Satisfy your cravings with these 15 vegan fast-food chains

The vegan movement has reached a critical tipping point. Case in point: the abundance of vegetarian options at fast-food restaurants. That box is checked. Enter the era of all-vegan fast-food chains. It’s not just a veggie grill anymore. Plant-based drive-throughs and multi-location fast-casual eateries with vegan beefy burgers and fries are cropping up across the country, and we’re here for it. In fact, we’re so excited, we’ve collected all our favorites below. But first, what exactly do vegetarians even eat for fast food?

What do vegans eat for fast food?

Fast-food menu staples like fries (unless they’re cooked in beef fat, side-eyed at McDonald’s), soda, hash browns (again, check the beef fat), and burger buns are often vegetarian by default. This means that, over the years, vegans have been heading to fast-food chains and getting creative with menus. (Order a beef burger without the beef and load it up with salad, sauce, and fries, and you’ll get the idea.) But now, as fast-food chains begin to embrace plant-based meat alternatives, it’s easier than ever to go animal-free. Enjoy fast food.

Burger King has easy veganized Impossible Whoppers, like the Beyond Famous Star at Carl’s Jr. and Del Taco also has the epic Beyond Fresh Guacamole Burrito. The latter requires no modification to the order, as it is already completely vegetarian.

Does McDonald’s do anything vegan?

While places like the UK and Australia have the McPlant Burger (and now the Double McPlant Burger), McDonald’s is still seriously behind on vegan options in the US (for now, anyway). But that said, it’s still possible to order a vegan meal from the country’s most popular fast-food joint. If you’re hungry and have no other options, we’ve put together this guide to eating vegan at McDonald’s.

But if you’re close to one of these vegan fast-food chains below (especially plant-based McDonald’s copycat Mr. Charlie’s), the truth is, you won’t need the golden arches. In fact, before you make a trip to any drive-thru of your nearest mainstream chain, check to see if one of these vegetarian fast-food locations is nearby. You won’t be disappointed.

America’s Best Vegan Fast-Food Chain

local food

1 local food

This fast-casual chain originally leaned more toward healthy bowls, salads, and sandwiches, but since its founding chef Tanya Petrovna sold the restaurant in 2012, the menu has steadily swapped out plenty of greens, grains, and beans for stacked burgers and a. – Closed fast food special items. Patrons can still find some of Petrovna’s original creations in the form of taco salads or twister wraps, but those looking for a more savory spin can opt for sweet potato fries, buffalo chicken tenders and a BBQ brisket burger, courtesy of resident chef Chris Bart. Local Tip: Get dessert. Oatmeal cream pie and peanut butter parfait surpass sweeping menu revisions and are the cherry on top of your vegetarian meal.

Plant power fast food

2 Plant power fast food

Commonly referred to by locals as “Plant Power,” this burger chain started in San Diego and made its way north. It now has more than 10 locations spanning from San Diego to Sacramento, outgrowing some former non-vegan drive-thrus and even Las Vegas. For those looking for new options on the go, expect a streamlined menu of vegan burgers, fried chicken sandwiches, nuggets, fries and a few entrees of salads and wraps.

Next level burgers

3
Next level burgers

The name of this bi-coastal chain really spells it out for you — they do burgers, and they do them well. Next Level Burger operates under the mission of becoming the future wave of fast food—where customers eschew animal products for equally delicious plant-based fare. Many locations are planted within or adjacent to Whole Foods Market, although stand-alone spots also exist. Yes, sure, get a burger, or even a clacker bucket of chicken and crinkle-cut fries, but next-level shakes… well, you get the idea.

Slutty Vegan

4 Slutty Vegan

Founder Pinky Cole has built an empire in the greater Atlanta area with her Slutty Vegan concept. The menu of burgers, fries and chicken sandwiches is sure to raise an eyebrow – both for the name and over-the-top nature of each item. Fully loaded Super Slots and Philly Cheesesteak-inspired Hollywood Hookers are just two examples of what you’ll find here. Expect juices dripping down your arms and dotted with slotted sauce at the corners of your mouth by the end of your meal.

Hipcity Veg

5 Hipcity Veg

Get your vegan fast-food fix from morning to night at this East Coast vegan chain. The menu includes classic breakfast sandwiches layered with sausage, egg and cheese to handholds, fries and shakes for the lunch and dinner crowd. Protein options range from the Beyond Burger to tempeh and grilled portobello mushrooms, so there’s something for everyone. While browsing the menu, spare a thought for the chicken sandwich section—this place does vegan chicken right.

