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If you are aware of a fast food place with good vegetarian options please let us know. Send new listings or updates to directory@veg.ca. Your feedback is appreciated.

General notes and scope


Verify vegetarian options when ordering – Menu items can change over time and between locations. Also, if you are looking for vegan options, ask about condiments and sauces. (i.e.: some places may automatically add mayonnaise to a veggie burger.)

Cross-contamination – Some chains do a good job of keeping vegetarian items separate, but many don't and there can be variations between locations. Veggie burgers are often cooked on the same grill as the meat, and French fries may be deep-fried in the same oil as the chicken. Ask before ordering if this is a concern.

Unhealthy fats – Most chains use liberal amounts of saturated fat, hydrogenated (trans fats) oils, and palm oil (a naturally-saturated vegetable oil that has been associated with rainforest destruction).

Caesar salad – Assume the dressing contains anchovies (fish) and egg, unless mentioned as otherwise.

Chemical additives and preservatives – These are very prominent. For example the ingredient lists for many of the items at Burger King are over 50 words long. Many of the big chains use dimethylpolysiloxene and TBHQ. Here is a quote from the Omnivore's Dilemma about the presence of these "toxic" ingredients in McDonald's Chicken McNuggets:

"...Then there are "anti-foaming agents" like dimethylpolysiloxene, added to the cooking oil to keep the starches from binding to air molecules, so as to produce foam during the fry. The problem is evidently grave enough to warrant adding a toxic chemical to the food: According to the Handbook of Food Additives, dimethylpolysiloxene is a suspected carcinogen and an established mutagen, tumorigen, and reproductive effector; it's also flammable.

But perhaps the most alarming ingredient in a Chicken McNugget is tertiary butylhydroquinone, or TBHQ, an antioxidant derived from petroleum that is either sprayed directly on the nugget or the inside of the box it comes in to "help preserve freshness." According to A Consumer's Dictionary of Food Additives, TBHQ is a form of butane (i.e. lighter fluid) the FDA allows processors to use sparingly in our food: It can comprise no more than 0.02 percent of the oil in a nugget. Which is probably just as well, considering that ingesting a single gram of TBHQ can cause "nausea, vomiting, ringing in the ears, delirium, a sense of suffocation, and collapse." Ingesting five grams of TBHQ can kill.

Animal or plant source additives? – Many additives, such as sodium stearoyl lactylate, can come from either. Rennet can be from an animal (calf stomach) or non-animal source. According to Wikipedia, Microbial rennet is used more often in North America today because it is less expensive than animal rennet, whereas cheese from Europe is more likely to be made from animal rennet due to tradition. Lipase is another ingredient frequently found in cheese that can be from a vegetarian or non-vegetarian source. One additive called L-cysteine is frequently found in bread products at fast food places and is commonly derived from duck feathers. A synthetic version is available but not commonly used. It would be near impossible to verify the source of all the additives at fast food restaurants. Our investigation has mainly focused on the obvious animal, milk and egg derived products such as whey (dairy), modified milk ingredients, egg whites, cholesterol (meat, dairy or eggs) gelatin (animal bones) or beef flavouring and fat.

Allergen info – Many chains now have allergen charts that you can view as pdfs. They tend to err on the side of caution (or avoidance of lawsuits). For example if a vegan product is made in the same facility where products with milk or egg are made, they may be flagged for "milk" or "egg" due to the chance of cross contamination. Ask to see an ingredient list before ordering if you are concerned.

Scope – Ingredient information is geared to fast food chains in Canada, the United States, and to a lesser extent, the UK. Information may be different in other countries, and is subject to change over time. For more information about options in the United States see Vegan Eating Out (75 fast food chains researched). 

[rest.] – this symbol indicates a full service restaurant chain. Such places typically have waited tables, larger menus, longer wait times, and more natural, less processed meals.

This report is not meant as an endorsement of fast food eating. We recommend that you support local vegetarian and vegetarian-friendly restaurants whenever possible. For an extensive list in Toronto, see our Vegetarian Directory and for other places, see our World links page.

Originally researched and written by Thom Oommen. Updates by Stephen Leckie.
[Our vegetarian nutrition page -- protein, iron, calcium, D, iodine, omega-3, zine, B12.]

Vegetarian options: burritos, tacos, etc

Fast food chains and restaurants that serve Mexican/Latin American dishes can be great spots to find satisfying vegetarian meals, but watch out for the addition of animal fats and flavouring. What appears to be just beans may contain pig fat for example. Other good bets include: guacamole, meat-free quesadillas, and nachos with salsa.


burrito.jpg

Chipotle

Over 500 locations in the U.S. and one in Toronto at 323 Yonge St (at Dundas).

