How to Order Vegan Fast Food at Chain Restaurants

What’s the deal with vegan fast food? Some of us never thought that we’d see the day when White Castle or Denny’s offered veggie burgers, but now that they do, the millions of omnivores who eat there can see that choosing meat-free meals is easy and tasty.

Almost every restaurant has at least one vegan dish. By making educated choices and asking the server for assistance, dining out can be a delicious—and animal-friendly—experience! We put together this handy guide to help you navigate the chain restaurant world.

Menus change often, and offerings may vary by location. When in doubt, ask a server to confirm that items are vegan.

A&W (Canada)

A&W Canada offers a housemade burger crafted from pea and soy protein, topped with lettuce, tomato, red onion, pickles, ketchup, and mustard—just ask for it without mayonnaise to keep it vegan. The menu also includes the Spicy Piri-Piri Potato Buddy, a crispy potato hash brown with spicy sauce and fresh veggies (not available in Quebec).

Applebee’s

Lucky for those of us who enjoy catching up with friends and family over appetizers and drinks, Applebee’s offers a variety of vegan starters, sides, and mains. Check out our full guide to vegan options at Applebee’s.

Bareburger

Bareburger offers a variety of burgers made with vegan patties, including black bean and poblano, sweet potato, kale and wild rice, quinoa with chia and green peas, and chickpea falafel. Vegan bun options include a multigrain sprout bun, a flaxseed keto bun, a spinach wrap, and a collard green wrap.

Baskin-Robbins

Baskin-Robbins scoop shops have rotating vegan options, including Non-Dairy Jamocha Chip, Lemon Sorbet, and Daiquiri Ice. Keep your eyes peeled for other vegan flavors at your local store.

BJ’s Restaurant and Brewhouse

Vegan options include spaghetti with marinara sauce (from the kids’ menu), rice pilaf, and sweet potato fries. Availability and preparation may vary by location, so check with your server to confirm.

Blaze Pizza

Blaze Pizza offers dairy-free cheese, spicy meat-free chorizo, and an array of vegan toppings. The classic, high-rise, and gluten-free crusts are vegan. The Vegan Pizza is made with their regular dough, red sauce, vegan cheese, spicy meat-free chorizo, mushrooms, onions, green bell peppers, basil, and a drizzle of olive oil.

Buca di Beppo

Try the bruschetta (hold the cheese) or create your own pasta with marinara or garlic olive oil. Toppings include assorted veggies, crushed pepper, and poached garlic. Vegan sides include steamed green beans and broccoli.

Bruegger’s Bagels

Several bagels are vegan, including blueberry, cinnamon-sugar, cranberry-orange, pumpernickel, and rosemary–olive oil. Top with veggies, Dijon mustard, or hummus. Vegetarian sandwiches can be made vegan by omitting cheese and dressing.

BurgerFi

At participating locations, BurgerFi offers vegan-friendly options, including the VegeFi Burger, made with quinoa, lentils, and vegetables (order without cheese or Fi Sauce), and a Beyond Burger patty when available. Choose a multigrain bun or lettuce wrap.

Burger King

Burger King offers an animal-free Whopper, fries, and more. Order the Whopper without the mayo—though some locations are now offering vegan mayo. Explore our full guide to vegan options at Burger King.

The Cheesecake Factory

The Vegan Cobb Salad and Thai Lettuce Wraps with Grilled Avocado are vegan as-is. An animal-free burger is available at select locations on the SkinnyLicious menu with vegan cheese and sauce. The Orange Cauliflower bowl—made with cauliflower, snow peas, carrots, and mushrooms and tossed in a sweet and spicy orange sauce—is also vegan.

Chipotle

Chipotle’s Sofritas—organic tofu braised with peppers and spices—can be ordered in bowls, burritos, tacos, or salads, with beans, rice, fajita veggies, salsas, lettuce, and guacamole.

CiCi’s Pizza
Pizza crusts and sauces are vegan if you ask that the crust not be brushed with garlic butter. Top with veggies and add a salad with Lite Italian dressing.

Claim Jumper

Pizzas can be made vegan by omitting the cheese. The Chinese salad with spicy peanut dressing is another option.

Cracker Barrel

Cracker Barrel has animal-free breakfast sausage patties at select locations. Vegan sides include oatmeal, grits, green beans, fresh fruit, baked potatoes, homestyle fries, tater rounds, multigrain toast, fried cinnamon apples, broccoli, and tomato slices.

Dairy Queen

Misty Slushes are vegan, and the chain offers a Non-Dairy Dilly Bar.

Del Taco

Many items can be made vegan, including tacos with beans instead of beef and no cheese, the 8 Layer Veggie Burrito without dairy, and the Crunchtada Tostada without cheese. Beans, rice, fries, guacamole, and red and green sauces are vegan.

Denny’s

Vegan options include the Plant-Based Pancake Slam—two multigrain pancakes, served with seasonal fruit and hash browns—as well as oatmeal, bagels, English muffins, grits, fruit, vegetable plates, seasoned fries, baked potatoes, and a vegan burger patty.

