This Tustin Old Town Mainstay has always been five stars in my book. The menu is extensive, and the food and the service have always been great. Sadly, after 47 years, the Tustin location will serve its last meals, tomorrow, October 29. It always did a booming business. I suspect they lost their lease. If so, I hope the space remains vacant for a long, long time. read more

Huge portions! Vegan and vegetarian heaven here. Loved everything that we selected, especially their veggie-filled quesadilla topped with avocado slices. The quinoa hummus wrap came with chimichurri sauce on the side with a side of fruits. They were so sweet to split that for us to share. Vegetarian minestrone and vegan chili soup was also really good. It was a lot of food, and we ended taking home half our entrees to consume later that day. I was sad that their leek soup had chicken because I wanted to try that based on other's reviews. Oh well, maybe one day they will have a vegan style leek soup. Nevertheless, customer service was fast and friendly. We will be back to try other options! read more

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At our local Rutabegorz in Old Town Tustin for lunch! We always enjoy the Cockie Leeky soup which includes chicken brown rice and leeks in a creamy non dairy broth! Delicious Veggie Burger and Chicken Cacciatore! Going to miss this local spot which is closing officially on Thursday October 30, 2025. Very sad and will miss this one of a kind Tustin gem. New landlord doubled their rent making it impossible for the restaurant to survive. Fullerton and Old Town Orange Circle locations will continue to be open! Thank goodness for that!!! read more

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I came here with a friend on a Thursday at 12 pm, luckily not a long wait (5 minutes) since it was a nice day out, we decided to sit outside. My friend recommended this place so many times and I finally caved to try it and I'm so glad I did. Hip old diner feel, if that makes any sense lol the service was fast and staff was nice! EATS: They have this 57 cent? dip/ spread deal that's comes with crackers, the seasonal dip was cream cheese with apples and some other goodies- I didn't take a picture of it but I did eat it all. I think that's a fun and cheap add on appetizer before your meal! TUSCAN KALE AND TURKEY SALAD- so yummy, you can't tell by the picture but this was a big salad, I only finished about a 3rd and ate the rest for dinner. The salad had baby kale, l turkey, parmesan cheese, dried cranberries, candied pecans, avocado and homemade croûtons with a l lemon poppy seed vinaigrette, it was fresh and delicious and I would order again! They have an extensive menu for any type of foodie and also serve alcohol! I'm excited to come back and bring my husband :) read more

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There may just be more than Indian food to come back to Tustin- Rutabegorz, besides being incredibly fun to say, has all the things for people who love variety and a great deal with better than Denny's diner food but all the charm. Like the restaurant, its tagline is a mouthful but worth it. The 55¢ specials are exactly the thing you can't find anywhere around here. I heard they used to be 47¢, but this isn't hometown kitchen buffet, we don't argue about anything less than a dime. What i love about coming here is the giant bowls of salad.. I couldn't even finish and had to take it home, such a loser. But their artichoke dip was worth the gut real estate, it's not like your usual sloppy drenched cheesy mess but actual chunks of roasted artichoke and cheese melded with each bite. When you get in there, if they have open tables, just sit down and a menu will come. If you're an American, this is the diner for you. read more

We went back recently to try other items, but sadly didn't fully enjoy what we got this round. Our server was very sweet and attentive, that was an improvement from our first experience. The quesadilla was my favorite out of this trip. It's a nontraditional take on a supposed Mexican flair which is more Italian if that. It had eggplant, zucchini, and roasted bell peppers in addition to cheese. Oddly they seem to have forgotten the slice of fruit they usually include in every entree. The enchilada on the other hand was not for me. It tasted nothing like what you'd expect and had beans that they use in their veggie chili. I don't think enchiladas are supposed to have beans. The entire flavor was just off despite there being an abundance of food. I regret getting the hummingbird cake instead of the boysenberry pie, bc it was boring and dry. It's similar to carrot cake with less nutrition, lol. I appreciate Rutabegorz's approach to serving healthier food and always trying to squeeze some fiber through fruit and lettuce leaves. However, the flavor is just not quite right most of the time. read more