Chipotle is a chain restaurant a step up from a fast food place. They don't offer full table service but they have a higher quality of food and atmosphere. All their freshly-made burritos, tacos and other Mexican style foods can be ordered vegetarian or vegan. They have two types of beans, the black ones that are vegan, and the pinto beans that are flavoured with pork. The vegetarian options obviously come with the black beans. The Fajita vegetables are also vegan. Their famous guacamole is vegan. They use a vegetable-based rennet in their cheeses.  See menu and ingredients. 

A few other facts: 30 percent of their beans are organic. They use no peanuts or any other kind of nuts in their foods. Only the cheese and sour cream contain any dairy. No eggs are used. Their foods contain zero trans fats. They also have a policy of not supporting factory farming. See ‘Food With Integrity’ manifesto (pdf). Also see TreeHugger and the US Animal Welfare Institute for more information about Chipotle's policy.

Marci from Toronto writes April 21, 2009, "For the most part, my experience with them has been a good one, but... It is very important to watch your food extremely carefully as it is being made. I have witnessed other employees preparing meat-filled dishes next to mine and one had carried chicken in his hands across my burrito.  A piece dropped onto the edge my tortilla and was removed promptly. Before eating the burrito, I looked it over and found further chunks of chicken inside the paper wrapping.  Chipole was glad to make a new meat-free burrito, but my experience makes me weary of eating another burrito." 
www.chipotle.com

Moe's Southwest Grill

Over 400 locations across the U.S. plus four in Canada: Burlington, Orleans, Ottawa (coming soon), and Toronto (35 Eglinton E., just east of Yonge).

Jessica writes: "there is a tofu option (and it's actually great) so you can get those burritos with tofu and substitute guacamole for cheese or sour cream, they are really delicious." They offer takeout or eat-in. Their website reads: "All menu items that state 'Veg' are indeed vegetarian." The menu offers a number of vegetarian items: Art Vandalay Burrito (beans, rice, shredded cheese, pico de gallo, lettuce, sour cream and guacamole), Unanimous Decision Taco (beans, shredded cheese, pico de gallo, lettuce, sour cream and guacamole), Instant Friend and Super Kingpin Quesadillas, and some nachos, salads and kids' items. Tofu and two types of beans are options for fillings. Everything is trans fat free. Their website includes allergen info.
www.moes.com

Taco Bell

Thousands of locations in the U.S., Canada and other countires.

7-Layer BurritoIn my youth, I spent many a day at Taco Bell munching down Bean Tacos, Bean Burritos and of course the massive Seven Layer Burrito. Taco Bell was always very flexible. You can ask for anything removed or replaced from your food and they will happily accommodate you. Of course if you decline the cheese you still pay full price. For anything on the menu, you can ask for beans instead of meat to make it vegetarian. You can also order Bean Burritos without cheese and Seven Layer Burritos without sour cream and cheese. The hard taco, tostada shells and nacho chips are the healthiest choices. These corn-based shells are vegan, free of hydrogenated fats and have relatively short ingredient lists. Hot, mild and fire sauces are all vegan and loaded with chemicals. –Thom

According to the allergen guide, the Mexican rice contains dairy in the seasoning and the Cheese Quesadilla contains egg.

Their website provides the following statement about vegetarian options: "Several Taco Bell items do not include meat as an ingredient. Popular ones include the classic Bean Burrito, 1/2 lb. Cheesy Bean & Rice Burrito, 7-Layer Burrito, and Cheesy Fiesta Potatoes side item (the last two feature sour cream, which contains a very small amount of gelatin which is animal-based). Of course you can also request that any item on the menu be prepared without meat or sour cream. The enzymes used in the production of our cheese, tortillas, and flatbread are not from an animal source."

In true fast food form, all their menu items contain long lists of chemical additives. You can download an eight page! ingredient list from their website. See "Our Food": "Food Facts", question five. The chain switched to zero trans fat frying oil in 2007 in all of its U.S. locations, but trans fats still occur in many items including the beans and rice. Chemical additives including dimethylpolysiloxene and TBHQ are feaquently used. L-cysteine (commonly derived from duck feathers) shows up in Chalupa Shell and Flat Bread (which also contain dairy), and the Pizza Shell and the Taco Salad Shell (which are otherwise vegan).

Update (April 2007): Jack, who does PETA's blog, says: "...the new specialty item they’re pushing is vegetarian. It’s called a 7-Layer Crunchwrap, and it’s basically like a double bean tostada thing wrapped in a tortilla and grilled. Of course, they’ll gladly make it vegan by nixing the cheese and sour cream, which I guess makes the vegan version a 5-Layer Crunchwrap, huh?"
www.tacobell.com 1-800-822-6235.

