The vegan motion has reached a vital tipping level. Living proof: the abundance of vegan choices in fast-food eating places. That field has been checked. However now, we’re ushering within the period of all-vegan fast-food chains. It’s not simply Veggie Grill by Subsequent Degree anymore. Plant-based drive-thrus and 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, test 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.)
Monty’s Good Burger
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 Not possible Slider at White Fortress.
Does McDonald’s have any vegan choices?
Whereas locations just like the UK and the Netherlands have the McPlant burger, McDonald’s continues to be critically lagging behind on vegan choices within the US (for now, anyway). However that stated, it’s nonetheless doable to order vegan meals from the nation’s hottest fast-food joint. For those who’re hungry and don’t have any different choices out there, we’ve put collectively this information to consuming vegan at McDonald’s.
McDonald’s UK
However in the event you’re near any of those vegan fast-food chains under (significantly plant-based McDonald’s copycat Mr.Charlie’s), the reality is, you received’t want the golden arches.
The most effective vegan fast-food chains within the US
Earlier than you cruise via any drive-thru of your nearest mainstream chain, test to see if one among these vegan fast-food areas (listed in no specific order) is close by. You received’t be upset.
Cate Furman
1Veggie Grill by Subsequent Degree
Numerous areas
Based in 2006 in Irvine, CA, this nationwide vegan chain was frying up plant-based rooster wings method earlier than it was a factor. In reality, Veggie Grill predates the buffalo cauliflower pattern.
In 2023, followers of the chain observed a number of areas had mysteriously shuttered. From 30 areas throughout the nation to only over 15, clients feared the top of Veggie Grill was close to. Enter: Subsequent Degree Burger. In January 2024, Subsequent Degree Burger introduced it had acquired its competitor, renaming the chain Veggie Grill by Subsequent Degree.
At this time, followers can nonetheless take pleasure in Veggie Grill’s beloved menu, with discontinued menu classics anticipated to return, in line with Subsequent Degree Burger CEO Matthew de Gruyter. So benefit from the mac and cheese, Sante Fe Chik’n sandwich, and candy potato fries, Veggie Grill isn’t going wherever anytime quickly.
Subsequent Degree Burger
2
Subsequent Degree Burger
Numerous areas
After Subsequent Degree Burger acquired Veggie Grill, collectively, the 2 chains comprise one of many largest vegan fast-food companies on this planet. On the time of writing, the 2 chains exist independently of each other; in different phrases, there are not any plans for the 2 chains to merge into one for now.
Followers of Subsequent Degree Burger can nonetheless stroll into any location and discover, nicely, next-level vegan burgers. Get a burger, maybe even a rooster sandwich and crispy fries, however the Subsequent Degree Shakes are … nicely, you perceive.
Discover it right here
Native Meals
3 Native Meals
Palm Springs, CA; Glendale, CO; & Chicago, IL
This fast-casual chain initially leaned extra towards wholesome bowls, salads, and sandwiches, however since its founder chef Tanya Petrovna offered 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 gadgets.
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 rooster tenders, and a BBQ Brisket Burger.
Lately, Native Meals has shuttered a number of outposts throughout the nation, however right this moment, residents of Palm Springs, CA; Glendale, CO; and Chicago, IL can nonetheless take pleasure in this vegan chain. Native tip: get dessert. The peanut butter parfait and oatmeal cream pie have outlasted the sweeping menu revisions and are the cherry on prime of your vegan meal.
Discover it right here
Slutty Vegan
4 Slutty Vegan
Numerous areas
Founder Pinky Cole Hayes has established an empire within the higher Atlanta space along with her Slutty Vegan idea. The menu of burgers, fries, and rooster sandwiches is certain to lift an eyebrow—each for the names and the over-the-top nature of every merchandise. The absolutely loaded Sloppy Toppy and Philly cheesesteak-inspired Hollywood Hooker are simply two examples of what you’ll discover right here. Count on juices to be operating down your forearm and the corners of your mouth to be dotted with Slut Sauce by the top of your meal.
Slutty Vegan at present operates areas throughout Atlanta, GA, however residents of Dallas, TX; Birmingham, AL; Baltimore, MD; and Harlem and Brooklyn, NY can even cease by an outpost for a style of the cult-favorite restaurant.
Discover it right here
Mr.Charlie’s
5 Mr.Charlie’s
Los Angeles & San Francisco, CA
Mr. Charlie’s is the vegan McDonald’s-lovers dream. With areas in Los Angeles and San Francisco (plus a global outpost simply exterior of Sydney, Australia), it presents its personal variations of lots of the fast-food big’s classics, solely this time, they’re made sans animal merchandise. That includes the Not possible Burger, strive the Mr. Chuck, which comes with two vegan patties, three burger buns, cheese, pickles, onions, and particular sauce. Or, if Pleased Meals was your factor, strive the chain’s “Frowny Meals.” However in contrast to the identify suggests, they’ll really depart you feeling content material and happy.
Discover it right here
Monty’s Good Burger
6 Monty’s Good Burger
Los Angeles, Culver Metropolis, & Riverside, CA
Joaquin Phoenix followers, maintain your eyes off your telephone whereas ready in line at Monty’s—the vegan Academy Award winner has repeatedly been seen on the Koreatown location with associate and actress Rooney Mara. Positioned because the vegan In-N-Out, Monty’s menu presents a streamlined choice of single and double Not possible burgers, rooster sandwiches, scorching canine, fries, tots, milkshakes, and a kale Caesar salad.
Discover it right here
Plant Energy Quick Meals
7 Plant Energy Quick Meals
California and Las Vegas, NV
Generally known as “Plant Energy” by locals, this burger chain launched in San Diego and made its method north. It now has 10 areas stretching from San Diego to Sacramento, some overtaking former non-vegan drive-thrus, and even Las Vegas. Count on a streamlined menu of vegan burgers, fried rooster sandwiches, nuggets, fries, and some entrée salads and wraps for these seeking recent choices on the go.
Discover it right here
HipCityVeg
8 HipCityVeg
Washington, DC & Philadelphia and Ardmore, PA
Get your vegan fast-food repair from morning to nighttime at this East Coast vegan chain. The menu presents varied classics corresponding to handholds, fries, and shakes. Protein choices vary from plant-based patties to crispy rooster to tempeh. When shopping the menu, give the chick’n sandwich part some thought—this place does vegan rooster proper.
Discover it right here
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9 PLNT Burger
Numerous areas
In search of High Chef high quality meals at a fast-casual value? 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. Count on vegan patties gussied up with savory mushroom bacon, caramelized onions, and different flavor-bomb toppings. Complement your handhold with thick candy potato fries, a PLNT chili bowl, and a scrumptious chocolate chip cookie.
Discover it right here
Jerrell’s Betr Brgr
10Jerrell’s Betr Brgr
New York, NY & Hoboken, NJ
Jerrell’s Betr Brgr is perhaps a micro-chain, nevertheless it’s already gathered a cult-following. This late-night vegan burger joint makes sustainability a precedence, so you possibly can be ok with serving to the planet anytime you grub on one among its menu gadgets. Jerrell’s streamlined menu options Not possible burgers, waffle fries (plus a loaded choice for if you’re further hungry), and soft-serve. We are saying get one among every for the last word late-night meal.
Discover it right here
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.