craving something nice while not wanting to commute off campus. The setup of this place is a little different that most restaurant. You walk in, look at the food that is either listed on the TVs by the pay counters or look at the sample presentations by the kitchen, go back to counter to order and pay for the food, and then proceed to sit down. It was relatively inexpensive, especially considering the quality, portions, and the beverages and a side that was included in the price. A few minutes after sitting at our table, a server brought our food to us. I had the Lamb Kofta with Couscous Salad. The portion was big enough to last me lunch and dinner if I hadn't eaten breakfast in the morning. Naan was provided with the salad. The plump baby tomatoes were juicy and sweet! The chicken was really tender and flavorful and the basil dressing was the perfect touch. My friend had the roasted pork which she said was soft and cooked to perfection! For dessert we had the S'mores tart after taking forever to decide because all the options looked appetizing. Everything was just right and the graham cracker base was more than yummm! Our bill was about $25 for the entrees and the dessert, which is not to bad at all. I don't mind paying a little more for quality and presentation and environment. Complementary drinks (fountain soda, green tea, black tea, infused water etc.) and freshly made seasoned potato chips added to the positive experience that we had. Ever since our first visit, my friend has returned every week. I'll be back soon! read more

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I've been an ASU employee for ages and eat here a couple of times a month. I've never, ever had a bad meal. In fact the meals are fresh, unique and for the most part very healthy. I'm not a salmon fan at all, but because I'm trying to eat more healthfully, I ordered the salmon, veggies and fingerling potatoes yesterday So delicious and filling. My only issue is that the fish was cooked with lots of oil. Of course my food was awesome but as a Weight Watcher, I should have asked how the fish was cooked. My bad. They typically have burgers, pizza, and a gluten free meal option. And oh! They have sushi too. Don't be thrown off by how you're seated and how you order. Just do this: Walk up to the desk and give them your party count. You'll get a table number. Overhead you will see the day's menu. Next walk over to the prep area where you can get a visual of the food for portion size, ingredients, etc. Don't dawdle! Head to the registers to actually place your order. Show your table number. All members of your party will use the same number. Get a drink and find your table. Easy peasy, right? What I like most about engrained is that beverages are included and the servers bring you a bowl of tasty chips as you wait for your meal. If you're visiting ASU this is THE place to have lunch on campus. Trust me. You can relax and decompress. The place does get a bit crowded by noon so try to get there early. Bon appetite! read more

Engrained Cafe - Braised beef lunch. It's huge! - Sushi Bars Near Me - Tempe, Arizona

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For an american food restaurant Engrained Cafe was very great, especially the fact of it being on the Arizona State University campus, located on the 3rd floor of the Memorial Union. Their food options are very diverse with options like fish, sandwiches, tacos, tofu bowls, and more for overall healthy food. I have been here a few times and I have tried a few of their food options. Everyday when you walk in, they have the options already made, before you checkout. I like how they do this because you can see the options before you spend money on it. Their motto is, "we use produce from the ASU Student Garden, when available." They have some posters around that help represent their mission, and the type of food that they sell. The food I got when I went was called the Pan Seared Salmon. They usually change this option up, depending on the season and change it with different vegetables or rice. When I went they provided the salmon with potatoes, spinach, tomatoes and zucchini. It was topped off with a buttery spread. It is amazing, I cannot express that enough. The pricing is great it is only $13.50, which I believe is reasonably priced. I encourage you to try this dish. It is amazing I love it, so much. It is always fresh and ready to go. And for the pricing it is great. The other pricing they have at this restaurant is very well priced. Prices range for food from around $11.75-$30.00. I think this is great for you if you are an ASU student, even if your not because it is great quality food, and the prices match up. I have attached a photo, so you can see a photo of the food from that day in another post. The atmosphere is usually crowded depending on what you arrive. At lunch it is usually the busiest. Depending on the day, it can be busy or not. At lunch is when I went and it was very busy, but not in a good way, because it is a popular place to go. In the middle of the restaurant there is a chef in the middle which is awesome. People can see the chef's cooking near the back because it is clear windows that they have. There are bars if you come alone to sit at, along with many nice tables around the restaurant. I went with a friend, so we sat at a table when I went. It is a great go-to place because it never disappoints. It tends to be chatty and you can hear people talk a lot, but it is nice like a coffee shop atmosphere in the background. Engrained Cafe's service is always nice. They provide complimentary chips for their customers and their chips are actually amazing. You should try them, they are very good and salty, lightly seasoned. I provided an image in my post. Steve is a great cashier as he has been working here for a while and is an amazing employee! If you see him he is great at his job. He was my cashier when I went and he provides great service, as well as the other employees. You checkout with a cashier and then you sit an have a number for a bar or a table seat. Then they bring the food to you. You can also do take out. I absolutely love this place and rated it 5 stars, I highly recommend trying this place and you will love it too! [609 Words] read more

