I tried a trendy dish at a new Charlotte restaurant. Here’s what I got for $25
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- ROOTS Cafe serves American fare including wraps, sandwiches, soups and bowls.
- A $22 meal (before tax and tip) featured a chicken Caesar wrap, soup and Sprite.
- Loyalty program allows customers to earn points for discounts via Cash App.
Chicken Caesar wraps seem to be having their moment right now, but I have a confession to make.
I’d never had one, until today.
I’ve always had a somewhat flippant attitude toward chicken Caesar wraps. I’m supposed to get excited over some grilled chicken, lettuce and salad dressing wrapped in a tortilla?
So, when I saw it on the menu at ROOTS Cafe in South End, I wasn’t that excited. But I decided to give it a try.
I arrived at the Southend Drive restaurant around 2 p.m. Monday to find an intimate cafe with dim lighting and bohemian decor, certainly reflective of the demographic it caters to.
Whoever is in charge of music there must be a Frank Ocean fan, since two of the R&B singer’s biggest hits, “Ivy” and “Lost” played back-to-back from the speakers. I wasn’t complaining, though.
And like most South End restaurants, the employees had on normal clothes, which could make it tough to determine who to ask for a refill if it was crowded. I guess a uniform or nametag would kill the aesthetic.
If the temperature outside wasn’t nearing 100 degrees when I went, I would have eaten my meal on the small patio outside of the restaurant. The massive trees out front provided adequate shade for fall day, but it’s just too hot to do anything outside right now.
Here’s what you need to know about ROOTS Cafe.
What’s on the ROOTS Cafe menu?
The ROOTS Cafe menu includes breakfast sandwiches, bowls and wraps, as well as wraps, salads, sandwiches and soups for lunch.
Menu prices range from $6.50 to $26 for entrees, and $3.50 to $8 for soups and sides.
Here’s everything I got for roughly $22 (before tax and tip):
Chicken Caesar wrap made with grilled chicken, baby mixed greens, parmesan, garlic and herb crouton and spicy-ish lemon Caesar dressing ($15)
Cup of soup with chicken, rice, carrots and fresh herbs ($5)
Sprite ($2)
The verdict on the chicken Caesar wrap?
It was delicious. The grilled chicken paired perfectly with the crisp mixed greens, while the parmesan added a salty richness. And the crunchy garlic and herb croutons brought texture and bite, with the semi-spicy lemon dressing tying it all together with a zesty kick.
But the soup was the star.
Similar to chicken Caesar wraps, at least in my opinion, soup is a menu item you can only get so excited for. (Plus, I’ve never heard anyone say “I could really go for a nice, hot bowl of soup” when it’s this hot out.)
The first bite reminded me of my childhood, when I convinced my parents to let me skip school when I was “sick,” but the only thing I contracted was a severe case of laziness. It was an easier time, when all I had to do was sit in bed with a warm bowl of soup watching “The Suite Life of Zack & Cody” or “That’s So Raven.”
The tender chunks of chicken, perfectly cooked rice and sweet carrot swam in a savory broth that was flavorful yet light. What really set it apart was the seasoning — the herbs enhanced the flavor and gave it more of a homemade feel. It was the kind of dish everyone would ask for seconds of.
ROOTS Cafe discounts
The restaurant accepts cash and card payments, and customers are encouraged to sign up for its loyalty program, accessible through Cash App.
After signing up, customers can earn points each time they order online or in-store. Points can be redeemed for discounts on your next visit.
When is ROOTS Cafe open?
Menu: rootscafesouthend.com/menu-1
Hours: 7 a.m.-10 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, 8 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday, 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday, 7 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday
Cuisine: American
Instagram: @rootscafecharlotte
