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Beets Living Foods Cafe
Categories: Restaurants Live/Raw Food Restaurants Vegan Live/Raw Food, Vegan
1611 W 5th StSte 165
Austin, TX 78703
(512) 477-2338
- Hours:
Mon-Thu 9 am - 9 pm
Fri-Sat 10 am - 10 pm
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Garage
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- Free
- Good For:
- Lunch
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
107 reviews for Beets Living Foods Cafe
Review Highlights
"The Curried Carrot Soup is an absolute must."
(in 12 reviews)
"I also really liked the sprouted lentil salad."
(in 8 reviews)
"Then I had the chocolate cheesecake."
(in 12 reviews)
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107 reviews in English
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Review from Robert S.
East Austin, Austin, TX
12/28/2011 1 photo
I made my inaugural visit to Beets today and was very pleased with the aptly-named taco plate. It was actually eerie how much it tasted like Taco Bell! For me that's a very good thing, 'cause I will never stop loving Taco Bell.
Beets reminds me of an updated version of the now-defunct Nu Age Cafe, if you've ever been there. Fad-diet versions of foods you love to eat anyway made extremely accessible. Unfortunately quite expensive too, but what can I say? This place is for treating yourself, not for regular meals. -
Review from Amber D.
1/23/2012
The food is beautifully presented and tastes absolutely wonderful, but you will spend $20 and possibly remain hungry. I love the selection, but sometimes find it hard to justify the price.
The nori rolls (with avocado) are so healthful and delicious that you actually feel better as you eat them. The raw carrot soup, served with these magical breads I can't get enough of- perfection. The taco plate is a bit small, but everything I've tried so far has been superb. I'd eat here every other day, if I could afford it. -
Review from Justin M.
Cedar Park, TX
1/3/2012
Let me start by saying I have no food aversions and I am willing to try anything people consider good. When I I thought of raw/no cooking the images that came to mind where not what I was served. I was pleasantly surprised with what they were able to create. I had the Raw Ruben and it might have been the sauerkraut, but it was really good. My wife had the Cha-Lu-Pas and the flavors were nice and Mexican. They were able to really reflect the taste of the dishes they emulated. The fresh chocolate almond milk was really good. I didn't have a dessert but they looked fantastic.
Don't get me wrong. If your not very adventurous and typically eat steaks and fries you may not be such a fan. You need to at least like vegetables or your going to struggle. The portions were not large and a little pricey. After eating there for lunch I was plenty hungry for dinner later that evening.
I would say 3.5 stars, but they get the 4 since they are catering to a target audience and they are doing it well. -
Review from Tiara M.
Austin, TX
2/3/2012
Delicious food. Truly Terrible service.
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Review from Patrick B.
Austin, TX
10/22/2011
VEGAN REVIEW: I don't even know where to start here. We really want this place to be amazing. We really want to say that everything on the menu is to die for and their service is outstanding and we want to come back time and time again.
The few times we have given this place a chance, we have come away disappointed. The food does make up for a lot of the negativities, but not always.
I will just start by saying, don't try to go here for lunch. We typically have 45 minutes to an hour for lunch and we always end up having to rush out of here in a huff. We have been dying to try a dessert, but everything else takes soooo long that we never have a chance to order it. Bummer, because all the other reviews say the dessert is amazing.
When we order, we always order something new and order the Asian Noodle salad and split it. It is amazing and without a doubt the best thing this place has going.
We did have the guacamole appetizer the last time in and it was stellar as well. The dehydrated corn chips served with the gauc are also amazing.
Now for the negatives...
Service is the worst. They take forever to do anything, they don't welcome us in or explain the menu or ask if we have ever been here before or nothing. It is sooo discouraging to have to deal with the staff.
The name, decor and atmosphere all feel so gimmicky. It just screams "chain restaurant" in the making. The decor could just be so much more warm and inviting and not so... cafeteria like.
