The Root is a downtown staple for many Elon students and I only thought it would be right to give it a try. For this dining experience, I took my friends Claire, Julia, Grace and Margo to see what the hype was about. Although we visited during the packed dinner rush, the food and service wait was not long.
Grace ordered the Root Burger. Sadly, the restaurant did not have gluten-free buns, so she ordered her burger without one. The burger had fresh tomatoes and was filled with juicy flavors. It came with a garlic aioli sauce on the side, which stood out to Grace. Her side of choice was brussels sprouts which she enjoyed.
I ordered the chicken caesar wrap with a side of fries. The grilled chicken was cooked perfectly and the sauce tasted like no other caesar dressing I’ve had before. The fries were thin, crunchy and flavorful and because the portioning was great, I finished my meal feeling full and not overstuffed. The chicken caesar wrap ended up being the best I’ve ever had and I would recommend it to anyone that goes to The Root.
Claire ordered the Fried Green Tomato Caprese with a side of french fries. This was Claire’s first time trying fried tomatoes and she loved the crunch and flavor of the tomatoes. The brioche bun was perfectly toasted and the melted mozzarella added flavor to the sandwich. The fries lived up to the hype and helped pull the dish together with the basil aioli.
As a picky eater, Margo ordered a Margo ordered a plain burger with a side of brussels sprouts. The burger and bun were prepared well, but none of the flavors caught her attention. Julia ordered the Root Burger with a side of fries. The overpowering garlic flavor in the burger was prevalent as was the cheese that made it into every bite. Julia found the fries and mushrooms to be really tasty, especially with truffle aioli that came on the side.
Our collective rating of The Root is an 8.2/10 because of its welcoming outdoor seating, short waiting time and helpful staff. Though the food was a bit on the expensive side, the undeniable flavors in each meal made up for it. All of the sides that came with our food completed each meal.
If I were to return to The Root, I would order the same entree. My friends also enjoyed their meals so I wouldn’t be surprised if they ordered the same thing for the second round.
If you have any questions or a review idea, please reach out to me at ekeefe5@elon.edu.