Kassie L.

Engrained is the only sit down option for eating in ASU's Memorial Union. It's long focused on sustainable options. Not sure who the chef is this year, there aren't sample dishes on display (or there weren't when I went), which makes the ordering at a register feel a bit odd--like maybe a redesign is in order. That said, I got a smoked salmon salad and it was probably the best salad I've ever had. Loads of salmon, fresh greens, finely chopped asparagus and fennel, panko for crunch, so lightly dressed I'm not even sure it was. Total was around $18 and that includes a drink/coffee and chips. There is no tipping. The fruit water is always a favorite. There's also a selection of soft drinks. Had to ask a runner for a to go box--might be nice to have a stack by the drinks or chips. I've found Engrained to be a bit hit or miss in the past but this was a very promising start to the year.

Maggie A.

Absolutely loved the atmosphere and food of this spot. I am an ASU student and was intrigued to try Engrained as it is a more healthy option than near by spots such as Chick-Fil-A and Burger King. I am so glad I did as it is one of my favorite spots on campus now. Engrained offers a different dining experience than other spots as their food is made by culinary students here at ASU and the ordering system is different to say the least. I walked into Engrained and was immediately met with a front desk and a host. I knew the ordering system was different so I told the host I had never been here before to avoid confusion. The host then helped the people behind me first before walking me around the whole establishment to explain their dining experience. This was above and beyond service to me and could not thank the host enough for being so personable. To start off you do not order at the host table, although there is an ever-changing overhead menu above. This is instead where you are asked how many in your party and asked for in door or outdoor seating. You are then given a number assigned to your food so the staff will bring your food to you. There are stations set up around the inside where you can walk around and see what foods are being offered that day to help you pick what you want to order. Once you decide you then go to a register near the back of the restaurant and place your order. You are also given a free drink and endless chips with your order. The drink selection was great. They have infused water such as watermelon mint which was offered when I went. They have cups of chips which do not have many but you can grab more if you would like. The outdoor seating was amazing, great view and shade covering to help with the hot summers of Tempe. I ended up ordering a buffalo chicken sandwich which had shredded carrots, jalapeños and cilantro. This also came with potatoes wedges and came out to $13 total. This Cafe also takes m&g which is great for students. The sandwich was amazing and very flavorful. I went to Engrained during the lunch rush and ended up getting my food within 5 minutes of sitting down. My food was hot and seemed freshly made as the bun was not soggy. Overall I enjoyed my experience at Engrained and think other would too because of its ever changing menu. I was told they change their menu weekly so you have endless possibilities. The staff was very kind and accommodating for confusion about ordering as well as great about coming and cleaning off your table when you are finished eating. Will be visiting Engrained more in the future.

Kat V.

Good place on campus. I can get take out or dine in. They will be closed during the school break. The menu always change and there are lots of options for vegetarians. I love their Asian inspired dishes and their burger. The burger here is huge with a bud size of fries. I usually have them for lunch and dinner. Spicy fried cauliflower is so delicious. Poke bowl or sushi roll are yummy. Drink is included with the meal price. Soda, variety of iced tea, fruit infused water, and coffee are to choose from. The crunchy chips are also included with the meal.

This was a go to place for when guests come over. But, this semester they went through major change in menu. The $15 pasta is not great. Under cooked and a rip off. I should try other menus to find out if their renewal went sideways.

Kristen L.

So I went to Engrained another time after having lentil soup. This time I had some really great roasted turkey, beef short ribs, arugula goat cheese salad, roasted sweet potato, and lentil pilaf. I thought that the beef short ribs were great because they were nice and soft. They were so soft that they literally melted in my mouth. I thought they were better than the roasted turkey. However, the roasted turkey was pretty good and not dry. There was also asparagus. I liked the asparagus as it wasn't charred. I don't like when asparagus tastes burned and has too much charcoal flavor. The golden raisins were also pretty good. They didn't taste as much like raisins as regular raisins do. There was also sweet potatoes with some beans. Overall, I thought that the beef short ribs were the best. I wonder if they would make it for us if we specially requested it. Their menu rotates occasionally and it doesn't stay the same every year.

Tigra C.

