Fast-food chain Arby’s — known for its meaty sandwiches stacked high with layers of roast beef and other meats — had some fun at vegetarians’ expense this past Leap Day with its one-day special meat-free menu. Rather than rolling out plant-based options, such as black bean burgers or soy products, the restaurant promoted its regular menu items with the meat left off. At Arby’s, that’s basically just two pieces of bread.
It’s always an option at a fast-food drive-through to order a regular menu item without the meat. The Hardee’s menu lists a “Veg It Thickburger,” which includes cheese, pickle, lettuce, onion, tomato, ketchup, mustard and mayo on a sesame-seed bun. It’s the eatery’s classic Thickburger, sans the meat patty.
But some fast-food restaurants are upping their meatless game and offering entirely new menu items for customers who prefer a plant-based diet. Based on market research, an expanding meatless menu could be a business decision that pays off.
According to the “Global Food and Drink Trends 2016” report by London-based market research firm Mintel, vegetarian and vegan protein sources are becoming more mainstream in the U.S. and all across Europe.
“Veggie burgers and non-dairy milks have escaped the realm of substitutes primarily for people with dietary concerns and followers of vegetarian diets,” the report says. “Instead, the growing ranks of novel protein sources and potential replacements appeal to the everyday consumer … what was formerly ‘alternative’ could take over the mainstream.”
If you’re on the go and looking for a fast-food drive-through with a meat-free option beyond side salads and baked potatoes, here are a few good bets:
Burger King
BK is known for its flame-broiled beefy Whoppers, but the chain also now offers a veggie burger. The Morningstar Veggie Burger starts with a Morningstar Farms Garden Veggie Patty (which is made with a mix of vegetables and grains), and is topped with lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles, ketchup and mayo.
Steak ‘n Shake
Yes, even a restaurant with “steak” right in its name is offering a veggie-friendly choice. Steak ‘n Shake’s new Veggie Melt has pepper jack cheese, lettuce, tomato, guacamole, red onion and Portobello mushrooms on grilled sourdough bread.
Taco Bell
The Bell actually offers a full menu of certified vegetarian items, which have been given the OK from the American Vegetarian Association. Thirteen ready-made menu items are vegetarian, plus 35 of the restaurant’s ingredients have earned the designation. Meatless options include the 7-layer Burrito, Bean Burrito, Cantina Power Veggie Bowl, Cantina Power Veggie Burrito, Cheese Quesadilla, Cheesy Bean and Rice Burrito, Double Tostada and more. In any Taco Bell menu item, beans or potatoes can be substituted for meat.
White Castle
The traditional White Castle slider earned the eatery a spot on the map, but the Veggie Slider gets the Castle added to this list of fast-food joints with meatless options. The Veggie Slider uses a Dr. Praeger’s California Veggie Burger patty, which is made with carrots, onions, zucchini and other vegetables, with some grains and spices. The sliders come with a choice of sauce: sweet Thai, honey mustard or ranch.
