Admittedly, one of the things I was most stressed about giving up when switching to a vegan lifestyle was fast food. Let’s face it, when you are on the go and don’t have time to always meal prep or pack snacks, fast food is a lifesaver. The great news is that with plant-based eating growing in popularity, you don’t have to give it up!
Sure, limiting fast food intake is a good idea as a part of a healthy, balanced diet, but there is also something to be said about having flexibility when you need it. Nowadays there are so many restaurants that cater to vegan and vegetarian diets. There are nearly endless substitutions and customizations to make it so easy and a little healthier to enjoy your favorite vegan fast food.
To make it even easier, here is your ultimate guide to the ten best vegan fast-food restaurants and the top vegan-friendly menu items you should order.
Top Vegan-Friendly Fast Food Restaurants and What to Order
1. Chipotle/Qdoba
Without a doubt, I leaned in hard on these two places when first switching over. It’s so easy to get a complete, balanced, vegan or vegetarian meal without breaking the bank. Since the menu was built around customizing, it’s easy to avoid dairy and meat products. Plus, they offer sofritas, which are a delicious plant-based protein made from marinated tofu.
Best Vegan Options:
- Vegan Bowl – Try it with sofritas, brown or white rice, black or pinto beans, fajita veggies, fresh salsas, guacamole, and lettuce.
- Burrito or Tacos – Choose flour or corn tortillas, sofritas, beans, rice, salsa, veggies, and guacamole.
- Salad – Ditch the tortilla and add some more fiber with a salad and load it up with beans, rice, sofritas, and a variety of salsas.
2. Taco Bell
This is probably my all-time favorite and still the one restaurant I order from the most as a vegan. Their menu is insanely customizable, especially when you order through the app. You can customize any menu item to make it vegan or vegetarian and they have a veggie menu that makes it even easier. Just order anything “fresco style” and it removes the dairy and adds pico instead.
How to Order Vegan:
- Black Bean Crunchwrap Supreme – Order this fresco style to remove the cheese and add extras like potatoes, salsa, and onions.
- Black Bean Chalupa – I can’t get enough of their black bean chalupas. I just remove the cheese and add extra beans, onions, and pico. They also have a large selection of salsas now that you can add.
- Spicy Potato Soft Taco – I love these so much. I always add extra refried beans and remove the cheese.
- Mexican Pizza – This was all I ate growing up and now I can have it vegan! Swap out the meat for beans and remove the cheese and it’s amazing.
- Cantina Bowls – The new Cantina menu has these great Mexican bowls with rice, beans, cabbage, veggies, and salsa. Just remove the dairy and add any other desired ingredients.
- Cinnamon Twists – Who knew, but these little crunchy delights are actually vegan all on their own!
3. Burger King
Burger King was the first to jump on the impossible burger bandwagon in the United States. It’s not available in every location, but a lot of major metropolitan areas carry it on the menu. Plus their french fries are vegan, which McDonald’s is not.
Best Vegan Options:
- Impossible Whopper – Order this without mayo and add mustard.
- French Fries – These are vegan!
- Garden Side Salad – Their side salads are a great extra. Just order without cheese and get the vinaigrette dressing.
- Oatmeal – Some locations offer oatmeal. Just order with water and no milk.
4. Which Which Subs
If you are craving a sub sandwich, this place blows Subway’s Veggie Delight out of the water (but if you don’t have a Which Which near you, check out Subway). Build Your Own with black bean patties, beyond chicken, avocado sandwiches, hummus spreads, peanut butter and jelly, and soo many vegetables it’s insane.
Best Vegan Options:
- Mushroom Avocado Melt – Order this without the cheese and mayo and you have a toasty sauteed mushroom, avocado, lettuce, and tomato sandwich.
- Vegan SuperWich – This sandwich has avocado, hummus, cucumber, bell peppers, and onions on a toasted baguette.
