If you love burgers, tacos, pizza, fries, and smoothies, check out these plant-based fast-food faves.
Whether you’re on a road trip or just need a quick, easy bite to eat, vegan-friendly fast-food joints can come in handy. But rather than panicking in the drive-thru and leaving with fries and a soda, let’s go over some ordering details to maximize your vegan fast-food meal!
How to Order Vegan Fast Food
If you’re lucky enough to live near those coveted all-vegan fast-food restaurants, please know how tremendously jealous we are. But if you’re working with more traditional drive-thru establishments, we’ve got you.
Dining at establishments that offer dairy-free cheese, plant-based burgers, and vegan chicken is a great start, but be sure to put on your vegan reading glasses when scanning the menu. Ingredients like mayo, cheese, egg, and honey can work their way into seemingly vegan options. So scan the menu thoroughly, cross-reference the allergen sheet, clarify as you order, and let us give you some restaurant pointers.
Fast-Food Restaurants with Vegan Options
From Burger King and Panda Express to Taco Bell and Wienerschnitzel, these fast-food restaurants are coming through with the vegan-friendly options for you!
Blaze Pizza
Craving some plant-based 'za? Head to Blaze Pizza. Opt for the eatery’s preset vegan pizza or build your own plant-based pie. Vegan toppings include vegan cheese, spicy vegan chorizo, and plenty of veggies.
Photo by Kimberly Tran
Burger King
As the second largest fast-food burger chain in the world, chances are you have a Burger King in your area. When ordered without mayo, the Impossible Whopper is a vegan-friendly choice. Other plant-based orders include classic french fries, hash browns, and French toast sticks.
Courtesy of Burger King
Chipotle Mexican Grill
At Chipotle, you can build your own salads, burritos, tacos, and bowls loaded with rice, beans, and Sofritas (seasoned tofu). For the ultimate meal customization, add Chipotle’s fajita veggies, a variety of salsas, guacamole, and chips to your order.
Courtesy of Chipotle Mexican Grill
Dairy Queen
Need a little open-road pick-me-up? Head to Dairy Queen! In addition to DQ’s fries, side salad, pretzel sticks (ordered sans cheese), and breakfast hash browns, this ice cream chain also features a vegan-friendly Non-Dairy Dilly Bar.
Del Taco
In the mood for some fast, American-style Mexican cuisine? Sadly, Del Taco removed its Beyond Meat offerings, but the plant-based options don’t stop there. Many of the vegetarian menu items can be easily veganized by removing the cheese and sour cream.
Fatburger
Fatburger’s inclusive menu makes it easy for vegans to get in on the fast-food action! Opt for the Impossible Burger with fries, but order it without mayo and substitute vegan cheese. And for a tasty treat, Fatburger has several vegan milkshakes to enjoy.
Courtesy of Fatburger
Fresh Brothers
In addition to veganizable salads, Fresh Brothers offers meat-free chicken tenders and delicious vegan pizzas made with plant-based cheese, sausage, and pepperoni. Oh, and let us not forget about Fresh Brothers’ vegan ranch dressing for all your dipping needs.
Photo by Joel Alatorre
Ike’s Love & Sandwiches
Ike’s Love & Sandwiches has been transforming the traditional fast-food sandwich space since 2007. This inclusive joint offers a variety of veggie sandwiches and many of them can be made vegan, just be sure to specify.
Courtesy of Ike’s Love & Sandwiches
Jimmy John’s
ISO a veggie handheld while on the go? Jimmy John’s has you covered. Choose the restaurant’s herbivorous sandwich choice, The Veggie, and veganize by removing the mayo and cheese. Don’t forget those hot peppers and a pickle.
Noodles & Company
From spaghetti with tofu to pan noodles with Impossible Panko Chicken, Noodles & Company has your vegan travel dining all planned out. Dine in and stay a while or order your meal to go.
Courtesy of Noodles & Company
Mod Pizza
Customizable vegan pizza coming right up! Step inside this fast-casual joint and create a vegan pizza or loaded salad. Enjoy plant-based cheese and vegan Italian sausage atop your Mod Pizza creation.
Courtesy of Mod Pizza
Moe’s Southwest Grill
Welcome to Moe’s. If you’re new here, rest assured that this fast-casual eatery has vegan options! Build your own burritos and bowls at Moe’s Southwest Grill. Heavy on the tofu, grilled peppers, and guacamole!
Courtesy of Moe’s Southwest Grill
Panera Bread
Passing a Panera Bread? You’re in luck! This comfort food fast-casual eatery offers a variety of vegan-friendly bowls, salads, sandwiches, bakery items, and smoothies. We love the Mediterranean Veggie sandwich (sans feta and sub sourdough).
Courtesy of Panera Bread
Panda Express
Panda Express remains a vegan-friendly fast-food spot when you’re on the go. When craving some quick American Chinese fare, opt for the Beyond Orange Chicken (available at select locations), Chow Mein, Eggplant Tofu, Super Greens, and Veggie Spring Rolls for a fast, plant-based meal.
Courtesy of Panda Express
Qdoba Mexican Eats
The plant-based options are endless at Qdoba Mexican Eats! If you’re feeling creative, you can build your own burrito, bowl, or salad. We love adding rice, beans, fajita veggies, and guacamole to all of our orders.
Courtesy of Qdoba Mexican Eats
Smoothie King
No time to knife and fork it? Snag a nutrient-packed smoothie from Smoothie King. Catch us sipping the Vegan Nutty Super Grain smoothie blended with plant-based protein powder.
Courtesy of Smoothie King
Subway
Vegan in a small town? Your local Subway has your back! Head on in for the nostalgic smells of freshly baked bread. Build a sandwich by choosing from Artisan Italian White, Artisan Flatbread, or Hearty Multigrain bread, and pile on the veggies.
Taco Bell
Taco Bells across the nation have the hookup on vegan-friendly options. Create cruelty-free burritos, tacos, chalupas, and Crunchwraps by removing the meat and asking for the meal “fresco style,” which replaces cheese and creamy sauces with tomatoes.
Courtesy of Taco Bell
The Habit Burger
This American fast-casual restaurant features a tasty selection of vegan choices including veggie handhelds and Impossible burgers alike. Round out your meal with fries, tempura green beans, or salad (no croutons).
Courtesy of The Habit Burger
White Castle
White Castle, here we come! The vegan-friendly fast-food restaurant offers Impossible Sliders, which can be made vegan when ordered without cheese. Enjoy these little burgers with fries or hash brown bites.
Courtesy of Impossible Foods
Wienerschnitzel
Calling all vegan hot dog lovers! Wienerschnitzel has multiple plant-based menu options to enjoy. Both the Barbeque Veggie Dog and Chicago Veggie Dog are vegan as-is. The Backyard Veggie Dog, however, needs to be ordered without cheese.