Lastly, the price. Two people cannot get out of here for under $20. It's impossible. Let's face it, as vegans/vegetarians/etc we have to eat more food to be full. At least I do. And to get full, you have to have at least 2 main courses and an appetizer. That's a minimum of $30. This would be okay at dinner time, but not for lunch. GET A LUNCH MENU.
I really have the best of intentions with this review. If you own Beet's, please take everything I have said into consideration. I will gladly update my review if there are some changes. To show I mean well, I am still giving it a 4 Star review. As you know, food alone does not make a restaurant. -
Review from Tanner D.
Austin, TX
11/21/2011
The food is incredible, never thought i could enjoy Vegan food but i was extremely impressed. The ELT is great as well as the guacomole.
It is very clean and modern. ok service (3-5)
my only real complaint is the price. Great food for a diet but not for a buget. Usually sandwhich with tip runs me around $16. I know its fresh and everything but damn.
But overall the food is really good, everything i have had there has been excellent. Just be ready to pay for the quality. -
Review from Jonathan A.
Austin, TX
10/29/2011 1 Check-in Here
Good selection, nice service, no-b.s.-super-healthy dishes.My girlfriend is new to the trying to "go vegan" scene and this place was a little too much for her to handle. I thought the food had a pretty good taste but the best part is that I knew that it was really healthy and all organic and raw.
It was a bit of a hippie-watching moment when girl after girl would walk into this place with native american sewn handbag and top that would show their belly button. That kind of audience gives this sort of diet a bad vibe (just watch the Simpsons "vegan level five"). For those that want to switch their diet or have strict expectations to their health level, this place has the answers. -
Review from Michele C.
Austin, TX
11/3/2011
I'm going to say that the ELT is delicious!
The texture of the eggplant and the flavors of the mix of veggies is something you should try, for sure. I was very pleasantly surprised and almost had to think , where is the eggplant for a moment, you'll know what i mean after you try it. Delicious -
Review from Danse L.
Austin, TX
8/29/2011
Beets was a lot of fun! Very friendly staff and quick service. It's pricey, but until I learn how to make "cheese" out of cashews like they do, it's worth it. My friends and I tried the special of the the day, "jalapeno poppers" ($8)- 3 jalapenos stuffed with cashew cheese and rolled in almonds on top of a cilantro-red cabbage slaw. Slightly spicy and really yummy.
I tried the special Reuben ($14), flat-bread with mushrooms, sauerkraut. and a mock-thousand island dressing. It tasted like an actual Reuben, just non- greasy and super flavorful. It came with a side of veggie chips and a spoon of beet salad. A friend had the ELT ($12), a generous flat-bread with eggplant -bacon, avocado, tomato, lettuce and "high-vibe" sprouts. It was good, but would've been better with some bacon :)
Only real complaint we had: the veggie chips are dry. They definitely needed a dip or a drizzle of olive oil. Next time I go back I'll see if I can substitute. None of us finished our chips, even though we weren't exactly full.
And then the chocolate cheesecake ($6.75). Just go eat that and prepare to be amazed. If it wasn't almost $7a slice it would become a bad habit.
Tip: Use the Go Local card for 10% off, which makes it a better deal. We all felt so good after eating here that I will make it a point to go back. -
Review from Kristen B.
Austin, TX
10/19/2011
I don't really like most of their food but their desserts are to die for! The service is terrible and the quality/consistency of their dishes varies from day to day.
It has a nice atmosphere and is a good place to take a friend if they have a raw lifestyle. -
Review from Karl K.
Austin, TX
11/9/2011
I am SO not a vegan and felt like I walked into a completely different world when I met a friend at Beets for a snack. In spite of clearly being a fish out of water, the staff there made me feel so welcome and right at home. I asked, "if this were my last meal' what should I order?" and the answer came back, "the Reuben"... Made with great whole grain flatbread and portobello mushroom (instead of pastrami), it was a pleasant surprise! Besides being completely charmed by Tenisia and Sylvia, the owner, the Jasmine tea was a hit, too. I think the Reuben at Nate n Al's in Beverly Hills might inch out Beets in the "last meal" department, but as far as living food is concerned, you can't go wrong at Beets! Five Stars!!!