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We came for the apple pie, ended up trying the quesadilla and the special monthly dip they have this month. I mean for the price, the dip was pretty good with carrot sticks! The quesadilla was delicious and filling! The salsa and guacamole went so well with it. My favorite dish was what we initially came for, the apple pie! A slice of it was enough to share, but I think I can easily enjoy the whole slice myself next time. We added the ice cream to it and every bite of the pie was sweet (not too sweet) and delicious. I love the crumbly pie pastry on top and the apple was cooked just right. We sat out on the patio, enjoyed good food with great company. Our family had a good time here. I should also give a shout out to our waitress, Olivia, and the older man that came to seat us! The service here is impeccable. They made sure we had our table set up, enough chairs, water for everyone just as we were getting settled, and just friendly faces all around. read more

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Been coming here for 40+ years. So sad this location is closing. It's my fave. . This is a vegetarian dream restaurant.

Their menu is so extensive it is like a binder full of stuff. Love the availability of vegan and vegetarian options! I almost missed the back of the drinks menu which had plant based specials and randomly amazing vegan korean tacos! They were soooo good and made with some plant-based bulgogi that was sweet and sour and crispy and just perfect! Hubby got the Mexican casserole and that was pretty good too but tasted like something I could make at home myself. But that's comforting in it's own way - tasting home-cooked feels more healthy. Given how many options are on the menu, we'll definitely be back to try more! read more

I love this location, I've been attending this restaurant for years now. It is such a cute, and quaint place located in Old Town Tustin. The service is great and the food is tasty. It sort of reminds me of childhood, going to that elderly neighbors home that is so inviting, it feels like a "warm hug". I typically attend for the garlic chicken salad as well as a strawberry margarita however, today it was just the beverage. I have been meaning to post a review, but I always forgot except for today If you are looking for lovely service with "comfort food" then I would go here. There is another one located in Orange, but this one serves margaritas when I believe the other one does not. Give it a go! read more

Rutabegorz - A section of the restaurant on the inside. - Vegetarian Near Me - Tustin, California

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I started off showing up 5 minutes early from when they open. Not a problem, I've worked at restaurants before, so I sit at their patio. The waitress begins acting miffed that I am in her presence saying they are closed. She seems more upset about it than me. I tell her I am not in a rush. Then she tells me I can't sit at the patio, I have to be on the street. Bizarre attitude when I am literally the only person around. So I move onto the street. Then when they open she is tells a man also sitting outside on the street that he needs to move unless he is going to order granted this is the sidewalk. Usually when the waitress is older they are kind and you feel like you're in a small town diner. This one felt mad at the world and enjoyed feeling powerful kicking people out of a desolate patio. I ended up going to ivy's. Ordering a delicious pacific salad. read more

Oh Ruta's I have supported you for years and now I may reconsider. You guys pride yourself on healthy eating and I just realized the crackers you serve are bioengineered. Ugh, no thank you. Now I question what else is not considered healthy. Bummer! read more

Rutabegorz - Ritz cracker - Vegetarian Near Me - Tustin, California

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I've walked by this location a bunch of times. And I've visited the other location a couple times before and I've never been disappointed! I prefer this location more because it is closer to my home and is right next to a large free parking lot. Super easy to grab a spot even during the lunch rush. The inside of this location is super homey. The waiter was also super friendly and welcomed us with a warm greeting. We ordered the 50 cent dip that they have every month. It was an elote style dip and it paired great with their tortilla chips! I will always be ordering the dip as you just can't go wrong with that price! I ordered the BBQ chicken burrito and it was very good! I would have preferred it to be a bit warmer (it's served at room temperature) but it was still delicious. You definitely need to add the sauce to each bite, it's just fantastic! I also appreciated the side pasta salad that came with the burrito. It was also delicious. I will definitely be back here again soon! read more

Rutabegorz - BBQ chicken wrap! - Vegetarian Near Me - Tustin, California

We snagged a patio table for lunch...always a lovely alfresco meal there!! (& free public parking in the lot, up the incline behind the building...though maybe not for those with walkers)!! He had a ham & cheese sandwich with what looked to be thick white bread, but he said it Was actually sourdough!!...my guess: homemade sourdough...not all dry and crusty...my friend enjoyed it. I had the Apple Spinach Salad!!...(substituting feta for the bleu cheese)....It was absolutely HUGE !!! Nothing diced or skimpy....Big bites of just-cut apples, candied walnuts, lots of chicken, etc. I even had tropical iced tea to pair up with my sweet salad! YUM!! & in looking online, they have lots of other yummy stuff to try next time!!! The staff was quick to clear the tables & to make sure we always had drinks....and they were ALL so kind & friendly!! Good customer service always gets noticed!!! read more

