September 18 is National Cheeseburger Day, yet I’ve never heard of this tradition until now. Perhaps that’s because the “holiday” has reportedly only been in existence since 2012, but it’s more likely that I’ve ignored it because I don’t eat meat. I suppose that really isn’t a good excuse either.
I love a good burger. If you aren’t aware, there are several companies that produce meat-free burger options. Although early versions of these imitations were lacking in texture, taste, and in basically every area, products currently on the market have come a long way. They range from black bean burgers and veggie patties to more meat-like burgers made from soy protein.
And, fortunately for vegetarians and vegans alike, it’s becoming more and more common for restaurants to offer these meat alternatives.
Here are seven national chains with veggie burgers on the menu:
Bennigan’s: The Irish pub-themed restaurant is proud of its gourmet burgers, and they don’t ignore the non-meat eaters, either. Any of their burgers can be substituted with a vegan Boca patty.
Burger King: It may be behind McDonald’s in the list of global fast-foot giants, but Burger King bests McDonald’s because it offers the BK Veggie made with a MorningStar Farms vegetarian patty.
Denny’s: This casual, family-friendly diner lets you build your own burger. One of the patty options is a vegan burger from Amy’s Kitchen.
Fatburger: This burger joint doesn’t forget the non-meat eaters. Fatburger’s menu features a veggie burger with the choice between a Gardenburger veggie patty or a vegan Boca burger.
Johnny Rockets: This 1950’s diner-style restaurant features the slogan, “The original hamburger.” And their menu of “all-American hamburgers” includes the “Streamliner.” This meat-free option is made with a vegan Boca patty.
Red Robin: As a gourmet burger chain, Red Robin's burger options aren't lacking. Its menu features a wide variety of burgers to meet every taste. They offer their Garden Burger, which is made with a vegetarian Gardenburger. But the options don’t end there. Red Robin lets you substitute a Gardenburger patty or a vegan Boca patty on any of its burgers.
Smashburger: This relatively new burger chain offers a hand-made black bean burger. Eggs are used as a binding agent though, so it’s not suitable for vegans.
The options for vegetarians and vegans at chain restaurants continually increase. And, fortunately for burger lovers like myself, the non-meat burger options are growing (and improving) as well.
Earlier this month, an article on the Huffington Post titled, “’Better' Burgers Worse for Your Health, No Better for the Climate,” criticized the fairly new so-called premium hamburger craze, asserting that the burgers at chains like Five Guys Burgers and Fries and Smashburger aren’t really any better for you, despite the trumpeted “organic” and “hormone-free” claims.
Well, meat alternative company Beyond Meat used this article as an opportunity to promote its new Beast Burger.
“For any of the burger joints mentioned in the Huffington Post piece that put the Beast Burger on their menu before November 1, 2014, we will deliver a free pallet of Beast Burgers,” announced Beyond Meat CEO Ethan Brown. “We stand ready to put the delicious, protein-packed, nutrient-dense Beast into the hands of burger artists across the country.”
The company describes its Beast Burger as a 100% natural plant-based burger that “sizzles, sweats, & satiates like a beef patty with more protein & iron than beef, more omegas than salmon, plus calcium, vitamins B-6 & B-12, antioxidants, & a special nutrient blend.”
Um, yes please! The Beast Burger sounds like a dream come true for non-meat eaters. But the product doesn’t hit stores until later this fall.
Vegans, vegetarians and those looking for meat alternatives shouldn’t feel like they need to sit out this National Cheeseburger Day. There are plenty of appetizing options offered at chain restaurants around the country (although vegans should probably sneak in their own Daiya or other diary-free cheese slices). It’s a shame, though, that, after reading that Beast Burger description, we have to wait until next year’s National Cheeseburger Day to add it to our celebrations.