Din Tai Fung

Many vegan options are clearly marked with a “V,” including Vegan Dumplings, Vegan Wontons, Vegan Noodles with Sesame Sauce, and Sweet Taro Buns.

Dunkin’

Vegan options include avocado toast, hash browns, and several bagels. Order drinks with oat or almond milk.

El Pollo Loco

Order the BRC burrito without cheese and add avocado. Vegan sides include pinto beans and corn on the cob.

Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers

A vegan burger patty and bun are available; omit cheese and Thousand Island dressing. Ingredients may vary by location.

Freebirds World Burrito

Freebirds offers Abbot’s Butcher Plant-Based Chorizo for burritos, bowls, tacos, and salads.

The Habit Burger Grill

The Veggie Burger patty is vegan and comes with lettuce, tomato, and cucumber. Order a vegan burger by skipping cheese and mayo and ordering it on a vegan bun. Fries, sweet potato fries, and tempura green beans (without ranch) are vegan.

IHOP

Vegan items include hash browns with veggies, animal-free breakfast sausage, fruit, grits, sautéed spinach and mushrooms, and baked potatoes.

Ike’s Love & Sandwiches

Just about every Ike’s sandwich can be ordered vegan. The shop offers vegan meats, cheeses, and an egg-free Dirty Secret Sauce. Once upon a time, PETA honored Ike’s with the title of having the best vegan meatballs in America, an achievement they showcase on their menu.

Jason’s Deli

Vegan options include salads (omit cheese and meat), spinach veggie wraps without cheese, steamed veggies, hummus, guacamole, and salad bar selections (check ingredients by location).

Johnny Rockets

Select locations offer animal-free burgers and vegan vanilla, strawberry, and chocolate milkshakes topped with dairy-free whipped cream.

Just Salad

Just Salad offers a Vegan Chipotle Wrap loaded with Basmati rice, plant-based chicken, veggies, and a chipotle vinaigrette. Vegan salads include the Tokyo Supergreens salad with tofu, the Earth Bowl, which comes with vegan feta cheese, and the Southwest Crunch. For a warm bowl, try the Edamame Crunch. Plus, many of the smoothies are made with oat milk and vegan protein.

Kona Grill

Vegan options include edamame, miso soup, cucumber and avocado rolls, salads without blue cheese, and vegan dressings. Several sides, including soy Brussels sprouts and steamed vegetables, are vegan.

Little Caesars, Papa John’s, Pizza Hut

Pizza sauces and many doughs are vegan. By omitting cheese and choosing veggie toppings, you can create a vegan pizza.

Luna Grill

Vegan options include the Luna Vida Vegan Bowl, the Lunatic Sampler, the house salad, the Mediterranean salad, Falafel, Veggie Kabob Plate, stuffed grape leaves, hummus, quinoa, tabbouleh, fries, and the chickpea salad.

Manhattan Bagel

Most bagels and bialys are vegan, as are the Avocado Toast and hash browns. Get the Avocado Veg Out sandwich without cream cheese to make it vegan.

McDonald’s

At McDonald’s, you can get soda, juice, black coffee, and apple slices. Not even their fries or hashbrowns are vegan. C’mon McD’s, do better!

Mellow Mushroom

Load your Mellow Mushroom pizza with any of their vegan toppings, including tempeh, portobello mushrooms, and Follow Your Heart vegan cheese.

Moe’s Southwest Grill

Tacos, fajitas, salads, and burritos can be made vegan by substituting tofu and skipping cheese.

Newk’s Eatery

The Greek Salad—with artichoke hearts, Kalamata olives, cucumbers, pepperoncini, red onions, tomatoes, and crisp romaine lettuce—can be made vegan without cheese.

Noodles & Company

Select locations offer animal-free Orange Chicken Lo Mein. Other vegan options include Japanese Pan Noodles and customizable dishes like Penne Rosa without cream or cheese.

Olive Garden
Breadsticks, marinara, and several pastas and soups can be made vegan. See our full Olive Garden vegan guide for details.

On the Border Mexican Grill & Cantina
Vegan options include portobello fajitas and dairy-free veggie burritos. Some locations offer additional vegan entrées.

Pancheros Mexican Grill
All locations offer Tofusada, a marinated and sautéed tofu protein.

Panda Express

At Panda Express, vegan options include chow mein, steamed white and brown rice, and vegetable sides. Some locations offer a tofu and eggplant entrée, and some offer Beyond Orange Chicken. Check out our full guide.

Panera Bread

Several breads, bagels, salads, and sandwiches can be made vegan. See our Panera vegan guide for details.

Peet’s Coffee

Peet’s offers oat, almond, and soy milk, a plant-based breakfast sandwich (after talks with PETA), and many vegan beverages.

P.F. Chang’s China Bistro

Vegan items include tofu lettuce wraps and Buddha’s Feast. See our full vegan guide for details.