We came here on a Friday night. I had the Turkey sandwich with hummus and a side of pasta salad. My friend had the turkey club wrap with pasta salad. My friend had a salad. We also tried the apple cobbler and it was delicious. Good food, portions, & service. My friends frequent this restaurant & location. read more

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Really cute restaurant and service is always amazing! We came on a Wednesday at dinner time and were seated immediately. The menu is expansive, and they also have a seasonal menu. There are lots of vegan and vegetarian options as well. I had the butternut squash ravioli (seasonal menu item) and it was a bit sweet with the squash and walnut filling, but i enjoyed the cheesy broccoli. It came with a cheesy pita bread and that was delicious. read more

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There's a reason this restaurant has been serving Orange County, California since the 70's. No matter what you order, you are guaranteed a fresh, clean and well seasoned culinary delight. The vegetables taste like they were harvested outside the back door, as always. The bonus is that your body feels good after eating here. The prices are good and the servings bountiful. The service is attentive and the customers are jovial. Many of the patrons are regulars as evidenced by over heard reminiscences. The ambiance is eclectic and imaginative, like the food. The antique farm tables give a warm and sturdy foundation for the colorful Fiesta ware appetizer dishes. The seasonal decorations are tasteful, framing a view of the outside patio of more happy patrons with a few well behaved dogs. Beautiful stained glass gleams from the corner lighting eclectic art. Dress code is casual. Bathrooms clean. Prices fair. Atmosphere comfortable. A winner! 3 Southern California Locations: Fullerton Orange Tustin All great and consistent. read more

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Love this place. Been coming with my mom since I was in high school. The portions are generous, which is far and few between nowadays. The ambiance is so sweet and wholesome, the menu has literally everything you could need. It's also just simple, see a seat, seat yourself! It's refreshing. Like the salads! I always get the avocado chicken and it's delicious, a full avocado, lots of chicken and raw veggies which I LOVE. And the soups are wonderful. Also, love how many people checked in on me, not just my server, that made me feel seen as a customer. Everybody wants me to enjoy, not just my server. Great in terms of management/service. Love this place, left in a good mood with a happy belly. read more

Rutabegorz - Size comparison of the huge chicken avocado salad. - Vegetarian Near Me - Tustin, California

Love this place! Food was amazing and the menu was huge. I got a chipotle wrap, it was just the right amount of food. It tasted clean and I didn't feel heavy after eating it. The cookies were so tempting and couldn't help myself - service is quick and staff is friendly. I recommend this place if you are looking for a nice brunch or lunch place. Do forget to take some cookies home read more

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The atmosphere here is extremely charming and felt like a time capsule. The service was speedy and we were seated immediately for lunch on a Thursday. I ordered the sandwich and soup combo with the tuna sandwich with sourdough and the vegetarian soup of the day which was cheese vegetable. Both were absolutely delightful. The meal also came with pasta salad, and cantaloupe, and pickle. They were all great. The meal felt very good for the price and the dip of the month was also a great addition. I will definitely be returning with the rest of my family. read more

Rutabegorz - Tuna sandwich and cheese vegetable soup - Vegetarian Near Me - Tustin, California

A cute hole in a wall spot with good/affordable food and service. Rutabegorz is located in downtown Tustin, street parking is available and we were able to find it pretty easily. Interior has a homey vibe and plenty of seating. Menu has lots of salad, sandwiches, wraps, specialty, and alcohol selection. We got a glass of red and rose wine ($6-$8 each). For food I got the Thai chicken quesadilla (seasonal $13) and my boyfriend got the garlic chicken salad ($16). The old lady that served us was super sweet and got our food pretty quickly. Thai chicken quesadilla (4/5)-a little too much cheese for me but the dressing was bomb! could drink that, love how it came with a side of avocado. Garlic chicken salad (4/5)-huge portion and loved the different textures, wish the dressing was different a little too tart. We also got an apple pie with ice cream to share, that was to die for, loved the crumbles on top and the combo of ice cream and apple pie can't beat it. Would love to try the other dishes my next visit! read more

