Luckily, national coffee shops are scattered across the United States, prepared to serve up energy boosts and affordable breakfasts. And now, most major coffee shops offer both plant-based beverages and food. These plant-based options allow major chains to lower their environmental footprint while providing all customers with a healthier option.

These coffee shops feature a wide selection of plant-based milk to choose from including oat, coconut, soy, and almond. Occassionally, select locations will offer more experimental milk alternatives as well. Drinking coffee is healthy, but dairy consumption can present unnecessary health risks. One study revealed that drinking two to three cups of coffee a day may help you live longer whereas milk consumption can lead to higher rates of diabetes, prostate cancer, and breast cancer, among others.

This plant-based movement is largely driven by younger generations. One survey showed that 49 percent of Gen-Z consumers are ashamed to order dairy milk in public. Also, plant-based diets adopted earlier in life can prolong life expectancy by over 10 years or more. So, these coffee shops have introduced plant-based menu items to pair with dairy-free coffee. Dunkin’ partnered with Beyond Meat; Starbucks teamed up with Impossible Foods; and Peet’s Coffee collaborated with Violife, Beyond, and JUST Egg.

Here are the top coffee shops to visit when you need a pick-me-up, offering plenty of signature dairy-free drinks, juices, and affordable meals.

The Best Coffee Chains for Vegan Food and Drink

1. Au Bon Pain

Menu Highlight

Chipotle Black Bean Burger with Avocado: Au Bon Pain’s signature black bean burger topped with pickled red onions, tomatoes, and avocado served on fresh ciabatta. Make sure to ask for no cheese or chipotle Aioli.

Locations: 171

Read More: Everything Vegan at Au Bon Pain

2. Dunkin’

Menu Highlight

Avocado Toast: This breakfast item consists of an avocado spread made with avocado, lemon juice, salt, and pepper, served on Dunkin’s toasted Sourdough Bread, and topped with everything bagel seasoning.

Locations: 9,532

Read More: Everything Vegan at Dunkin

3. Einstein Bros Bagels

Menu Highlight

Avocado Veg Out Sandwich: This lunchtime staple features tomatoes, cucumbers, red onion, spinach, lettuce, and the signature avocado spread. This sandwich is served on a sesame bagel. Ask for no Garden Veggie Shmear.

Locations: 684

Read More: Everything Vegan at Einstein Bros

4. Peet’s Coffee

Menu Highlight

Everything Plant-Based Sandwich: This fully plant-based menu item features a Just Egg plant-based egg and a Beyond Meat breakfast sausage that’s topped with a slice of Violife cheddar cheese. This sandwich is served on a thin everything bagel.

Locations: 338

Read More: Everything Vegan at Peet’s Coffee

5. Pret A Manger

Menu Highlight

Meatless Meatball Wrap: Pret A Manger’s first American meatless option comes stuffed with meatless meatballs from Meatless Farm, tossed in marinara sauce. The wrap contains red peppers, red onions, and crispy onions in a 7-grain wrap, packed with 24 grams of protein per serving.

Locations: 83

Read More: Everything Vegan at Pret A Manger

6. Starbucks Coffee

Menu Highlight

Chickpea Bites & Avocado Protein Box: The box is a quick, easy, and filling to-go meal. The pre-packaged meal brings a nutritious and protein-heavy option for any Starbucks patron. The meal box is perfect if you need a cheap lunch or a mid-afternoon snack.

Locations: 15,836

Read More: Everything Vegan at Starbucks

7. Tim Hortons

Menu Highlight

Avocado Toast: This May, Tim Hortons launched an Avocado Toast featuring a creamy avocado spread and everything bagel seasoning at select stores across the United States.

Locations: 623

Read More: Everything Vegan at Tim Hortons

For plant-based food in your area, visit The Beet’s Find Vegan Near Me articles. 

The post 7 Coffee Chains with the Best Plant-Based Options appeared first on The Beet.

The term “plant-based” is appearing on restaurant menus 2,800 percent more than four years ago, and a significant portion of these menus can be attributed to fast food eateries nationwide that have pivoted their menus for their plant-based customers.

About 54 percent of millennials are eating more plant-based, identifying as “flexitarians.” The study noted that health was the main driver for the respondents looking to introduce more plant-based foods –– and ordering a simple vegan alternative like an Impossible Burger can help introduce consumers to plant-based eating. Whereas other chains such as Just Salad and Sweetgreen offer healthier nutrient-packed meals that can easily be ordered vegan.

Fast food chains are effectively changing how Americans can find plant-based foods. Despite not always offering the healthiest alternatives, plant-based fast food provides affordable and accessible meat alternatives to more Americans that typically eat animal-based foods. But new data shows that 42 percent of consumers believe that plant-based foods will likely overtake meat options by 2032.

Here’s our list of the fast food chains helping pave the way for a plant-based future.

The Best Fast Food Chains for Vegan and Vegetarian Food

Bareburger

Menu Highlight

Impossible Shrooming: This Impossible Burger is topped with its wild mushroom mix, jalapeno BBQ sauce, garlic aioli, and caramelized onions.

Locations: 37

Read More: Everything Vegan at Bareburger

Burger King

Menu Highlight

Impossible Whopper: Ordered without cheese and mayo, this Impossible burger is BK’s plant-based reimagination of its most famous burger topped with lettuce, onions, pickles, and tomatoes.

Locations:18,700

Read More: Everything Vegan at Burger King

Carl’s Jr.

Menu Highlight

Beyond Famous Star Burger: The meatless patty is stacked with lettuce, tomato, sliced onions, dill pickles, and Special Sauce. Order without mayo and cheese for a fully vegan burger.

Locations: 1,500

Read More: Everything Vegan at Carl’s Jr.

Chick-Fil-A

Menu Highlight

Spicy Southwest Salad: This salad is stacked with grape tomatoes, roasted corn, poblano chiles, red bell peppers, and black beans. Order without cheese or chicken and ask for the Chili Lime Vinaigrette over the Creamy Salsa.

