So much flavor and so many salads! A solid 3.5 star from me. It's more or less a salad joint, let's keep it short. They don't use Iceburg lettuce, all but 2 of their salad dressings are homemade, the building was built in like 1917 or something, and this restaurant has been here since 1978! They are doing something right. Place was busy and lively. Service was great as they kept our drinks full and brought our food quickly. Salad was huge and oh so yummy. Again, I am not a salad fan but you know how you get those cravings once in awhile? Today was that day and this place hit the spot! Salad fans, this joint is a must. read more

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Old Town Tustin has hidden gems. Public parking around the corner of Rutabegorz. Visited the week of Christmas and what a great place to get into the holiday spirit. .**//**. You seat yourself and there are (_(**)//| plenty of tables but it's a popular ......|//| place. We found a small booth ......|//| perfect for two. ......|//| Once we were seated a guy immediately welcomed us and handed us menus; prompt service. Later he returned to take our drink orders and suggested a scrumptious appetizer: homemade dip with crackers for 45¢. They get into the Christmas cheer with all the decoration (see upside down Christmas tree photo) and Christmas mugs for your coffee. Another happy-go-lucky server takes our food order. Since it was our first time she made sure to explain to us that they served healthy home cooked food. I had the tuna sandwich and it was pretty good. The server highly recommended the seasonal dessert and that was the best I've ever tasted...but the name escapes me. Ask any servers for their favorites and they'll give you a must-try list. I had such a fun time. I will return for the great, attentive service: always refilling our drinks and checking on our table about our food. read more

Rutabegorz - They really get into the holiday spirit with the Christmas tree surrounded by presents...on the ceiling. - Vegetarian Near Me - Tustin, California

This place has the greatest salads around! I crave them literally every day. They are the perfect size and all of their dressings are better than any I've ever had. My only complaint is it usually takes a good while to order and/or receive your food. I've sat and waited for 20 minutes before ever being approached by a waiter. That being said, it is usually quite an ordeal to dine in, so I typically phone order my meals. Phone ordering is quick and painless and you get your food within 15 minutes of placing the order. But honestly, if you're looking to eat in the restaurant don't be deterred, the salads are totally worth the wait. Side note: I'm SO bummed that the Rainbow Salad is seasonal.. it's literally the best salad I've had in my entire life. I was absolutely heartbroken to find out that it is seasonal. However, while I wait for it to come back, I've been loving the Tuscan Kale Spinach Salad. Definitely recommend! The staff is really sweet even if they are slow lol. You've got to check this place out! read more

Very average. Everything tastes like your well meaning friend who can't cook decided to make you lunch. Pie's good though.

3.5 stars Some hits and some misses. I do like the atmosphere of this location better than the Orange one, although they don't have the awesome Ranger cookie that they do at Orange. Nice outdoor seating here and I'm not sure if it is or not but appears to be bigger and roomier here. The hits: The Tangerine Wheat beer- delicious and not too sweet! The Veg Out- this was suprisingly good. It was a variety of vegetable juice and it was really good. The carrots added a nice sweetness and the celery was a nice touch, addicting. Could have been a bit colder though... Cokie Leeky soup- BIG cup, a very comforting and creamy chicken soup, loved this one. The pasta salad- this came with the sandwiches and it tastes fresh and like a picnic salad you would make at home The misses: Shrimp Avocado Sandwich- I wasn't feeling this one. It's huge but super messy. It comes in a pita and that was dry then they completely overstuff it with bland small shrimp, tons of avocado, cream cheese, sunflower seeds and entirely too much cheddar cheese. This thing was impossible to eat w/out making a mess. As soon as I picked it up it split and everything fell out. I ended up just turning into a salad and eating it with a fork. The cheese did nothing to compliment the shrimp. The flavors did not go well together and I wish they put at least salt and pepper on the shrimp. The cream cheese and olive sandwich- my mom would always make these when I was little and we loved them. She would mix green olives in the cream cheese and then put it on the bread. Here they just spread cream cheese on the bread and then pile the black olive slices, probably from a can, on top so they inevitably fall all over the place. My mom said enjoyed it but I just wish they mixed the cream cheese and the olives together which makes much more sense. This was my 2nd visit to Ruttebegorz and both times I enjoyed it but not as much as I had hoped. I would probably come again but maybe stay away from the sandwiches... read more

