Rutabegorz Restaurant

Rutabegorz celebrates 27 years in the Tustin Old Town

With a flare for capturing a cozy atmosphere and coffee hangout mood, Rutabegorz Restaurant has attracted Tustin locals and Orange County residents for over twenty five years, since June 1978. Following the idea of the first Rutabegorz founded in 1970 in Fullerton, the old town locale offers a quaint, health conscious cuisine nestled in one of the oldest buildings in Tustin, originally a grocery store built by the son of Columbus Tustin in 1914.

Surviving and flourishing for the past two decades was certainly not as simple as baking the famous cheesecakes and carrot cakes that locals have grown to crave. In fact, for the first six months of operation, finances were so tight that the owner, Paul Berkman, could not afford a stove. This required him to transport all the baked goods from the Fullerton restaurant everyday.

In recounting those tough times Paul said, "In the early days (of Tustin Rutabegorz), it was uncommon to have a work week less than 100 hours... it's just the time that needed to be put in to make things run." With no extra funds to advertise and little publicity in the then small hovel of old town Tustin, Paul would spend his Saturdays walking through the surrounding neighborhoods, introducing himself and distributing menus.

Throughout the years, Rutabegorz has also survived other external circumstances that challenged its solvency. On three different occasions, the streets near or adjacent to the restaurant were completely torn up. Besides the uninviting mood this engendered, access to and from the restaurant was significantly hindered. The relative lack of redevelopment in the old town area has also posed a threat to its popularity.

Aside from the initial start-up costs, the Rutabegorz idea was still very avante garde for a restaurant in conservative Orange County. The massive magazine menu, though not solely vegetarian, focuses on tasty healthy food— a variety of salads with original dressings like the balsamic vinaigrette or thai, soups like Chicken Tortilla, a mountain of munchies, appetizers ranging from fruit dishes to Grande Nachos, and a vast array of sandwiches and house favorites.

To decide what to drink, you may find yourself swimming in a sea of options. The coffee beverages are so varied, they have their own page. A variety of teas, shakes, and smoothies are coupled near fresh carrot juice and health boosters. Beers include a broad selection of unique and traditional beers like St. Pauli Girl and Flying Dog Pale Ale. An assortment of wines and drinks with booze are also offered.

Very little has changed in the philosophy and image of Rutabegorz. While other large restaurant chains and ideas have come and gone, chasing after the 'in vogue' food trends, Rutabegorz has a pact with its customers to give them what the larger chains or even independent imitations of them cannot — personality, substance, and stability.

That customers, 80% of which are 'regulars', return weekly for a meal at this quaint restaurant, is a testimony to the fine service, food, and ambience it offers. Rutabegorz remains a permanent fixture in Tustin because the locals want it to be there. Its as simple as that.