Locations: 2,891

Read More: Everything Vegan at Chick-Fil-A

Del Taco

Menu Highlight

Epic Beyond Original Mex Burrito: This burrito is loaded with seasoned Beyond Meat, beans, cilantro-lime rice, pico de gallo, and fresh guacamole. And it’s packed with 44 grams of protein.

Locations: 700

Read More: Everything Vegan at Del Taco

Fatburger

Menu Highlight

Fatburger’s Impossible Burger: The classic burger is served with “The Works” which includes relish, mustard, onions, pickles, tomatoes, and lettuce. Ask for no mayo and a slice of vegan Daiya cheese!

Locations: 182

Read More: Everything Vegan at Fatburger

Firehouse Subs

Menu Highlight

Veggie Sub: Order hot or cold without mayo and cheese. This sandwich comes with sauteed bell peppers, raw onion, sauteed onion, lettuce, tomato, mustard, and Italian dressing.

Locations: 1,190

Read More: Everything Vegan at Firehouse Subs

Jersey Mike’s

Menu Highlight

The Veggie: Order with no cheese and choose one of the plant-based bread options or wraps. The sandwich comes packed with lettuce, tomato, onion, and green bell pepper, topped with oregano, olive oil blend, red wine vinegar, and salt.

Locations: 2,383

Read More: Everything Vegan at Jersey Mike’s 

Jimmy John’s

Menu Highlight

The #6 Original Veggie: The sole vegetarian sandwich comes with cucumber, alfalfa sprouts, avocado, and tomato. However, make sure you order this sub without Provolone cheese and mayo. Instead, add some extra veggies or your favorite condiment.

Locations: 2,746

Read More: Everything Vegan at Jimmy John’s 

Johnny Rockets

Menu Highlight

Streamliner Burger: This burger features a 100 percent soy-based Boca Burger patty topped with caramelized onions, lettuce, tomato, pickles, and mustard.

Locations: 133

Read More: Everything Vegan at Johnny Rockets

Panda Express

Menu Highlight

Beyond The Original Orange Chicken: This plant-based entree is a re-imagination of the chain’s most popular menu item made with Beyond Meat’s signature vegan chicken.

Locations: 2,213

Read More: Everything Vegan at Panda Express

Portillo’s

Menu Highlight

Plant-Based Garden Dog: With the help of Field Roast, Portillo’s first signature vegan hot dog comes with all the traditional Chicago toppings including mustard, relish, onion, tomatoes, sport peppers, and pickles.

Locations: 67

Read More: Everything Vegan at Portillo’s 

Potbelly Sandwich Shop

Menu Highlight

Veggie Melt: The Veggie Melt comes with avocado and mushroom, but you can add several toppings including lettuce, tomato, pickles, and any of the salad toppings. Order without the cheese or mayo.

Locations: 429

Read More: Everything Vegan at Potbelly Sandwich Shop

Sonic Drive-In

Menu Highlight

Pretzel Twist: Sonic’s signature Pretzel Twists come coated with butter and serve with cheese sauce. But customers can order this tasty snack without any dairy, replacing the cheese sauce with marinara or mustard.

Locations: 3,547

Read More: Everything Vegan at Sonic

Subway

Menu Highlight

Build-Your-Own Sandwich: Subway’s customization allows customers to create their favorite veggie sandwiches with a huge selection of toppings.

Locations: 20,799

Read More: Everything Vegan at Subway

Taco Bell

Menu Highlight

Black Bean Crunchwrap Supreme: This Taco Bell classic can be made completely vegan by asking to remove sour cream and nacho cheese sauce. When ordering ask for either the black beans, pinto beans, or potatoes as a substitute. To make up for the cheese, put some of the premium guacamole in the Crunchwrap and add the Diablo sauce.

Locations: 7,702

Read More: Everything Vegan at Taco Bell

White Castle

Menu Highlight

Impossible Slider: Featuring a meatless Impossible patty, this slider option can be fully plant-based by removing the cheese (or swapping it for vegan cheese at select locations). The slider is served with onions and pickle slices in White Castle’s signature style.

Locations: 344

Read More: Everything Vegan at White Castle 

For plant-based food in your area, visit The Beet’s Find Vegan Near Me articles. 

The post The Best Fast Food Chains for Plant-Based Customers appeared first on The Beet.

Nearly half of Americans consider themselves flexitarians, but despite this growing interest to cut out meat, finding affordable plant-based options is intimidating. But diners do not need to struggle to find sustainable and healthy alternatives to the classic burgers and meat-heavy dishes that once defined fast casual.

Approximately 82 million Americans will be eating plant-based meat in 2024, and likely, your family will stop by a fast-casual chain. Luckily, you can sit down at several of America’s most famous businesses and enjoy a refreshing cocktail with a plant-based entree. Brands such as Applebee’s and TGI Fridays have reimagined their burgers with popular brands like Impossible Foods and Beyond Meat.

Other chains including P.F. Chang’s have developed more extensive menu items to appeal to the plant-based clientele. You can order mapo tofu, noodle dishes, stir-fries, and more. However, some restaurants such as Cracker Barrel remain slower to adapt, offering just a few plant-based options. But you can still navigate the menu’s side items to create a filling, satisfying dinner whenever you visit.

Here’s our guide to finding vegan and vegetarian food at America’s fast-casual chains.

The Best Fast Casual Chains for Vegan and Vegetarian Food

Sweetgreen

Menu Highlight

Shroomami: This fully vegan option comes with roasted sesame tofu, warm portobello mix, raw beets, cucumbers, basil, sunflower seeds, shredded kale, and warm wild rice. The bowl is served with miso sesame ginger dressing.

Locations: 979

Read More: Everything Vegan at Sweetgreen

Just Salad

Menu Highlight

Spicy Tofu Crunch: This bowl comes with organic sesame tofu, warm brown rice, roasted balsamic mushrooms, roasted cauliflower, edamame, chopped almonds, crispy onions, arugula, and shredded cabbage topped with a Thai peanut dressing.

