Where to Find Plant-Based Fast Food

Plant-based foods are having a moment, largely thanks to trendy meat alternatives from Beyond Meat and Impossible Foods, among others. They've made it onto the menus of some of the nation's biggest restaurant chains, giving hungry patrons who want to skip meat a lot more choices than salads and French fries. The latest chain to get on the bandwagon is McDonald's, which is dramatically expanding tests of its much-anticipated McPlant burger. Here are some of the most prominent plant-based options out there right now, and others that are in the works.

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The Golden Arches have never been a great choice for vegetarians or anyone who's looking for a plant-based entree, but that is changing: McDonald's is expanding its test of the McPlant burger, made with Beyond Meat, to 600 locations in the U.S. starting in mid-February. Customers in the San Francisco and Dallas areas will get a chance to try out the new item, made with a patty that includes peas, rice, and potatoes. Initial reviews and tests have been promising. So promising, in fact, that they predict McDonald's could take the McPlant nationwide later this year.

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KFC recently rolled out its plant-based Beyond Chicken nationwide, though the offering is only for a limited time. That's a shame, because it's been getting mostly positive reviews from a wide range of sources — and there's no word yet whether it will become a permanent menu item. The product, which was three years in the making, is available in six- and 12-piece orders. 

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Chipotle has offered its plant-based, spiced-tofu mainstay, Sofritas, in tacos, burritos, burrito bowls, and more nationwide since 2014. They've been a hit since their rollout, inspiring copycat recipes galore. But now it's offering a new meatless option: plant-based chorizo. The limited-time offering is made of pea protein, chipotle peppers, tomato paste, garlic, Spanish-smoked paprika and olive oil. And according to Chipotle, it's certified vegan, and has no artificial flavors, colors, preservatives, grains, gluten, or soy. 

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The famously plant-based Impossible Whopper made a splash when it debuted nationwide in 2019, earning raves from customers impressed with how closely it mimicked BK's signature burger. But the meatless burger might need to share the limelight soon: Burger King recently said it will become the first major chain to test Impossible Foods' plant-based nuggets, a meatless alternative to chicken nuggets. They'll be available in three markets: Boston, Miami, and Des Moines, Iowa. Initial reviews are promising, too. The Takeout raves that "they’re somehow juicy and tender, yet so grease-free that there’s no residue at all left on your fingers after eating."

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MOD Pizza has debuted its plant-based meat topping — and it's not from Beyond Meat or Impossible Foods. Instead, the fast-casual pizza joint is using Plantly, a chef-created plant-based food and beverage brand. The new vegan meat, available at MOD's 500-plus restaurants, is a soy-free, pea-protein-based Italian sausage crumble seasoned with oregano, fennel, and thyme. MOD also offers Daiya Foods' vegan cheese, which it added to the menu in 2015.

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Another major fast-food player churning out plant-based burgers: Carl's Jr., which offers the Beyond Famous Star and the Beyond Fiery Famous Star, which adds spicy sauce and jalapeños. In a San Jose Mercury News taste test, vegetarians and meat-eaters alike actually preferred the Famous Star to the Impossible Whopper. 

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If you're a slider fan, you're in luck: Cult favorite White Castle also offers its tiny burgers in plant-based form, and Eater calls 'em "one of the country's best fast-food burgers, period." If you prefer a more-traditional tasting veggie burger, there's also a Veggie Slider with a patty featuring peas, carrots, and other veggies made by Dr. Praeger's.  

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If you'd rather have Mexican, no worries. This nationwide fast-casual chain offers the Impossible Fajita Bowl, which is vegan, but the Impossible plant-based meat can also go in other entrees, from burritos to tacos to quesadillas, and you can customize the toppings. Redditors say it's a tasty option no matter what you try, though some complain that you'll pay a premium for the plant-based dishes.

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Del Taco, found mainly in the western United States, offers Beyond tacos and burritos for those seeking a plant-based option. The Beyond Guacamole Taco and Epic Beyond Fresh Guacamole Burrito are also dairy-free. Whichever you choose, The Impulsive Buy says you won't miss the meat: "Del Taco took its charming array of spices and seasonings and mixed it into the ground beef-like Beyond Meat, creating a flavorful mélange that is even better than its real meat mixture."

Panera has always been among the safer options for vegetarians, vegans, or anyone looking to go easier on meat. You won't find the fancy meat alternatives popping up in other places, but there's still an entire plant-based menu with salads, sandwiches, noodle bowls, and more. Even more may be coming: The chain eventually wants half of its items to be plant-based, according to EatingWell.

If you're looking for something a little more substantial to accompany your morning coffee, Starbucks has had an Impossible Breakfast Sandwich on the menu since mid-2020 that includes both plant-based sausage and egg patties. The chain also has a number of non-dairy drink options and a Chickpea Bites & Avocado Protein Box for beyond-breakfast snacking.

For now, Taco Bell doesn't have the fancy plant-based meats featured at other Mexican chains, but that might change soon. In the meantime, there are still 25 certified vegetarian options, including long-standing favorites like the Bean Burrito and the Black Bean Crunchwrap Supreme.

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Dunkin' has experimented with plant-based offerings: It tested a Southwest Veggie Power Breakfast Sandwich with a MorningStar Farms black-bean patty, and it has a Beyond Sausage Breakfast Sandwich on the menu in select markets. Oat milk and almond milk are available to make several drinks plant-based, too.

This all-American joint may seem like an unlikely spot for a plant-based meal, but select locations offer a burger made with Beyond Meat. Could plant-based chicken nuggets be next? It's possible: They're now on the menu at Canadian A&W restaurants.

National pizza chains have traditionally offered few options beyond the traditional veggie pie. However, Little Caesar's recently launched plant-based pepperoni — dubbed "planteroni," of course — in select markets. It's made by a Greenleaf Foods brand, Field Roast, that also produces plant-based hot dogs, sausage, and cheese.

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Not to be outdone, one of the nation's largest pizza chains is also hoping for a piece of the (plant-based pepperoni) pie. Pizza Hut has partnered with Beyond Meat and will be testing Beyond Pepperoni in five markets. It's not the first time Pizza Hut has offered a Beyond item, however. In 2020, it introduced Beyond Italian Sausage for a limited time. 

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Longing for something more than a baked potato and a side salad at Wendy's? The nation's No. 3 burger chain is testing a veggie burger. It doesn't use Impossible or Beyond patties, but a "black bean patty seasoned with paprika and chipotle pepper, topped with crunchy chipotle jalapeños and a smoky chipotle sauce," according to CNN.  

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Panda Express used to lay claim to a popular Eggplant Tofu entree, but it seems to have disappeared from the menu. But all is not lost — plant-based orange chicken made by Beyond Meat is being tested in select markets. The chow mein, currently on the menu, is also a popular plant-based option. 

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