Pieology
Pieology offers vegan cheese, sauces, crusts, and toppings, as well as vegan meatballs and sausage at select locations.

Pokéworks

The Sweet Shoyu Tofu bowl and the Avocado Salad Bowl are vegan. Build a vegan bowl, salad, or burrito with rice, greens, ramen noodles, tofu, chili crisp tofu, veggies, and sweet shoyu sauce.

Pollo Tropical

Vegan options include French fries, fried yuca, sweet plantains, white and brown rice, black beans, and guacamole. Its vegan sauces include garlic (mojo), guava BBQ, pineapple rum, and spicy poyo-poyo.

Qdoba Mexican Grill

Features the Fajita Veggie Post-Workout Bowl, made with sautéed fajita vegetables, hand-crafted guacamole, freshly made pico de gallo, chile corn salsa, salsa verde, black beans, and seasoned brown rice. The chain also makes it easy to customize other bowls, burritos, and tacos to be vegan.

Quesada (Canada)

Offers Saucy Chipotle Tofu, roasted veggies, refried beans, and black beans, plus a variety of vegetable toppings for bowls, burritos, and tacos.

Quiznos

The Veggie Guacamole sub can be made vegan by omitting cheese and ordering it with Artisan White French Baguette or Artisan Wheat Multigrain Baguette.

Red Lobster

Vegan sides include baked potatoes, orzo rice, crispy Brussels sprouts, and Chesapeake fries.

Red Robin Gourmet Burgers and Brews
Red Robin offers two vegan burger patties. Order without cheese and mayo or aioli, and choose a vegan bun or lettuce wrap. You can also order bottomless, that’s right, bottomless steak fries, steamed broccoli, sweet potato fries, or Yukon chips.

Ruby Tuesday
Ruby Tuesday offers an animal-free burger and a salad bar with plenty of veggies.

Seasons 52

Vegan options include avocado toast, grilled artichokes with hummus (without lavash), roasted tomato flatbread (without cheese), black lentil bolognese (without cheese), and sides like Buffalo roasted cauliflower (without Bleu cheese dressing).

Shake Shack

After talks with PETA, Shake Shack introduced the Veggie Shack patty made with vegetables, grains, and herbs. To make it vegan, request a gluten-free bun or a lettuce wrap, and order without cheese, sauce, or crispy onions. Availability of vegan options varies by location.

Smoothie King

Smoothie King offers several vegan smoothies, including options with Sunwarrior Raw plant-based protein. Popular choices include the Vegan Mixed Berry, Vegan Mango Kale, and Veggie Lemon Ginger Spinach smoothies.

Starbucks

Starbucks offers vegan options such as oatmeal, fruit, plain bagels with avocado spread, and the Spicy Falafel Pocket—made with smashed falafel, hummus, roasted red bell peppers, pickled onions, and a spicy herb sauce wrapped in toasted lavash. Most drinks can be made vegan with soy, oat, almond, or coconut milk. See our Starbucks vegan guide for details.

Subway

Order the Veggie Delite without cheese or mayo on vegan breads such as Italian, Hearty Italian, or 9-Grain Wheat. Add vegan sauces like mustard or oil and vinegar.

Taco Bell

Many menu items can be made vegan, including burritos, tacos, Crunchwraps, and the Mexican Pizza when ordered fresco style or without meat or dairy. Beans, rice, potatoes, guacamole, and most salsas are vegan.

Taco Cabana

Vegan options include tacos, burritos, and bowls with rice, beans, lettuce, tomatoes, guacamole, and salsa. To make your tacos vegan, ask for corn tortillas instead.

TGI Fridays

TGI Fridays offers a burger that can be made vegan by omitting cheese and sauce and ordering it on a dairy-free bun. Vegan sides include jasmine rice and steamed broccoli.

Wendy’s

Vegan options include baked potatoes, salads without cheese, and sides. Explore our guide to all the vegan options at Wendy’s.

Wienerschnitzel

Wienerschnitzel offers the Chicago Veggie Dog made with a Field Roast vegan sausage and classic Chicago-style toppings.

Yard House

Yard House offers several dishes with vegan chicken, including the Gardein Chicken Rice Bowl, which comes with stir-fried sesame brown rice and red quinoa, mushrooms, snap peas, bok choy, carrots, red onion, asparagus, and red pepper flakes. You can also order the Gardein Orange Chicken, just swap the jasmine rice for spicy rice. Vegan sides include sweet potato fries, spicy rice, and pinto beans.

zpizza

zpizza offers the Berkeley Vegan pizza, made with animal-free cheese and sausage, along with an array of salads.

Choosing vegan meals does more than simplify dining out—it helps spare animals who are intelligent, social individuals capable of feeling fear, pain, joy, and comfort. Every animal-free meal reduces harm and supports a more compassionate food system.

If this article is making you question your current lifestyle, then we have just the thing for you: our free how to go vegan guide, with tips and information about going vegan. For animals, the environment, and your health, order one today.