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    The Root Cellar Cafe

    4.1 (1.4k reviews)
    Open 7:00 am - 3:00 pm
    Updated 1 week ago

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    THE ROOT CELLAR CAFE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Outdoor seating
    Good for kids

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    Rebecca C.

    Came here for brunch on a Friday & it was such a quaint place to visit! Right in the square of San Marcos, good location & nice shops around. We made a reservation but there were still plenty of tables open for seating. Our server was very nice & patient with us. Most of us got the hill country breakfast which was very good! I got the chicken & waffles & everything was cooked perfectly. The chicken had a lot of flavor & was juicy. The waffle was hit as good, however the syrup was a bit runny for me. Overall a good place for brunch & would come back to try their lunch menu!

    French toast! So good! Get this!
    Heather D.

    Very quaint and cozy location. If you like friendly and helpful service then this place is beyond amazing! We ordered the French toast with pecans, traditional waffles, kids chicken strip, a breakfast sandwich and a build your own breakfast. It was all delicious but I would HIGHLY suggest ordering the fried chicken or French toast. That toast will live in my memory forever. 9/10 stars.

    Jelexus M.

    Had the cutest mimosa date at The Root Cellar in San Marcos and it did not disappoint. The mimosas were fresh and perfectly balanced--not too sweet, not too dry--and the cozy, underground vibe makes it feel intimate without trying too hard. It's one of those spots where you can actually talk, laugh, and relax. Food was delicious, service was warm and attentive, and the whole experience just felt easy and romantic. Definitely a go-to for brunch dates.

    Spicy bloody mary
    Delanie K.

    A cute option right off the square, Root Cellar has a small patio and inside seating. I also saw what looked like an upstairs patio but it was closed when we were there. It was a beautiful day so my friends and I sat outside. I'm not normally a bloody mary person, but when I saw the big jug of vodka marinating with all the veggies, I had to try it. Spicy style. It was magnificent! The bacon inside was crispy. Also on the specials board we saw a spiced chai marshmallow drink or something, my friend tried it with espresso and it was very good. You don't normally see fried asparagus on menus so we said we must get them. The fry on those was really great, reminded me of fish and chips. Perfect crunch but not too much breading. Our server did not know a lot of answers to our questions, and our sandwich came out a little different than what the menu had us picturing, and they gave us the wrong side, but it was good. Whatever. My friends breakfast plate was ginormous and he let me have a few samples of that before it disappeared.

    Menu
    Joseph E.

    Heading back to SA from an early morning meeting in San Marcos, I stop off at The Root Celler Cafe for some breakfast. I got seated immediately and after a quick review of the menu I order the hill country breakfast and a hot tea. The order came out shortly after ordering and it was quite tasty. The eggs were softly scrambled, and the breakfast potatoes were nice and crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. The biscuit was a bit dry and I skipped the gravy but after adding some butter and jam it didn't go to waste. Overall, a nice breakfast spot and I'll be back to try more of the menu.

    Mariah W.

    Such a cute spot in San Marcos! Their food and service are always great, can't wait to try their location in new braunfels on Monday!

    Southern Hash

    Nice place, nice service, but disappointed food! I order chilaquiles and was a sad experience, completely dry! Also we order the Brazilian French toast, I saw the plate on reviews and looked good but mines was plain, no fresh fruit, no whipped cream, only a cup of syrup on the side 6/10 Either my nieces plate her biscuit was completely burnt no lying. I expected more from this place. Not recommended

    Beer bread with honey butter
    Jeff U.

    First time to visit here But it was pretty good, Food was excellent Pecan encrusted chicken breast It was hot too and that modding Today in many places Ceaser salad Beer bread with honey butter butter It was hot too and butter melted right in I didn't eat the grits sorry Waitress was very nice and took care of me Ambiance was fine Plain but cellar like I did like the ambiance and decor I recommend you stop in I'd like to explore the menu more too

    Hill Country Breakfast
    Kirsten A.

    Wish I could give more than 5 stars! Greeted with a smile and it continued through the entire visit. My husband had the country breakfast and I had the shrimp and grits. Everything was cooked perfectly. The grits were flavorful and smooth. Highly recommend for a great breakfast experience.

    Grilled Turkey & Tomato
    Courtney B.

    I was in town for a conference and found this hidden gem downtown San Marcos and so glad I did, it was so delicious with really great options and breakfast all day! It definitely gives speakeasy, wine cellar vibes and I loved it. Please make note of the step down into the entryway. They do have signs up and I still tripped because that's just who I am. Now to the main star, the food. We had a party of 5 and we all got different dishes and drinks as well. I tried the hibiscus tea and it was great, very refreshing. We tried the roasted brussel sprouts as an appetizer and those were great, just the right amount of sweet and heat. I got the Caribbean Stacked sandwich w homestyle potatoes, large portion and I thought I'd had to take half to go but I pushed thru because it was so good I had to finish it. Others at the table tried Chilaquiles Verdes, Holy Aioli, Beet and Goat Cheese Salad w Grilled Chicken. There wasn't anything left on anyone's plates. It was all so fresh and delicious. Now I have another great spot to go to when I'm in that area.

    margarita
    Daeni S.

    came here with my family and the restaurant was very busy!! it was a sunday afternoon, the wait was about an hour. once we got sat, our server was very friendly and the service was well-paced. food came out delicious. i love root cellar because of the rustic, scratch kitchen vibe and the good food. the margarita was also good! my only complaint is that the restaurant is a bit small, and at certain points i felt a little claustrophobic with all the people.

    Anisha G.