Engrained Cafe - The Pan Seared Salmon, and complimentary chips. I highly recommend this entry. - Sushi Bars Near Me - Tempe, Arizona

Wow, wished I found this place earlier before I flushed all my M and G at the decidedly sub par fast food chains in the Memorial Union. This place is a diamond in the rough especially for students like me subsiding mostly on Subway. My seared Ahi salad was interesting and well executed and had elements of beets, turnips, and quinoa in a romaine salad. Its a tad pricey but I'm willing to pay for quality when I get free drinks and a restaurant style setting once in a while. (Especially if I'm using Maroon and Gold) The ambiance is also 10x better then what you see at the other on campus restaurants. For people complaining about service try Hassy, PV, or even the esteemed Barrett dining halls =/ The service here is golden and lightning fast compared to that. That said returning as a non-student in the future is close to nil as I hope to have found better options but for now this is truly an ASU treasure and one I will frequent. read more

A hidden gem on ASU's Tempe campus. It's located on the second floor of the Memorial Union and offers booth, bar, table, and outdoor seating. It has very limited hours (11 a.m. - 3 p.m. on weekdays, I believe), but is definitely very busy while its doors are open. All of the food is made with fresh and locally-sourced ingredients, and there's always a number of vegan and gluten-free options. The menu changes frequently, so every time I go, I try to order something different or seasonal, knowing that it might not be offered the next time I return. Sometimes service can be spotty, but for the most part, it's good. Make sure to grab some complementary chips or coffee while you wait for your order! read more

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This is probably my favorite place for lunch in all of Tempe! The food is delicious, the space is huge and welcoming, and the service is great. We had the blackened fish tacos, a crab salad (that had arugula and rice), a cheese pizza that was delicious with cheese made from a local Arizona company, and a dessert. The chips are complimentary and they have flavored waters like cucumber water or orange water. read more

Love getting lunch here. Food is always fresh and tasty. Love that its away from the noisy bustle of campus and that it provides many healthy options. You also get free chips to snack on. read more

Engrained Cafe - Salmon with capers, potatoes, and greens - Sushi Bars Near Me - Tempe, Arizona

I've eaten at Engrained twice. We like to call it, lovingly, "the frou-frou restaurant at the ASU MU." Any place that has the words Pithivier, Quinoa, Frangipane, Kalamata Tapenade, and Wilcox Flavorina Tomato on their menu, all at the same time, has frou-frou written all over it. Engrained claims to be a "living-learning restaurant committed to locally grown food and environmentally friendly practices." Eh, whatever. So far, it all tastes good, or else I wouldn't bother yelping... The first time I ate at Engrained, I partook of the prawn spring rolls with a peanut sauce. I have to assume that someone in Arizona is growing prawn in a vat, but that's cool. It was really, really good! Today I enjoyed, and I quote, "Lamb and Feta Patties with Cucumber Tzatziki Parsnip and Potato Puree" for $10.95. The meal comes with a drink (soda, tea, coffee), so that's really not a bad value for what you are getting. The meal consisted of one good-sized lamb patty with feta cheese mushed into the patty, on top of a yummy mashed potato base with a few string beans and cherry tomatoes. I think there was actually a pesto sauce on the top of the tzatziki, and it sure was delicious!! Portion size always seems adequate, without being overwhelming - a nice change from chain restaurants. I haven't tried the sushi bar yet... Sushi "grown" in Arizona? Hmmm... Anyway, do give Engrained a try, and try to guess what part of Arizona your food came from! : ) read more