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I've passed by the Rutabegorz in Old Towne Orange many times and it's caught my interest but Chapman Ave traffic has always deterred me from actually stopping in. A friend told me about the Tustin location and we decided to grab dinner there on a weeknight. They're a small establishment located on Main and El Camino Real. At first it'll look like there's no parking in sight that isn't 20 minutes max but just around the corner you'll find a ramp that leads to a big parking lot that's free and doesn't have a set time limit. This Rutabegorz offers self seating on their patio and inside. They have heat warmers so even though it was a bit cold outside we decided to sit outside. Their menu is awesome! They're got a ton to choose from: like 100 different salads, pastas, sandwiches and soups. They also have a seasonal menu with a select list of salads and sandwiches. I debated between the Italiano salad and the turkey and kale salad which was seasonal. With our waitress's recommendation I decided to get the turkey and kale salad and she offered to bring me over the Italiano if I didn't like my salad. My friend got their bigger cobb salad. Despite how enormous my salad was, I finished very last bite because it was so delicious! It included, kale, turkey, pecans, parmesan, avocados and dried cranberries. It's drizzled with a lemon poppyseed dressing that took away from the bitterness that kale usually offers and really topped off the salad. I could have that for lunch everyday and be totally satisfied. My friend really enjoyed her cobb salad and took some cookies to go. Her salad admittedly didn't look as good as mine did so I definitely recommend checking out the seasonal menu. They offered a hummus special that's like 49 cents. When I visited they had a tomato basil hummus so if you're in the mood for an appetizer you might consider taking advantage of the hummus offer. They also have a ton of desserts that I had to fight myself to stay away from. Service was great and friendly. I'll be back soon. read more

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Absolutely adorable interior that is exactly the type of vibe that fits old town Tustin. I love how homey this place looks from the inside and this is definitely one of those restaurants that make you feel like every piece of decor they have has some kind of history, which I really love. Coming in on a Saturday night around 8, we were seated immediately by a sweet lady who we presumed to be the owner.. and the booth seats are just so quaint! There are mini little mirrors inside each one and the seats just make you feel so cozy and tucked away. I flipped through the menu and there were definitely a variety of things I wanted to try, such as the quinoa that I've heard so many good things about. But! We came here especially for something that was off of the menu, so quinoa and the delicious sounding veggie enchiladas will just have to wait for next time! Anywho- the off-menu item was the cheese fondue and every bit of it was WONDERFUL. Honestly such bang for your buck because they give you a huge plate full of mixed veggies and delicious bread in addition to the fondue.. and it was only fifteen dollars. Great deal and great food made for an awesome first experience for me! The assortment of apples, cauliflower, mushrooms, zucchini, breads, lettuce, and celery definitely did not leave me feeling tired of dipping stuff in cheese the whole night. In contrary, I actually couldn't stop myself from dip after dip because it was just so good. The owner was quite impressed that we finished all of the food (as were we) and I only wish we were skillful enough to scrape the crusty cheese on the bottom which is supposed to be the best part. I want to come here again real soon because everything about my first visit here was above average. read more

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Rutabegorz is a charming family-style restaurant. I've been there a few times, and some of the people at the tables near where I was seated told me that they visit this place a few times a week. I had the Apple Spinach Salad and the Carrot Cake; both were yummy and came in generous portions. They have a wide variety of items on their menu, so a person could come here to eat several weeks in a row and never have to get the same thing twice. If you're looking for a good homestyle meal then check out Rutabegorz! read more

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I guess we got started on the wrong foot because when we moved to a table from the extremely uncomfortable miniature booth the server seemed bothered by it. I asked if we could make the vegetarian items vegan, then I asked if the sauces had a chicken or beef base the server was upset because "she already answered my question!". When she brought out my son's pizza bagel it was burnt black on the edges, when I pointed that out she asked "what do you want me to do?" I said take them back please. Then when my enchiladas came the filling was sour. It was an unpleasant experience. I guess I'll never go back there again. Another server (heavy set with the tattooed arms had such a bad attitude) it as though she was bothered were there. read more

