After a fire tore through ASU’s Memorial Union last year the whole 2nd level had to be renovated and part of that renovation includes a new eco-friendly cafe. We haven’t been there yet, but once we do we’ll be sure to write up a review. Here’s some information about this new cafe from their website.
Engrained is designed as an educational food experience demonstrating how a restaurant operates focused on sustainability & environmental stewardship utilizing local, organic, humane and fair-trade foods.
Engrained is as much about the experience of dining as the food itself served in a fast-casual dining atmosphere, rather than fast-food or grab & go. The idea is to stop into Engrained for a casual lunch to step-back from the business of campus life. Engrained is designed as an educational food experience surrounding sustainability and environmental stewardship with a focus on what we are making, the ingredients used and how it is handled. In turn, the menu will change daily with a key focus on seasonal foods from the area. There is a focus on healthier eating based on seasonal fresh fruits & vegetables, vegan and vegetarian options, local meats and dairy etc. We are also partnering with the ASU by harvesting items such as produce, herbs, citrus and dates.
The restaurant also features environmentally responsible construction utilizing renewable resources and Energy Star appliances where possible. Built in the same footprint as the Maricopa Café on the upper-level of the Memorial Union, Engrained features a new layout with center-island where customers can dine and watch meals prepared and cooked in hearth oven, hip look and relaxing vibe.
Check out their site here for more information and their menu
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James Towner | Posted in 
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October 14th, 2008 at 4:24 pm
Place sucks. Food quality is low, wait time is very long, and portions are minuscule. I’m a small girl, but even after a salad, pasta, and pie I’m still hungry. Plus it’s very expensive, for all the above the total cost was 32$, for a student it’s pretty much unaffordable.
May 11th, 2009 at 12:12 pm
Agree with other comment that food can be expensive; however, if you know what to order, meal can end up being cheaper than the Burger King downstairs!
I order the California sushi roll often. Only $5, plus that includes all-you-can-drink beverage station, as well as free bread and butter the servers will bring to your table!
Other times, I’ll split a large pasta or the really filling tri-tip marinated sandwich with a friend. If those are $8-12, we only end up paying $4-6 each (not to mention bread and drinks).
September 17th, 2009 at 8:26 pm
In response to the other two and on my own.
The place is amazing. It is kinda like Green but also has meat and other foods. I had the veggie burger and it comes with a lil salad. I am a 170lb boy and I can eat, but I was full, maybe too full. The thing is there is a reason why there are PORTIONS! And they are generous. I could have easily split the burger with my gf.
SECOND, it does cost a little. I think my amazing burger with the little amazing salad was 8.45 or something, but what you people do not understand is so so many countries around the world spend abotu 40-60% sometimes higher of their income on food. FOOD IS A NEED! Not a want like your purse or your car. We will spend hundreds of dollars on an iPod or on a LV purse or this or that but want to spend nothing on one of the most important things, OUR BODY! Take care of it. Eat right, regardless of cost. I am not saying goto Ruth Chris and buy an 85 dollar steak. But living sustainably and eat fresh food IS more expensive than eating cheap crappy unhealthy MacDonalds or Filly B’s. Wake up and quit being NIAVE.