Delicious Vegan Picks: My Experience at 10 Popular Chain Restaurants

It started with a simple road trip. Three cities, five days, and one plant-based eater packed with oat bars and hummus. I wasn’t trying to make a statement; I just wanted decent food while moving between hotel rooms and highway stops.

But after a few visits to chain restaurants, a thought struck me: fast food places claim to be more plant-friendly nowadays, but are they really keeping up with their promises?

To find out, I set a challenge for myself: for five days, I would eat at well-known chains, ordering vegan meals from the regular menu—no fancy lifestyle bowls or complicated hacks. I’d rate my experiences based on taste, satisfaction, and emotional impact. After all, feeling like a burden while ordering can be tough.

Here’s What I Discovered:

1. Chipotle: The Sofritas Shine

Chipotle has been a go-to for many vegans since introducing sofritas. What surprised me was how satisfying it is even after all these years. The tofu is well-seasoned, and I could add guacamole and beans without feeling awkward.

• Taste: 9/10
• Satisfaction: 9/10
• Emotional Toll: Low. No one flinches at “no cheese.”

2. Starbucks: Surprisingly Good Breakfast Options

I wasn’t expecting much from Starbucks, but the Impossible Breakfast Sandwich (minus the egg and cheese) actually worked for me. Paired with a sprouted grain bagel and avocado spread, it made for an enjoyable breakfast.

• Taste: 8/10
• Satisfaction: 7/10
• Emotional Toll: Mildly awkward, but baristas were chill.

3. Subway: A Mixed Bag

Subway used to be exciting, but now it feels more like a game of choosing soft bread and cold veggies. My sandwich was barely passable, even after toasting it and loading it up with toppings.

• Taste: 5/10
• Satisfaction: 4/10
• Emotional Toll: High. It felt like navigating a salad bar.

4. Panda Express: A Hidden Gem (If You Find It)

Panda’s Beyond Orange Chicken was a joyous surprise—crispy and tangy. But not all locations carry it, which can lead to disappointment.

• Taste: 9/10 (when available)
• Satisfaction: 8/10
• Emotional Toll: Variable. Be ready for a letdown.

5. Taco Bell: Requires Effort

Taco Bell has options, but ordering vegan can be tedious. Saying “fresco style” and checking the app every step of the way feels cumbersome.

• Taste: 7/10
• Satisfaction: 7/10
• Emotional Toll: Medium-high. You might feel unique for all the wrong reasons.

6. Dunkin’: Good Coffee, Not So Great Food

Dunkin’ serves oat milk now, a definite perk for lattes. Yet, food options remain limited. The Beyond Sausage sandwich needs customizing, leading to awkward exchanges.

• Taste: 6/10
• Satisfaction: 5/10
• Emotional Toll: Higher than I expected for a coffee shop.

7. MOD Pizza: Customizable and Welcoming

MOD Pizza allows you to create a pizza with a vegan crust and real vegan cheese—an unexpected perk. No weird looks while ordering felt refreshing.

• Taste: 8/10
• Satisfaction: 9/10
• Emotional Toll: Zero. It felt like I belonged.

8. McDonald’s: Still a Challenge

Unless you want fries, McDonald’s lacks vegan options. I ended up with apple slices and coffee but left feeling unsatisfied.

• Taste: 2/10
• Satisfaction: 1/10
• Emotional Toll: Soul-crushing.

9. Blaze Pizza: Another Fun Surprise

Like MOD, Blaze lets you customize your pizza with vegan options. Staff were friendly about my requests, and the food was good.

• Taste: 8/10
• Satisfaction: 8/10
• Emotional Toll: Minimal. Quite pleasant.

10. Panera Bread: Satisfactory but Challenging

Panera should be easy for vegans, but many items aren’t. I ended up with a Mediterranean Veggie Sandwich (minus cheese) and a Ten Vegetable Soup, which worked well together.

• Taste: 6.5/10
• Satisfaction: 7/10
• Emotional Toll: You need to ask for their allergen menu, but it’s manageable.

More Than Just Food

This experiment wasn’t only about the meals; it revealed how far we’ve come—and how much further we have to go in making dining out for vegans easier. While options have improved since a decade ago, navigating menus still requires patience and sometimes a backup snack.

What struck me most was the overall experience. Did each place make me feel welcomed, or was I tiptoeing through a maze of dairy pitfalls? As a vegan, food is only part of the story. The emotional feel of a restaurant impacts our choices too. A place that makes it easy to eat well and feel understood is worth supporting.

And yes, I’ll still carry hummus in my bag for emergencies. But now, I have a better list of reliable stops if I ever forget.

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