I have been on a healthy streak lately. RTR has everything I need to keep my body and mind in tip top shape. RTR utilizes fresh ingredients in all of their delicious recipes. They have a great selection and wonderful veggie options. I have tried most of the dishes from their soups, salads and main dishes. All I can say is that they are A-M-A-Z-I-N-G! For soups, I would recommend the Cockie Leeky and Chicken Rice Vegetables. It is like shooting up vitamins into your veins. YUMMY! When I am in the mood for a refreshing salad, I usually go with the Garlic Chicken salad. So light but filling! The Walnut that Kissed the Chicken is REDONKULOUSLY good! I am so addicted to the Veg-Out mix drink. Jamba juice got nothing on you! If you ever need to POWER UP, Recharge or Veggie out you have to make a trip to RTR, read more

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This place is one of my favorite restaurants! So simple, fresh, organic, there's a huge selection and everything I've ever ordered has been GOOD. The portions are HUGE so you can always share with a friend and still have more than your fill. They have a cute newsletter looking menu that goes along with their "artsy" theme. They have cute menu items with creative names like "The Walnut that Kissed the Chicken". However, after I discovered the Italiano Salad I can't go back to anything else! My gosh! It's the best salad ever... I never thought I would crave a salad but with this one I do! It's chopped romaine with sundried tomatoes, artichokes, purple onion slices, chicken, topped with a shredded parmesan mozzarella cheese combo. The dressing is homemade and to die for. Every month they have $1-2 special appetizers. Everytime we go we just order whatever appetizer special they have because it's worth the extra dollar! Service here is excellent too. The waitresses are always chirpy and super accommodating. I've had a few large group events here (10+ people) and they set aside the extra side room for us to use. It's like having your own little restaurant all to yourself. The place doesn't blast loud music either so you can actually partake in conversation over a meal. Big parking lot in the back so people don't usually have a problem finding parking here. I have absolutely no complaints about this place. I prefer this location over the Fullerton or Orange locations. read more

Ruta's in Tustin is one my favorite places in the area. I've said it more than once, and I'll say it again- there's something magical about this place. One of my favorite things to do on a lazy Saturday is head on over and chill on the patio sipping on one of their deliciously spicy Bloody Mary's. Heck- their Bloody Mary's are so good they could just about knock everything else off the menu and I'd still be a regular. Furthering that- I think their Bloody Mary's are the best you can get around town. The next closest Bloody Mary that competes is over at the Rusty Pelican in Newport Beach... but who the hell wants to drive all the way over there?! Anyway, do yourself a favor and roll up one weekend when you're looking to treat yourself, pull up a seat on the patio, order up a Bloody Mary (the spicier, the better) and let them know that Matt sent you. They won't know who the heck you're talking about, but it'll make you sound important. read more

Rutabegorz - The best Bloody Mary in town! - Vegetarian Near Me - Tustin, California

I've always been a fan of Rutabegorz since I was introduced to it over 10 years ago! The Fullerton location is closer to me, but for a girls' night out we went to this one since it was convenient. I like the layout of this location better because it's an open space and not a bunch of small rooms. We shared a huge Strawberry Chicken Salad ($11) and a Stew You with Chicken ($11) DELICIOUS. The salad had these crunch candied walnuts that went really well with the feta cheese and strawberries. Super tender chicken, and it was dressed just right. The Stew has vegetable chunks in a light tomato sauce covered in cheese with chicken. Very hearty and filling. Comes with slices of squaw bread too for dipping. As usual, no matter what it is, I get the 43c dip :) Yum, will be back! read more

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This place has been around forever and is part of a small chain of 3 restaurants, each with the same menu. The specialize on food that sounds like it should be healthy, and can be, but is generally sold in quantities that are a wee bit beyond what a dieter's serving size should be. I mean, they have salad bowls bigger than your head. But the food is good and the ingredients are good for you (for the most part) so if you take home a doggie bag, or don't really care about the actual serving size, you are eating better that you would at a lot of places for not a whole lot of money. read more

Love the "Summer Salad." Got this to go with the pepperoni and olive sandwich, also very good and a favorite of mine. Lady on the phone wasn't exactly friendly but the cashier was extra nice. Overall very good and efficient for to-go order. Parking can be a bit tough but there's a public lot behind here. read more

