I recently have been making the switch from a typical omnivore diet, and altering it to fit a more plant based diet. In doing so there are still a few items that I really miss. One of those is a big juicy burger. Recently, I began to get introduced to a wide variety of plant based burger options while I traveled. Everywhere I went they seemed to be popping up. Which is great news for people in my situation who need something to fill that craving every now and then. I kept wondering, where are the best veggie burgers near me?
In my travels I have encountered a plethora of choices in plant based burgers I would like to pass that info along to you today. I do so in the hopes it will help the next person seeking to achieve a higher level of a health conscious diet. So, here are the top 10 best veggie burgers near me, or rather near YOU! I have had the pleasure of experiencing these. Maybe one of them is close enough for you to try one of these life changing meals for yourself. Check these veggie burgers out:
#10) The Audubon Plant Based Burger- Boston, MA
The best of all the veggie burgers in all of Boston, MA, the Audubon Restaurant’s option for those of us on a plant derived diet, is absolutely stunning. Even the most discerning of meat eaters can appreciate this juicy burger alternative. It has gained so much notoriety that they expanded and shared the secret recipe. The two other locations are Trina’s Starlite Lounge and Parlor Sports Bar.
So even if your not in the Fenway Park side of Boston or just don’t like the cramped quarters that gets jam packed with wall to wall people at peak hours; well, then you have two other options for experiencing this high quality plant made burger. You will be glad you heard about this one, I know I was.
Pros:
Texture: Very realistic and you almost can’t tell it isn’t an actual beef burger, not the typically chewy texture found in most vegan burgers.
Flavor: With the unique blend of ingredients it has a rich flavor that is a little bit sweet but with the ginger finishing/after flavor profile.
Locations: Audubon is a hip joint that was absolutely bustling during my visit. It was exciting and you could definitely tell that the locals know where to go for the best food. I’m not sure about the other two locations, but I imagine they must be similarly popular.
Ingredients: Made using a special blend of black beans, brown rice, celery, carrot, corn, farro, shallot, parsley, scallion, cilantro, ginger, and finally gluten-free oats. All mixed together in exactly the perfect ratio to create a mouth watering patty that rivals the best of the real thing.
#9) Grindhouse Killer Burger’s Veggie based Burger- Atlanta, GA
This addition to the list was one of my favorites personally. I actually remember biting into it actually. The one I tried out was the whole food plant based diet vegetable based burger, but they also have an Impossible Burger which is a gluten free option of plant based burger substitute. The one I ate was spectacular, it melted in my mouth. So it wasn’t the overly tough or chewy that you sometimes encounter when you order a veggie burger at a new restaurant.
Plus, it came with sweet potato fries that were just the icing on the cake for me and totally sealed the deal. I will be making a stop to one of the 5 or 6 Grindhouse locations whenever I find myself in the area next, and that’s for sure. If eating more healthy always tastes this good, then I am going to have no problem continuing on the chosen path of no more meat, and many more plants.
Pros:
Texture: Not the expected chewy experience, instead it was literally a melt in your mouth type of patty.
Flavor: This was another patty that was slightly on the sweet side, but the house-made bun could have added to that as well. Just not the typically heavily salted flavor many are used to when biting into a burger.
Location:They have a whole lot of locations, the one I was in was cleaner than I expected when I first saw the place. In fact, it was kind of a modern restaurant rather than the dive joint I expected.
Ingredients: Black bean, chickpea, quinoa, onion, and carrot. A simple yet effective recipe that really hits the spot.
#8) Lokal’s Black Bean Burger- Miami, FL
So, I didn’t try the actual vegetable based burger ‘per say,’ this time around, I actually opted for their other plant based burger which was actually a black bean burger. I can tell you though, that if their other veggie burgers are even half as good as the one I tried out, boy! It lives up to it’s famous reputation around the city of Miami.
I was actually sent to this location on the recommendation of a local citizen. I am forever thankful for their direction of where to go too. They were absolutely right when they told me Lokal had the best veggie burgers near me. I can’t imagine any other restaurant having anything better than the one I had at this place.
Pros:
Texture: While not as ‘melt in your mouth’ level texture, it was pleasant and not chewy or tough. It actually had one of the most authentic feeling textures out of most of the plant based burgers that I have tried.
Flavor: This is where the burger truly shined. It actually had a slightly salty taste one expects when biting into a “burger.” I was surprised by my first bite, and quickly found myself down to the very last bite, wondering where it all went so fast, but then leaning back I felt plenty full and satisfied.
Location: A very trendy location with a small town feel, even though its not far from the beach in the city. It almost felt like a local coffee shop, and with the bottle cap mural taking up a whole wall, it was surely unique. Comfortable and unique.