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Review from Tahirih H.
Austin, TX
Updated - 12/19/2011
It is always the best experience for food, service, and atmosphere. I had the special "holiday plate" and I wish it was on their regular menu. Green Beans. "Mashed potatoes". Cranberry Sauce.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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10/17/2011
I wish that there was a way to give Beets more than 5 stars. As much as I am here I can only review… Read more »
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Review from Christine A.
Austin, TX
7/13/2011 1 Check-in Here
Who knew that eggplant could be turned into something that had the flavor of bacon?! The ELT (eggplant, lettuce and tomato) sandwich is crunchy, smoky, soft, sweet, creamy and delicious! It is stuffed with layers of avocado, vitalizing sprouts and a light dijonnaise. A side of housemade sweet potato chips and a scoop of tangy pickled sauerkraut were an an added delight. Purified water is provided at each table.
This raw foods cafe is spacious and nicely appointed while the service is inconspicuous and accommodating. My sweet server, Tanesha, excitedly told me about the desserts that are created daily. The menu features pots of lovely and flavorful teas which I will try some evening with a sampling of their goodies or a dish of beet ice cream.
While I did pay a bit more for my lunch ($15 with tip), I felt energized and content all afternoon. You don't get that with a burger and fries. Raw food RAWKS!Listed in: My Veggie Heaven (no, not that…
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Review from Jaime M.
7/6/2011
Rawwwwwr. Hot stuff, this raw food.
Appetizer was nori rolls with 'mock tuna' -- surprisingly spicy and good. I was worried it'd taste mildly fishy, but nope! Excellent dipping sauce, better than any boring soy sauce.
We shared 2 mains, the chalupa (my favorite; loads of flavorful vegetables and spices and a mysteriously luxurious stand-in for sour cream) and something called pizza that wasn't, really (nut 'cheese' and a sprouty crust). But delicious! Tons of veggies! Also some kind of sprouted lentil salad and a Caesar with vaguely bacony-flavored bits came as sides for these entrees. Both top-notch
Then chocolate "cheese cake" that was terrific. Sort of a coconutty mousse pie. The best part.
The staff is awesome, and the place has a sort of generic mid-range modern feel. I dig it. Prices are on the high side, but extraordinarily so (a light three-course meal was $32).
(Weird note: Something about the water on the table was super-good. I have no idea why.) -
Review from Suresh K.
San Antonio, TX
8/22/2011
I was a non believer in the whole raw food concept until I came across beets! This is an experience you should try to believe ... It's that food
My suggestions are the pizza or the special tacos. Of course you can't go wrong with the organic wine pairings or decadent deserts either. -
Review from Kate S.
Austin, TX
9/12/2011
The carrot soup is perfect for summer in Austin! It's super refreshing, with a little bite from the ginger. I noticed that they have cheap organic wine by the glass, which I'll try next time. There were a few people working on their laptops, this seems like a nice peaceful spot to read or write in the late afternoons.
The service was a little off, especially since the restaurant was nearly empty. We polietly asked our waitress several times for water. Each time she smiled dreamily and nodded, as if it were the first request. She finally brought some water as we were finishing up our meal. -
Review from Mr. de P.
Austin, TX
11/6/2011
Uninspired atmosphere and dishes and unreasonably priced.
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Review from Doug F.
Austin, TX
8/18/2011
I really wanted to try this place, and finally got around to eating lunch there last week.
Access off of Mopac is good, you don't have to drive real deep into downtown and fight for parking. Get in, eat, get out! :)
I was curious to try their food. I like the fact everything is fresh, 'raw', and pretty much healthy. I ordered a smoothie and the cha-lu-pas . They are really creative with what they do there, so those are positive points I give Beets.
My meal was great, smoothie was just ok. My friend ordered the portobello plate, and he enjoyed it. But both of our straws cracked drinking the smoothies! What is up with that??
I didn't have a chance to try any of their decadent desserts, but they looked good!
