Roots Natural Kitchen: A Guide to Healthy, Tasty Eating in State College and Beyond

Roots Natural Kitchen is more than just a restaurant; it's a philosophy centered around tasty, natural food in a fast-casual setting. Founded in Charlottesville, Virginia, in 2015, Roots emerged from a simple yet powerful idea: to provide healthy, flavorful meals that support a joyful and fulfilling lifestyle. The concept quickly gained traction, leading to expansions in college towns like Newark, Delaware, Richmond, Virginia, Pittsburgh, and now, State College, Pennsylvania.

The Roots Philosophy: Natural, Filling, and Nutritious

At Roots Natural Kitchen, the emphasis is on providing food that is natural, filling, and nutritious. The founders believed that healthy eating shouldn't be a chore but an enjoyable experience. The mission is to create meals made from natural ingredients while also appealing to customers’ taste buds, ensuring that every bite is packed with flavor and goodness. This commitment extends to families, with a policy of offering free meals to children under 12, making healthy eating accessible to everyone.

The Menu: Bowls and More

Roots Natural Kitchen offers a diverse menu centered around customizable rice and veggie bowls and salads. The restaurant’s offerings are designed to be both healthy and affordable.

Signature Bowls

The heart of the Roots menu lies in its signature bowls, each crafted to offer a unique blend of flavors and nutrients. Some popular choices include:

The Boss: A grain bowl with a balanced combination of ingredients.
The Apollo: A light and lemony bowl that mixes Mediterranean and Middle Eastern flavors.
The Mayweather: A protein-packed bowl that marries pesto and lemon tahini dressings.
The Cobb: A take on the American classic, offering a hearty and satisfying salad.
The Tamari: A savory grain bowl flavored with miso ginger dressing.

These bowls are designed to be more than just a meal; they are an experience that leaves you feeling good both during and after eating.

Read also: A Journey of Health at K2 Roots

Customizable Bowls

The customizable bowl option allows customers to create their own unique meal. The process begins with a choice of base:

Grain-based: Options include brown rice, bulgur (a gluten-free, partially debranned wheat grain), and Roots rice (a signature-seasoned blend of black and brown rice).
Lettuce-based: For those preferring a lighter option.

Next, customers can select from over 20 ingredients to add to their bowls. These include:

Sweet and Savory: Dried cranberries, sweet potatoes, grape tomatoes, and beets.
Tangy and Spicy: Lime-pickled onions, jalapeños, a variety of beans, and feta cheese.
Protein Options: Chicken, BBQ tofu, red chili miso tofu, and mushrooms. Customers can even split the proteins to sample multiple options.

Freshness and Quality

Everything served at Roots is freshly prepared. Each morning, staff members chop produce and prepare menu staples like lime-pickled onions and house-made dressings. This dedication to freshness is a key component of the Roots philosophy.

Beverages

In addition to bowls, Roots Natural Kitchen offers a variety of refreshing teas:

Tropical Tea: Fruity and full of flavor, perfect for any time of year.
Green Tea with Hibiscus: Light and flowery, offering a refreshing and subtle taste.

Roots in State College: A New Chapter

Roots Natural Kitchen made its State College debut with the goal of extending its unique, healthy eating lifestyle to East Beaver Avenue. Co-founder Alberto Namnum noted the lack of appealing healthy food restaurants and aimed to fill that void with Roots. The location at 270 E. Beaver Ave. is designed to offer foods that are both healthy and delicious.

Community Engagement

Roots Natural Kitchen is committed to becoming an integral part of the State College community. Namnum expressed excitement about meeting community members and participating in local events such as the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts.

Accessibility

Roots Natural Kitchen is accessible through various channels:

Online and Mobile Ordering: Customers can order through the Roots app, GrubHub, and UberEats.
Indoor and Outdoor Seating: Enjoy the atmosphere with both indoor and outdoor seating options.
Catering: Roots offers catering options, including a “Mega Bowl,” for larger events and gatherings.

Roots and Athletics

Roots is a popular spot for athletes seeking post-workout meals. Penn State athletes, including football players, often visit Roots for nutritious options. A favorite among them is “The Balboa,” a brown rice-based bowl with roasted sweet potatoes, charred corn, avocado, pita chips, feta, lime-pickled onions, lemon tahini dressing, Caesar dressing, Frank’s Red Hot Sauce, and extra chicken.

The Roots Experience

Visiting Roots Natural Kitchen is about more than just eating; it's about enjoying an experience that supports both your well-being and your taste buds. The restaurant aims to be a place where people can enjoy healthy options without sacrificing flavor or satisfaction.

K2 Roots and Vitality Wellness Club

In State College, the health and wellness scene extends beyond nutritious food. K2 Roots and Vitality Wellness Club offers a variety of services including a cycle studio, hyperbaric chamber, Kaqun water therapy, infrared sauna, cold water immersion, and compression therapy.

Read also: UW-Madison Tuition Requirements

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