Ingredients: Made with oat bran, brown rice, beets, and prunes, topped with mayo, French’s, lettuce, tomato, dill pickle, white onion, and melted Jack cheese.
#7) Wicked Bloom Social Club’s Impossible Burger- Washington, DC
This was probably the most high class place I visited in my journey of trying out p.ant made burgers everywhere I went. For the atmosphere, cleanliness, service, part of town, everything combined- I was shocked the burger wasn’t twice the price that I paid. Their versions of veggetable derived burgers, called the Impossible Burger, came in four different flavor profiles.
I went with the smokehouse, which was the bbq type of flavor, but they also had new school, bad hombre, and southern crunch flavors available. I was very pleased with my choice and had to keep reminding myself that I was in a nice joint in order to keep from picking up the burger in one hand and just chowing down. All things considered this was a pleasant experience, and yes, I would go back to try their other flavors.
Pros:
Texture: The Impossible burger was not impossible to eat, that’s for sure. Had a pleasant non chewy texture I would say.
Flavor: The smokehouse option was just what you would expect from the name, a bbq flavored burger that really hit the nail on the head and was everything I could hope for.
Location: Like I mentioned, one of the most high class and upscale restaurants to make the list, by quite a long shot. I felt underdressed while seated inside at my table.
Ingredients: They don’t actually let their ingredient list be known, whatever was in the patty was good and absolutely filling. My choice did come with crispy onion straws, house-made bbq sauce, and cheddar-jack cheese (I know the cheese is cheating, but I couldn’t help myself).
#6) BellaGreen’s Veggie Nut Burger- Houston, TX
A unique dining experience, as they base their products around fresh green ingredients wherever they can manage, so not a lot of construction worker type folks in there so if you were to ask one of them in passing if there are any veggie burgers near me right now, you would probably get answered with a no, but if you like the meditation like music and a super calming atmosphere- them you will enjoy this eatery for sure.
This whole food plant based diet burger was one of a kind. With cashews, almonds, humus, and other unique blend it was a very interesting flavor profile. Sweet, salty, and a bit of a garlic taste explodes every few bites.
Pros:
Texture: One of a kind, that’s for certain. The cashews actually add a great texture to the burger, giving it a little crispness, but not too much, more like an ultra lean meat would have once grilled.
Flavor: Again, this burger was a one of a kind for a plant based burger. Almonds, bread crumbs, all kinds of unique flavors all combine to be a very interesting and quite good flavor profile.
Location: A bit over the top if you ask me, but I am sure the uber relaxing atmosphere is somebodies cup of tea, its just not me. Not that there was anything wrong with the place, it was just a bit too yoga studio like for my tastes.
Ingredientssautéed vegetables, potatoes, hemp seed, almonds, corm, gluten-free bread crumbs, organic chickpea hummus all mixed together make up the patty and then on top goes mixed greens, tomato, pickle, red onion, and option of your choice of cheese; swiss, cheddar, or mozzerella. All of this comes on a homemade whole wheat bun.
#5) Lucky’s Last Chance Impossible All American Burger
This was slightly better than the average on our list of only the best of the best here. If you find yourself in Philly sometime thinking to yourself, “I wonder if there are any good veggie burgers near me right now?” Well, wonder no more because this Impossible All American burger is the pinnacle of imitation burgers even ranking high amongst those listed here on this page.
You will be happy you took the advice after eating out for lunch or dinner at Lucky’s Last Chance restaurant. Plus, with a second location set poised to open soon, they are on the expansion plan, probably driven by their popularity at the original site. I know it was suggested to me by multiple people, that’s the reason I ended up at this small mom and pop type shop rather than some bigger powerhouse eatery. Very glad I did too, because this burger was magnificent.
Pros:
Texture: Absolutely perfect texture, felt just like I was eating a real meat based burger instead of partaking in a plant based diet.
Flavor: A very unique flavor, almost like a gamey venison in a really good way, and had that slight sage brush taste to it, whatever it was, it was definitely good and also filling too, I remember feeling stuffed after eating mine.
Location: A lofty industrial type atmosphere that centers around a large bar top, used to keep up with a very busy happy hour. Would be a great place to spend any happy hour, and I am sure it packs out. I was there for late lunch and had to wait 8-10 minutes for a table. So it’s a popular joint.
Ingredients: Another place that doesn’t list their ingredients used for making their patties in their menu or anywhere else. Just that it’s a black bean based patty. Whatever the blend, it was great.
#4) Old Monk Pub’s Veggie Burger- Dallas, TX
This one was probably my actual favorite due to the sheer uniqueness of the patty. The way they make their own patties using fresh ingredients on a daily basis was amazing. Old monk also offers you with a wide variety of beer too, which is just the icing on the cake. They take their craft and ratchet the quality level of the average pub up by a bunch of notches.