I liked the food, location, and atmosphere for lunch. Probably not a dinner place for me. And the high price doesn't make it a place I would visit frequently. Yeah you might still be hungry after you leave, so be sure and order an appetizer to begin! :) -
Review from Tee D.
1/12/2011 ROTD 4/29/2011
My mother in law lives off greens, nuts, kelp noodles, raw nut dressings, and raw cauliflower pates. For a 62 year old woman, she is fit. She runs marathons. She bikes. And she inspires me to eat better.
Notice that I said inspire. Sadly, I actually love using a heat source to nuke the nutrients out of my veggies. And I love grains. And gluten. And refined sugar. And what??
So, there are really only two places I can meet her for food: Mother's and Beets. On my birthday, she decided to treat me to a special lady's lunch at Beets.
One order of curried carrot soup, Asian noodle salad, ELT, and vanilla orange cheesecake later, I am inspired to run a marathon. Maybe ride my bike.
Okay, who am I kidding? I can barely walk the two blocks to my car. -
Review from Christie N.
Austin, TX
6/15/2011
Everything I put into my mouth was out of control delicious. My husband and I had the pizza and the chalupas and for dessert we shared the chocolate cheesecake. The "cheese" on the pizza was so good and gave the pizza the authentic pizza taste. My favorite part about the pizza was the dehydrated onions on top. I could have eaten a bowl of just those. The chalupas were very fresh and I loved the taste of lime and cilantro together. The cheesecake was heavenly. I've had many raw food desserts that completely missed the mark, so I was a little fearful when I tried the cheesecake. There's no doubt that a dairy eating person would be fouled by this raw cheesecake.
I can't wait to go back! -
Review from Thom S.
Austin, TX
4/8/2011
I have been eating vegan for Lent. I had been to Beets before, but thought it was just high priced food with small portions... but I have decided not that it is actually GREAT tasting creative food, that is high priced with small portions.
I am a fan.
I have come to appreciate the quality of the food. It is over the top. -
Review from Patricia L.
Austin, TX
3/24/2011
RAW CHEESECAKE!
(that's the only thing I have to say) -
Review from Phyllis K.
Austin, TX
9/16/2010
I'm currently cleansing, and this was my current diet plan when I went to Beets: veggies, mostly raw, some fruit, no grains, no dairy, seeds sparingly, no nuts.
Understandably, this diet was making me go crazy. I was running out of way to dress up my salad and I was feeling like I would never be able to eat at a restaurant ever again.
Luckily, despite my annoyingly anal cleanse diet, I was able to find delicious, satisfying and filling food at Beets!
The Asian Style Noodle (Kelp Noodles) Salad (more like an Asian Slaw, actually) was amazing! Fresh (obviously) and topped with a great and spicy miso dressing. And for roughly 7 bucks, a really great lunch-sized portion! My friend tried the 3 salad sampler and I must say that all were tasty, the Tex-Mex Cabbage salad stood out as a clear favorite. It was hearty, incredibly flavorful, and actually made my friend (also on this insane cleanse) smile++.
The only downside would be the zuccini hummus, which had a really weird chalky and bitter aftertaste. But the service was quick and friendly and so was the food (raw, go figure). The only truly puzzling question left to ask was, if this place is called "Beets", why aren't there any on the menu?
Will definitely be back when I can eat nuts again. (never thought I'd write that, keep this in context)
++This is great for me because I convinced a lot of friends to go on this cleanse with me. And they all kinda hate me for it. -
Review from Adam A.
Fredericksburg, TX
1/14/2011
We all know that we are what we eat. After going to Beets yesterday, I am now a vibrant, healthy, alive person. Ok, maybe not so much after only one glorious meal at this establishment, but I am inspired and well on my way down that path.
I have been intrigued and dabbled with the raw food diet for a couple months now and it is due to places such as Beets that has taught me that not only is this style of eating healthy, but it's also damn tasty. Not applying heat to the food saves a massive portion of the nutritive value but more importantly, the flavors pop and are more... well, just more!
I had the Curried Carrot soup followed with the E.L.T. Both were flavorful, filling, and delicious. I so wanted to try a dessert as well but I was so full from my meal that I just couldn't do it.
