How many times have you been out with friends, looked at the menu and thought, “I’d love to eat here, but I don’t know what I can order.”? Or perhaps you’ve been craving a certain chain restaurant’s food, but weren’t sure if you could find something vegan-friendly to eat there.
Well, we have good news for you: vegan options exist at pretty much every chain restaurant! Sure, some restaurants may have more options than others, but with a little bit of know-how, you can find something delicious to eat no matter where you dine.
Vegan-Friendly Chain Restaurant Landscape
Over the past few years, we’ve seen a massive shift towards plant-based eating in the United States. And while independent restaurants have been leading the charge with innovative vegan menus, chain restaurants are starting to take note, too.
Today, most major chain restaurants offer at least a few vegan options. Some chains even go above and beyond, offering vegan versions of fan-favorite dishes, or creating entirely plant-based menus. So how can you tell which restaurants are vegan-friendly? Look for these signs:
- A vegan logo on the restaurant’s marketing materials
- A vegan section on the menu
- Vegan menu items listed on the website
Some chains also offer a vegan menu, which lists every item on the menu that’s vegan, making ordering a breeze. Chains like Panera Bread and Chipotle have been leaders in this area, and we expect to see more chains offering vegan menus in the future.
If you’re eating at a restaurant that doesn’t have a vegan logo, or a vegan menu, don’t worry — you can still find something delicious to eat. Here are some vegan hacks for chain restaurant menus.
Customizing Non-Vegan Dishes
Most chain restaurants offer a variety of protein options on their menus, including meat, poultry, fish, and plant-based options. If you’re ordering a dish with a non-vegan protein, simply ask if you can substitute it with a vegan option. Many chains offer tofu, tempeh, or plant-based meat alternatives, so you should be able to find something that fits your dietary needs.
Another common add-on to watch out for are non-vegan toppings and sauces. For example, some restaurants add cheese or sour cream to dishes by default. If you’re not sure what’s in a dish, ask your server. They should be able to tell you exactly what ingredients are in each dish, and what can be modified to make it vegan.
Many chains also offer a variety of vegan-friendly sides. For example, at Chipotle, you can get free rice or beans as a base for your bowl or burrito. At Taco Bell, you can get free black beans, rice, or guacamole. And at McDonald’s, you can get fries, apple slices, or a salad as a vegan side.
In short, there are usually ways to “veganize” most items on a chain restaurant menu. Don’t be afraid to ask for what you want!
Exploring Hidden Vegan Menu Items
Many chain restaurants have secret menu items that aren’t advertised on the menu, but are still available to order. These secret menu items can be vegan, too! For example, at Starbucks, you can order a “vegan pesto panini” by asking for a toasted baguette spread with pesto and avocado.
Some chains also offer seasonal and limited-time vegan options. For example, in the summer, you can get a vegan “Frozen Berry Dunkaroo” at Dunkin’ Donuts. And in the fall, you can get a vegan “Harvest Gobbler” sandwich at Panera Bread. These items aren’t available all year round, so be sure to check the restaurant’s website or ask your server what’s available.
Finally, some chains have allergen-friendly menus that list every ingredient in each dish, making it easy to find items that are free from common allergens. Most of these menus are also vegan-friendly, so they’re a great resource to use even if you don’t have food allergies.
Now that you know some vegan hacks for chain restaurant menus, check out these vegan-friendly chain restaurant guides to find out what each restaurant offers. And remember, even if a restaurant doesn’t have a vegan logo, or a vegan menu, you can still find something delicious to eat — you just might need to ask for it!
Fast-Food Chains
McDonald’s
While McDonald’s doesn’t have a vegan menu, they do offer several vegan options. You can get a vegan “McPlant” burger (available at participating locations), or a vegan “McChicken” sandwich (just ask for no chicken). You can also get a vegan “McSalad Shake,” which is made with plant-based protein. And of course, you can always get fries!
Burger King
Burger King offers a plant-based “Impossible Whopper,” which is made with a vegan patty, onions, lettuce, tomatoes, ketchup, and mayonnaise. You can also get a vegan “Impossible King” sandwich, which is made with the same ingredients, but on a larger bun. And of course, you can always get fries!
Taco Bell
Taco Bell has a variety of vegan options, including their “7-Layer Burrito,” which is made with beans, rice, guacamole, salsa, lettuce, and corn tortillas. You can also get a “Veggie Power Menu Burrito,” which is made with black beans, rice, guacamole, and salsa. And of course, you can always get chips and salsa!
Casual Dining Chains
Olive Garden
Olive Garden offers a “Meatball Marinara” dish that’s vegan, as long as you ask for the meatballs to be omitted. You can also get a “Zuppa Toscana” soup, which is made with plant-based sausage. And of course, you can always get a salad!
Chili’s
Chili’s offers a “Black Bean Burger” that’s vegan, as long as you ask for it without avocado or queso. You can also get a vegan “Melt” sandwich, which is made with avocado, tomatoes, lettuce, and vegan cheese on sourdough bread. And of course, you can always get chips and salsa!
Applebee’s
Applebee’s offers a “Bahama Bama Burger” that’s vegan, as long as you ask for it without cheese or mayo. You can also get a vegan “Grilled Quinoa Salad,” which is made with quinoa, black beans, corn, avocado, and cilantro lime dressing. And of course, you can always get fries!
Fast-Casual Chains
Chipotle
Chipotle offers a variety of vegan options, including vegan bowls, which can be made with any combination of rice, beans, lettuce, fajita vegetables, guacamole, salsa, and sour cream. You can also get a vegan “Burrito” or a vegan “Taco” (just ask for no meat or cheese). And of course, you can always get chips and salsa!
Panera Bread
Panera Bread offers a variety of vegan options, including several “Power Bowls,” which are made with lentils, brown rice, and a variety of vegetables. You can also get a vegan “Bakery Soup” (just ask for no chicken in the “Tomato Soup” or “Broccoli Cheddar Soup”). And of course, you can always get bread!
Sweetgreen
Sweetgreen offers a variety of vegan options, including several “Harvest Bowls,” which are made with quinoa, roasted sweet potato, avocado, kale, and a variety of dressings. You can also get a vegan “Mediterranean Bowl,” which is made with farro, roasted beets, cucumber, feta, and hummus. And of course, you can always get kale salad!
Dining Out with Confidence
Now that you know some vegan hacks for chain restaurant menus, it’s important to remember that communication is key when dining out as a vegan. Don’t be afraid to ask your server about the ingredients in a dish, or if there are any vegan options that aren’t listed on the menu. And if the restaurant doesn’t have any vegan options, don’t be afraid to advocate for yourself and ask if they can make anything vegan for you. After all, you’re spending your money there — you deserve to eat something you enjoy!
Finally, if you enjoy dining at vegan-friendly chain restaurants, be sure to support those restaurants by dining there often. When restaurants see that there’s demand for vegan options, they’re more likely to offer them in the future. So whether you’re ordering a vegan burger at McDonald’s, or a vegan bowl at Panera Bread, enjoy your meal knowing that you’re helping to make the world a more vegan-friendly place, one bite at a time.