- Vegan Wrap – This has a black bean mix, tomato relish, vegan spicy mayo, and lettuce in a spinach wrap.
- Chips – Their chips are also vegan!
5. Starbucks
Starbucks has more than coffee and dairy-free milk to offer. With some locations offering their expanded menu, you can find a lot more than you would think that’s plant-based and vegan-friendly.
Best Vegan Options:
- Chickpea Bites and Avocado – Not available in all stores, but awesome if it’s in your area.
- Bagels – Plain, Sprouted Grain, Cinnamon Raisin or Everything Bagel with Avocado Spread
- Rolled Steel Cut Oatmeal with Blueberries – Order with water or plant-based milk
- Coffee and Tea – Order with Almond, Soy, Oat, or Coconut Milk.
6. Dunkin’
Every time I am craving fried potatoes, which is always, I opt for Dunkin. Their hashbrowns are vegan, which is amazing, and they have this incredible avocado toast. If you want a coffee or tea, they also offer a variety of dairy-free milk too!
How to Order Vegan:
- Avocado Toast – The ultimate girl breakfast and packed with healthy fats to keep you fueled. This one is so good!
- Bagels (Plain, Everything, Sesame, Cinnamon Raisin) – If you aren’t feeling toast, opt for a bagel. These are vegan!
- Hash Browns – Don’t sleep on these, I could eat them for every meal.
- Oat or Almond Milk Latte or Coffee – A plant-based milk like oat or almond makes your favorite latte vegan.
7. KFC
Ok, stay with me on this one. KFC weirdly has some vegan options. Some locations carry beyond chicken and a lot of their sides are vegan. These are the best vegan choices…
Best Vegan Options:
- Beyond Fried Chicken – Not all locations carry this, but if you can find it, just make sure they didn’t use butter to make theirs.
- BBQ Baked Beans – Every vegan loves some beans. These ones are delicious and pork-free!
- Corn on the Cob – Order this side without butter for a vegetable option.
- Green Beans & Fries – Their green beans and fries are also made without animal products. Win!
8. Panda Express
Opting for an Asian flair is a great way to open up the door for more vegan options. Panda has some great menu choices without meat or dairy. Check out these favorites…
Best Vegan Options:
- Super Greens—Add lots of greens to your meal, such as Broccoli, Kale, and Cabbage, for a plant-friendly, fiber-rich choice.
- Chow Mein – The Chow Mein is completely vegan! Yay!
- Steamed White or Brown Rice – The brown or white rice is a great base for veggies and soy-based sauce and are completely dairy-free.
- Eggplant Tofu – Some locations carry eggplant or soy tofu as a chicken replacement and its lovely.
9. Wendy’s
Wendy’s is another great choice, and with a few modifications, you can have a vegan lunch. Unlike McDonald’s, their fries are vegan, and they have some nice sides that can make a complete meal.
Best Vegan Options:
- Baked Potato – Order this plain and add chives and guacamole.
- French Fries & Seasoned Potatoes – Their fries are so good! I never turn down a potato.
- Apple Slices – These add a nice side of fruit to any meal.
- Garden Salad – Order without cheese and croutons, and opt for the pomegranate dressing.
10. Domino’s Pizza or Papa John’s
You can easily customize most pizzas by doing a quick ingredient check. Check for the crust for any dairy and order without cheese. Done, you can have pizza and breadsticks (without parmesan topping) anytime!
Best Vegan Options:
- Original Hand-Tossed Crust – Order with loads of veggies and marinara just leave off the cheese.
- Garlic Dipping Sauce – Insane that this is vegan and we are here for it.
- Breadsticks – Remove the parmesan topping and you have a vegan breadstick and garlic dipping sauce!
That’s A Wrap!
We hope you have found this ultimate guide to vegan fast food helpful and informative! We would love to hear from you on what your favorite vegan fast food hacks are and your top menu choices. Drop us a comment and like and follow us for more helpful tips!