In the interest of full disclosure, I am not a Vegan nor even really a true vegetarian, but even the meat eaters out there should give this place a chance. Just incorporating a larger percentage of your diet in the raw food realm will benefit your body and mind. Do this thing soon! -
Review from April S.
Austin, TX
3/29/2011
I would not label Beets as "healthy," although I will say that the ingredients and food all seem very fresh and well prepared. I wanted to like Beets, but just couldn't. We are two avid omnivores, both health conscious in our own way, and sometimes foodies.
The food was flavorful in unique ways, and the dishes seemed creative, but we didn't really enjoy this meal.
So many dishes seemed as though they were potentially very very high in fat due to nuts, seeds and oils!! It felt deceiving that this place is considered healthy. I asked the waitress if there were any dishes on the menu that are "lower" in fat, and was answered with a moment of awkward silence. Ultimately, I ordered a salad, requested it with very light dressing, and it came out drenched.
My date also struggled to find a dish with high protein and low sodium that was also tasty. He ordered the pizza, which I tried and I thought it tasted good, but he did not care for it. Or the lentil salad or the zucchini humus. I didn't like the zuchini hummus, it was a little bitter and too earthy, but the lentil salad wasn't bad, it reminded me of salsa. He didn't care for the taste of the flat bread, and I was untrusting of its fat content.
We left hungry. I wanted to give this place 2 stars, but gave it 3 since my disappointment is mostly due to my preferences. -
Review from James B.
Austin, TX
9/4/2011
I had to be dragged into this place, assuming the food would be somewhere between boring and bland. What a pleasant surprise to find everything here is so tasty and unique. Make sure you try the desserts!
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Review from catherine v.
Austin, TX
12/7/2010
Beets Cafe is a magical place where you don't feel guilty about pigging out. We started out with the Nori rolls that was a combo of avocado and mock tuna pate (which is not processed soy) and I could have eaten those for the rest of the meal. But instead I went ahead to gorge on the Asian noodle bowl which was enormous, delectable, and filling. I also highly recommend the pizza rustica and last but not least the lemon cheesecake.
I saw stars it was so awesome. It's a good thing this place isn't within walking distance because I'd be broke supporting it three times a week. -
Review from Rhonda P.
Austin, TX
6/27/2011 1 Check-in Here
Good food and good for you (I think). I appreciate places like this but understand that it's not some people's cup of tea. I popped in here yesterday for the first time and ordered three dishes to go so I could try a variety and have leftovers. The E.L.T. was delicious. I also really liked the sprouted lentil salad. The Kraut and Asian Noodle salad were tasty but more of a topping to a sandwich type choice for me. I'm not a huge beet fan but I eat them anyway because they are healthy. There was also a wild "rice" salad which I enjoyed. Yes some of their items are a bit pricey but, I guess I understand. I will be back very soon!
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Review from Taylor B.
Austin, TX
3/24/2011
It was love at first bite. I am a health nut, and I love to eat. Beets does a great job at taking raw, healthy food and making it taste indulgent and delicious! A few of my favorites are the curried carrot soup, E.L.T. (although I think their eggplant "bacon" could be a bit more bacon-like) but I love the sprouted almond bread, the chocolate cheesecake...and actually any flavor of their cheesecake is the MOST amazing thing you will ever taste. I also love all of their salad dressings and the chips! Nom nom nom.
I wish they would update their menu..maybe add a few new things...maybe reduce the prices. Also, their wait staff is a bit slow...this one girl that has waited on us a few times is slightly rude & ridiculously slow...I guess some people just aren't happy? Anyways..I'm not going to let that minor detail get in the way of me enjoying this unique and yummy raw food cafe!
I definitely recommend it! -
Review from Sanket K.
11/15/2010
Meh. That about explains my experience eating food from Beets Living Foods Cafe.
I thought the zucchini hummus was good. It came with fresh vegetables which was just fine. This was the best part of our meal!