This place elevates the quality standards which I now expect from my local pub’s burgers. I hope I can experience this level of quality, again. At least while I continue on engaging in my newfound plant based diet.
Pros:
Texture: Again, this one was unique. Wrapping my mouth around the size of this burger patty took some doing in itself. Once you bite down it just about dissolves right in your mouth.
Flavor An unbeatable flavor profile came, probably because of their insistence on making their patties from scratch every day using only the freshest of ingredients.
Location The typical modern design of brew pub that would fit into any major suburb anywhere in America. You will feel right at home in the cozy atmosphere.
Ingredients Patties are made using lentils, Bulgur wheat, leaks, mushrooms, corn, cashews and a blend of spices
#3) Urban Vegan Pepper Steak Burger (soy product)- Chicago, IL
This restaurant was shockingly amazing. The level of quality ingredients to the way they build their flavor profiles, is top notch. They offer a wide variety of burger like products from a regular impossible vegan burger or tofu burger to a chicken imitation burger made from a soy mixture, or even a fish substitute burger.
But the one I chose to try was their pepper steak burger made from a high-quality soy product that really blew me away. I never expected to meet such a great tasting soy derivative. But now that I’ve been spoiled with the opportunity to eat at this amazing quality restaurant, it’s going to be hard to go back and just eat a regular average plant made burger.
Pros:
Texture: Absolutely top of the line if your searching for an imitation meat or meat substitute, it really felt like I was biting into a regular brew pub quality hamburger.
Flavor: It’s flavor profile was amazing. It did actually taste like I was eating a real pepper steak burger, not an imitation one. These guys were pros at their craft and that’s for absolutely certain.
Location: The atmosphere was a bit hippy with a twist of Asian-like decor. The incense added the feeling you were in someone’s living room. Rather than the best vegan restaurant you may ever experience.
Ingredients: No idea, other than the fact it contained soy.
#2) Monty’s Good Burger Impossible Burger- Los Angeles, CA
Being their sole focus, other than getting dogs from local shelters adopted, making burgers using only plant based material has truly entered the real of artwork when it comes to Monty’s. They make patties fresh every single day, well, actually multiple times a day- just to keep the pinnacle of freshness in every single burger that they sell. If you are part of the movement that strives to eat a whole food plant diet only, then you will be able to reminisce about how good beef patties were, until you have one of these. Then you will be shocked to find out just all that a plant based diet has to offer.
Pros:
Texture: Absolutely certain that the texture of this burger couldn’t get any more realistic. You won’t find a closer match to a real beef burger.
Flavor: Again, shockingly close to the real thing. You’d be hard pressed to find another veggie burger this good. Or, one that resembles a beef burger more than Monty’s veggie burger. They focus on only one thing, and they do it best.
Location: Not really made to be a dine in restaurant, it was designed around the takeout and delivery model.
Ingredients: Nobody knows, it’s an industry secret I guess. Cause only their kitchen staff know what all is in it.
#1) Superiority Burger- NY, NY
Just like in the last slot, this particular eatery only produces one product and that is veggie burgers. Since they specialize in the niche you can guarantee that they have perfected their craft. Deciphering their burgers from the real thing would be very difficult. Many wouldn’t choose correctly if faced with that taste test. They make nothing but the best in veggie burgers (and, they were near me! :). I was personally blown away by the level of excellence they have managed to achieve. I even thought it was a joke at first and they were really just serving real meat. But, I was wrong,.They really have just hit the nail on the head with whatever blend they’ve concocted. (They are another company that is just hush hush when it comes to their recipe’s blend of ingredients).
Pros:
Texture: This is so close to the real thing. It will have you questioning everything you thought you knew about eating a plant based diet.
Flavor: Their burger patties are juicy, like a normal beef patty would be. This makes their burgers ultra irresistible. Many can’t tell which is the veggie burger and which is beef. Delicious!
Location Take out and delivery only. So, no atmosphere to speak of here. You wouldn’t even be there long enough to take a look around. Which is good! Their level of service matches the level of quality in their product- simply the best.
Ingredients: No list would ever be produced, they will guard that secret till the end. I don’t think they will ever be faced with such a situation. They are just as popular as they should be. The quality of product is that high-level.
Conclusion
So, to wrap up, no matter where you are in America, plant based diets have become commonplace. There is just about guaranteed to be one in whatever city you find yourself in. If you ever find yourself thinking “Where are the best veggie burgers near me?” Just know ahead of time that the answer is almost undoubtedly, “Very close by”.
I hope this guide leads you to try out some great plant based options on your next night out. You will discover some amazing options wherever you go, these days. Good Health, and Good Eating!
You may also like: HOW TO MAKE THE BEST VEGGIE SANDWICH? >>CLICK HERE!
