The vegan motion has reached a important tipping level. Living proof: the abundance of vegan choices in fast-food eating places. That field has been checked. Enter the period of all-vegan fast-food chains. It’s not simply Veggie Grill anymore. Plant-based drive-thrus and multi-location fast-casual eateries slinging vegan beefy burgers and fries are cropping up throughout the nation, and we’re right here for it. In reality, we’re so excited, we’ve gathered all our favorites under. However first, what do vegans even eat for quick meals, precisely?
What do vegans eat for quick meals?
Quick-food menu staples like fries (until they’re cooked in beef fats, side-eye McDonald’s), soda, hash browns (once more, verify for beef fats), and burger buns are sometimes vegan by default. Which means, for years, vegans have been heading to fast-food chains and getting artistic with the menu. (Order a beef burger with out the meat, and cargo it up with salad, sauce, and fries, you get the concept.) However now, as fast-food chains have began embracing plant-based meat choices, it’s getting simpler than ever to take pleasure in quick meals with out the animals.
There’s the simply veganized Not possible Whopper at Burger King, for instance, in addition to the Past Well-known Star at Carl’s Jr. And there’s additionally the Epic Past Recent Guacamole Burrito at Del Taco. The latter doesn’t require any amendments to the order, because it’s completely vegan already.
Does McDonald’s do something vegan?
Whereas locations just like the UK and Australia have the McPlant burger (and now additionally the Double McPlant Burger), McDonald’s remains to be critically lagging behind on vegan choices within the US (for now, anyway). However that mentioned, it’s nonetheless attainable to order vegan meals from the nation’s hottest fast-food joint. In the event you’re hungry and haven’t any different choices obtainable, we’ve put collectively this information to consuming vegan at McDonald’s.
However when you’re near any of those vegan fast-food chains under (notably plant-based McDonald’s copycat Mr.Charlie’s), the reality is, you received’t want the golden arches. In reality, earlier than you cruise via any drive-thru of your nearest mainstream chain, verify to see if one in all these vegan fast-food areas is close by. You received’t be disillusioned.
One of the best vegan fast-food chains within the US
Native Meals
1 Native Meals
This fast-casual chain initially leaned extra towards wholesome bowls, salads, and sandwiches, however since its founder chef Tanya Petrovna bought the restaurant in 2012, the menu has steadily swapped out a lot of the greens, grains, and beans for stacked burgers and one-off fast-food specialty objects. Patrons can nonetheless discover a few of Petrovna’s authentic creations within the type of the Taco Salad or Tornado Wrap, however these in search of a extra savory spin can go for candy potato fries, buffalo hen tenders, and a BBQ Brisket Burger, courtesy of residing chef Chris Bertke. Native tip: get dessert. The oatmeal creme pie and peanut butter parfait have outlasted the sweeping menu revisions and are the cherry on high of your vegan meal.
Plant Energy Quick Meals
2 Plant Energy Quick Meals
Generally known as “Plant Energy” by locals, this burger chain launched in San Diego and made its manner north. It now has over 10 areas stretching from San Diego to Sacramento, some overtaking former non-vegan drive-thrus, and even Las Vegas. Anticipate a streamlined menu of vegan burgers, fried hen sandwiches, nuggets, fries, and some entrée salads and wraps for these searching for contemporary choices on the go.
Subsequent Stage Burger
3
Subsequent Stage Burger
The title of this bi-coastal chain actually spells it out for you—they do burgers, and so they do them nicely. Subsequent Stage Burger operates below the objective of turning into the long run wave of quick meals—the place prospects eschew animal merchandise for the equally scrumptious plant-based fare. Many areas are planted inside or adjoining to a Complete Meals Market, although stand-alone spots exist as nicely. Sure, in fact, get a burger, even perhaps a Clucker bucket of hen and crinkle-cut fries, however the Subsequent Stage Shakes are … nicely, you perceive.
Slutty Vegan
4 Slutty Vegan
Founder Pinky Cole has established an empire within the better Atlanta space along with her Slutty Vegan idea. The menu of burgers, fries, and hen sandwiches is certain to boost an eyebrow—each for the names and the over-the-top nature of every merchandise. The totally loaded Tremendous Slut and Philly cheesesteak-inspired Hollywood Hooker are simply two examples of what you’ll discover right here. Anticipate juices to be operating down your forearm and the corners of your mouth dotted with Slut Sauce by the top of your meal.
HipCityVeg
5 HipCityVeg
Get your vegan fast-food repair from morning to nighttime at this East Coast vegan chain. The menu spans traditional breakfast sandwiches layered with sausage, egg, and cheese to handholds, fries, and shakes for the lunch and dinner crowds. Protein choices vary from Past Burgers to tempeh and grilled portobello mushrooms, so there’s one thing for everybody. When looking the menu, give the chick’n sandwich part some thought—this place does vegan hen proper.