The fajitas were so-so. I know this is raw food and vegan but the taste wasn't very good. It's not that it was bad, it wasn't, it just wasn't very tasty. So lack of flavor. The cashew "sour cream" was interesting. The guacamole was bland as was the mexican rice.
The chalupas were also so-so. Again, I guess on a raw vegan diet this wasn't bad but I only found it to be decent.
We ended with the pumpkin cheesecake which was pretty good. It wasn't as dense as a regular cheesecake but the flavor was there. I enjoyed it.
This healthy food isn't that bad. I will have to admit that I had to put my own hot sauce on the fajitas and chalupas to make them more for my taste.
The food was healthy which was good! It's an interesting food option so I'm willing to try it again, but for some of this food, I prefer the unhealthy option for my tastes! -
Review from Carla S.
6/7/2010 ROTD 9/12/2010
You, (Yelper who's familiar with me): So Carla, what's been going on?
Me: I'm a raw foodist now.
You, (Yelper who's familiar with me): WTF, Carla?!?!?!?!
Me: My Bacchanalian-ass is even more shocked than you, TRUST ME.
Leave it to me find something more hard-core than vegan, but I have to tell you I'm LOVING raw foods. LOVING them. I feel so much better. I think I look better because more guys are looking at me (don't hate). I'm developing an entirely different relationship to food. Before it was kind of an Eszterhas tale now it's more Merchant/Ivory (go with it).
Okay so that's the back story. My only problem is I don't really know yet how to cook sans heat and meat for that matter.
Never fear Beets is here!!!
I had a hard time choosing between the ELT and Pizza. The Pizza won. It was so good. I sat there all by my lonesome and went to town on it. Then I had the chocolate cheesecake. I won't rest until I know how to make that. It was better than any cheesecake I've ever had because that heavy feeling was absent. I hate the heavy feeling. I never have it with raw foods. I left this meal as I do all raw meals feeling nourished and with a spring in my step. I seriously think I did a slight skip back to my car.
The layout is nice and open and the staff was so great. I didn't get the name of the girl with long, black hair, but her love of the the food there was infectious. She was truly excited about what they had to offer and it made me excited too.
I'm so fortunate to have another great raw/vegan restaurant right in my backyard and I look forward to being a regular here as well.
(Note to Yelpers Who Dine with Me: Don't worry, I like a good Eszterhas tale now and again. We'll still visit the fire-using restaurants too. : )Listed in: Take the Last Train to…, My Minor's in English
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Review from Doryan R.
7/10/2010
I had a lovely lunch here with a cutie pie I met off OkCupid. First time for everything, right? Well, we had a lovely time, and plenty of time to chat.
Overall, this place is lovely. The server was very sweet and gave us time to take things in. Service was a little slow, though. Things came out in a bit of an odd order, and we wondered at some point if she'd forgotten our appetizer. It came out, though, and was lovely.
The Curry Carrot soup had wonderful flavor, but was awfully loose. It seemed more like flavored carrot juice.
The Mock Tuna Salad was huuuuge! The hemp ranch is tasty with it, too. Still, we had a couple things with the mock tuna in it, and decided that, although it was tasty, I have no idea how someone could mistake this for tuna. Plus, the slices of cucumber that came with it were WAY too huge to fit in any normal person's mouth. Just a pet peeve of mine with many salads around town. I like my veggies bite-sized.
The Rustic pizza was full of wonderful flavors, but for $12 it was smaller than the side Cesar salad that came with it. And, like most other raw or vegan versions of non-raw/vegan products, it would likely never be mistaken for what most people consider a "pizza". The Cesar salad was tasty as well. The "croutons" were a nice touch. It's just hard to not miss the parmesan and anchovy flavor.
Overall, I'd maybe come back to try some more of their offerings, or when I'm feeling like being ridiculously healthy. It's just not likely to become a "go-to" place for me. -
Review from Scott R.
Austin, TX
7/20/2011
Food is pretty good - bland but healthy. Biggest problem is that you will leave hungry. Both of the past two times that I went to Beets, I went to Whole Foods after and got a smoothie. Aft spending $15 on lunch, it is painful to spend another $6 on something just to fill you up.