Rutabegorz - Thai chicken quesadilla - Vegetarian Near Me - Tustin, California

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Amazing FRESH food! I love this place. I usually go to the one in Orange but my first time at the Tustin spot was great. We had a great server and everybody loved their dishes. I got the Italian wrap and I tried to save the second half but I had to eat it ALL! We also got 2 desserts and they were both VERY delicious. The lemon bar was the best I've ever had. The apple crumble pie was to die for. I also bought 2 cookies and took them home. The inside is very quaint and homey. I will definitely be back! read more

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When craving comfort foods, this place is a must visit. But, the inside is noisy when the restaurant is busy. The outdoor seating is more intimate on a sunny day. I had to ask for service on an early Sunday afternoon, but that's never happened until now. The desserts are delicious, and I will come by to order a dessert the next time I return. I added 3/5 stars because I had to request for a server but this doesn't normally happen. read more

Rutabegorz - Cocky Leaky stew (not a soup) 4/5 Please add more spices. ;) - Vegetarian Near Me - Tustin, California

Rutabegorz is such a cute little spot (came to Tustin location). The vibe is pretty laid back and cozy with funky decor. Parking can be little tight but there's enough street parking and might need to walk a little. They have got ton of vegetarian options, and the portions are huge - we certainly left with lot of leftovers. Food was good and tasty, and our server was super nice and attentive! We came in here for brunch but I would love to come back and try out other items from their menu. read more

Loved coming to this old building i loved this gem years ago but boy oh boy has the quality dropped and service too!! Ordered a garlic chicken salad with no chicken-- it used to be fresh and crunchy but mine was limp and soggy-- GREAT FOOD WILL BRING GREAT CUSTOMERS AGAIN-- START OVER!! read more

My boyfriend and I love Rutabegorz and always have the best experience here and at their Fullerton location. Every time we come in, we receive the kindest, most thoughtful service! Every waiter and waitress is awesome and go above and beyond every time. On our most recent visit, we ordered artichoke dip, a cup of cocky leeky soup, chicken cacciatore, and pasta con pollo, although other times we have also tried their salads, enchiladas, chili, shakes, and sandwiches. We have never had a bad dish here, but one thing we always always order is the artichoke dip. Unlike the artichoke dips at other places, Rutabegorz uses larger chunks of artichoke that keeps it so flavorful, not too greasy, and perfectly seasoned. The cocky leeky soup is always a go-to and is perfectly creamy and savory. The restaurant itself is pretty large, but can get busy during peak hours, but never at the expense of the service. We always feel taken care of here and welcomed into this cozy, cute restaurant :) read more

Rutabegorz - Artichoke Dip - Vegetarian Near Me - Tustin, California

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The apple pie is absolutely delicious and a must try! Good atmosphere and always great service. read more

Rutabegorz - Apple pie - Vegetarian Near Me - Tustin, California

This location of Rutabegorz was pretty busy when we went, but service was relatively quick and food was very satisfactory. I got the chicken enchiladas with salsa verde and the enchiladas were piping hot. The beans were also really yummy, they had a lot of flavor and a bit of a kick. This was everything I wanted in an enchilada dish. I will definitely be coming back to eat it again. Also, with every order, you can order the Texas "caviar" with tortilla chips, and that was an excellent appetizer. read more

Rutabegorz - Chicken enchiladas with salsa verde - Vegetarian Near Me - Tustin, California

Went back during a mad lunch rush and had to wait for a table for a bit. Servers were attentive and tried to get us to order soon after being seated. I got the iced mocha which was decent. For lunch I got the chicken salad sandwich which I normally love but wasn't as good this time. The bread wasn't toasted which was weird having soft bread with the sandwich. Portions are great for the price though. The lack of toasted bread just ruined the taste and texture of the sandwich. My grandma got the garlic chicken salad and really enjoyed it. She tried the garlic dressing and liked it better than the balsamic. Overall good service but food wasn't as good as my last few visits. read more