If you are jealous

6 PLNT Burger

looking for top boss Quality food at fast-casual prices? Check out PLNT Burger next time you’re on the East Coast. The vegan fast-food chain was founded by chef Spike Mendelsohn — an alum of the Bravo hit cooking show, top boss. Expect Beyond Meat patties with guacamole, savory mushroom bacon, fried jalapeños and other flavor-bomb toppings. Compliment your handheld with chunky sweet potato fries, a bowl of PLNT chili, and a tall cup of dairy-free soft serve.

Meta Burger

7 Meta Burger

Small but mighty, this Colorado chain serves up an award-winning burger. Ranked as the best vegan burger by HappyCow and voted best plant-based burger at the SEED Food & Wine Festival, the country needs more meta positioning. The house-made patty is one part of the delicious whole—thoughtful toppings really put this chain in the winner’s circle. For example, the popular Flatiron Burger features a house-made patty, shaved Brussels sprouts, shallots, grilled mushrooms and vegan cheese. Add waffle fries and extra sauce, and you’re in for a fantastic fast-food meal.

Weird burger

8 Global local/odd burgers

This chain of Canada across the border! Soon, New Yorkers will get a taste of this popular fast-food fare. Rebranding as Odd Burger, the menu caters to late-night cravings for burgers, chicken sandwiches and soft-serve sundaes. The first Odd Burger is set to open soon in New York City (check the brand’s Instagram for any new updates).

Monty’s Good Burgers

9 Monty’s Good Burgers

Joaquin Phoenix fans, keep your eyes off your phones while waiting in line at Monty’s—the vegan Academy Award winner has been spotted with fiancee and actress Rooney Mara at the Koreatown location multiple times. Positioned as a vegan in-n-out, Monty’s menu offers a well-rounded selection of single and double Impossible burgers, fries, tots, milkshakes and a kale Caesar salad.

VEG’D

10Matthew Kenny Food

Celebrity vegetarian chef and restaurateur Matthew Kenny started out in fine dining, but he’s recently found his footing in fast-food fare. While his more casual concepts operate under different brands (New.Burger and VEG’D), they all fall under the Matthew Kenny Cuisine umbrella. Each has a slightly different menu, but you can always count on finding a solid burger, fries, and dessert.

Kate Furman

11Veggie Grill

Founded in 2006 in Irvine, CA, this vegetarian chain was frying plant-based chicken wings before they were a thing. In fact, the veggie grill predates the buffalo cauliflower trend. There’s a comfort that comes with visiting Veggie Grill—you can take any omnivore, eat their mac and cheese, Sante Fe chicken sandwich, and sweet potato fries, and know they’ll leave with a positive view of vegetarianism. .

More Vegetable Taqueria

12More Vegetable Taqueria

An offshoot of Veggie Grill, this fast concept emerged in 2020 as a carryout and delivery-only chain. The chain offers veganized versions of Mexican-esque fast-food favorites like burritos, bowls, nachos and tacos. You choose your protein (mushroom asada, chickin’ tinga, etc.), and the rest is loaded with guacamole, pickled red onions, sour cream, beans, and other ingredients.

Honeybee Burger

13Honeybee Burger

Named the best vegan burger in Los Angeles, Honeybee Burger has made a name for itself since opening its first brick-and-mortar location in 2019. With two locations (and a third coming to New York City), the buzz-worthy chain has previously partnered with Aqua Kelp Burger, Atlas Monroe and Oatly’s to bring hungry Angelenos iconic, one-of-a-kind kelp burgers, crispy fried chicken sandwiches and oat-based soft serve. If a classic burger is more your style, choose between Impossible or Beyond meat patties for your next award-winning handheld. Talk about alternatives!

Mr. Charlies

14 Mr. Charlies

Mr. Charlie’s is a vegan McDonald’s-lovers dream. With locations in Los Angeles and San Francisco, it offers its own versions of many of the fast-food giant’s classics, only this time, they’re made without any animal products. Featuring the Impossible Burger, try the Not A Double Double, which of course comes with vegan cheese, pickles, onions, ketchup and mustard. Or if Happy Meals are more your thing, try the chain’s “franny meals.” But contrary to what the name suggests, they will actually make you feel satisfied and satisfied.

Heart House

15 Heart House

Last year, Hart House, comedian Kevin Hart’s own vegan fast-food chain, launched in Los Angeles. Like many of the options on this list, its menu includes plant-based fast-food classics like double cheeseburgers, chicken sandwiches, nuggets and crispy tots. Right now, the chain has two locations, one set to open soon in Hollywood But Hart has bigger dreams for the brand. “The goal is to look smack dab in the middle of Hart House where you’ll find a McDonald’s, a Burger King, a Chick-fil-A, [and] A Wendy’s [so] People can also get plant-based flavor options,” he told James Corden The Late Late Show Last year.