Roots Cafe — Restaurant in West Chester

Roots is highly overrated. It's very small and noisy. We were seated at tables made from a natural slab of wood that was untreated with stains that had seeped into the wood, a bacteria haven. The food is mediocre at best. I ordered the French toast with ricotta cheese stuffing and strawberry rhubarb compote, which was a sickening mess! There wasn't any ricotta stuffing, just whipped cream in between, and it was smothered with the strawberry compote instead of just a dollop. My black coffee was delicious. My sister had the Spring hash with Hollandaise sauce, which wasn't hollandaise, but I guess their version of it, which was very spicy, to the point she couldn't eat it and when I flagged down the runner that brought our food and mentioned it, she just stated that's how we make our hollandaise sauce I guess. My sister just said she was going to take it home and doctor it so she could eat it later, it was not handled well. The dish was already spicy and the addition of a regular mild hollandaise sauce would have been an interesting contrast to the heat of the dish, complimenting the flavors. My niece had the Tiramisu French toast along with a side of potatoes, which she said was good. We waited a very long time for our food, and when I asked for a refill of my coffee, the guy picked up my cup by the rim of the cup instead of the handle which was cringe worthy. That brings me to the service. There were two guys, one just observed the tables and one took our order. You have this wooden disk that you scan so you can view the menu on your phone....very kitchy. The guy waiting our table seemed distracted and never came to our table to check on us, I had to get his attention for the additional coffee and water. Someone else brought our food, and the guy that hovers over the dining room, I guess, notified our server that it was time to drop the check, because that's when our server came back to the table. As we were leaving the table, they never wiped it down and proceeded to seat the next people. I think the owners need to give their staff additional training in serving as well as food safety...

Roots Café isn’t just a restaurant—it’s where West Chester’s charm meets incredible food and a welcoming vibe. My go-to breakfast? The pork belly Eggs Benedict. This dish is pure perfection. The eggs are poached to velvety bliss, the hollandaise is smooth and tangy without being overbearing, and the pork belly? Crispy, tender, and sinful in all the right ways. Add a side of their homemade scrapple and sweet potato fries, and suddenly, breakfast feels like a celebration no matter what time it is.

And let’s talk about the hot chicken sandwich. Sure, Gay Street is teeming with hot chicken joints these days, but they should all pack it up because the best hot chicken sandwich in Pennsylvania is at Roots Café. Juicy, crispy chicken with a spicy kick that’s perfectly balanced, nestled in a soft bun with creamy slaw and tangy pickles. It’s fiery, it’s flavorful, and it’ll have you coming back for another bite before you’ve even finished the first. Pair it with a pour of bourbon, and you’ve got yourself a meal you’ll be talking about for weeks.

The ambiance at Roots is the cherry on top. The recent renovations have elevated the space while keeping it approachable and warm. Think old “Turks Head” brick walls paired with vibrant green accents, a healthy dose of floral touches, live-edge tables that are as gorgeous as they are functional, and worn hardwood floors that could probably tell you some wild stories if they could talk. It’s a perfect mix of rustic and fresh, making it a space that invites you to settle in and stay a while.

And the staff? Amazing. The kind of friendly, attentive crew that makes you feel like family from the moment you walk in. Whether you’re here with a big group of friends or just looking for a quiet moment with great food, Roots Café delivers every single time.

So, here’s the deal: come for the pork belly Eggs Benedict, stay for the hot chicken sandwich, and soak it all up in a space that feels like home. Roots Café isn’t just a restaurant—it’s an experience, and it’s one you won’t...

Honestly, truly, I wanted to love this place. I wanted it to be my go-to spot for weekend breakfasts, but I found the pricing a bit steep. The food and service were fantastic, and the only thing holding me back from giving this place more stars was the cost. I understand that inflation and the area play a part in the pricing, but even a $2-3 reduction for some dishes would make a huge difference in the value I give this place.

(Served on a Friday at 11:45 am, food arrived promptly…also that drip coffee was delicious!)

For three people with one appetizer, a coffee, and three brunch entrees, our total came to $78. I was a little disappointed that the waffle and croissant French toast didn't come with a side of fruit or breakfast potatoes. At $16 and $18 per dish, I would expect at least an extra waffle or some fruit. The Burrata Caprese sandwich my friend ordered seemed to make sense money-wise. The waffle and French toast were yummy! The tres leches cream on the croissant was a nice, tasty touch (no syrup required.) We sat outside, and while there was some sun cover, the bench area did not provide as much coverage as the tables. I would recommend investing in some affordable solutions like fake vine coverage or twigs.

The overall aesthetic was cute and provided a cozy backyard vibe with mason jars as water glasses and a small algae fish pond (perhaps they could look into filtration for the fish's sake.) I'm not sure about the inside seating as it was pretty empty where I saw - maybe there is an upstairs?

Anyway, it was definitely a more cozy, intimate, and yummy experience than Nudy's (which honestly needs to be restored and assigned a new manager or owner.) Price aside, this place is a 5/5, but it really needs to work on more affordability or portion out their plates (like including a side with the...