Top 5 Fast-Food Meals for Vegetarians

Can a vegetarian partake in fast-food dining? While eating out at fast-food restaurants can sound troublesome for vegetarians, vegetarian options are becoming increasingly available.

The menu at Burger King can appear daunting, but actually consists of some delicious options for vegetarians. Photo taken by Rylie Pepper.

I have been a lacto-ovo-vegetarian for a little over 8 years, which means that I do not eat any type of fish or meat, but I do consume dairy and eggs. Over the years, I have found some fast food chains that deliver deliciously satisfying meals for my diet. These establishments offer cheap, on-the-go vegetarian meals that still amuse the taste buds.

One of my favorites is the Grilled Cheese from In-N-Out. This sandwich features everything on the traditional cheeseburger, excluding the meat patty. You still get to enjoy all the the In-N-Out fixings we know and love, without having the burger. The Grilled Cheese costs $2.35. Another option from In-N-Out is their Animal Style Fries, which cost $3.40. These fries provide finger licking goodness featuring the special sauce, grilled onions and cheese.

Chipotle offers delectable veggie options for their tacos, bowls, burritos and salads. If you purchase one of these veggie options, the guacamole is free rather than the often-complained about $1.95 normal price. You still get to choose all of your accompaniments, such as beans, rice, salsa and cheese. Fajitas Veggies can also be added to your burrito, bowl, taco, or salad for no additional cost. These veggie alternatives cost $6.70 (for 3 tacos), but the portions from Chipotle are relatively large, so you can always share with a friend or save some for later. Another enjoyable vegetarian option is the Cheese Quesadilla, which is offered in a kid or adult size.

Burger King carries a surprisingly delicious vegetarian meal that features a MorningStar Farm’s Garden Veggie Patty. This juicy meatless “burger” features lettuce, tomatoes, white onions, pickles, ketchup and mayo, all resting on a traditional sesame seed bun. This “burger” is, indeed, fit for a king, keeps you satiated for a substantial amount of time and doesn’t break the bank ($3.29). Burger King also offers vegetarian French fries, as opposed to McDonald’s, who uses a beef-oil mixture in its fryers.

At Taco Bell, you can savor a flavorsome Seven Layer Veggie Burrito for $2.49. These seven layers consist of refried beans, tomatoes, guacamole, lettuce, a three cheese blend, reduced fat sour cream and premium Latin rice. All of these layers mesh together perfectly, making for a very satisfying bite. A bean and cheese burrito is a $1.19 alternative, which , while simple, is comforting and still packs the flavor. Taco Bell also offers many customization options for its customers. For most items on their menu, you can opt out of the meat, so almost anything on Taco Bell’s menu can be made vegetarian.

Subway is very customizable and user- friendly for a vegetarians. If you are looking for breakfast, Subway has an egg and cheese breakfast sandwich on flatbread ($4.50 for a 6-inch).There is also a meatless salad offered there ($6.35) that entails fresh veggies, varying lettuce types and dressing. The Veggie Delite is packed full of vegetables and costs $5.50 for a footlong. Subway also offers a veggie patty which can  replace the meat on virtually any sandwich.

Although it may seem like a daunting task, seeking vegetarian meals from fast-food restaurants is fairly simple. Just because you are vegetarian doesn’t mean that you can’t indulge in delicious, on-the-go meals anymore. If you look hard enough, you’ll find almost all major fast-food chains carry a meatless option. We’re still waiting for Panda Express to get the meatless memo, though.