It would be a nice utopia if everyone bought lentils from indie health shops, but most people love a burger and nothing’s going to change soon. So seek out vegan fast food joints that help animals, reduce carbon emissions, are cash-free (bank notes are now made with plastic and animal fat) and serve in compostable packaging (McDonald’s straws may be paper, but the cup lids are still plastic). One petition reached 50,000 signatures to revert to plastic straws, as the paper ones ‘went soggy in McFlurries’. We have a long way to go.
Most vegan fast food joints sell in compostable packaging, but still bin to stop fast food litter. Do not feed hot dogs to young children or those at risk of choking. Do not feed leftovers to birds, gulls or pets (due to vegan meats, salt etc). Read more on food safety for people & pets.
Most meat fast food joints use factory-farmed meat. The main player boasts its meat is from ‘happy cows’ but its website does not say the meat is free-range, rather it is recognised by Red Tractor (not ranked well by animal welfare organisations). And it also assures that ‘all chicken is from breast meat’ though what that has to do with welfare, is anyone’s guess.
And if you’re vegan or vegetarian, know that your choices are not respected. KFC fries chips in chicken fat (and McDonald’s fries are not always vegan abroad). And Burger King’s plant-based whoppers are cooked on the same broiler grills as meat.
a vegan London diner to help barnyard friends
Unity Diner (London) is a unique diner, as all profits help fund their own Surge Sanctuary, giving loving homes to abused farm animals. All packaging is plastic-free, and uniforms are ethically made from organic cotton.
The menu is extensive and many say these are the best burgers in the city! Located in Spitalfields (nearest tube stations Aldgate East and Liverpool Street), the company took over a meat rib restaurant. The menu includes:
- Truffle shuffle burgers (above) with BeSaucy mayo.
- A wide range of burgers including ‘Christmas steaks’
- ‘Vegan pigs in blankets’ (profits help rescued pigs!)
- Vegan ‘code & chips’ & calamari rings
- A wide range of shakes, desserts & hot drinks
plant-based burgers in compostable packaging
Neat Burger (London) offers plant-based patties made in-house and sold in biodegradable boxes, with sugar-cane bowls and compostable cutlery for other items. This ambitious company has top-name investors including Lewis Hamilton and Leonardo di Caprio. Join their Secret Sauce Society for rewards to redeem against future visits. The range includes the signature Neat Burger (a double patty with lettuce, tomato, grilled onion, ‘cheeze’ and neat sauce) alongside:
- Crispy Chik’n sandwich!
- Smash Daddy (with mustard)
- Cheez burger
- NYC Hot Dog
- Salads & wraps
- Brisket-loaded fries
- Crispy cauli wings
- Buffalo nuggets
- A range of plant-based shakes
- Cinnamon-sugar churros
- Homemade lemonade
other good vegan fast food chains
Oowee (London, Bristol, Brighton) also offers home delivery. All Chick’n is handmade using a secret recipe, buns are made to order by a local baker and hero sauces are made each day fresh by chefs. This ambitious company plans to open a branch in every city. The range includes Big Bacon Double Smashburger, The Big VG and Sneaky Cluckers!
Vegan Shack (Manchester, Croydon) offers plant-based versions of meat, chicken and fish burgers along with fries, kebabs, salads, nuggets and shakes. And a vegan shack muffin for breakfast!
plant-based vegan fast food (abroad)
Flower Burger (Italy) is a chain growing throughout Europe. The buns are dyed naturally with turmeric, charcoal, cherry or beet extract, then paired with potato wedges and sides. Born in Milan, these use chickpeas over faux meats.
Mr Charlie’s (USA) makes no bones about trying to take business from you-know-who with a similar red and yellow design. It has branches from LA to San Fransisco to Sydney. The main order offers a choice of a ‘not a hamburger or ‘not a chicken sandwich’ with nuggets, fries and a drink. It also offers muffin breakfasts.
where to buy vegan döner kebabs
England is renowned as the country where youngsters go out for a good night on the town, get drunk and then go to the kebab house, before going home. It all sounds good fun, but of course animals are suffering terribly, as a consequence. But no need to be a party-pooper, as it’s possible now to find plant-based kebabs that are just as good, of course really they are better!
Most kebab shops undoubtedly use factory-farmed meat. And Red Tractor assurances are not ranked well by animal welfare organisations).
What the Pitta! is England’s first chain of vegan döner kebab restaurants! The idea came about when the founder lamented the lack of choice at takeaways. When a friend mentioned a relative had a popular vegan kebab shop in Germany, they visited and were so wowed by the taste, they brought back the recipe and opened a small outlet 2 weeks later. Today there are branches in London (Brick Lane & Camden), Brighton and Manchester
With fans including Irish chefs and superstar footballers, the range (sold in bagasse and wood packaging) has staff trained to conserve energy/water (oil is repurposed into biofuel). The menu includes:
- Döner kebabs with salad, hummous, vegan tzatsiki & peppers
- Paprika spice chips, with sauce of your choice
- Spicy ‘no chicken’ pieces with salad & fries
- Homemade falafel wraps with chilli sauce
- Falafel bowls with salad & creamy hummus
You can also buy plant-based kebabs from Vegan Munch (Birmingham) and Seitan’s Kebab (Manchester).
Some kebab houses sell halal meat (not stunned). Religious tolerance is one thing, but welfare experts at Compassion in World Farming say animals do suffer, and want it banned. The solution is obvious as it’s fine within both Islam and Judaism to be vegan. Muslim Prince Khaled bin alwaleed is so passionate about creating a plant-based world, he has invested in many businesses (and many vegan cookbook authors are Jewish).
why do fast food chains have so much power?
Arizona’s Sedona desert has some of the most stunning nature and wildlife on earth. So when McDonald’s inevitably decided to build a restaurant there, it was allowed. And then had the audicity to add the world’s only ‘green arches’ instead of yellow to ‘show they were stewards of the planet’ How about not getting your beef from rainforests, or investing in free-range meats?
Even Vatican City now takes 30,000 Euros from renting out a building to house a chain of McDonald’s. Perhaps those in power should visit Catholic Concern for Animals, to learn why Saint Francis and Saint Clare of Assisi would not approve).
The decision caused outrage among some cardinals, not just for animal welfare reasons but due to the ugly shop blighting one of the most beautiful cities (Vatican City is its own country) in the world. Yet some customers are now nuns, which makes you wonder really what religion is all about.
Of course McDonald’s have handed out free cheeseburgers to homeless people, to try to win people round. It would be better places leaving the Catholic church to address its responsibility of having homeless people on its doorstep, when it’s one of the richest organisations in the world.
