I'll be honest - I don't usually eat greens. In fact, I avoid them like the plague. So when my friend told me that I would love Roots, I was skeptical. But when I had my first bite, I was blown away. Everything was amazing: all the vegetables were fresh, the chicken was well cooked, and there was that one sauce that provided a flavorful, spicy kick. Even more amazing was that I was completely satisfied by the portions that they give you (never happens to mewith salads or green things). Some of my friends have enough left over to even have another meal. This is probably the best "Chipotle" style restaurant that I've ever been to, and I would definitely come back whenever I'm at the Corner looking for a bite to eat. read more

Stopped at this place while traveling out of town and really enjoyed it (so much so that I went back again the next day). I placed a carry-out order using their app which was fairly easy to use. There is a nice variety of options on the menu, including many vegan items. I opted to order a custom bowl both times. The food was shockingly good, and I really wish I had a Roots in my area! read more

We recently got married at Castle Hill Cider in Keswick, VA and the options for catered lunches in the area is pretty limited. When given the choice between Subway and a small local market...the decision was obviously Roots. I called Roots on the Thursday before our wedding with the inquiry about how good their bowls would keep for if I picked it up Friday afternoon and kept it in the fridge until the day after. I knew it was a longshot, but the gentleman that I spoke to told me that my request might actually qualify as catering! Excited, I quickly called the catering number and was connected with Jeff Dion, their chief catering officer. Let me first start off with what a genuine dude Jeff is. Our conversation was light hearted and fun, and in the end I was able to confirm that we could get lunches catered for our bridal party delivered straight to our venue on our wedding day for a simple $20 delivery fee. The ordering process was as simple as could be - Jeff sent over a link where I put in all of the details of our orders onto an excel spreadsheet. He then sent an email confirming the order with a link to pay online. Friday was crazy and I forgot to submit our payment and the link wasn't working when I tried to submit it on Saturday morning. I called Jeff and his response when I relayed the problem was, "Isn't it your wedding day? Don't worry about it! We'll take care of it on Monday. Congratulations and have fun!" Food on Saturday got delivered right on time as planned. Long story short: amazing establishment, amazing food, and amazing employees. Thank you! read more

El Jefe is the best salad ever! Love it! I have tried to go for lunch to another place but all the time went to Roots

An refreshing alternative on the corner serving natural food. I had the corner Cobb and it was awesome. I recommend it! Someone has a master plan to add more burger chains and pizza restaurants to Charlottesville; finally somebody thinks differently. read more

Roots Natural Kitchen - Construction of the salad including full avocado! - New American Near Me - Charlottesville, Virginia

My partner and I really liked this restaurant! We have been eating fried chicken almost everyday of the week that week, so we went here for a healthy break. I am definitely hesitant of kale but the options on the menu were really good!! Super satisfying and filling. One bowl was easily two separate meals. I ordered the Southern with tofu and that was really yummy. The thing that stood out to me the most was how well mixed and seasoned everything was, nothing like a chipotle burrito bowl. I will definitely be returning! read more

The Southern Bowl with BBQ tofu is the best vegetarian dish in C'Ville, full stop. The tofu is cooked to perfection, the BBQ sauce is great. I recommend substituting the tahini dressing for cilantro lime. My general experience with the Wertland pickup location has been good and has felt so safe during the pandemic. I am docking one star - and I REALLY would love to give 5 stars - because of the recent changes they've made to the app and pickup times. Apparently, the restaurant has been slammed with making bowls and have been "making more mistakes than they'd like to," so they are now capping how many bowls they can make per pickup time. I live about 45 minutes away from Roots and usually drive 30 minutes, pull over, place the order, and pick up Roots about 15 minutes later. Because it's such a trip, we only do it once a month. I did that today and the app said the order wouldn't be ready for FIFTY minutes. I thought it was surely a mistake so I went to the restaurant anyway and was given the info that they are capping orders and that it was the first available pickup time. My 90 minute trip to Roots ended up being almost 2 and a half hours, and for just two bowls! NOTE: they did offer the concession that I can go into their other location and order in person, but I am in a high-risk group for Covid, so that is unfortunately not a solution that will work for me. I suppose I'll just order through the app first thing in the AM to get the earliest pickup time. But I do think that Roots could put better systems in place instead of capping orders. BLAH! Roots - I love you! Sketchy decision - please revisit! read more

