The Root Trackside

The Root Trackside is a fairly new and current restaurant located near Elon University that specializes in fresh, flavorful, and nutritious food. It provides a relaxed and comfortable dining experience. They serve fresh and simple foods that provide for a more than satisfactory meal. In addition to the satisfaction of the meal, everything on the menu is home-made. The Root welcomes walk-in groups and families of all sizes. The restaurant offers a variety of options including kids meals, vegetarian, vegan, and gluten free, making the restaurant a great choice for anyone and everyone in the greater Burlington area. The Root offers take-out and table service, and is open for lunch and dinner. The atmosphere and attire is casual. The interior is full of large wooden tables and booths with natural and simple decorations, giving it a comforting, cozy feeling. This makes it a desirable place to go out to with friends for a lunch or dinner date. 

The Root proves that you don't need to spend a lot of money to get high quality food; you just need to look for the right place. Nothing on their menu is too expensive, making it the perfect option for the average college student or family. You will feel welcomed and taken care of by the kind and receptive staff. 

The Root has a variety of foods available, from homemade salads to freshly made sandwiches featured in their menu. The soup of the day is a favorite amongst many, along with their all-natural signature burgers. The “Fightin’ Christian,” their classic burger, is served with lettuce, tomato, onion, and mayo. Fried Corn-on-the-Cob is known to be a favorite appetizer of their customers as well. And whether you choose to order the Fresh Edamame Dip or the BBQ Bacon Cheddar Burger, you will be satisfied by the tantalizing taste that is The Root. As far as vegetarian and vegan options go, the black bean vegan burger is a delicious alternative to a traditional burger. And perhaps the most loved vegetarian option is the 

Plain Grilled Cheese with a side of Mac and Cheese. Photo by Abbey Ojemann

Foodie Grilled Cheese, filled with many different types cheese, it never disappoints. The wide variety of side dishes allows the customer to personalize their meal, with healthier options such as green beans or fruit, or the classic fries option. In addition to the large dinner and lunch menu, the delicious dessert menu will have you struggling to choose just one confection! It's obvious that The Root is so successful because of their unique flavors and quality of food.

Elon University students can just as easily access The Root as they do to dining halls on campus. The restaurant is located just around the corner from Elon's Communications School. Location and cheap prices are not only what keep Elon students coming back, but also the tastiness of The Root's most famous dishes. On top of that, the restaurant takes Phoenix cash, along with other typical methods of payment, another reason Elon students are particularly fond of it. 

At the beginning of the 2014-2015 school year, students said they flocked to The Root to indulge in their favorite appetizer, the Crispy Topped Fries, a dish of crispy fries topped with truffle aioli and shaved parmesan. As for entrees, students rave about the grilled cheeses, which can be made with numerous toppings, and their all-natural signature burgers, which students love to explain can be served in wraps. Some even praise the side dishes that The Root serves, such as their mac-and-cheese and even brussel sprouts, which would put any worried college mom at ease!

The Root Trackside storefront. Photo credit Nicole Appleby

Satisfying the customers is The Root's main goal, so they offer the option to order your food online for easy pick-up. You are able to order any time, even before the restaurant is open, or when it is closed, for pick-up later that day or on a future date! The convenience of the Root cannot be beat. The only downside to the Root, is the 15-25 minute wait that you'll run into during peak times. But that's what happens when you have such a popular restaurant. However, now they offer online ordering! You can choose the time of the pick-up and even pay right online. This has made it so convenient for students who have too much work or just want a quick bite to go. 

This small local restaurant provides an overall enjoyable dining experience with a staff and food that will leave you not only satisfied but wanting to come back!

The Root interior. Photo Credit Carolin

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