Eating out with not‑yet‑vegan relatives doesn’t mean a long negotiation with the server (or a sad side salad). Many chain restaurants now offer vegan menu items or easy vegan swaps.
Below are go‑to, family‑friendly chains where ordering vegan is simple. (Menus vary by location and change often, so always ask your server to confirm ingredients—especially for sauces, buns, and dressings.)
The Cheesecake Factory
There are plenty of vegan options scattered throughout The Cheesecake Factory’s massive menu, including the Vegan Cobb Salad. And while there are no vegan cheesecake options offered (yet), you have to admit … it’s healthier this way. #ForTheBest
Buca di Beppo
For the main course, order the pasta puttanesca (penne pasta with tomatoes, onions, green peppers, black Kalamata olives, green olives, and capers)—which must be specially requested because it’s not on the menu. Or, create your own pasta using either the marinara sauce or the garlic olive oil. Add veggie toppings as well as crushed pepper and/or poached garlic. You can also get a mixed green salad—just substitute oil and vinegar for the Italian dressing. Other vegan sides include steamed green beans and broccoli. Not too shabby.
P.F. Chang’s
P.F. Chang’s has locations in more than 40 states and offers a number of vegan options from a lettuce wrap appetizer to several entrées featuring tofu. Discover all of the vegan options at P.F. Chang’s in our complete guide.
Yard House
Yard House is a solid option when you want a lively, mainstream spot that offers plant‑based protein choices.
Vegan ordering tips
- Ask for the Gardein menu and request vegan prep (some items may include dairy).
- Double‑check buns, sauces, and sides for hidden dairy or egg.
Visit our guide to see all the vegan options at Yard House.
TGI Fridays
Order the Beyond Burger without cheese and mayo, and you’ll be biting into a bona fide vegan burger. However, being able to order a vegan burger without modifications would make a world of difference for diners and animals!
Choosing vegan meals saves animals and helps your loved ones see how easy (and delicious) animal‑free eating is. Pigs can play video games. Chickens can recognize more than 100 faces. Some fish sing together. Cows form friendships and build social bonds over time. These individuals aren’t ingredients. They feel joy and affection, as well as fear and pain.
You’ll be hearing, “Wait… yours looks better than mine” in no time.
Blaze Pizza is a favorite for groups because everyone can customize their own pie fast, and it has vegan options galore.
Vegan ordering tips
- Choose traditional, high‑rise, or gluten‑free crust (confirm ingredients at your location).
- Add vegan cheese and pile on veggie toppings.
- Pick sauces like classic red or spicy red, then finish with vegan add‑ons such as BBQ drizzle, balsamic glaze, or Buffalo sauce (availability varies by location).
Olive Garden
When you’re here … you can still be vegan! You got salad, breadsticks, minestrone soup, and pasta. We wish there were more impressive vegan entrées, but until then, check out our guide to all the vegan options at Olive Garden.
Bareburger
Bareburger has a huge vegan menu, with plant-based burgers, Beyond Meat sausages, shakes, and more. Plus, you can customize your burger with delicious toppings, such as vegan mayo and vegan cheese. Bareburger even has a vegan kids’ menu!
Mellow Mushroom
Pizza chain Mellow Mushroom offers a vegan menu that includes tofu, tempeh, and dairy-free cheese. Vegan sauces include red sauce, olive oil, sweet chili glaze, and jerk sauce. With the meat-free options, vegan cheeses, and all the veggie toppings you could ever want, this pizza joint definitely delivers. It also offers hoagies and salads (the balsamic and herb vinaigrettes are vegan)—just make sure you swap out all the nonvegan meats, cheeses, and sauces for their superior vegan counterparts.
Applebee’s
With over 1,500 locations, Applebee’s is everywhere and offers a few vegan options. Try the pretzel sticks, a bowl, or a burger. Check out our complete guide for all of the vegan options at Applebee’s. Then urge the chain to add hearty vegan entrées that don’t require a workaround.
Pieology Pizzeria
The award-winning vegan-friendly menu also includes dairy-free mozzarella and a vegan crust option (the gluten-free crust) at no extra cost, leading us to believe that if creating delicious pizza were a science, Pieology would be Einstein.
A Simple Way to Win Over Not‑Yet‑Vegan Family Members
You don’t need to live in a major city to find a great vegan meal. Even if not every chain above is near you, you can usually find at least one or two nearby.
Just be ready for the classic moment when someone across the table says, “Okay… let me try a bite.”
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