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Review from Sarah S.
San Francisco, CA
9/19/2010
This restaurant is...interesting. It's raw, which isn't quite my cup of tea. Mind you, I'm vegan so I should love a place like this. I've had several dishes here, including the Asian noodles, fajitas, nori rolls, and cheesecake, but they all seem a bit weird. Something in the flavoring/sauce just doesn't sit right with me.
This cuisine is very healthy, but I prefer a bit heartier foods based around beans and a bit a soy here and there. The majority of this food centers around nuts and seeds. The portions are a bit small for the price, but I think that the quality of the food is justified.
I think that the food is a matter of opinion. The service is great and the restaurant is very nice. I believe that this and Casa de Luz are the only full service entirely vegan restaurants in Austin. Try this place for yourself. -
Review from Alberto N.
Austin, TX
5/27/2010
I'm open to trying anything with wide nonjudgmental eyes and a smile on my face, but I found it hard not to be slightly biased against the whole raw food idea before I even got in here. So I was pleasantly surprised when my food was not only tasty, but it was delicious. The "quezo" wasn't amazing seeing as it tasted just like hummus, but the salsa that came with it tasted like they had just picked the tomatoes out of some magic garden. The chips were also very unique and had an intense corn taste to them. Me likey. My ELT (eggplant bacon!) was also very tasty, though a little heavy on the sprouts, but it was also heavy on thick slices of avocado. The lemon "cheesecake" was actually the only thing I tried that really mirrored its non-raw food counterpart.
The location is also very nice, it is absolutely spotless, and the bathrooms(though singles) were cleaner than some of my favorite restaurants around town.
So why three stars? The prices! For an extra small tiny bowl of "quezo" and a tiny bowl of salsa I paid $9!!! Fuck me if that's not the most I've ever (or will ever) pay for queso! My ELT was only slightly pricier at $12, and the cheesecake was somewhere around $6 or $7 for a rather modest slice. I understand that super fresh ingredients cost more and quality food costs more, but I just couldn't justify the price in my mind.
I'd come back if someone wanted to come here, but I don't think I'll be strolling in by myself. -
Review from Tara M.
5/30/2010
Back when Beets first opened I stopped in for a fresh squeezed carrot juice that was sweet and delicious. But, their entrees and salads at 12.00 seemed over priced so I never returned. UNTIL, Living Social popped up in my in box with a half off coupon for Beets!
I am by no means a Vegan or follower of the Raw diet. But, I am a huge advocate of local restaurants that use seasonal produce from local farmers and support sustainable eco-friendly practices. I also like to feel energized and refreshed after a meal instead of the food comma feeling after a heavy meal. And after eating at Beets I have no problem paying more for a smaller meal portion controlled on my behalf and still leave feeling satisfied and energized with hop in my step and wanting to do a little Happy Dance. How often do you leave a restaurant feeling so energized you want hop skip and click your heels? Oh and they are also Gluten and Dairy free for those with food allergies!
The chilled Curried Carrot Soup is very rich and refreshing made with carrot and orange juice, miso, garlic, ginger and spices with cashew to make it creamy.
I love Chalupas and theirs did not disappoint (OK I will not lie I prefer lots refried beans and cheese to "sunflower beans" but my waist line likes:) again with cashew as the sour cream base with fresh salsa, shredded lettuce, guacamole and olives (yes olives on a chalupa!) served with a yummy sprouted lentil salad and beautifully plated.
My friend's Asian Noodle Salad was also Yummers! If you love the flavor of sea vegetables, Nori and Kelp like I do you will love this kelp noodle salad with broccoli, carrot, bok choy tossed in a Sweet N' Spicy Miso Dressing garnished with Gomasio (sesame seed seaweed seasoning).
Yesterday at the Barton Creek Farmers Market they had a booth set up serving I-Scream. Since my beloved Sassy Lassi was again MIA (at the wine festival) and I was craving a healthy cold treat I stopped by for some Peach I-Scream topped with Pomegranate seeds. Oh yes it hit the spot in the heat and did not melt like my GoodPop Popsicle did! Picked up a paper menu to see what the ingredients are " Made from a base of naturally rich nut milk, sweetened with dates, agave nectar and are made with love and care."