Canada – There is a 7 Layer Burrito Fresco that contains zero cholesterol according to their nutrition pdf. Taco Bell’s fries are vegan and are cooked in their own 100% vegetable oil. In a phone call to Taco Bell in June 2004, we were told that the soft shells (for burritos or soft tacos) contain no obvious animal ingredients, although there are several chemical ingredients and hydrogenated fats are used. The soft shells appear to contain milk ingredients at least in Ontario based on the ingredient list provided at locations in Guelph and Cambridge.
www.tacobell.ca 1-800-822-6235.

Taco Del Mar

Over 250 locations across the U.S. and Canada, mostly in the West.

They have a vegetarian page that lists all the vegan options including: tortillas (all flavors), tortilla chips, taco shells, salad shell, salsa, habanero sauce, green sauce, red sauce, guacamole, beans (black, whole pinto and refried) and rice. There is a Vegan Mondo Burrito but the meat-free tacos and quesadillas come with cheese and it is not clear from their website if custom orders are permitted. The lacto-ovo vegetarian toppings include white sauce (eggs), sour cream and cheese. Note: the name "Taco del Mar," is Spanish for "taco of the sea" and refers to the chain's original specialty – fish tacos. Their nutriton chart doesn't mention trans fats, so likely their products contain them.
www.tacodelmar.com

Taco Time

Over 300 locations in the U.S. and Canada mostly in the West.

U.S. – According to Vegan Eating Out, they have several vegan options including: the Soft Bean Burrito (without cheese), and the Veggie Burrito and Tostada Salad without cheese and sour cream. There is also Mexi Fires, Taco Chips, Guacamole, and Apple and Cherry Emapanadas. The Veggie Buritto is a soft whole-wheat tortilla wrapped around refried pinto beans, seasoned rice, cheddar cheese, sour cream, lettuce, salsa fresca and roasted sunflower seeds. There is also the Crisp Pinto Bean Burrito (refried pinto beans and cheddar cheese) that appears to be vegetarian.
www.tacotime.com

Canada – There appears to be even more options north of the border. In addition to the Veggie Burrito
(whole wheat tortilla, refritos, Mexican rice, shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream, lettuce and Ranchero Salsa), there is a the Veggie Taco (seasoned pinto beans (refritos), real cheddar cheese, fresh lettuce and tomato), and the Black Bean & Salsa Taco Salad (crisp Romaine and Iceberg lettuce, topped with black beans, corn, Ranchero salsa and cheese). The Mexi Fries and Nachos contain trans fats, but the above dishes do not.
www.tacotimecanada.com

U.S. only

Del Taco

Over 500 locations mostly in the West.

There is no ingredient information on the website so it is hard to verify anything. The chips and salsa contain zero cholesterol and therefore may be vegan – but ask before ordering. There is also a Veggie Works Burrito (beans, rice, guacamole, red sauce, tomatoes, lettuce, sour cream and cheddar cheese), Bean & Cheese Burrito (beans, red or green sauce and cheddar cheese) and a Bean & Cheese Cup. On a 2003 VeggieBoard posting it is reported that: "The rice contains chicken broth. The beans may contain natural flavoring made from meat." and "the French fries, chips, green chili sauce & hot sauces are vegan. The shell for the tostada salad may be cooked along with meat products. All oil used at Del Taco is of vegetable origin." But things may have changed in six years.
www.deltaco.com

El Pollo Loco

Locations mostly in the Southwest and Mexico.

No ingredient information on the website so it is hard to varify if anything is vegetarian but there are several items that contain zero cholestrol and therefore may be vegan – but ask before ordering. These include the BRC Burrito (without cheese), the Pinto Beans, Spanish Rice, Mashed Potatoes, the Fresh Vegetables, BBQ Black Beans, Garden Salad, Guacamole and the French fries. Note: Pollo means chicken – expect strong smells of grilled chicken.
www.elpolloloco.com

Canada only

Burrito Boyz

One location in downtown Toronto (218 Adelaide St W), one Mississauga location (at 9 Stavebank Rd N) and one coming soon to Etobicoke.

Burrito Boyz is a casual restaurant chain that offers a vegan burrito and quesadilla (the menu says soya meat). It comes with a guacamole that contains dairy but they also have a vegan version. Tip provided by Sam.

See our main Fast Food page for a full list of cuisines and vegetarian-friendly chains. 

Last Updated ( Thursday, 23 April 2009 )