Rutabegorz - Chicken salad sandwich, for some reason bread wasn't toasted anymore. And garlic chicken salad and iced mocha! - Vegetarian Near Me - Tustin, California

Yummy seasonal favorites here. Many healthy options for those looking for a healthy meal. Staff is always friendly and gives great service. We love the summer salad and their baked desserts amazing. Their cheesecake is so good we order it for the holidays. You won't be disappointed! read more

Located in Downtown Tustin, parking can be found on the streets or in lots close by the restaurant like at "Armstrongs Garden Center" or "Honda-Ya Restaurant." This restaurant specializes in healthy eats, such as soup, salads, and sandwiches. They do have pasta dishes, pizza bagels, breakfast foods, burritos, quesadillas, etc. But don't expect to find anything hearty here like a burger, steak, or fried chicken. I am giving this place 3 stars instead of 1 or 2 because the waiters and waitresses were super nice! And they brought out complimentary Nachos with Corn Salsa and the corn salsa was really tasty! But the food I ordered was not the business... Ordered a half ham sandwich combo with a choice of soup (Chose cheese and broccoli) and it came with pasta salad. The sandwich and soup were simply not edible...refer to my picture... The bread on my sandwich was cold and dry, cheese was hard, like it has been in a very cold fridge, didn't get a chance to thaw out a bit (Melting it a little would make it better), ham was bland. My sandwich tasted like it came from a cafeteria at a school lunch (No offense to school lunches). The soup had no flavor and the broccoli was still hard. I only finished about half of my meal before I called it quits... On the brighter side, they do have cocktails for $7-8 each! read more

Rutabegorz - Half Ham sandwich with Broccoli and Cheese soup - Vegetarian Near Me - Tustin, California

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Had lunch when visiting downtown Tustin. Great menu including vegetarian. We dined on the black bean chili, Caesar's salad, shrimp and avocado sandwich and the cockie leeky. The vegetarian nachos were a big starter hit. Service was outstanding and the ambiance was great. The food quality was worth the value. Bathrooms were very clean and set up for mobility impaired. Parking was convenient in the structure in back. read more

Rutabegorz is a wonderful little restaurant located in one of Tustin's original buildings (built in the late 1800s). The menu is huge with salads, vegetarian options, chicken, munchies, and more. The service is awesome - both the waitresses and their bussing helpers. I often get a salad - their Asian Chicken Salad is one of my favorites - but I tried their vegetarian lasagna today. It has spinach, of course, and lots of cheese and sauce with the pasta. The "garlic bread" was actually toasted and seasoned pita bread - which was interesting. (Not bad, but I still would have preferred toasted French Bread - and probably could have asked for it.) The sauce was extremely tasty and mixed well with the pasta and cheese. The ambiance of the restaurant is wonderful. It's quite large and has seating in two area as well as something outside if you prefer. I posted some photos of the decor (and a wonderful stained glass window) was inviting and friendly. There is often some open street parking, but if you're searching for a spot (or don't want to hassle), they have a great upper story parking lot behind the building. Afterwards, you can take a short walk to a great new little bookstore (Arvida) across the street at the other corner. If you're looking for a great place to meet friends, this is the place. They do get busy at noon, but there's usually space with all the seating. Oh, by the way, they actually have real Boysenberry pie. One of the few restaurants that do! And it's delicious too! read more

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What a cute place! We were in town for a pickleball camp and found this lovely place on Yelp and decided to check it out. The menu has a ton of choices and we all loved our food. Portions were big so come hungry. The manager took care of my food allergies as well. Overall a great place for lunch. read more

Quick add to my previous review, the futures uncertain, eat dessert first... especially if it's this gf pumpkin spice cookie! read more

Rutabegorz - Gluten free pumpkin spice cookie - Vegetarian Near Me - Tustin, California