Looking at the rest of the menu and I love that their Salad Dressings are actually healthy and nutrient packed and 2 are oil free. Thanks for posting the ingredients Beets cause I plan on making the Creamy Spirulina Dressing at home tonight (avocado, apple cider vinegar, spirulina, garlic, spices, crystal salt)! -
Review from Jessica A.
Austin, TX
6/5/2010
Jack Keroac once said something like "I'm not a hippie, but I have hippie tendancies" in his book, Dharma Bums. The quote pretty much sums up my own drift, which is how I can suck the meat off of pork rib bone one night and then willingly nibble something that strongly resembles the hedge in my front yard for dinner the next. However, I do expect that hedge to at least taste like it wasn't simply weedwacked straight onto my plate without further adieu--so I was not very impressed with Beets' Kale Salad. The hummus appetizer also left a lot to be desired. It was acidic and lacked any defining flavor.
Fortunately my main entree was delicious enough to prevent me from running to the nearest BBQ joint and washing my mouth out with BBQ Sauce. The Pizza Rustica (which should be placed in quotation marks on the menu) was more akin to bruschetta , but nevertheless was very fresh and tasty! It was liberally doused with a tangy, garlicky tomato sauce and covered in veggies, olives and basil. Definitely not what you'd find at Home Slice, but I can dig it. The petite Cesaer salad served with it was unexceptional. I say that for $12 there should be less salad and a lot more "pizza"!
For dessert we had a chocolate smoothie and a slice of lemon "cheese cake." The smoothie was okay, but the lemon dessert was awesome! It was perfectly creamy and had just the right amount of sweetness to satisfy a sweet tooth but not make you feel as though you'd just bombed all the healthy stuff you'd eaten for dinner.
The atmosphere and wait staff at Beets are top notch, but boring appetizers and eyebrow raising prices drag it down a bit. -
Review from Barbara B.
Fishers, IN
7/20/2011
So great... Ethically prepared, delicious and central. I'm a big fan of this place!!!
-
Review from Lilian O.
Houston, TX
6/6/2010 3 photos
Best vegan restaurant EVER. Who said that vegetables are boring and bland?! You crazy!
My bff and I first found out about this place through the Barton Creek Farmer's Market as we were wandering around looking at the goodies. We stumble across a tent and they offered us vegan peach ice cream with fresh peaches picked straight from the Hill Country topped with a sweet beet sauce. Being a hot day...don't mind if we do! AMAZING, MOUTH-WATERING, and PERFECT. Words cannot even describe! After some friendly chit chat, I got their menu and vowed to try the restaurant that very weekend.
Items ordered:
- Goji lemonade
- Nori rolls with mock tuna
- Pizza rustica
- Portobello fajita plate with a side of sprouted lentil salad
- Beets I'Scream - peach, mint chocolate chip, and mocha (this flavor's not vegan)
Verdict: Creative, innovative, fresh, fun, delightful delicious party in our mouths! Eating was confusing and enjoyable at the same time as we were trying to guess what was in our dishes. Looking forward to the next time! -
Review from Laura T.
Austin, TX
9/30/2010
There are not many raw food restaurants in Austin, so I was curious to try it out. Everything was delicious!
I went with a couple of friends and we shared the guacamole appetizer which was really yummy. My friend and I both got a fresh juice made with beets of course which we both really enjoyed! I decided to order one of the specials which was a pesto "pasta" with salad. Everything just melted in my mouth and was well worth the prices.
My dining experience was a little strange though. First of all, the have a projector set up with random images of their food, of just food, and then of some employees. I was really distracted by it. The quality of the images was really poor and didn't make their food look good. Our waitress was also consumed by a table of two guys. I'm pretty sure one of them was her boyfriend, but I just couldn't tell. So the service was a little poor. But everyone else was nice.
Overall, I would eat there again in a heartbeet...