with roasted chicken and kale for the main ingredients. Chicken is roasted pretty good but a little bit salty to me. The source is very delicious. First time to visit with nothing to know about the available sources which to choose and then the shop assistant seemed to be a little bit impatient with me. I am sorry about that. read more

Roots Natural Kitchen - Pesto Caesar (green Caesar) - New American Near Me - Charlottesville, Virginia

They have so many options to choose from and there portions and prices are worth it. I can get two meals out of my salads. They prepare it the way you ask them too. read more

As a typical college male who loves to eat a lot of food and hates spending too much money on it, I find Roots to be the perfect fast causal option on the Charlottesville corner. Founded by a trio of former UVA students, I truly believe the restaurant was designed with the UVA community in mind, and its eclectic offering of healthy, hearty, and flavorful options make this place a MUST to check out. I've seen a lot of reviews writing about this place like it's a salad bar, and I admit it turned me off before I actually tried this place out. I ordered the El Jefe and was pleasantly surprised to have what was really more attune to a hearty burrito bowl from Chipotle than a salad bowl.. After coming here over at least two dozen times, the taste still hasn't gotten old. The Jefe comes with brown rice, kale, black beans, diced red onions, grilled sweet corn, feta cheese crumbles, pita chips, and half an avocado, all mixed in a bowl in front of your eyes after a generous pour of fresh squeezed lime juice and classic Tabasco sauce. After all the ingredients are aggressively mixed in front of you, you get a 4-6oz serving of freshly pan seared and lightly seasoned chicken to top off your mix of grains and veggies. Speaking for the quality of the El Jefe, I find that the mix of ingredients delivers a bold flavor profile that leaves my taste buds satisfied and my stomach wanting for nothing. If you are a first timer, I highly recommend trying Roots for the first time without making any modifications to the signature selections. I feel that the mix of ingredients and dressings are indeed carefully curated to compliment one another and ensure that each bite you take is "the best one." Watching the workers feverishly through together and mix your meal in front of your eyes adds to the experience of first timers. People complain about the lack of variety from Roots' signature bowl offerings, and while it is true that the menu hasn't much changed since it first opened two years ago, I don't find this a valid reason to fault the restaurant. The reality is that this is pretty much the only option on the Corner for students to get consistent, healthy, and tasty food without breaking the bank (the most expensive signature bowl, the El Jefe, is just under $10), and so many students find themselves frequenting Roots as being the only viable option for both lunch or dinner. With the option to create your own custom bowl, Roots' variety is really only limited to one's willingness to explore new combinations. The line outside is always out the door during peak lunch and dinner hours (12-2 and 5-7) and I think that just reinforces the fact that Roots captures a much needed dining segment on the Corner. The food is consistent, healthy, flavorful, no more expensive than Chipotle, and very filling. Big thumbs up. read more

Roots is without question the best value restaurant on the corner. Healthy options under $10 + a lot of food. I will truly miss this new Charlottesville staple when I graduate from UVA. I recommend the chicken for protein and the BBQ tofu for those who don't eat meat. I would encourage Roots to branch out and try to add new options such as falafel and Brussels sprouts into the mix. The menu has remained largely unchanged since its founding. A little variety would make this place even better. read more

This is how I want to eat every day. so healthy, so good! brilliantly balanced I love the variety and I love the Tamari bowl, but they are all super good. read more

It's usually good but if you order through an app, Grubhub, they forget the dressing! Wtf? No dressing? I'm so tired of it. It makes me never want to order. Recourse? Complain on Grubhub and they refund you but here I am....salad without a dressing. read more