I finally made it over to Engrained and I was pleasantly surprised at how great everything tasted. Fresh, healthy, organic, and vegan-friendly eats in the middle of a college campus. I ordered the Vegan Pakora Platter - $10.75. It came with 4 pieces of pakora, saffron wild rice, and a chickpea & cucumber salad with mixed greens. (It also comes with tomatoes, but I omitted them.) Everything was so flavorful. This is a far cry from the boring campus food from my university days. I considered this to be a large and filling portion. I got a side of their Seasoned Fries - $2.75. I loved the seasoning and the fries were light & crispy. I also tried the Peach Rhubarb Crisp - $4. It was good, but next time I'll skip the Vanilla Bean Meringue that came on the side, which seemed to give it a sour taste. A drink is included with any purchase, which was a nice surprise. I love how many vegan options they have! There is at least one vegan option in each menu categories. For pizza lovers, they offer vegan cheese upon request; veggie burgers are also available upon request. There are lots of gluten-free options as well. This cafe is pretty large and has ample seating for large groups. For wifi, connect to ASU's free guest connection (you'll need to register if you don't already have an account). As a campus cafe, they are only open 11am-3pm, M-F, so be sure to get your fix before the weekend. I was very pleased with my meal at Engrained and I'm looking forward to trying more of their culinary creations.

Rebecca T.

Food was okay but not worth the money. The ordering system was a bit weird. Free drinks though and brownie points for cucumber water! Also very nice outdoor seating area and clean indoor area. I got the mushroom stroganoff. The taste was a bit bland and the pasta was slightly overcooked. Honestly I think I can cook better pasta dish. And for $10? No way... Also for my friend's burger, the beef was 100% done. They didn't even ask how it wanted to be cooked. My other friend's Asian noodles were subpar. Food was just okay here. The ordering system was what confused me. It looks like you can order food at where they're making the food because there's display and glass dividers, just like a deli section. So I was walking around and getting ready to place my order. Then I was told I actually have to order it at the cash register, which by the way had a slow a long line. Alright, that's weird. Then what's the point of the big area where you can walk and browse? Why don't just make a bigger kitchen at the back and fence it away like Panera Bread? After ordering and paying at the cash register, they give you a number for you to display at your table, just like Panera Bread. Hm... Not the most efficient and space-maximizing way to run a canteen. However, I gotta say I'm impressed with the cucumber water! That's exactly what I needed in the Arizona heat! I don't think it's worth the price they charge for the food they serve.

Jozh W.

This place is the definition of eating fresh and local... sometimes hyperlocal (meaning, produce from your own property). I love they they change their menu items throughout the season and that everything is organic and they have a plethora of options for those with dietary restrictions, like me. I ordered the black bean flatbread and could not put it down no matter how hard I tried. The softened or the bread and the tenderness of the patty left me salivating. HOT DAMN! They have a few other vegan and vegetarian friendly options as well... along with gluten free and nut free. Can't wait to see what else this place brings to the table. If you're one the ASU Tempe campus and are trying to get away from the large student crowd, this place is a must.

Jessica B.

Such an eatery gem on the ASU campus. SO many delicious and allergy-friendly options. My friend and I split three dishes because we couldn't decide on just one. The poke bowl and veggie sushi were or favorites. Clean and savory tasting with decent plating made for some happy bellies. The hummus was just okay, and the plating was a little lackluster but we wouldn't complain (just hard to stack up next to our other dishes). The apple creme brûlée dessert was nice. Kinda bread like (bread pudding ish) and not overly sweet, but tasty. The complementary drink and potato chips are such a great touch. Put our group of six in such a jolly mood before the food was even served. Can't wait to come back! Also, beware of the birds who you will eat your food if no one is at the table!

Martha C.

I've been an ASU employee for ages and eat here a couple of times a month. I've never, ever had a bad meal. In fact the meals are fresh, unique and for the most part very healthy. I'm not a salmon fan at all, but because I'm trying to eat more healthfully, I ordered the salmon, veggies and fingerling potatoes yesterday So delicious and filling. My only issue is that the fish was cooked with lots of oil. Of course my food was awesome but as a Weight Watcher, I should have asked how the fish was cooked. My bad. They typically have burgers, pizza, and a gluten free meal option. And oh! They have sushi too. Don't be thrown off by how you're seated and how you order. Just do this: Walk up to the desk and give them your party count. You'll get a table number. Overhead you will see the day's menu. Next walk over to the prep area where you can get a visual of the food for portion size, ingredients, etc. Don't dawdle! Head to the registers to actually place your order. Show your table number. All members of your party will use the same number. Get a drink and find your table. Easy peasy, right? What I like most about engrained is that beverages are included and the servers bring you a bowl of tasty chips as you wait for your meal. If you're visiting ASU this is THE place to have lunch on campus. Trust me. You can relax and decompress. The place does get a bit crowded by noon so try to get there early. Bon appetite!