    Stopped by for drinks and wished they offered a happy hour, but I'm still glad I got to check out this spot in historic downtown San Marcos! Can't wait to come back and explore their speakeasy next time.

    Roger F.

    Love this hidden gem in San Marvelous! After the Alumni game, we hit this place for a nice meal. The Pork Belly and the Pecan Crusted Chicken are two favorites for us. Add the Brussels sprouts and you have a winner. This has more of an Austin vibe, laidback and just a cool place to hang with friends. It's in the heart of the downtown area, which is party city for this college town. Service is good, but remember with it being laid back, nothing happens too fast. Wish this place was here when we were at SWT in the 80's but then again, we were probably too poor to afford such a nice place. Try it when you are in town and Go Cats Go!

    Hill Country Breakfast

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    1 month ago

    I think it is the best breakfast in San Marcos. Great Staff and ambience also. Waffles and French toast are amazing.

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    18 days ago

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    6 months ago

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    9 months ago

    Had a wonderful Rae sandwich this morning with sausage and browned potato'. What a wonderful breakfast place, always consistent.

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    Devin M.

    Thank you For the review James. We hope to see you again soon

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    The Root Cellar Cafe Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - The Root Cellar Cafe

    Is the breakfast menu served all day?

    Breakfast, lunch, and dinner all day!

    Do you guys have the mimosa flights on the menu again?

    Hi Michaela! Thanks for reaching out :) Unfortunately, we aren't offering the mimosa flights right now. What we do have, in addition to our single mimosas, are mimosa kits! Each kit comes with a bottle of prosecco or brut and enough OJ to make 4… Read more

    Do they have any drink specials? Or a happy hour for brunch or anything?

    Yes on drink specials and yes during brunch

    It's root cellar Dog friendly?

    No. Unfortunately there are some stipulation by the city that we cannot be dog friendly!

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    Gus's World Famous Fried Chicken - San Marcos

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    There are meals you enjoy... and then there are meals that make you pause mid-bite and question…read moreevery other fried chicken decision you've ever made in your life. Gus's World Famous Fried Chicken? Yeah. It's that kind of place. We went for the chicken sandwiches and I need you to understand--these were not just "good." These were ruin-other-places-for-you good. Crispy, juicy, perfectly seasoned... the kind of sandwich that makes you immediately start planning your next visit before you've even finished the first one. Now let's talk sides, because they did not come to play. Coleslaw (mine): fresh, balanced, actually flavorful (which is rare because let's be honest... slaw can be a gamble). This one? Solid win. Fried okra (my friend's): I am extremely picky about fried okra. Like, I side-eye most of it. But THIS? Golden, crispy, not a hint of that weird slimy nonsense. It was so good we ordered more to take home... which tells you everything you need to know. And because we clearly make excellent life choices, we shared a chess pie for dessert. Rich, sweet, buttery perfection. What really tied it all together though? The service. Warm, attentive, and genuinely welcoming without being over the top. The kind of service that makes you feel taken care of, not rushed. Bottom line: Every single bite was worth every penny--and honestly, I would've paid more and still walked out happy. This is one of those spots that doesn't just meet expectations... it casually exceeds them and then sends you home thinking about it later like a crush you're not over yet.

    I have been here many times. I always like to stop here when I am in the area. The Chicken are…read morefreshly prepared after order. The chicken always comes out piping hot. I love the way they prepare their chicken; they are seasoned very well with a little bit of kick to it. They are not heavily breaded. I have had chicken tender, breast and wings. The size of the chicken is bigger than their competitors'. I find their meals are good value for your money. As far as the sides I have tried Cole Slaw, Mac and Cheese and Potato Salad. Their potato salad is my favorite, so I always upgrade to that. The Mac and Cheese are good too. The wait staff are very friendly. I received an excellent service from Emily from the time I walked in until I received my order.

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    Gus's World Famous Fried Chicken - San Marcos - Inside

    Inside

    Gus's World Famous Fried Chicken - San Marcos
    Gus's World Famous Fried Chicken - San Marcos - San Marcos location

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    54th Street Restaurant & Drafthouse

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    3.8(443 reviews)
    1.2 mi
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    Added ourselves to the waitlist before heading over, rolled in at 9:50 pm fully expecting…read morelate‑night chaos... and instead got seated so fast I barely had time to close the app. Points for efficiency. The staff was on it the whole time--attentive without hovering, and our waitress actually seemed to like her job (rare these days). Place was clean, too, which again... late night. Impressive. We did the Dinner for Two for $40 because I love a deal that doesn't feel like a deal, and this one delivered. Appetizer, two entrées, dessert--no weird upcharges, no "that's not included" surprises. I got the chicken with vegetables and pasta, plus garlic bread and a salad. Everything tasted way better than a $40 bundle has any right to. The other entrée was a burger and fries--simple, hot, and legitimately delicious. For the app, we grabbed the cheese bites (both cheddar and mozzarella) and honestly, I could've eaten a bucket of them. Dessert was a giant slice of cheesecake that looked like it belonged in a display case and tasted even better. Overall? Shockingly great experience. Fast, clean, delicious, and an actually good value. If every late‑night dinner went this smoothly, I'd never cook again.

    Was brought here by a friend for my birthday. Id never been here and it was nice. The server was…read morefriendly and polite. The food was really good as well. I got crab cakes. Usually crab cakes from restaurants are too bready and that's not the case here. Its predominantly crab which i enjoyed. They also aren't dry. Id come to this place again in a heartbeat!

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    54th Street Restaurant & Drafthouse
    54th Street Restaurant & Drafthouse
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    The Root Cellar Cafe - breakfast_brunch - Updated May 2026

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