Roots Natural Kitchen - New American Near Me - Charlottesville, Virginia

Prepare for long lines between 11:30 and 1:15 during the UVA & Hospital lunch rush. Recommend downloading the app and doing pick up from around the corner! The corner cobb is my standby. Can't go wrong. read more

Roots is a great, modern fast casual bowl restaurant. Everything they make is super fresh and very delicious. There is usually a line out the door, for good reason. They have a small space on the Corner in Charlottesville, but are expanding. I especially like the BBQ tofu, and all the options they have to put on your bowl. They dish up a generous helping of kale, lots of topper veggies, grilled corn and have great sauces. Prices are fair and service prompt and accurate. It's a go to for lunch anytime we're downtown. read more

I highly recommend this place if you are looking for healthy options. I got the Mayweather for about $8. It came with kale, sweet potato, red onions, feta and chicken. There are so many options on what you can get. If you don't like something that comes in their standard salads, you can substitute it. You can also build your own salad, but I'm not sure how much it will cost you. I went on a Sunday, and there was a long line but it went quickly. Worth the wait. read more

Roots Natural Kitchen - Mayweather salad - New American Near Me - Charlottesville, Virginia

This place is on the small side but the food is GREAT! Our first visit came at a relatively calm time of the day so seating wasn't an issue. The second visit came on a Saturday night in December...IT. WAS. PACKED! There was a line out of the door! We had our heart set on their salads so we decided to wait it out...the staff moves the line quickly and we weren't disappointed! They have plenty of premise salad options to choose from and you're able to find something that suits you. But if you don't you are able to make your own salad! Each bowl starts with a base, you can get all salad, all grains or a mix of both (even more salad than grains or vice versa)! Then you have the option of 5 ingredients like broccoli, sweet potatoes, onions, beans (several kinds), tomatoes, etc. The last addition is a protein option between chicken, tofu or mushrooms. The salads are huge and will satisfy any hunger! We enjoyed the two times we came and can't wait to come more in the future! read more

Easily one of my favorite places in Charlottesville. Never get tired of it, and I always get the El Jefe. I think one of the best things is how you can swap pretty much anything. If you're looking to have a more filling bowl, you can swap things like onions for sweet potato or broccoli. If you want a less filling bowl, you can swap rice for more green base. I also think they've really expanded their service in a great way by adding a mobile pick up center separate from the main location. The app is easy to use, and the UVA honor code works great, I've never had a bowl stolen even though they leave the orders just out on a shelf. Saves a ton of time which is great if you're near the corner and just need to pick up a meal. read more

This place has great options for vegans and vegetarians (as well as meat-eaters). The barbecue tofu is amazing! The bowls are very big and filling. There is a nice area upstairs where you can sit and eat if you want to eat inside. Even my dad, who doesn't love "vegan food" loved this place! read more

The sad truth with many of the restaurants on the Corner, is that convenience is the main reason many students (including myself) visit Roots. While this health-centric made-to-order salad restaurant serves great portions at an affordable price, the food quality isn't all that great. I've come here many times and found either the lettuce browned and unappetizing, the dressings too oily, heavy, and/or flavorless, and the protein options pretty limited. If you truly want a healthy option, the bowl comes out dry and one-dimensional; the toppings don't add much flavor-the tomatoes watery, pickled onions too sweet and almost artificial-tasting. The protein is a little concerning, as well; I've tasted all available offerings (miso and BBQ tofu, grilled chicken, and mushrooms) and they seem processed, messy, and/or flavorless. While the chicken has great texture from the grill, it lacks basic seasoning; compounded with the limited quantity they give you, I feel the mushrooms are the best options. The tofu options just look unappetizing and taste strange as well. All in all (while I understand this is a wildly unpopular opinion), I come here strictly out of convenience, as there are few healthy food options on the corner. From my perspective, students are starting to get frustrated with Roots' limited/dated options and tasteless ingredients. I hope management would consider seasonal options or ingredients, or at least healthy and flavorful dressings and seasonings. read more