I could spend this review harping on all the others who unfairly compare Engrained to a five-star restaurant, but I'd rather focus on the fact that Engrained is of such a caliber that people are even able to confuse the two. Keep in mind that this café is essentially a school cafeteria that happens to cater to outside guests. When Engrained first opened, I was thrilled. I spent almost every spare cent I had enjoying lunch there twice a week. The restaurant is built in the spot where a previous café had burnt down, and follows in the footsteps of Arizona State's sustainability initiative. At first, it was incredibly slow, but three years later and there are almost never enough tables to seat everyone who shows up for lunch. Yes, the ordering system is a bit archaic, but I like the freedom it affords me to browse (and, also, not to tip). Hint: tell the hostess you'll be eating outside, place your order at the sushi station to avoid lines and head out onto the beautiful Starlight Terrace to seat yourself. Although I am not affiliated with the business, I have dined there so often that I have come to be on a first-name basis with both the original Assistant Chef, Chadwick, and the new one, John, as well as some of the waiters. You will also see the manager and owner here on an almost daily basis. It's very obvious that the people who work here care about what they're doing. The food staff has always been kind to me, and are very knowledgeable about the items they're serving. The other day I had a side salad and was absolutely thrilled to notice fresh, nutty fiddleheads in the mix. When I enquired, the Head Chef, Jerome, told me they had been sourced from Sonoma Valley. Engrained used to advertise it's menu as all from within 200 miles of Arizona State. I'm sure their customers caught on that they weren't locally sourcing ahi tuna, but that doesn't detract from Engrained's sustainable and green practices. They use real plates and silverware, recycled napkins, fair trade coffee and the restaurant itself is built out of renewable resources such as bamboo. In addition, they observe sustainable seafood practices, use cage-free eggs and free-range beef. Food is sourced locally when possible, from valley locales such as Queen Creek Olives, Shamrock Farms and, most notably, right from the ASU campus. I have personally eaten dishes made with the campus' Seville oranges, dates and lemonquats. The menu changes on a rough two-week schedule, but always includes a few staples such as artisan pizza, paninis, quesadillas and a burger. There are also salads, soups, sushi and dessert to choose from, as well as the "Engrained Trio," a small sampling of a salad, entreé and dessert for $7. Menu items run the gamut from pork loin with peach chutney paninis to chicken scallopini to eggplant ragout, and everything in between. Prices can be steep (from $5 - $15), but it's not too difficult to find something delicious and affordable here. Overall, Engrained is a restaurant that offers an amazingly healthy and high-caliber alternative to other campus dining establishments. It has come a long, long way since it first opened it's doors. The restaurant is always seeking to do better, often holding seminars for staff and students alike, as well as participating in numerous other community events, such as the farmer's market on campus. On a number of occasions I have written suggestions on the comment cards and later been personally approached by either a chef or the manager, telling me they had appreciated and would be considering my suggestions. I would recommend that anyone in the area try Engrained at least once, keeping an open mind and remembering what a noble cause this restaurant is striving for on a campus where a Big Mac and Frappuccino qualify as "lunch" read more

I LOVE their Salmon. Love. It is nice to go to and use M&G, but if I had to spend real money, I wouldn't go as often. The food is pretty good and they rotate the menu frequently. I usually get the salmon, panini, or pasta dishes. The grass fed burger is good too, but you might want to try telling them to not cook it as much! They tend to cook more well done by default it seems. read more

Foods good, atmosphere is nice, price is decent, staff is rude and belittling, talked to me and my friends like we were children multiple times. We were scolded (as if the staff was our father) for choosing to sit outside without mentioning it to them, which is a simple mistake considering it's a pay, then seat yourself place. I understand we are students at asu, but that does not mean we are ignorant dumb children like the way we were talked to. There were many ways to go about explaining how the restaurant works. The servers on the other hand is very friendly and nice, but I think the cashier should be re-evaluated. Also helpful tip: when working in customer service, you don't raise your voice in a rude way to the customer when you can't here what they say, a simple excuse me would suffice. read more