Locations: > 60

Read More: Everything Vegan at Just Salad

Noodles & Company

Menu Highlight

LEANguini Rosa with Impossible Chicken: Signature LEANguini noodles tossed with mushrooms, Roma tomato, and spinach, and topped with panko-breaded Impossible Chicken. Order with no parmesan cheese and request Marinara sauce instead of the creamy tomato sauce.

Locations: 464

Read More: Everything Vegan at Noodles & Company

Applebee’s Neighborhood Bar & Grill

Menu Highlight

Impossible Burger: A classic vegan burger made with an Impossible Burger patty and topped with lettuce, pickles, tomato, and onion. Make sure to ask for no cheese to make it fully vegan.

Locations: 1,587

Read More: Everything Vegan at Applebee’s 

Cava

Menu Highlight

Lentil Avocado Bowl: This plant-based option comes packed with avocado, spinach, super greens, falafel, roasted veggies, hummus, roasted eggplant, pickled onion, cucumber, lentil tabbouleh, and cabbage slaw that’s topped with both skhug and garlic dressing.

Locations: 133

Read More: Everything Vegan at Cava

Chipotle Mexican Grill

Menu Highlight

Build-Your-Own Burrito Bowl: Chipotle is an excellent stop for vegans looking to customize their favorite meals with their favorite toppings such as pico de Gallo, corn salsa, and tofu sofritas. Visit Chipotle to build your personal favorite lunch.

Locations: 3,084

Read More: Everything Vegan at Chipotle

The Cheesecake Factory

Menu Highlight

Thai Lettuce Wraps with Grilled Avocado: These lettuce wraps come with avocado, carrots, bean sprouts, and coconut curry noodles. The plate includes three signature Thai-inspired sauces: Peanut, Sweet Red Chili, and Tamarind-Cashew.

Locations: 211

Read More: Everything Vegan at The Cheesecake Factory

Chili’s Grill & Bar

Menu Highlight

Black Bean & Veggie Fajita with Avocado: This fajita plate can be ordered vegan with a few slight substitutions. Order without chipotle butter, cream, cheese, or the black bean patty. Instead ask your server to add Mexican rice, black beans, and veggies. The fajita plate comes with black beans, Mexican rice, pico de Gallo, salsa, avocado, and flour tortillas. Pro tip: Add some guacamole!

Locations: 1,227

Read More: Everything Vegan at Chili’s

Cracker Barrel

Menu Highlight

Country Plate: Without biscuits and corn muffins, this Cracker Barrel staple can be fully vegan. Choose four plant-based sides to create your own meal.

Locations: 650

Read More: Everything Vegan at Cracker Barrel

Jason’s Deli

Menu Highlight

Nutty Mixed-Up Salad: Order without chicken and feta. This salad comes with grapes, nuts, dried cranberries, strawberries, raisins, pumpkin seeds, and organic apples over a bed of field greens. Pick your favorite dressing.

Locations: 246

Read More: Everything Vegan at Jason’s Deli

Moe’s Southwest Grill

Menu Highlight

Homewrecker Burrito with Organic Tofu: This staple burrito comes with your choice of rice, your choice of beans, shredded lettuce, pico de Gallo, and guacamole. The vegetarian version includes the price of guacamole. Make sure to order without cheese and sour cream.

Locations: 687

Read More: Everything Vegan at Moe’s Southwest Grill

Olive Garden

Menu Highlight

Spaghetti with Marinara Sauce: This classic menu item features Olive Garden’s vegan spaghetti with a signature tomato sauce.

Locations: 892

Read More: Everything Vegan at Olive Garden

Outback Steakhouse

Menu Highlight

Blue Cheese Pecan Side Salad: Shredded carrots, green onions, cinnamon pecans, Aussie Crunch, and red cabbage served on a bed of mixed greens. Make sure to order without blue cheese crumbles and choose one of the vegan dressings. Order with a baked potato or green beans!

Locations: 695

Read More: Everything Vegan at Outback Steakhouse

Panera Bread

Menu Highlight

Mediterranean Veggie Sandwich: The sandwich is filled with piquant peppers, cucumbers, emerald greens, tomatoes, and hummus, served on any bread from above. Order without feta and add avocado!

Locations: 2,164

Read More: Everything Vegan at Panera Bread

P.F. Chang’s

Menu Highlight

Buddha’s Feast: This plant-based medley can be prepared steamed or stir-fried. The vegan feast comes with savory sauce, green beans, mushrooms, broccoli, carrots, and five-spice tofu.

Locations: 225

Read More: Everything Vegan at P.F. Chang’s

Qdoba Mexican Eats

Menu Highlight

Impossible Fajita Bowl: The signature bowl comes complete with plant-based Impossible protein, fajita veggies, corn salsa, salsa, Verde, and black beans over cilantro lime rice. You can order with extra toppings and make sure to avoid the queso or shredded cheese!

Locations: 736

Read More: Everything Vegan at Qdoba

TGI Fridays

Menu Highlight

Beyond Meat Cheeseburger: Originally fully vegan, this plant-based burger now comes with dairy cheese. Just ask to remove the cheddar cheese and Friday sauce. This burger comes on a regular challah bun with lettuce, red onion, tomatoes, and pickles.

Locations: 295

Read More: Everything Vegan at TGI Fridays

Zoe’s Kitchen

Menu Highlight

Cauliflower Rice Bowl: Chilled cauliflower rice topped with skhug, cucumbers, and fresh dill. Add roasted vegetables, baked falafel, or other side options to better build your bowl. Instead of Tzatziki, order with the lemon herb tahini dressing.

Locations: < 50

Read More: Everything Vegan at Zoes Kitchen

For plant-based food in your area, visit The Beet’s Find Vegan Near Me articles. 

The post The Best Fast Casual Chains for Plant-Based Customers appeared first on The Beet.