Coming to this down as a researcher during summer I ate at many restaurants. Not a single one was worth ruining my diet plan . So one time I visit roots and I order The Southern. This salad was quickly made . It was delicious , nutritious and simple. While the salad was nothing special , it definitely excels in its league. It is unfortunate that my hometown doesn't have a similar salad place . I would only recommend it for a business lunch quickie . read more

I think roots is the best bowl place I've ever had. I think it's quick and easy and delicious. The el jefe is a classic and my favorite as well! read more

Great delivery food with Uber eats. Neve tried the place before and I was very pleased. Will be ordering again. Hope to actually see the place when going to restaurants is a thing again. read more

Ordered the Southern using Doordash and was very pleased! Everything in the bowl had amazing flavors and went together so well. For the price this meal was awesome! I was very impressed, and will definitely order again. read more

The corner cobb is my favorite! I made some substitutions but it has consistently been good. The chicken is tasty and not just plain. The line can get very long but the employees try their best and it moves fast enough! read more

Roots Natural Kitchen - New American Near Me - Charlottesville, Virginia

Not as wonderful as I anticipated given the following this place has, but I can see how it can be loved. As far as going to lunch on a weekday, it's busy. The line moves which is good, but it's so loud and so rushed, that a new person like me felt lost and deaf. When an employee couldn't hear me, she shrugged and just moved on so I ended up without a sauce on my $11 bowl. For me, I much prefer spending the same money on Chipotle or Cava for similar food and better atmosphere. The food was good, it's just not easy to see the options of toppings as there isn't a list anywhere that I saw. I expected "roasted sweet potatoes" to be hot, so I was grossed out when I bit into a cold sweet potato mash. I do believe the upstairs seating is a mess. The echo makes it impossible to enjoy a conversation with someone. All in all, not bad, just not a fan personally. I wouldn't crave going to Roots, but if a friend wanted to go it would be fine. read more

This place does live up to its hype and if y'all are looking for healthy bowls with protein I would chose Roots 100% over Chipotle or any other similar franchise. The price is kind of high which is the only down factor so I don't buy from here frequently, but when I do it's very good read more

I LOVE roots! I think they are truly redefining fast-causal food. Everything here is both delicious and NOT BAD FOR YOU! As a college student looking for quick food that also makes me feel good, Roots is my #1 go-to. I regularly eat here 2-3 times a week. The corner Cobb, pesto Caesar, and el jefe are my three favorites, but you really can't go wrong with anything on the menu. You can also build your own bowl to your exact likings. The line here is often out the door during peak hours (11-1 for lunch and 5:30-7:30 for dinner) but Roots can seriously handle the demand, and the line moves fast. read more

Let me tell you about my weight loss journey because there is just so much pizza, sandwich, beer and fries that a person could endure. I am very happy that I could order a bowl of fancy vegetables...but ONLY if I could find a parking spot in this area. And it's a 10 minute walk from the medical center...and the line that ACCUMULATES outside the door is so LONG...by the time I get to utter my order, it's already time to walk back to work because the peasant that I am only get a STRICT 30 minute lunch break. So with my many failed attempts to get lunch here, I have already given up because of this. I'm giving a generous 1 star for all the weight I lost hiking back and forth from work to Roots, and from Roots to work, under the heat or in blistering cold, without being able to eat any of their salads. Sometimes, I get really rebellious that I wait in line. Who needs to go back to work if you can afford Roots?! It's the only salad place at the Corner, it must be really worth it. Sending a coworker/mercenary with a 2 hour lunch break privilege to buy everyone's food also works. Wait a minute here's more, I just saw the person making my salad smoke a cigarette outside! She's touching her face with the gloves she's using to prepare my food! Oh my! My salad was also drowning in dressing and the avocado on my Cobb salad had oxidized. Hours later, I had to get Imodium from Employee Health for the extra diarrhea that came with that! And if there's a long line, there's nowhere to sit, but there are 2 sets of tables and chairs outside, the one close to the trash cans you can sit and enjoy your healthy salad. Not as impressive as Chop't Creative Salads up in DC and NYC. read more

Really good food... every time. I have had multiple different bowls and they were all awesome.

