Got a craving for vegan fast-food? Nowadays, there are plenty of options to choose from. From all-vegan drive-thrus to major chains, you can get your fast-food fix in a number of places across the U.S. Here are 19 vegan drive-thru meals and restaurants to try.
19 Vegan Drive-Thru Meals and Restaurants for Your Fast-Food Fix
1. Plant Power Fast Food
Plant Power Fast Food’s menu is completely animal-free, but that doesn’t stop it from offering all of your fast-food favorites. Choose from options like The Big Zac, which includes two “beefy” style patties, American dairy-free cheese, and Zac sauce, “Chicken” Nuggets, and a “Fish” Filet Sandwich. There’s also a breakfast menu, complete with vegan egg muffins and burritos. Plant Power Fast Food currently has six locations, all of which are in California, as well as a food truck.
2. Ricchardo’s The Total Vegetarian
Formally known as Orean’s The Health Express, Ricchardo’s The Total Vegetarian is a completely meat-free fast-food restaurant. Located in Pasadena, California, it serves a number of vegan options, including hot dogs, burgers, air fries, and soy ice cream.
3. Amy’s Drive Thru
Amy’s Drive Thru has two locations, in Rohnert Park, Sonoma County, California and San Francisco Airport. The completely vegetarian menu has several vegan options, including Chili Cheese Fries, Veggie Sausage Pizza, and Mac ‘n’ Cheese.
4. Life – The Vegan Drive Thru
The first vegan drive-thru in Florida, Life – The Vegan Drive Thru, opened in Cape Coral at the end of last year. Choose from a variety of vegan takes on fast-food classics, like coconut bacon cheeseburgers and fish-free tuna melts. Not into fast-food? It also offers healthy options, including salads, smoothie bowls, and juices.
5. Chipotle
In 2018, Chipotle started adding drive-thrus called “Chipotlanes” to locations in the U.S. Last year, CEO Brian Niccol stated that the chain plans to open “dozens more.” If you’re heading to a Chipotlane, or just an ordinary Chipotle restaurant sans drive-thru, there are several vegan options you can order, including burritos and burrito bowls. Find all of Chipotle’s plant-based items by selecting the V+ option on the menu.
6. Carl’s Jr
Last year, Carl’s Jr became the first fast-food chain in the U.S. to serve plant-based Beyond Meat for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Most of the meatless menu items, which include a Beyond Sausage Burrito and a Beyond BBQ Cheeseburger, come with cheese or egg, but you can ask for these to be removed.
7. Hardee’s
Just like Carl’s Jr, Hardee’s offers vegan burgers and breakfast sausages by Beyond Meat. The Beyond Thickburger can be made vegan if it’s ordered without the cheese, mayonnaise, and in a lettuce wrap. The chain also offers a Beyond Sausage Biscuit, order with sourdough or a tortilla to ensure it’s vegan.
8. Burger King
Last year, Burger King rolled out its vegan Impossible Whoppers across the U.S. The menu option features a “bleeding” meat-like patty, made by California-based plant-based brand Impossible Foods. The fast-food giant also offers vegan-friendly French Toast Sticks, Dutch Apple Pie, Hash Browns, French Fries, Oatmeal, and a Garden Side Salad.
9. Taco Bell
With more than 5,000 locations in the U.S., Taco Bell is a popular choice for many. The Mexican-inspired fast-food chain serves a variety of vegetarian options, which can easily be made vegan. Be sure to ask your server to “make it fresco” if you want to order your food plant-based. If you’re ordering from the kiosk, you can activate “Veggie Mode” to see all the meatless options.
Current vegan-friendly menu items include the 7-Layer Burrito, the Crunchwrap Supreme, and the Bean Burrito. Next year, the chain has announced it will add vegan meat to the menu.
10. Mcdonald’s
McDonald’s vegan menu items may currently be limited in the U.S., but more plant-based options are on the way. CEO Chris Kempczinski recently told CNBC that he “certainly expects to see plant-based on the McDonald’s menu.” No further details were offered.
Currently, the fast-food giant’s vegan menu in the U.S. includes a couple of customizable salads, apple pie, a slushie, and oatmeal.
11. Panchos Vegan Tacos
Pancho’s Vegan Tacos has three locations in Nevada, two are in Las Vegas and one is in nearby Henderson. Its Fort Apache Road spot also has a drive-thru. As the name suggests, everything on Pancho’s menu is completely vegan. Its burritos, tacos, tostadas, and quesadillas are filled with vegan meats, including ham, chorizo, and chicken. It also offers a selection of burgers and hotdogs.
12. White Castle
Earlier this year, White Castle became the first major fast-food chain to offer vegan cheese. Dairy-free cheddar by GoodPlanet Foods is offered with the Impossible Slider in select New York City and New Jersey locations. The Impossible Slider, which features Impossible Foods’ Impossible Burger, is available in all 377 locations.
13. Del Taco
Del Taco has several vegan-friendly options, including burritos and tacos made with Beyond Meat. While the burritos are offered with cheese and/or sour cream, you can ask for these to be removed to make your order vegan. You can also order the Beyond Avocado Taco, which requires no modification.
14. Dairy Queen
Despite the name, Dairy Queen does offer some vegan options. Its Misty Slushes, available in a variety of flavors, are vegan. The chain’s fries, hashbrowns, and Light Smoothies are also vegan-friendly. Earlier this year, it announced a dairy-free version of its classic Dilly Bars.
15. Dunkin’
Popular fast-food chain Dunkin’ serves oat milk lattes, Beyond Meat sausage patties, hashbrowns, and English muffins, all of which are vegan-friendly. Its Cinnamon Raisin, Everything, Plain, and Sesame bagels are also animal product-free.
16. Tim Hortons
Tim Hortons offers a handful of vegan-friendly options. Ask for the Garden Veggie Sandwich without cream cheese, the Garden Salad without dressing, or one of its side options. Its hashbrowns, wedges, kettle chips, and English muffins are all vegan-friendly.
17. Wendy’s
Wendy’s Plain Baked Potato With Chives is vegan if you ask for it without any dairy products. Pour on ketchup, BBQ sauce, or hot chili sauce to spice it up a little. You can also order the Taco Salad (without dairy), Natural-Cut Fries, Apple Bites, and Side Salad, with no cheese or croutons.
18. Starbucks
A number of Starbucks’ drinks can be made vegan, thanks to its range of dairy-free milk options. It offers soy, almond, coconut, and oat, although the latter is only available in stores across the Midwest. Vegan food options include a Lentil & Vegetable Protein Bowl With Brown Rice, Superberry Açai, and oatmeal.
19. Evolution
Located in San Diego, Evolution Fast Food is a completely vegan restaurant and drive-thru. Choose from a variety of options, including mushroom burgers, vegan meat, and raw tacos.