Peet’s Coffee operates nearly 340 locations across 20 states, featuring an extensive coffee menu paired with its signature Everything Plant-Based Sandwich. The national coffee chain debuted the vegan sandwich last March, partnering with Violife, Just Egg, and Beyond Meat to craft one of the best plant-based sandwiches available at a national coffee chain.

To accompany the plant-based sandwich and grab & go vegan snacks, Peet’s Coffee caters to its dairy-free customers with its highly adaptable menu. Customers can order nearly every coffee beverage with slight modifications for almond, soy, or oat milk, including several specialty iced lattes and flavored frappes without dairy milk.

Here’s everything that’s vegan at Peet’s Coffee.

Everything Vegan at Peet’s Coffee

Similar to other fast-casual eateries and coffee chains, Peet’s Coffee does not guarantee to altogether avoid cross-contamination with animal-based ingredients.

Vegan Breakfast & Snacks at Peet’s Coffee

• Everything Plant-Based Sandwich: This fully plant-based menu item features a Just Egg plant-based egg and a Beyond Meat breakfast sausage that’s topped with a slice of Violife cheddar cheese. This sandwich is served on a thin everything bagel.
• Everything Bagel: No cream cheese.
• Plain Bagel: No cream cheese.

Even though Peet’s Coffee’s food menu is minimal, the coffee chain offers several vegan grab-and-go snacks to satiate your hunger. Or to make sure your morning coffee doesn’t make you too jittery. Check out these snacks at your local Peet’s when you are checking out.

• Fresh Fruit
• Fruit & Nut Medley
• Nut Trail Mix
• Sencha Moroccan Mints

Dairy-Free Coffee at Peet’s Coffee

Peet’s Coffee offers a massive selection of specialty and classic espresso or coffee drinks. The best part about this menu is that most of the drinks can easily be modified for plant-based customers. Peet’s currently offers oat, almond, and soy milk for their beverages, so when you pick your morning coffee, remember that almost anything on the drink menu can be made plant-based.

Select Specialty Drinks at Peet’s Coffee

• Americano
• Brown Sugar Cold Brew Oat Latte
• Cafe au Lait
• Cafe Cortado
• Cafe Macchiato
• Cappuccino
• Chai Latte
• Dark Chocolate Mocha
• Flat White
• Iced American Flat White
• Iced Brown Sugar Matcha Oat Latte
• Iced Brown Sugar Oat Latte
• Iced Chai Latte
• Iced Hazelnut Mocha
• Iced Latte
• Iced Matcha Green Tea Latte
• Iced Mocha
• Iced Oat Milk Horchata Latte
• Latte Macchiato
• Maple Latte
• Matcha Latte
• Mocha
• Pumpkin Latte
• Vanilla Latte

Regular Beverage Orders

• Cold Brew Coffee
• Hot Coffee
• Iced Coffee
• Hot Tea
• Iced Tea

Plant-Based Baked Goods at Peet’s Coffee

Peet’s Coffee offers a rotating selection of plant-based cookies and scones, but none appear on a regular menu. So, when you visit Peet’s Coffee ask the cashier or barista what vegan treats they have, and you might get to try their plant-based blueberry muffin or their signature vegan ginger cookies.

Watch Out for These Drinks That Cannot Be Ordered Vegan 

Peet’s Coffee lists these select drinks as unable to be made vegan, however, does not reveal why customers cannot modify these orders.

• Javivas
• Havana Cappuccinos
• Black Ties

Avoiding Dairy for Your Health

Nearly (49 percent) of Gen Z consumers feel ashamed while ordering dairy milk in public, proving that dairy shame is real. But why? The environmental and health risks presented by dairy production and consumption have motivated more consumers to minimize their dairy consumption.

By consuming more dairy, you increase your risk of disease, strokes, and heart attacks. Dairy consumption has been linked to an 80 percent higher risk of breast cancer and a 60 percent increased risk of prostate cancer.

Read More: 8 Ways Avoiding Dairy Can Benefit Your Health

For more plant-based fare, check out The Beet’s Find Vegan Near Me articles. 

The post Everything Vegan at Peet’s Coffee: Breakfast, Drinks, and More appeared first on The Beet.

Jason’s Deli offers a highly customizable menu with a massive selection of veggies to choose from. Plant-based customers can pick and choose their favorite ingredients to build their favorite sandwich, wrap, or salads. In terms of sandwich chains, Jason’s Deli provides one of the most expansive menu selections, giving customers a chance to build new sandwiches every time they visit.

Beyond salad and sandwich options, Jason’s Deli features several entrees, soups, and side items to keep its plant-based clientele happy. Some locations will accommodate customized pasta orders, giving customers the option to pack in veggies from the toppings lists.

Here’s everything that’s vegan at Jason’s Deli.

Everything That’s Vegan at Jason’s Deli

Similar to other fast-casual chains, Jason’s Deli cannot promise to entirely avoid cross-contamination with meat and dairy ingredients.

Vegan Sandwiches & Salads at Jason’s Deli

• Nutty Mixed-Up Salad: Order without chicken and feta. This salad comes with grapes, nuts, dried cranberries, strawberries, raisins, pumpkin seeds, and organic apples over a bed of field greens. Pick your favorite dressing.
• Spinach Veggie Wrap: Order without Asiago cheese. This specialty wrap features mushrooms, organic spinach, guacamole, and pico de Gallo in an organic wheat wrap. Bulk this item up with some extra veggies.
• Texacado Toast: This specialty item comes topped with fresh avocados, and a roasted corn & black bean mix. Served on Mexican-style bread with salsa, this item can be made vegan without the cheddar and jalapeno ranch.