Picked up my to go today. Wonderful service from Veronica. Food excellent. I love this place and i highly recommend them. Cant wait for them to be open again for outside dining. My husband and i were going there every week and sat outside. I hope they will be back open for outside dining real soon. Best food and Best service of any place i have been at. Veronica and Chris best waitress an best waiter read more

I play around with the idea of becoming a vegetarian. On such occasions I like to go to veggie or vegan restaurants. The more I like the food the more sense becoming a vegan makes. The less I like the food, well, you get it. I dropped into Rutabegorz (weird name) in Orange one day and ordered their Roasted Veggie Quinoa Bowl (Gluten Free). I know the Gluten Free part is a pure scam for anybody who doesn't have celiac disease but the rest of the description sounded interesting and I'll tell you what - I actually LIKED it! read more

Rutabegorz - Roasted Veggie Quinoa Bowl (Gluten Free) Pretty darn good. - Vegetarian Near Me - Tustin, California

I don't know how many times does Yelp allow me to update my review for Rutabegorz with 5 stars!??? I keep coming here and am completely satisfied!! Anyways, once again I ordered the salad, very delicious and fills you up to the brink of being satisfied, but not where you just want to throw up! Service is great! I had the BBQ chicken salad! The Southwest bleu cheese is delectable, and I don't even like bleu cheese! read more

I'd searched Yelp for a local restaurant to host a recent ten year college reunion, and this place popped up as having a free private room for up to 35 people. Well, our count ended up being a bit lower than that, but Andra was great at helping coordinate the evening, picking the menu, and staying in contact throughout the process. The food was fantastic (one of the attendees said "This is the most hipster thing I've ever eaten... but it's really good" about the quinoa bowl), and hearty portions all around -- the kale and turkey salad that I had came in a giant mixing bowl. I also had the cockie leeky soup (which I've had at other locations) and it was great. There are plenty of vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free type options. Our first waitress was great at getting apps on the table and taking drink/food orders, but there was a switch about an hour into the event, and our waiter was a bit scarce after that (even though we had a couple of stragglers who also wanted to order food and drink). Plenty of parking around the corner in the public lot. If you're looking for a place to throw a small party or have an informal get together, this is a great place to do so! read more

Rutabegorz - Turkey and kale salad (two meals worth!). - Vegetarian Near Me - Tustin, California

Such a nice little unassuming place in Tustin. Rutabegorz has culinary offerings for all different types of gastronomical needs (ex. vegan, gluten-free, etc). I tried the Cockie Leaky soup in a bowl with the squaw bread in addition to a couple pieces of garlic bread. That leaky soup is by far one of the best I've had. Little chunks of juicy chicken, with a creamy non-dairy broth and perfectly textured brown rice - just the right amount of crunch for a soup! and the bread was really good too and added a nice textural component to the dish. A minor complaint I had was for the garlic bread. The description says "sourdough" but it just looked (and tasted) like white bread. Fast service, good food, and a good price will have me coming back to try out more! read more

This is a great healthy place with great food. My wife and I usually share since the portions are large. We usually get a bowl of Cockie Leeky soup (Chicken, rice and leeks in a rich creamy broth) and the Garlic Chicken Salad (A smaller sized salad with garlic chicken, lettuce, avocado, crunchy noodles and caramelized walnuts. Served with balsamic vinaigrette and we add feta cheese). You can get a larger size but find it to much food even when split. Be sure to look at the place card on the table for there $1.00 item for the month. This month (April) they have there Fiesta Dip (Creamy Cheese Dip with cilantro, tomato, onion, and other festive spices! Served with Tortilla Chips) for only $1.00. read more

Rutabegorz - Vegetarian Near Me - Tustin, California

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Listen.. I grew up coming here, I'm a Tustin local. And I LOVE main st with all the amazing shops and folks, but lately something about Rutabegorz is so off, I often visit with my 1 year old son and am always hassled about where I sit with a high chair, one waitress sits me on an area as I'm unloading my bag and trying to situate myself then another says "sorry can't sit here gotta move somewhere else" extremely rudely as if I should know better? "Open seating" my butt.. a few of the waitresses just seem to have the worst attitudes and given it's a family joint I would expect a little more hospitality and kindness? Really sad but this is the fifth time now that I've been treated with rudeness and always made to feel like I'm in the wrong for following their open seating sign. The service SUCKS. If you can't be kind to customers and helpful GET A DIFFERENT JOB LADIES. read more