Ifyourhangry
6 PLNT Burger
Searching for High Chef high quality meals at a fast-casual worth? Take a look at PLNT Burger subsequent time you’re on the East Coast. The vegan fast-food chain was based by chef Spike Mendelsohn—an alum of the Bravo hit culinary competitors present, High Chef. Anticipate Past Meat patties gussied up with guacamole, savory mushroom bacon, fried jalapeños, and different flavor-bomb toppings. Praise your handhold with thick candy potato fries, a PLNT chili bowl, and a tall cup of dairy-free comfortable serve.
Meta Burger
7 Meta Burger
Small however mighty, this Colorado chain serves an award-winning burger. Ranked because the Greatest Vegan Burger by HappyCow and voted Greatest Plant-Primarily based Burger on the SEED Meals and Wine Pageant, the nation wants extra Meta areas. The housemade patty is only one a part of the scrumptious entire—the considerate toppings actually put this chain into the winners’ circle. For instance, the favored Flatiron Burger contains a home made patty, shaved Brussels sprouts, shallots, grilled mushrooms, and vegan cheese. Add a facet of waffle fries and further sauce, and also you’re in for a incredible fast-food meal.
Odd Burger
8 Globally Native/Odd Burger
This Canadian chain is crossing the border! Quickly, New Yorkers will get a style of this standard fast-food fare. Rebranding as Odd Burger, the menu spans the late-night cravings for burgers, hen sandwiches, and soft-serve sundaes. The primary Odd Burger is about to open quickly in New York Metropolis (verify the model’s Instagram for any new updates).
Monty’s Good Burger
9 Monty’s Good Burger
Joaquin Phoenix followers, hold your eyes off your cellphone whereas ready in line at Monty’s—the vegan Academy Award winner has repeatedly been seen on the Koreatown location with fiancé and actress Rooney Mara. Positioned because the vegan In-N-Out, Monty’s menu gives a streamlined collection of single and double Not possible burgers, fries, tots, milkshakes, and a kale Caesar salad.
VEG’D
10Matthew Kenney Delicacies
Superstar vegan chef and restaurateur Matthew Kenney began with wonderful eating, however he’s not too long ago discovered his footing in fast-food fare. Whereas his extra informal ideas function below totally different manufacturers (New.Burger and VEG’D), all of them fall below the Matthew Kenney Delicacies umbrella. Every contains a barely totally different menu however you may all the time depend on discovering a stable burger, fries, and sweets.
Cate Furman
11Veggie Grill
Based in 2006 in Irvine, CA, this nationwide vegan chain was frying up plant-based hen wings manner earlier than it was a factor. In reality, Veggie Grill predates the buffalo cauliflower development. There’s a consolation that comes with a go to to Veggie Grill—you may take any omnivore, deal with them to the mac and cheese, Sante Fe Rooster Sandwich, and candy potato fries, and know that they’ll stroll away with a optimistic perspective about veganism.
Mas Veggies Taqueria
12Mas Veggies Taqueria
An offshoot of Veggie Grill, this fast idea emerged as a carryout and delivery-only chain in 2020. The chain gives veganized variations of Mexican-esque fast-food favorites together with burritos, bowls, nachos, and tacos. You select your protein (mushroom asada, chickin’ tinga, and many others.), and the remainder is loaded up with guacamole, pickled crimson onions, bitter cream, beans, and different accouterments.
Honeybee Burger
13Honeybee Burger
Named one of the best vegan burger in Los Angeles, Honeybee Burger has made a reputation for itself since opening its first brick-and-mortar in 2019. The thrill-worthy chain with two areas (and a 3rd coming to New York Metropolis), has beforehand partnered with Akua Kelp Burger, Atlas Monroe, and Oatly to deliver hungry Angelenos iconic, one-of-a-kind kelp burgers, crispy fried hen sandwiches, and oat-based comfortable serve. If a traditional burger is extra your type, select between Not possible or Past Meat patties to your subsequent award-winning handheld. Speak about choices!
Mr.Charlie’s
14 Mr.Charlie’s
Mr. Charlie’s is the vegan McDonald’s-lovers dream. With areas in Los Angeles and San Francisco, it gives its personal variations of lots of the fast-food large’s classics, solely this time, they’re made with none animal merchandise in any respect. That includes the Not possible Burger, strive the Not a Double Double, which, in fact, comes with vegan cheese, pickles, onions, ketchup, and mustard. Or if Comfortable Meals was your factor, strive the chain’s “Frowny Meals.” However in contrast to the title suggests, they’ll really go away you feeling content material and happy.
Hart Home
15 Hart Home
Final 12 months, Hart Home, comic Kevin Hart’s personal vegan fast-food chain, launched in Los Angeles. Like lots of the choices on this listing, its menu boasts plant-based takes on fast-food classics, like double cheeseburgers, hen sandwiches, nuggets, and crispy tots. Proper now, there are two areas of the chain, with one set to open in Hollywood very quickly. However Hart has massive desires for the model. “The objective is to see Hart Homes proper smack dab in the midst of the place you’ll see a McDonald’s, a Burger King, a Chick-Fil-A, [and] a Wendy’s [so] folks can have the choice for a plant-based style, as nicely,” he advised James Corden on The Late Late Present final 12 months.
For extra vegan quick meals, learn:
Tanya Flink is a Digital Editor at VegNews in addition to a author and runner dwelling in Orange County, CA.