Vegan Sides & Soups at Jason’s Deli

• Baked Potato: Request no bacon, cheddar, sour cream, or butter.
• Baked Sweet Potato: Request no bacon, cheddar, sour cream, or butter.
• Blue Corn Tortilla Chips with Guacamole: An excellent appetizer or side item featuring Jason’s Deli’s signature guacamole.
• Blue Corn Tortilla Chips with Hummus: Tired of guacamole and salsa? Jason’s Deli offers its specialty hummus as a side item for this classic appetizer.
• Blue Corn Tortilla Chips with Salsa: The most beloved appetizer that is perfect for a large party.
• Fresh Fruit Bowl or Cup: Request no creamy fruit dip.
• Organic Garden Vegetable Soup: This soup features vine-ripened tomatoes simmered with great Northern, kidney, and garbanzo beans. The soup is packed with carrots, celery, onions, garlic, cabbage, corn, green beans, spinach, and peas. Not available at all locations.
• Steamed Veggies: Typically a medley of broccoli, organic carrots, and zucchini.

Build Your Favorite Salad or Veggie Sandwich at Jason’s Deli

Jason’s Deli best serves its plant-based clientele with its customizable sandwiches and salads. Guests can pick and choose from their favorite toppings and ingredients to craft a tasty, sustainable, and nutrient-packed meal. Check out all the vegan ingredients before deciding if you want a salad or a sandwich.

Plant-Based Bread at Jason’s Deli

• Focaccia Bread
• French Bread
• Organic Ancient Grain Bun
• Organic Wheat Wrap
• Muffaletta Bun
• Rye Bread
• Telera Bread

Vegan Salad Bases at Jason’s Deli

• Mixed Salad Greens
• Organic Field Greens
• Organic Spinach

Vegan Toppings at Jason’s Deli

• Apple Slices
• Artichoke
• Avocado
• Beets
• Broccoli
• Cilantro
• Cucumber Slices
• Diced Red Onions
• Granola
• Grape Tomatoes
• Green Olives
• Italian Peppers
• Jalapenos
• Kalamata Olives
• Mushrooms
• Organic Baby Carrots
• Pickle Spears
• Piquillo Peppers
• Red Bell Peppers
• Red Onion Rings
• Roma Tomato Slices
• Sauerkraut
• Sliced Mushrooms
• Spicy Cajun Mix
• Spicy Giadienera
• Tomatoes
• Yellow Bell Peppers
• Zucchini Sticks

Dairy-Free Dressings at Jason’s Deli

• Balsamic Vinaigrette
• Cucumber-Dill Vinaigrette
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• Light Raspberry Cabernet Vinaigrette
• Organic Balsamic Vinegar
• Red Wine Vinegar

Vegan Sauces and Spreads at Jason’s Deli

• Barbecue Sauce
• Marinara Sauce
• Roasted Red Pepper Hummus
• Stone Ground Mustard
• Yellow Mustard

Vegan Pasta Options at Jason’s Deli

• Zucchini Garden Pasta: Order this without fresco mix and the Asiago to make it vegan. You can add olive oil or ask for the marinara sauce featured on the pasta and sandwich menus. Some locations will also allow you to add extra veggies to the penne dish.

Avoiding Meat and Dairy for Your Health

Traditional American subs and sandwiches contain large amounts of cheese, mayo, and deli meats, but changing up your sandwich order can have positive implications for your health. By cutting out animal products, you help decrease your risk for heart disease, cancer, inflammation, and acne. Eating processed or red meat regularly can increase your heart disease and cancer risk by 18 percent and 29 percent, respectively.

By introducing a few plant-based lunches or dinners to your regular diet, you can significantly reduce your risk of heart disease 30 years later. Some studies even claim that a mostly plant-based diet can extend your life expectancy by 10 years or more. Next time you visit Jason’s Deli, try cutting out the meat to protect your health for longer. Luckily, you can build a veggie, nutrient-packed sandwich without risking your health by eating too much meat and dairy products.

For more plant-based fare, check out The Beet’s Find Vegan Near Me articles. 

The post Everything Vegan at Jason’s Deli: Sandwiches, Salads, and More appeared first on The Beet.

This May, Portillo’s launched its first plant-based hot dog with the help of Field Roast. The vegan option features a Chicago-style hot dog made from 100 percent plant-based protein. This meatless frank is topped with traditional Chicago toppings, providing hungry guests with an authentic experience without animal-based ingredients.

Unfortunately, Portillo’s french fries are not vegan-friendly, so plant-based guests cannot get the full Chicago hot dog experience. The fast food company fries its onion rings and french fries in beef tallow, rendering them unfriendly to vegan customers. When completing your meal order, make sure to order a side salad instead of fries! Here’s everything that’s vegan at Portillo’s.

Everything Vegan at Portillo’s

Similar to other fast-food restaurants, Portillo’s does not guarantee that its plant-based menu items entirely avoid cross-contamination with meat and dairy ingredients.

Vegan Hot Dogs at Portillo’s

• Plant-Based Garden Dog: With the help of Field Roast, Portillo’s first signature vegan hot dog comes with all the traditional Chicago toppings including mustard, relish, onion, tomatoes, sport peppers, and pickles.
• Veggie Hot Dog: This vegetable-packed bun contains sliced tomatoes, onions, kosher pickles, sports peppers, celery salt, relish, ketchup, and mustard.

Vegan Bread at Portillo’s

• French Bread, 6 inch
• Hamburger Bun
• Hot Dog Bun

Plant-Based Sides & Salads at Portillo’s

• Garden Side Salad: Pick your favorite dressing to complete this salad featuring red cabbage, cucumbers, and cherry tomatoes over a Tuscan spring mix and chopped romaine. Order without shredded cheese or croutons.
• Greek Salad: Order this salad without chicken, feta cheese, or the Greek Vinaigrette. We suggest adding the roasted garlic vinaigrette instead. Then this salad features red onions, tomatoes, Kalamata olives, and cucumber over a bed of chopped romaine.

Dairy Free Sauces & Dressings at Portillo’s

• BBQ Sauce
• House Dressing
• Lite Italian Dressing
• Roasted Garlic Vinaigrette

Why Processed Meat is Unhealthy

Most hungry customers visit Portillo’s to grab a traditional hot dog made from several overly processed animal ingredients. But eating processed meat regularly can have serious health implications that include heart disease and cancer risk. Eating processed meat regularly raises the risk of colon cancer by 29 percent, and that especially includes hot dogs. Several studies have shown that diets high in red and processed meat increase the risk of gastrointestinal cancers and disease. 