Wasn't blown away by this place, despite its quaint location. If I wanted regular sandwich-and-salad-type fare, I'd probably go to Gypsy Den instead, out of sheer convenience. I had the Chicken Caesar wrap, which tasted fresh but also a little too salty (which I thought was impossible because I am the sodium queen). My friend's Chicken and Avocado salad looked like a better choice. It arrived in a huge bowl and would have easily fed two or three. Our other co-worker ordered the Mu-Shu burrito, which sounded goofy, but actually looked pretty tasty. It was a little too hot to eat bare-handed, so my co-worker attacked the burrito with a knife and fork. The menu is ginormous. I might come back and give it another shot during lunch. read more

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Really disappointing. Was so excited to try this place especially as I was getting sick of all my veggie/vegan place, and it had great reviews! Menu was beyond confusing. So many choices and confusing ingredients together. I THOUGHT I'd try a special, since those are pretty much guaranteed goodness and seasonal. Got the hummus sandwich which was basically to me, was two sandwiches mixed. One sandwich was a basil, tomato, and cream cheese sandwich. The other was hummus and carrots. It sounded cool but...did not taste good together! Bf got the cream cheese and olive sandwich, and he complained they didn't put enough cream cheese. For the price you pay, we assumed it would be stellar sandwiches i.e. like FreeSoulCafe! But alas...it was not to be. It was super packed at lunch when we went, which meant being ignored for 10 minutes, and I got lost for 20 minutes trying to find it; all of which did not help my first impression. They are literally down the street from FreeSoul. I would maybe...maybe...venture another time to try a highly recommended item as it seriously seems good! But only if I'm desperate. And got lots of time. And it's not for lunch. read more

Rutabegorz - Hummus sandwich - special - Vegetarian Near Me - Tustin, California

Rutabegorz was suggested to us by Tustin locals as one of the best restaurants in old town Tustin. On top of that, I tend toward a vegan or vegetarian fair, which is one of this restaurant's specialties. Meat offerings have been added on to the "hippie food" of the original 1970's city of Orange establishment, but the focus is always on fresh, abundant, homemade portions that switch with the seasons. Located at the end of Main Street in one of "the oldest buildings on Main Street" - as our waitress proudly shared - this Rutabegorz has spacious old world charm. The inside is humbly romantic with its towering Victorian ceilings, and spatterings of old world accoutrements. Original brick and woodwork accents and substantial wooden chairs and tables broadly arrayed over an original hard work floor add more warmth and homeliness to the establishment. Through the large pane glass, the front outdoor porch is perched at the end of Main Street overlooking a church and rambling renovated collection of buildings called The Commons, another part of a past era revamped for modern usage. Now, on to the best part - the food. Menu offerings vere away from the cookie-cutter offerings of many newer chain restaurants. Ingredients are fresh and serving sizes are quite substantial. This food not only tastes good, it is good for you! On the menu are offerings from an expansive collection of traditions: American, Mexican, Italian, Greek and Asian. A common chord struck within all of these offerings is plenty of fresh vegetables, savory sauces, whole grains and rices, beans and nuts, etc. And, for whomever is paying, Rutabegorz prices hark back to an earlier era as well. Even for more elaborate dishes like Shrimp Alfredo, the Mexican Casserole, the Mu Shu Vegetarian Medley, you will only pay somewhere between $10 to $13. For your more mainstream fair, like the monstrous American sandwich, or the homemade chili, prices hover below or a few cents above $10. All this, with an ambience that does not smack of modern American utilitarianism makes Rutabegorz well worth the visit. read more

So happy to come across this place! The waitress Andra was friendly and accommodating, definately recommend friends and family to dine here, coming back for sure! read more

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Such a huge menu, and everything from appetizers, mains & desserts are amazing! Something for everyone! Lots of healthy choices too!

