Top 5 Vegetarian Fast Food Options in the US
When you’re on the go, you may get hungry. If you’ve had a bad day, you might crave its comfort. When you need a quick meal for your family, it may be the easiest solution. Fast food is undoubtedly appealing. But if you have dietary restrictions, getting fast food isn’t always so simple.
Fast food restaurants can be particularly challenging for vegetarians. With so many chains focusing on serving up burgers, finding a plant-based alternative can be tricky. Luckily, these five top fast food options have your back with great vegetarian options when you’re on the go!
Taco Bell
When it comes to fast food, Taco Bell is like a vegetarian’s dream come true. The restaurant offers multiple vegetarian options. Not only that, but they also have a separate vegetarian menu to make it easier to browse their offerings. Taco Bell is also pretty good at customizing, so if you see something you want but it has meat, you might be able to switch it out for beans.
Options include:
- Black Bean Crunchwrap Supreme
- Power Menu Bowl – Veggie
- Cheesy Bean and Rice Burrito
- Spicy Potato Soft Taco
Subway
Since Subway allows you to customize your sandwich toppings, it’s quite vegetarian-friendly! The Sandwich Artists usually don’t change gloves between sandwiches, but if you ask them nicely, they generally will. Many of Subway’s bread options are also vegan. Check out the full list at PETA.
Subway has also tried out a number of exciting vegetarian fillings, including meatballs and falafels, but sadly, these options have only been available at select locations.
Options include:
Burger King
While vegetarian burgers have been popping up on many fast food menus, Burger King has had a veggie burger on its menu for years. However, it recently got a lot of attention for switching to the popular Impossible Burger. The Burger King website even specifies that a non-broiler cooking method is available on request.
Options include:
Hardee’s and Carl’s Jr.
Hardee’s and Carl’s Jr. are owned by the same company and have similar vegetarian options, though the exact offerings vary slightly. Which chain is more prevalent depends largely on which part of the country you live in.
Options include:
Chipotle
It’s hotly debated whether or not Chipotle actually classifies as fast food, but it’s quick and convenient, so it’s worth mentioning. Chipotle makes it easy to customize your dish, which works well for people with dietary restrictions. You can customize tacos, burritos, salads, and more.
Options include:
For the sake of this article, we consider “vegetarian” free from meat, meat-based flavoring, and gelatin. Note that some restaurants may use the same preparation surfaces and/or fryer oil for both vegetarian and meat-based dishes. If you are concerned about cross-contamination or have a meat allergy, we recommend asking your local chain about their preparation policies and procedures.
What are your favorite vegetarian fast food options? Let us know in the comments section below!