Regular red and processed meat consumption is also linked to an 18 percent increase in heart disease risks. Heart disease affects 48 percent of the American population, and likely more, considering that many people suffer from high blood pressure, a cause of heart disease, without knowing it since it has few symptoms –– the reason it earned the moniker of “silent killer,” according to medical experts.

Adopting a plant-based diet or choosing a veggie hot dog next time you visit Portillo’s can significantly help curb these health risks. One study shows that a mostly plant-based diet can prolong life expectancy by 10 years or more. One California lawsuit even aimed to have processed meat marked as a dangerous carcinogen by the state’s government.  The research claims that eating 50 grams of processed meat greatly increases the risk of cancer. The demand includes hot dogs, deli meat, and bacon.

For more delicious plant-based fare, visit The Beet’s Find Vegan Near Me articles. 

The post Everything Vegan at Portillo’s: Chicago-Style Hot Dogs and More appeared first on The Beet.

Americans eat over 300 million sandwiches every day, whether it’s for fuel to finish work or to complete a long hike. With about 1,200 restaurants in 46 states, Americans everywhere can easily choose to stop by Firehouse to pick a healthier lunch option made to keep them healthy and focused throughout the day.

Vegan customers can choose between a fully plant-based salad or their favorite veggie sub. Firehouse is an excellent stop for a quick lunch break or a long road trip. So, next time you find yourself crunched for time, look for your local Firehouse Subs to get a filling sandwich. And even though the menu has yet to introduce vegan meat and dairy, there are enough toppings to keep your sandwich interesting and tasty.

Everything Vegan at Firehouse Subs

Similar to other fast-casual chains, Firehouse Subs cannot guarantee that everything plant-based on its menu avoids cross-contamination altogether.

Vegan Sandwiches and Salads at Firehouse Subs

• Plain Firehouse Salad: This classic salad comes on a bed of romaine topped with tomato, bell pepper, cucumber, and pepperoncini. Substitute out the light Italian dressing for regular Italian or another dressing listed below. Ask for no cheese!
• Veggie Sub: Order hot or cold without mayo and cheese. This sandwich comes with sauteed bell peppers, raw onion, sauteed onion, lettuce, tomato, mustard, and Italian dressing.

Create Your Own Vegan Sandwich at Firehouse Subs

Firehouse Subs is an exceptional option for plant-based diners because its menu is built around customization. Any guest can pick and choose the list of plant-based ingredients to craft a sandwich to their specific dietary and taste preferences.

Vegan Bread at Firehouse Subs

• Gluten Free Sub Roll
• White Sub Roll

Plant-Based Toppings at Firehouse Subs

• Avocado
• Banana Peppers
• Bell Peppers
• Black Olives
• Cherry Pepper Rings
• Chipped Pickle Spear
• Cucumber
• Iceberg Lettuce
• Jalapeno Peppers
• Mushrooms
• Onion
• Romaine Lettuce
• Tomato

Dairy-Free Sauces & Dressings at Firehouse Subs

• Balsamic
• Italian
• Oil & Vinegar
• Marinara Sauce
• Spicy Mustard
• Sriracha Sauce
• Sweet Baby Ray’s BBQ Sauce

Build Your Own Firehouse Salad

Trying to cut down on bread or carbs? Firehouse offers a create-your-own salad option where customers can pick their favorite ingredients from the list above to craft their favorite low-carb lunch.

Plant-Based Sides at Firehouse Subs

• Dill Pickle Spears
• Several Chip Flavors
• Side Salad with Vegan Dressing

Choosing Plant-Based Helps Your Health and the Environment

Firehouse Subs provides customers with easy access to plant-based foods. Whether you hope to lower your carbon footprint or improve your diet, ordering a plant-based sandwich from Firehouse is an affordable way to start. By cutting out mayo and cheese, you help decrease your risk for heart disease, cancer, inflammation, and acne.

And that’s not even considering processed meat consumption. Eating processed or red meat regularly can increase your risk of heart disease by 18 percent. Eating a more plant-based diet earlier in life can significantly reduce your risk of heart disease 30 years later. 

When you switch to plant-based options, you are helping to reduce carbon food-related greenhouse gas emissions by up to 61 percent. Avoiding beef or dairy products helps minimize food-related methane emissions, which is essential to stopping climate change because methane is 80 times more dangerous than carbon dioxide. So, next time you pick up lunch, a vegan sandwich from Firehouse could help protect you and the planet.

For more delicious plant-based fare, visit The Beet’s Find Vegan Near Me articles. 

The post Everything Vegan at Firehouse Subs: Build a Plant-Based Sandwich appeared first on The Beet.

Zoe’s Kitchen’s dynamic menu allows the customer to modify most vegetarian options to be served completely vegan. But plant-based diners do not even need to worry much about modifications, because the menu features several signature vegan meals and sides for guests to order. You can grab a falafel plate or a Falafel, Lettuce, and Tomato sandwich. Don’t be afraid to pack the delectable sides onto your order including Braised White Beans and Turmeric Rice.

Currently, Zoe’s Kitchen operates approximately 50 locations across 14 states, a number that dropped when Zoe’s Kitchen was acquired by the Cava Group –– the company responsible for the sister fast-casual chain, Cava. Now, Zoe’s Kitchen’s vegan-friendly menu is joined by a greater collection of vegan-friendly fast-casual chains.

Here’s everything that’s vegan at Zoe’s Kitchen

Everything That’s Vegan at Zoe’s Kitchen

Similar to other fast-casual restaurants, Zoe’s Kitchen does not guarantee that it can totally avoid cross-contamination with meat and dairy ingredients.

Taste More: Pick Two Vegan Options at Zoe’s Kitchen

Can’t decide what to order? Choose the pick-two option for $9.99. Pick between a half sandwich, a bowl of soup, or a side Greek salad.