I had a sad experience at Rutabegorz Tustin Restaurant (Tustin) last night. Was seated on the patio with a friend, served our beverages, and then ignored completely by the waitstaff. At one point I waved at a server, who stopped, stood at a distance, waved at me, then just went into the restaurant. We waited a few more minutes. Still no service. At this point at least 3 other tables on the patio, seated AFTER we had arrived, had received service -- their orders had been taken. We dropped some cash on the table and left. After getting the car, drove by, our table still had not been attended to. Perhaps the cash was still sitting there. Our glasses certainly were. VERY SAD because I usually always have enjoyed eating there. read more

3.5 stars. This is a popular place at lunchtime during the week as people who work in the area file in for a meal during their lunch hour. I'm glad I arrived a little before 12 noon and the waitress advised me to choose my table as it was about to fill up - and it sure did! They have a vast menu of all kinds of pastas and salads, plus they had a Fall seasonal menu, so there is plenty to choose from. My good friend had a chicken salad (a bit heavy on the dressing, may be best to get the dressing on the side) and I got the butternut ravioli (ok, a tiny bit overcooked but flavorful). Service was attentive and timely. Street parking is pretty easy in the area. read more

Love this place! Always fresh and tasty!! I'm not a vegan but I love this place so much. Indoor is a cute aesthetic and highly recommend for those visiting Tustin! read more

Cute old bungalow house in Old Town Orange. My daughter devoured the pesto pasta and chicken and my best friend loved her veggie bowl with tofu . I didn't think the chicken salad with walnuts on squaw bread was anything special. The mayo was tasteless; maybe veggie mayo or Miracle Whip? There's nothing like a good mayo to bind that chopped chicken. For the side on the sandwich, all there was were a very small dish of soggy pasta salad and a thin pickle spear. The best thing I liked about the restaurant was the famous Mermaid bathroom . It doesn't disappoint with its fun kitsch. read more

Rutabegorz - Cute Mermaid bathroom at Rutabegorz in Orange. - Vegetarian Near Me - Tustin, California

I absolutely Love Ruta's. I've been going since the 1990's... The staff are always friendly, accommodating and really know their stuff. Kami is my favorite,..she is really caring, attentive and thorough. The food is fresh, delicious and there are so many options. They had a system set up for to-go orders. It was easy & pleasant. Thank you Everyone at Rutabegorez,Tustin read more

Got moldy onions in my soup- tainted the entire bowl. How does this happen? Gross and disappointed read more

Rutabegorz - Got moldy onions in my soup. Wondered why it smelled so bad. Gross! - Vegetarian Near Me - Tustin, California

handsdown beats the rutabergorz in orange. I came for an early dinner. The customer service was excellent, and the staff was so sweet. I love the gringo burger. The chicken-avocado salad was great too!! The best part? They are incredibly accomodating to your tastebuds. I am allergic to certain foods, and they were more than willing to substitute items. One thing you will notice though..the demographics of the crowd is definitely older. read more

Rutabegorz - Vegetarian Near Me - Tustin, California

This spot, particularly this location, is near and dear to my heart. My local go-to for big fuckin' salad. Their service is always great and all the servers are friendly. Gabe is by far the best server and you can tell he's passionate about the healthy food they serve here. also the chicken enchiladas verdes and their Spring/Summer Seasonal Strawberry salad is also amazing. read more

Rutabegorz - THE BEST EVER garlic chicken salad. (order extra feta) - Vegetarian Near Me - Tustin, California

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So, i may be a little too ocd and picky but when i order hot tea, i really would recommend drinking it from a clean cup. The cup had tea stain(?) on it...but i was appeased by the taste of their food... Hubby had black bean chili & shrimp and avo salad. Pal had chicken/rice soup & apple and spinach salad. Little man had bagel pizza. Absolutely love this place! read more

I came here really excited to eat because of all the reviews on Yelp. However, I can only give it 3 stars. Maybe Yelp hyped it up too much for me? The way this restaurant works is interesting. When you walk in, you find your own seat. The table already has menus on it and once you sit down, a server will come to you shortly. We ordered the garlic chicken sandwich, artichoke dip, and chicken vegetable soup for dinner and ruta's blended juice for drinks. Nothing really stood out to me at all. It was all very standard and in fact, the artichoke dip looked so strange! But to its defense, it still tasted good. Nothing was bad, nothing was wonderful. I don't know if I would ever CRAVE this place again. Maybe I ordered the wrong things? One thing I really liked was their variety of options. The menu comes in coloring-book material and there are just so many items on the menu that I took 15 minutes trying to decide what to order. The service was awesome. The waitress was so sweet & attentive. The ambiance made me feel like I was eating at someone's house, literally. Conclusion: A-OK. Maybe one day I'll give it another chance if I'm in the area. read more