Note: they cut back on hours and now are ONLY open lunch 11 a.m.-1 p.m. M-F. Closed during semester breaks, they're opening up next on June 1. Not at all what you'd expect from on-campus dining, this space features sustainability in its construction, practices and menu offerings. The way it works is you get a assigned a table number, then you browse the food prepared that day at the various stations--pizza, entrées, sandwiches, etc.--and finally you order at the register. Since you order first and tips aren't really part of the set-up, you won't get super personal service. But the food is really fresh and healthy/yummy and you'll feel good knowing they're making a conscious effort to not be wasteful. This past semester's menu featured sustainably harvested desert sweet shrimp and locally harvest citrus and dates. Good value for your price, ranging from $6-$20 depending on ingredients. Your meal purchase includes any drink; I recommend the prickly pear iced tea. read more

Food is amazing, it's a shame more people don't know about this place. Staff is friendly. It's clean, spacious and their concept of being a sustainable restaurant is something to get behind! read more

Engrained Cafe - Sushi Bars Near Me - Tempe, Arizona

My boyfriend is a student at ASU and treated me to the delight that is Engrained. He had a bouillabaisse-type cod dish, and I had the portobellini raviolis with local ricotta. Both dishes were fantastic, but the ravioli was particularly great -- the sauce was light and creamy, and the raviolis were perfectly chewy without being mushy. We also split a dessert, some kind of pear bread pudding with whipped yummy nonsense. Another win. BONUS: They serve the same "iced passion tea" as Arcadia Farms. read more

I ate here while on a visit to ASU. I was incredibly impressed by the decor and the food at this cafe. I wish we had something like this where I work! The food was amazing and fresh. It's absolutely beautiful to look at. I had the sweet potato soup with a Cesar salad. Engrained has many options for vegetarians and vegans. The soup I ordered was vegan, and one of the employees offered me a sample when they saw me eyeing it. This was great because I wasn't sure if I would like the soup or not, but I loved it and made sure to get it. If you are unsure about something, be sure to ask for a sample. I'm not sure that it works for everything, but it does for the soup. When I checked out, the cashier asked me if I wanted chicken in my salad. I said no, I would prefer not to have it. She responded by saying it came that way (I ordered it anyways). Then she did the same thing to the person behind me. What's the point of asking people if they want chicken if the answer is going to be that the salad comes with it? I prefer not to eat meat so I just worked around the chicken - no big deal. The food came out in a timely manner and was just delightful. It was very fresh and had lots of flavor. If I worked at ASU I would be in this cafe as much as possible for lunch. You can get a good meal for a good price (10.00 or so I believe) and get something that is delicious and nutritious. Employees were very nice and professional. read more

This place is great! Located conveniently on in ASU's Memorial Union, students and community members alike can enjoy fresh and healthy options right on campus. Engrained has a seasonal rotating menu that always seem to feature new and local food. It's definitely one of the fanciest restaurants you will find on a college campus, but it's definitely worth it in my opinion if you are ready to switch things up. For those of you who still have Maroon & Gold dollars, I am happy to report that Engrained will accept M&G! The menu has everything from freshly made pizza to sushi, and it is focused on fresh ingredients and sustainable sourcing. Come here with an open mind and you will be blown away with some of the adventurous offerings. I love trying new things, and I can always trust Engrained to have some enticing menu options. If you want a healthy alternative to the other fast food options here on campus, I highly recommend this place. You will sometimes find ASU faculty and staff treating VIP guests to lunch here, and I have been lucky enough to be a part of a couple of those events. If you find yourself on ASU's campus, you will not regret checking this cafe out. read more

