Many people have a restaurant they “go to”; a restaurant where you know you’ll get not only a delicious dinner but also something you can’t find anywhere else. Everybody needs a restaurant where they can get more than just food. They need a place that offers a complete meal experience.
The Root Cellar Cafe & Brewery, which has been in this position for a very long time without any competition, is my personal favorite.
In San Marcos, there are very few restaurants that offer the same quality of food and chef as the Root Cellar Cafe. I’ve been going to this restaurant for years and will continue to do so.
One can tell after just a few visits that 1) These Chefs love what they do and 2) these people really care about their diners. The Happy Hour runs from 4 pm to 6 pm. Happy hour is $2, which means $2 off all appetizers, house wine, mimosas, and homemade sangria. Happy hour lasts all night on Sundays, from 4 pm to 10 pm.
The kitchen at The Root Cellar is under the leadership of Executive Chef Megan Turbeville and Executive Chef Bryan Oden. Still, I have been informed that everyone in the kitchen has been thoroughly trained for each station and role so that there are no weak links in any night’s service.
There are also many delicious lunch and dinner dishes, like the Tortilla-Crusted Tilapia. The restaurant also serves seasonal beer brewed in-house.
The Root Cellar Cafe creates an atmosphere that allows diners to feel comfortable and enjoy their meal.
Dining area furniture is made up of beautiful antique tables and chairs that remind you of a country home dining room.
I say almost because I bet that a country dining room in an old house would not have some of the amazing art created by local artists.
Joseph Cohen and Aron William, “Resident artists,” showcase their works and sell them exclusively in the Cafe. This is a feature that I particularly appreciate, as there’s usually a new piece of art on display every time I visit. It adds another element to my dining experience.
Also, the atmosphere is more romantic and ambient at night. This is the perfect restaurant for a romantic “Date Night.”
The service is excellent, and the staff is very friendly. I’ve always enjoyed the service in this restaurant.
The Root Cellar Cafe and Brewery can be found in the center of San Marcos Square, at 215 N LBJ Drive. This is a convenient location for any time of the day. There are usually several parking spots near the restaurant.
The restaurant is open from 7 am-10 pm, Tuesday through Sunday. This restaurant is perfect for groups, couples, and families of all sizes.
If you’re dining alone or with a friend, they have lovely window tables. They are particularly nice in the mornings for breakfast when the light is coming through the window. One of my favorite recent dining memories is having coffee and breakfast at one of these window tables with my brother or a friend.
Breakfast is the obvious place to start my food reviews.
Let me start by saying this. The culinary world is unanimous that a chef who can cook an egg to perfection in any manner a customer may ask for is a great one.
You can choose from any of the following: a soft-boiled or hard-boiled egg or even a sunny-side-up. The Root Cellar is known for its scrambled eggs. This is the reason I like to go there for breakfast.
Here, you won’t find any eggs covered in cheese or spices. In almost all restaurants, I wouldn’t say I like plain eggs because they are either overcooked or undercooked or cooked with the wrong oil.
This leads me to the first Dish I am reviewing and also, not surprisingly, the Dish I order for breakfast each time I go: plain eggs. The first Dish I will check is also the one I call every time I visit.
The Breakfast Sampler
It is a great way to start the weekend. As with the eggs, I always order more sides because of how well-cooked it is. The fruit, which is always fresh and consists of watermelon, grapes, and an orange slice, is also very much appreciated.
Fruit is always a great addition to breakfast, and this particular selection complements all the other fantastic items that come with it. The diner can choose between a bagel, an English muffin, or toast. The homemade blueberry jelly is so good on the English muffin that I highly recommend it.