I really want to like this place. It's a veggie-friendly restaurant serving giant portions with a full bar and generous patio seating. Service is attentive without being pushy and the menu is extensive with the entire menu clocking in at almost 30 pages! The only problem I had with Rutabegorz is the food is supremely bland, holy crap. Things started out great with passion fruit ice tea. I just now saw that it is decaf tea so that's even better. I came for weekday lunch so I wasn't looking to drink any booze but was pleased to see a page in the menu for cocktails, a page for coffee drinks, and a page for wines. You have to fill a 30-page menu with *something*, right? The trouble started when I ordered actual food. I ordered a bowl of cock-a-leekie soup and the grilled veggie quinoa bowl since I am a sucker for eggplant and will 90% probably order it if I see it on a menu. The quinoa bowl comes with eggplant, red pepper chunks, zucchini, a few pieces of mushroom, sun dried tomatoes strips and some crumbled feta. Also what looks like restaurant-made corn chips but I didn't eat those. It was so bland, guys. The blandest. It tasted like it needed a couple ladles of curry to give it some flavor. I mean is this seriously a finished dish? There is an option to add a protein to any dish for a couple bucks but I didn't realize what a flavor black hole this was or I would have added some. I had to ask the waitress about my soup since I was served my entree and soup usually comes before that but sadly, I should have listened to the universe and skipped it. Cock-a-leekie, or cockie leeky as they call it here, should be rich, flavorful delight. What I was served was a gloppy bowl of Elmer's glue that looked and tasted like it was slid out of a can of condensed soup that's usually destined for low quality casseroles. A sidenote is that the portions served here are very large. My companion ordered the pear and Bleu cheese salad and it came in a bowl basically the size of a wash basin. But if the food is inedible, that turns into a burden bc you don't want to finish a small portion of bad food much less a giant one. Like I said, I really wanted to like this place. The individual non-food elements are pretty good: Setting: 4 Service: 3.75 Variety to please different tastes: 4 Food: 2 (albeit serving size: 4) I give this restaurant 3.5 stars overall but I fear rounding up to 4 will convince unsuspecting Yelp browsers to think this place will serve delicious food so I'm rounding down to 3. Perhaps I ordered completely wrong foods and picked the only 2 things that tastes like the chef has long COVID, the kind that permanently removes your sense of taste IDK. read more

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I've had this place bookmarked for awhile now, so I can come see the infamous upside down Christmas tree hanging from the ceiling. Unfortunately, I couldn't make it during the holiday season, so I finally came today (MLK day) and there was no tree.. lol but it was still wonderful to see eclectic, 3D art pieces on the shelves, walls, and ceilings. I love Ruta's booklet menu (with a full-blown table of contents) and philosophy about hippy, healthy foods. After all, "you are what you eat from head to toe" :) Anyways~~ my friend and I got their hummus & veggie sticks appetizer, texas caviar with chips, cockie leeky, ruta's killer chili, and veggie enchiladas. The cockie leeky soup (no pic~ sorry :) was non-dairy, vegetarian, and soo delicious. It was a hearty blend of chicken, brown rice, leek, and non-dairy broth--perfect for the cold weather! I wanted to try their Butternut Squash Ravioli (seasonal menu) but I was way too full already.. will need to try it next time, along with their homemade dessert pies. After lunch, my friend and I took a stroll through Old Town Tustin, a charming, rustic neighborhood with a bunch of mom and pop shops. Most shops (except salons) are closed on Sundays and Mondays, so try going out on other weekdays. Can't imagine how much more beautiful it'll be during the holiday season.. will def be back to this restaurant and neighborhood :) read more

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Food is always delicious and healthy here. Huge portions too. Service is quick and friendly. You always feel at home here. Ambiance is like someone's nicely decorated, humble home. You can't go wrong with Rutabagorz! read more

Rutabegorz - The Bigger Cobb with jalapenos and honey mustard dressing on the side. - Vegetarian Near Me - Tustin, California

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The cockie leeky soup is to die for - comfort food in a bowl! Cute, welcoming atmosphere and friendly service. Lots of menu options. The chicken salad sandwich is also excellent. This a great little spot in the heart of Old Town Tustin. read more

Rutabegorz - Vegetarian Near Me - Tustin, California

The food is plentiful and tasty. I ordered off of the seasonal menu BLT PLUS. A huge sandwich with avocado and panini style. Everything was fresh. The decor is fantastic and fanciful. Service was excellent. Was in a group of 11 and our meals came out quickly. Salads are enough for 2 people. Prices are reasonable. Highly recommended. read more