It's been a while since we ate here (but we're going back again tomorrow). I think we had the Gazpacho, a Desert Sweet Shrimp Pasta dish and something with butternut squash and gnocchi. The Gazpacho badly needed salt, the shrimp pasta was a little on the bland side (just a little) but the butternut squash dish was phenomenal! We thought it was strange at first that you walk around and look at the food then walk up to the register to order, but it turned out OK because it's kind of nice to see what your food will look like when it comes out. The interior of the restaurant is beautiful too. Lots of bamboo paneling and everything is supposed to be sustainable. A side note: they don't have high chairs or boosters (a big problem for college students, I know, so if you have a little one, bring your own booster seat if you need one). Most people won't have this problem but I travel with a two year old. That's just how I roll. read more

Went here on a whim today to try it out and I was pleasantly surprised. The layout is kind of confusing at first, but once you figure it out it's pretty easy. Their menu has a pretty decent variety of pizza, burgers, sushi and salads/hummus. I would have liked a little more choice as far as the menu is concerned though. Service was pretty standard. You pay at the counter and then they bring your food out to you, which was done pretty fast. I ordered the tootsie roll and some fries and my girlfriend got the pepperoni pizza with a side of fries. Drinks/chips were included but we didn't try the chips. The roll was somewhat small but it tasted pretty good. My girlfriend's pizza was really good, I was pretty jealous. We both enjoyed the hand cut fries a lot. Overall I'd say it was a good experience. Adding a little more to the menu would go a long way I think. I will be back to try their burger. The table next to us got one and it looked really good. read more

I look forward to my visits to ASU and always make a point to eat at Engrained! Delicious, beautifully prepared healthy dishes in a timely manner with reasonable prices! Love all of the vegan options!! read more

Engrained Cafe - Vegan Madras Lentils- amazing! - Sushi Bars Near Me - Tempe, Arizona

It's sometimes hit or miss. I enjoy the trio because you get a couple things for a decent price and it's not super filling. Sometimes its not filling enough though. Other items are good and the options vary. Sushi is pretty good too. Service is ok. They are nice but sometimes a little eager to clean up and have tried taking my plate before I finish. The atmosphere is nice. Even when it's busy in the middle of lunch it's still better than dealing with the madness in the MU. 3 stars for food and service but 4 because yes I'll admit I'm a fan and do look forward to when I get the chance to eat here. read more

Engrained Cafe - Sushi Bars Near Me - Tempe, Arizona

Walking in, I loved the ambiance, Engrained is super cute and trendy, but once we got to the counter, to get our number, I was so confused. I came with some friends, and the ordering system was incredibly odd. There is an area where they have the entire menu, set out behind a counter to see what you would like. I think that being able to see your food was cool, but service was off, like they were done with the college crowd and I felt out of place. Maybe it is because I am new to ASU. read more

I went to an Infant Mental Health training at ASU on Friday. At the lunch break, the instructor suggested Engrained at the Memorial Union. I went to graduate school on the Tempe campus last year, and I'm so bummed that I didn't know about Engrained then. They really need a higher profile. The pros: they use locally-sourced ingredients in a creative manner. The menu offered several entrees built around Maya's Farm veggies. My quesedilla of grilled asparagus with a cilantro lime cream sause was fantastic. My friend said her panini and salad was really good, too. It's nice to be able to look at the food before ordering it. The seating is comfortable and the employees were friendly. In spite of the confusing system, our food was delivered to our table very promptly. The cons: the ordering system is confusing, as others had mentioned. I asked about it at the station where we got our table number, but still made the mistake of trying to order at the wrong place. And it's on the ASU campus. Parking is a nightmare; I took the light rail the day of my visit. I'll probably rarely get to eat here, but I enjoyed the experience. read more

This restaurant is really cool, especially for an on-campus restaurant! I don't think I've ever been to an on-campus restaurant that actually brings the food to your table. It's also really cool that they use locally sourced ingredients. I will say that the options on the day I visited didn't really "speak" to me...but I ordered teriyaki glazed salmon with fried rice and still managed to clean my plate. I think that, for a college campus (where, presumably, students are trying to eat healthy) some nutrition facts about the food would be a good addition. I've seen that at other college campuses and it can be helpful. Otherwise, nice job to ASU for a creative spin on campus dining. read more