Man o man! The El Jefe with chicken add boiled eggs is the bomb. The flavor in this dish is amazing. Ingredients include kale, boiled eggs, grilled chicken, corn chips, rice, black beans, and corn. You can taste the cilantro in this dish as well. This is a must stop while in Charlottesville. Enjoy! read more

Quick and easy but not the cheapest option for what it is. Popular choice for undergrads.

The salad bowl here is huge and a very good deal for what you get. Although a salad is 9-10 dollars with tax, I am so stuffed from lunch that I can get away with just eating yogurt and some chocolate for dinner. I got the pesto Caesar today, which was complimented by a small kick of Sriracha that really brought out the flavors. This is the place you go to eat healthy and feel good! read more

The hype is TRUE! Moving from California to Charlottesville had its challenges, but I am glad a good salad place isn't one of them. I discovered Roots after many recommendations and a break away from Chipotle. Fresh, delicious food that is light and filling at the same time. I've had the southern with tofu, as well as the Cobb. Both are delicious! Definitely recommend the vegetarian options. Never tried the meat but also heard it's outstanding! The only issue is parking but there is some residential parking which I usually opt for. read more

Love Roots! Healthy and delicious. Line is usually out the door. Moves quickly and worth the wait!

Best bowl you'll ever have in your life. We've gotten the El Jefe many times, the food is high quality, huge chunks of chicken, and it's consistent every visit. read more

Roots is definitely one of my favorite places to get a quick lunch after class! Disclaimer: I love fruits and vegetables, so this review is obviously going to be biased. There are a ton of salad combos you can get at Roots. My favorite is the Mayweather! It has a wide variety of vegetables and the goat cheese, avocado, and roasted sweet potatoes add so much flavor and richness to the kale base. The chicken is also well cooked and very tender! Roots is very generous with their avocado. The server put a whole half in mine! The dressing is also homemade and very delicious. Cilantro lime and the lemon tahini are my favorite. The tangy feel is perfect for a hot, summer day! You can also mix and match your own salad, as I've seen a lot of people do. Service is fast and the food is fresh. There is usually a long line, but it moves really quickly! Parking is a hassle, but it's walkable from class and from my apartment. There is some seating upstairs, but I've never eaten in the restaurant. Prices are a little high (around $10 or so) for a salad, but you get a lot of food! I am always stuffed after a Roots salad. The quality and freshness of the food is unbeatable, too. Will definitely be back at Roots. I'm a huge fan! Just haven't been eating here as much as I wanted to since my boyfriend hates salads. read more

This was the first place I was recommended to eat at when I got into town and it was DELICIOUS. There used to be an extremely similar place called Shophouse in LA but they closed, so I was super happy to have something like it again. I got the El Jeffe and I have zero regrets. Do indeed try it! read more

Roots Natural Kitchen - Amazing El Jeffe - New American Near Me - Charlottesville, Virginia

I used to love Roots so much, but recently the overall eating experience has sharply declined and it's also starting giving me stomach pain for one specific reason: they stopped massaging their kale. For the difference it makes compared to the low time investment, it makes absolutely no sense why they stopped massaging the kale. I know it sounds ridiculous, but it makes a major difference. Now when I get Roots it feels like I'm eating magnolia leaves. Get it together, Roots. No one likes to see a restaurant take ridiculous shortcuts in quality. read more

WOW!! Can't wait to come back! Scrumptious food! I'm gluten free and I found it very easy to order! Vegetarian and gluten free friendly. Highly recommend! read more