The vegan movement has reached a critical tipping point. Case in point: the abundance of vegan options in fast-food restaurants. That box has been checked. But now, we’re ushering in the era of all-vegan fast-food chains. It’s not just Next Level Veggie Grill anymore. Plant-based drive-thrus and fast-casual eateries slinging vegan beefy burgers and fries are cropping up across the country, and we are here for it. In fact, we’re so excited, we’ve gathered all our favorites below.
What is vegan fast food?
Fast-food menu staples like fries (unless they’re cooked in beef fat), soda, hash browns (again, check for beef fat), and burger buns are often vegan by default. This means that, for years, vegans have been heading to fast-food chains and getting creative with the menu. (Order a beef burger without the beef, and load it up with salad, sauce, and fries—you get the idea.)
Monty’s Good Burger
But now, as fast-food chains have started embracing plant-based meat options, it’s getting easier than ever to enjoy fast food without the animals. There’s the easily veganized Impossible Whopper at Burger King, for example.
Does McDonald’s have any vegan options?
While places like the UK have the McPlant burger, McDonald’s is still seriously lagging behind on vegan options in the US (for now, anyway). But that said, it is still possible to order vegan food from the country’s most popular fast-food joint. If you’re hungry and have no other options available, we’ve put together this guide to eating vegan at McDonald’s.
McDonald’s UK
But if you’re close to any of these vegan fast-food chains below (particularly plant-based McDonald’s copycat Mr. Charlie’s), the truth is, you won’t need the golden arches.
The best vegan fast-food chains in the US
Before you cruise through the drive-thru of your nearest mainstream chain, check to see if one of these vegan fast-food locations (listed in no particular order) is nearby. You won’t be disappointed.
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Mr.Charlie’s
1 Mr.Charlie’s
Multiple locations
Mr. Charlie’s is the vegan McDonald’s-lovers dream. With locations in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego, CA (plus an international outpost just outside of Sydney, Australia), it offers its own versions of many of the fast-food giant’s classics, only this time, they’re made sans animal products. Try the Mr. Chuck, which comes with two vegan patties, three burger buns, cheese, pickles, onions, and special sauce. Or, if Happy Meals used to be your thing, try the chain’s “Frowny Meals.” But unlike the name suggests, they’ll actually leave you feeling content and satisfied.
Next Level Veggie Grill
2Next Level Veggie Grill
Various locations
Founded in 2006 in Irvine, CA, this national vegan chain was frying up plant-based chicken wings way before it was a thing. In fact, Veggie Grill predates the buffalo cauliflower trend. In 2024, the chain entered a new era when it was acquired by Next Level Burger—and thus, Next Level Veggie Grill was born. Today, fans can still enjoy classic menu items such as mac and cheese, the Sante Fe Chik’n sandwich, and sweet potato fries alongside new innovations including Beyond steak filet, pan-seared salmon, chili cheese fries, wet burritos, salads, bowls, and more.
Slutty Vegan
3 Slutty Vegan
Various locations
Founder Pinky Cole Hayes has established an empire in the greater Atlanta area with her Slutty Vegan concept. The menu of burgers, fries, and chicken sandwiches is sure to raise an eyebrow—both for the names and the over-the-top nature of each item. The fully loaded Sloppy Toppy and Philly cheesesteak-inspired Hollywood Hooker are just two examples of what you’ll find here. Expect juices to be running down your forearm and the corners of your mouth to be dotted with Slut Sauce by the end of your meal.
Slutty Vegan currently operates locations across Atlanta, GA, but residents of Birmingham, AL; Baltimore, MD; Brooklyn, NY; and Brandon, FL can also stop by an outpost for a taste of the cult-favorite restaurant.
Plant Power Fast Food
4 Plant Power Fast Food
California and Las Vegas, NV
Commonly referred to as “Plant Power” by locals, Plant Power Fast Food launched in San Diego and made its way north. It now has nine locations stretching from San Diego to Sacramento, some overtaking former non-vegan drive-thrus, and even Las Vegas. Expect a streamlined menu of vegan burgers, fried chicken sandwiches, nuggets, fries, and a few entrée salads and wraps for those in search of fresh options on the go. Pro tip: don’t miss the chain’s limited-time specials or dessert offerings (think milkshakes, Blizzard dupes, cheesecake, and soft serve).
HipCityVeg
5 HipCityVeg
Washington, DC and Philadelphia, PA
Get your vegan fast-food fix from morning to night at this East Coast vegan chain. The menu at HipCityVeg offers various classics such as handholds, fries, and shakes. Protein options range from plant-based patties to crispy chicken to tempeh. When browsing the menu, give the chick’n sandwich section some thought—this place does vegan chicken right.
PLNT Burger
6 PLNT Burger
Various locations
Looking for Top Chef quality food at a fast-casual price? Check out PLNT Burger next time you’re on the East Coast. The vegan fast-food chain was founded by chef Spike Mendelsohn—an alum of the Bravo hit culinary competition show, Top Chef. Expect vegan patties gussied up with savory mushroom bacon, caramelized onions, and other flavor-bomb toppings. Complement your handhold with thick sweet potato fries, a PLNT chili bowl, and a delicious chocolate chip cookie or an indulgent ice cream shake.
Monty’s Good Burger
7 Monty’s Good Burger
Los Angeles, CA
Joaquin Phoenix fans, keep your eyes off your phone while waiting in line at Monty’s Good Burger—the vegan Academy Award winner has repeatedly been seen at the Koreatown location of this micro-chain with partner and actress Rooney Mara. Positioned as the vegan In-N-Out, Monty’s menu offers a streamlined selection of single and double Impossible burgers, chicken sandwiches, hot dogs, fries, tots, milkshakes, and a kale Caesar salad.
Native Foods
8 Native Foods
Palm Springs, CA and Glendale, CO
Native Foods originally leaned more toward healthy bowls, salads, and sandwiches, but since its founder chef Tanya Petrovna sold the restaurant in 2012, the menu has steadily swapped out much of the greens, grains, and beans for stacked burgers and one-off fast-food specialty items.
Patrons can still find some of Petrovna’s original creations in the form of the Taco Salad or Twister Wrap, but those looking for a more savory spin can opt for sweet potato fries, buffalo chicken tenders, and a BBQ Brisket Burger.
In recent years, Native Foods has shuttered multiple outposts across the country, but today, residents of Palm Springs, CA and Glendale, CO can still enjoy this vegan micro-chain. Local tip: get dessert. The peanut butter parfait and oatmeal cream pie have outlasted the sweeping menu revisions and are the cherry on top of your vegan meal.
Jerrell’s Betr Brgr
9Jerrell’s Betr Brgr
New York, NY & Hoboken, NJ
Jerrell’s Betr Brgr might be a micro-chain, but it’s already accumulated a cult-following. This late-night vegan burger joint makes sustainability a priority, so you can feel good about helping the planet anytime you grub on one of its menu items. Jerrell’s streamlined menu features Impossible burgers, waffle fries (plus a loaded option for when you’re extra hungry), soft-serve, and shakes. We say get one of each for the ultimate late-night meal.
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Tanya Flink is a Digital Editor at VegNews as well as a writer and runner living in Orange County, CA.