Vegan Appetizers at Zoe’s Kitchen

• Avocado Smash: Smashed avocado flavored with sea salt and lemon. Order without feta or pita chips and order an extra regular pita.
• Classic Hummus Starter: Served with cucumbers and pita bread, this classic chickpea-based dip is an essential order.
• Hummus Trio: This appetizer gives you a little taste of the different hummus options, served with bell peppers, grape tomatoes, and pita bread. Instead of getting the basil pesto, substitute it for more of your hummus of choice. Make sure to order without pita chips!
• Hummus Trio with Falafel: The hummus trio is served with plant-based falafel to dip. Make sure to order without pita chips and the basil pesto.
• Spicy Hummus Starter: Served with cucumbers and pita bread, this appetizer adds a little kick to the traditional hummus appetizers.

Signature Vegan Plates and Bowls at Zoe’s Kitchen

• Cauliflower Rice Bowl: Chilled cauliflower rice topped with skhug, cucumbers, and fresh dill. Add roasted vegetables, baked falafel, or other side options to better build your bowl. Instead of Tzatziki, order with the lemon herb tahini dressing.
• Falafel & Salad Plate: This signature meal comes with falafel, rice, classic hummus, and lemon herb tahini. This greek salad is served with pita on the side. Order without tzatziki or feta.
• Hummus & Salad Plate: This greek salad is served with the classic hummus and pita. Make sure to order without feta or Tzatziki. We suggest adding some roasted vegetables to the plate.

Plant-Based Sandwiches at Zoe’s Kitchen

Sandwiches are served with a single side.

• Baked Falafel Pita: This falafel sandwich is served in a warm pita with Skhug, tomato relish, cabbage, and fresh dill. Order without Tzatziki and feta, and instead finish this sandwich with lemon herb tahini.
• F.L.T. (Falafel, Lettuce, Tomato): This essential sandwich is packed with classic hummus, sliced tomatoes, spring mix, and a falafel patty. The mix is topped with a lemon vinaigrette and served on multigrain bread.

Plant-Based Salads at Zoe’s Kitchen

• Classic Greek Salad: Served over potato salad, this salad feature spring mix, grape tomatoes, cucumbers, bell peppers, olives, red onions, and Zoe’s Greek Dressing. Order without feta dressing and add falafel or avocado to the salad.
• Roasted Corn and Avocado Cobb: Ordered without Tzatziki, egg, or feta, this signature salad remains a filling and addicting option. The salad features a green salad mix topped with roasted corn, tomatoes, red onion, and avocado served with the signature Lemon Dressing. Add some falafel to make up for the missing egg.
• Traditional Greek Salad: When ordered without feta, this salad is still packed with spring mix, grape tomatoes, cucumbers, bell peppers, olives, and red onion. The salad is topped with Zoe’s Greek Dressing and served with a warm pita.

Vegan Sides and Soup at Zoe’s Kitchen

To make sure you leave Zoe’s Kitchen fully satisfied and full, order one of the chain’s plant-based sides or soup.

• Mediterranean Lentil: This classic Mediterranean dish is a heartwarming soup packed with green lentils, tomatoes, and carrots that comes served with a warm pita.

• Apple Slices
• Baked Falafel
• Braised White Beans
• Cauliflower Rice
• Deep River Chips
• Fire Roasted Corn
• Grilled Potato Salad
• Pita Bread
• Roasted Vegetables
• Tumeric Rice

Dairy-Free Dressings & Sauces at Zoe’s Kitchen

• Lemon Herb Tahini
• Israeli Skhug
• Moroccan Harissa
• Zoe’s Greek Dressing

Eating Plant-Based for Your Health

Looking to eat healthier and add more plant-based foods to your diet? Zoe’s Kitchen makes ordering plant-based easier than ever, and you won’t sacrifice flavor or money trying to do so. Eating more plant-based can have significant benefits to your health, even by adding just some plant-based meals to your routine. Eating mostly plant-based can prolong life expectancy by over 10 years!

Eating plant-based whole foods such as whole grains, lentils, beans, nuts, and soybeans can help control blood sugar, improve weight management, and offer protective nutrients to keep your body in good shape. When you order lunch from Zoe’s Kitchen, remember that avoiding meat in favor of falafel or veggies can help protect your gut health and overall well-being for longer.

For more plant-based fare near you, visit The Beet’s Find Vegan Near Me articles. 

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With nearly 700 locations, Moe’s serves customizable burritos, bowls, salads, and more to customers all over the United States. Americans looking for an affordable, quick lunch or a pitstop on their road trip can always rely on Moe’s to provide a delicious, filling burrito for a low price. Despite not offering vegan meat options, Moe’s gives customers several ways to pack in the protein including beans and seasoned tofu.

For vegans and non-vegans alike, Moe’s is an excellent spot to pick up a veggie-packed lunch. With its highly customizable menu, Moe’s makes it simple to pick and choose your favorite ingredients to craft your perfect lunch. Or wrap it in a burrito and take it to go for later!

Moe’s also ensures that its ingredients are fresh and healthy, especially when compared to other fast-casual chains that use frozen ingredients. The veggies are also prepared on a separate surface from the meat. So, next time you visit Moe’s, you can feel safe knowing that your veggie- and the protein-packed meal is freshly prepared and not filled with MSG, trans fats, or other unwanted additives.

Everything Vegan at Moe’s Southwest Grill

Like most fast-casual chains, Moe’s cannot promise that its plant-based ingredients entirely avoid cross-contamination with dairy and meat products in the kitchen.

Vegan Burritos and Bowls at Moe’s

• Homewrecker Burrito with Organic Tofu: This staple burrito comes with your choice of rice, your choice of beans, shredded lettuce, pico de Gallo, and guacamole. The vegetarian version includes the price of guacamole. Make sure to order without cheese and sour cream.
• Homewrecker Bowl: Similar to the Homewrecker Burrito but served without a tortilla and packed together in a to-go bowl.