Blossom M.

After three years of eating cheap junk food in the Memorial Union, I finally found a place on-campus that offers a pleasant environment as well as a great variety of delicious options for a reasonable price. As a student who spends long gruesome days on campus, this place is amazing when craving something nice while not wanting to commute off campus. The setup of this place is a little different that most restaurant. You walk in, look at the food that is either listed on the TVs by the pay counters or look at the sample presentations by the kitchen, go back to counter to order and pay for the food, and then proceed to sit down. It was relatively inexpensive, especially considering the quality, portions, and the beverages and a side that was included in the price. A few minutes after sitting at our table, a server brought our food to us. I had the Lamb Kofta with Couscous Salad. The portion was big enough to last me lunch and dinner if I hadn't eaten breakfast in the morning. Naan was provided with the salad. The plump baby tomatoes were juicy and sweet! The chicken was really tender and flavorful and the basil dressing was the perfect touch. My friend had the roasted pork which she said was soft and cooked to perfection! For dessert we had the S'mores tart after taking forever to decide because all the options looked appetizing. Everything was just right and the graham cracker base was more than yummm! Our bill was about $25 for the entrees and the dessert, which is not to bad at all. I don't mind paying a little more for quality and presentation and environment. Complementary drinks (fountain soda, green tea, black tea, infused water etc.) and freshly made seasoned potato chips added to the positive experience that we had. Ever since our first visit, my friend has returned every week. I'll be back soon!

For an american food restaurant Engrained Cafe was very great, especially the fact of it being on the Arizona State University campus, located on the 3rd floor of the Memorial Union. Their food options are very diverse with options like fish, sandwiches, tacos, tofu bowls, and more for overall healthy food. I have been here a few times and I have tried a few of their food options. Everyday when you walk in, they have the options already made, before you checkout. I like how they do this because you can see the options before you spend money on it. Their motto is, "we use produce from the ASU Student Garden, when available." They have some posters around that help represent their mission, and the type of food that they sell. The food I got when I went was called the Pan Seared Salmon. They usually change this option up, depending on the season and change it with different vegetables or rice. When I went they provided the salmon with potatoes, spinach, tomatoes and zucchini. It was topped off with a buttery spread. It is amazing, I cannot express that enough. The pricing is great it is only $13.50, which I believe is reasonably priced. I encourage you to try this dish. It is amazing I love it, so much. It is always fresh and ready to go. And for the pricing it is great. The other pricing they have at this restaurant is very well priced. Prices range for food from around $11.75-$30.00. I think this is great for you if you are an ASU student, even if your not because it is great quality food, and the prices match up. I have attached a photo, so you can see a photo of the food from that day in another post. The atmosphere is usually crowded depending on what you arrive. At lunch it is usually the busiest. Depending on the day, it can be busy or not. At lunch is when I went and it was very busy, but not in a good way, because it is a popular place to go. In the middle of the restaurant there is a chef in the middle which is awesome. People can see the chef's cooking near the back because it is clear windows that they have. There are bars if you come alone to sit at, along with many nice tables around the restaurant. I went with a friend, so we sat at a table when I went. It is a great go-to place because it never disappoints. It tends to be chatty and you can hear people talk a lot, but it is nice like a coffee shop atmosphere in the background. Engrained Cafe's service is always nice. They provide complimentary chips for their customers and their chips are actually amazing. You should try them, they are very good and salty, lightly seasoned. I provided an image in my post. Steve is a great cashier as he has been working here for a while and is an amazing employee! If you see him he is great at his job. He was my cashier when I went and he provides great service, as well as the other employees. You checkout with a cashier and then you sit an have a number for a bar or a table seat. Then they bring the food to you. You can also do take out. I absolutely love this place and rated it 5 stars, I highly recommend trying this place and you will love it too! [609 Words]