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Hit up Rutabegorz for lunch on Sunday. This is a really good spot for vegetarians and meat eaters, alike. So many veggie options. We started with chips & guac, which was a huge serving. Enough for 3-4 people to share as an appetizer. I ordered the black bean chili which came with a piece of warm cornbread (so yummy) and slice of watermelon. My friend ordered the falafel wrap. It was a huge portion with pasta salad and a slice of watermelon. Prices are really economical considering how huge the portions are. I recommend either sharing a sandwich or getting a half portion. The menu is huge, but I think it's safe to say that they do most items very well. We didn't order any desserts but the cookies in the case looked really good. I'll have to get one next time. Atmosphere is unique, kind of old-country feeling. It's in the heart of Old Town Tustin, so it's nice to sit outdoors on the patio. read more

I love, love, love Rutabegorz and can't believe I'd never heard of it until just recently. I often get stuck with the job of lunch lady which means I go pick up our order for the hospital unit I work in. I love the break but picking up food for fifteen or so hungry nurses gets tired. Thankfully, this place makes it super easy and super delicious. First for the super easy... call ahead your order and it's fast and fresh. The staff is fantastic. They label every ones food separately. I've never had to call because something was missing. Around the holidays they even put in a huge bag of delicious cookies to thank us for our patronage. We should be thanking them for keeping us happy and well fed! My favorite is the Ruta Club sandwich with a side of honey mustard but pretty much everything I've had here has been amazing. The vegetarian lasagna, the hummus, the Thai wrap... Guess where I'm going to order from tomorrow??? Oh, and by the way their menu is HUGE! The only negative to this place would have to be the parking. Yes, there is a lot behind but it's a long way to go with the 15 million heavy bags I'm stuck lugging back to my car. I love a family run operation. Even if it's not, it comes across as something down home, warm and inviting. Love it! read more

I heart Rutabegorz for all it has to offer--a large variety of healthy comfort foods, decent prices, great friendly service, and cozy ambiance. It's so inviting. You'll feel like you're eating at your parents or grandparents' house. There's so many items I want to try. Here's what I've tasted so far: Garlic Chicken Salad - a must try, especially if you love candied walnuts. At first glance, the salad looks big enough to feed 2, but it tastes so good you'll keep digging in for another bite. I actually ate half and packed the rest to-go, but ended up eating the rest as soon as I got to my car. My only slight criticism is that the chicken could use more garlic. Chicken Salad Sandwich -are you noticing a theme here? This sandwich also had walnuts (but not sugar-coated). It was wholesome and delicious. Tuna Salad Sandwich - just like the chicken salad sandwich, this was wholesome. I especially like how Rutabegorz uses squaw bread for these sandwiches. It gives the right balance to the mayo. Dala Salad - basically a garden salad with carrots, celery, cucumbers, tomatoes and sunflower seeds. It's good as an accompaniment to a sandwich or soup, but not exactly filling as a stand-alone meal. Cockie Leeky - a chicken and rice soup with leeks in a creamy broth. Delicious! Chicken Rice Vegetable Soup - this had a generous helping of vegetables in a clear broth. I love the variety of vegetables (not just carrots and celery, but cauliflower and broccoli too). The chicken is chunky yet tender, and I like how the broth wasn't too salty. Carrot Cake - there's always room for dessert, that's what I always say. The carrot cake is definitely big enough to share. It'll put you over the top. It's a bit dense for my taste, almost like a carrot muffin or loaf. I prefer my cakes moist. Nonetheless, I couldn't help myself. Nuts, raisins, and a sweet cream cheese topping, how could I resist? You really get a good variety here. There's items that are inspired by the local culture, and then there's items that you've probably eaten a million times and would gladly eat a million more. The familiarity of it just makes you happy. There's three locations in OC--Tustin, Fullerton, and Orange. I personally like the Tustin one the best. The servers are more genuine and the dip specials are cheaper. Here it's about 45 cents. At the Orange location, it's $1. read more