Create Your Own Vegan Meal at Moe’s

There is nothing better than picking out your favorite ingredients yourself. Instead of relying on other fast-food restaurants and tedious modifications, Moe’s allows customers to build their own meals to fit their dietary and taste preferences. You can choose between three meal options and pack on the rest. Remember that guacamole is usually extra!

• Burrito: Choose between flour or whole-grain tortillas.
• Salad: Create your favorite salad with the Salad Tortilla Bowl.
• Bowl: Looking for fewer carbs but don’t want a salad? Order a bowl to pack on your favorite toppings.
• Tacos: Build your own tacos using crispy corn, soft corn, or a soft flour tortilla.

Vegan Bases at Moe’s

• Cilantro Lime Rice
• Seasoned Rice
• Quinoa

Plant-Based Protein at Moe’s

• Organic Tofu
• Black Beans
• Pinto Beans

Vegan Toppings at Moe’s

• Avocado
• Black Olives
• Chopped Cilantro
• Chopped Romaine
• Corn Pico
• Diced Cucumbers
• Diced Onions
• Diced Tomatoes
• Fresh Jalapenos
• Grilled Mushrooms
• Grilled Onions
• Grilled Peppers
• Guacamole
• Pickled Jalapenos
• Shredded Lettuce

Dairy-Free Sauces at Moe’s

• El Guapo
• Hard Rock and Roll Hot Sauce
• Pico de Gallo
• Tomatillo
• Tres Jalapeño
• Southwest Vinaigrette

Order Without Dairy to Improve Your Health

Even though you might feel enticed by queso, cheese, or sour cream, avoiding dairy at Moe’s can actually benefit your well-being, keeping you healthier for much longer. By consuming dairy regularly, you are putting your body at risk for increased rates of heart disease, cancer, inflammation, and acne, according to a growing body of research.

Researchers found that consuming one or more servings of high-fat dairy daily raised the mortality risk by 49 percent. And by simply cutting out sour cream or queso during your lunch, you can help keep your body healthier. For men, consuming dairy regularly is associated with a 32 percent increased risk of prostate cancer.

Adopting a plant-based diet is associated with long-lasted health benefits such as a prolonged lifespan and a significant reduction in heart disease risk. One study showed that eating a mostly plant-based diet can even extend your lifespan by 10 years. So, when you hear “Welcome to Moe’s,” remember to try out a plant-based burrito bowl instead!

For more delicious plant-based fare, visit The Beet’s Find Vegan Near Me articles. 

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Einstein Bros offers approximately 15 vegan bagels that can be topped with your favorite dairy-free spreads and veggies. For sweets-loving customers, the menu also features two dairy-free spreads including peanut butter and strawberry jam.

Einstein Bros tested vegan cream cheese with the help of Daiya in 2019. The plant-based schmear was available at select locations nationwide, but since its debut, the company has made no announcement for a national rollout. Sadly for vegans, the company also removed hummus from its permanent menu, but vegans customers will still have no problem enjoying Einstein Bros breakfast or lunch.

Everything Vegan at Einstein Bros. Bagels

Similar to other fast-casual chains, Einstein Bros. does not guarantee that the plant-based options fully avoid cross-contamination with non-vegan ingredients.

Vegan Options at Einstein Bros. Bagels

• Avocado Toast: A reliable breakfast or snack option featuring an avocado spread and Everything Spice Mix on a plain bagel.
• Avocado Veg Out Sandwich: This lunchtime staple features tomatoes, cucumbers, red onion, spinach, lettuce, and the signature avocado spread. This sandwich is served on a sesame bagel. Ask for no Garden Veggie Shmear.
• Garden Avocado: Order without eggs and Roasted Tomato Shmear. This breakfast sandwich features an Everything Bagel packed with avocado, tomato, and spinach. Add in some extra toppings to your liking.

Customize a Vegan Bagel at Einstein Bros.

Looking for an easy, stress-free breakfast? Visiting Einstein Bros Bagels is an excellent, delicious way to start your morning. Pick and choose your favorite ingredients to create your favorite bagel sandwich. Whether you want a savory bagel with avocado spread or a sweet bagel with strawberry jam, Einstein Bros cater to plant-based customers more than several of its competitors.

Classic Vegan Bagels at Einstein Bros.

• Onion
• Plain
• Sesame Seed

Signature Vegan Bagels at Einstein Bros.

• Apple Cinnamon
• Blueberry
• Chocolate Chip
• Cinnamon Raisin
• Cranberry
• Everything
• French Toast
• Garlic
• Poppyseed
• Potato
• Pretzel
• Pumpernickel

Dairy-Free Spreads at Einstein Bros.

• Avocado Spread
• Natural Peanut Butter
• Natural Strawberry Jelly

Vegan Toppings at Einstein Bros.

• Avocado
• Arugula
• Capers
• Cucumber
• Green Leaf Lettuce
• Red Onion
• Spinach
• Tomato

Plant-Based Sides at Einstein Bros.

• Barbeque Kettle Chips
• Fruit Cup
• Original Kettle Chips
• Pickle Spear

Dairy-Free Coffee at Einstein Bros.

Einstein Bros. Bagels’ vegan milk options are limited compared to chains such as Dunkin or Starbucks, but every location offers almond milk. Customers can order almond milk in their regular iced or hot coffee and in their specialty espresso drinks. This is especially important for younger consumers since about 49 percent of Gen Z feel ashamed of ordering dairy milk in public.

Avoiding Dairy for Your Health

Picking up a plant-based diet can help you prolong your life expectancy by over 10 years. Even cutting out dairy leads to several health benefits, including reduced inflammation, lowered disease risk, and improved heart health. Dairy consumption is associated with an 80 percent higher risk of breast cancer and a 60 percent increased risk of prostate cancer.

Next time you visit Einstein Bros to start your day, think about choosing one of the chain’s several plant-based options. Cutting out the cream cheese from your morning routine is an easy start to improving your overall diet.

Try out one of these vegan cream cheeses when you bring home a baker’s dozen of Einstein’s signature bagels. 

For more delicious plant-based fare, visit The Beet’s Find Vegan Near Me articles. 

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