Owners focus on quality food, live music
Since taking ownership of Roots Bistro in January 2013, Rebecca Huggins has worked to bring new life to the old building.
When the opportunity to take over the business arose, Huggins, who had worked in the location under various owners since 2005, took it.
Huggins used 15 years of restaurant experience to help her in her first year of ownership, adding a bar and stage to the space in March 2013 and introducing daily specials, happy hours and an ever-expanding live music schedule.
I started the specials [in September], Huggins said. [They] were added to ... recognize the patrons who we appreciate.
Roots offers a variety of sandwiches, salads and pizza, but Huggins is aiming to make pizzas the restaurants most popular dish. After taking ownership of the restaurant Huggins updated the pizza recipe. The Margarita and Baja pizzas are now the restaurants biggest sellers, she said.
I tried to make a big name for the beer and pizza we carry, she said. We have the capability for nine draft beers. Typically we have six on tap. And its always craft beer, with at least two local beers on draft.
The local beer selection changes regularly, and Roots offers domestic beers in bottles as well, Huggins said.
Robert Weimer, Huggins father and co-owner of Roots, said the restaurant offers brands such as Bud Light because customers ask for it, but the bistro also works with a network of craft beer distributors to find Texas-brewed beers to offer.
We try to carry as many Texas brewers as we can. Right now, were buying from brewers in Fort Worth, Austin [and] Houston, and we have a couple from Kansas City, Mo., he said. We can help get [craft brewers] on the market, and it puts us on the cutting edge.
Weimer said Roots goal is to serve all demographics of the community, including college students from nearby Southwestern University, young families and retirees.
Our food business is a whole mix; we have professionals, city folks, people from the police department and fire department, he said. When people come in on music nights, if they like the music they stay. If they dont, they figure out when other music is played, and they come back.
In January, Huggins added open mic nights every other Wednesday and on Feb. 11 introduced karaoke on Tuesday nights to give local musicians opportunities to take the stage, she said.
Huggins said she likes to host high school and college-age performers in the restaurant, which she hopes will give them a place to say they got their roots, she said.
The students are vibrant. Theyre full of life, Weimer said. Its fun to have them here. This is an 1885 building feeling very young.
Specials and live music schedule
Along with Roots Bistros daily happy hour from 37 p.m., the restaurant features a variety of food and drink specials and live music, with new events premiering this year.
Monday
Customers who work on the Square can get a $2 discount on any meal with a full-price menu item and drink purchase.
Tuesday
All single-topping, 8-inch pizzas are $5 for dine-in customers. Limit two per person.
Huggins added karaoke from 79 p.m. on Tuesday beginning Feb. 11.
Wednesday
Southwestern University students get a $2 discount on any entree regularly priced $8 or more, or they can purchase a French dip sandwich for $7.
Every other Wednesday is open mic night. Signup begins at 6:30 p.m.
Thursday
Roots staff members pick their favorite dishes for the $7 special on Thursdays. Each Thursdays special is posted on the Roots Facebook page, www.facebook.com/rootsbistro. Live music from 79 p.m.
Friday
Live music from 79 p.m.
Saturday
Live music from 79 p.m.
Roots Bistro, 118 W. Eighth St., Ste. 101, 512-863-7080
www.rootsbistrogtx.com, Twitter: @RootsBistroGTX
Hours: Mon.Wed. 10:30 a.m.7 p.m., Thu.Sat. 10:30 a.m.10 p.m., closed Sun.
