Vegan Fast-Food Joints

The vegetarian food market is expected to grow to $1.7 billion in sales by 2010, up a half billion from 2005. And because sometimes we still need a quick bite on the run, now is the time to get to know a few of the mavericks bringing healthy, veg fast-food to a freeway off-ramp near you.

Zen Burger (New York City)
Their proprietary faux-meat products appear in such customer favorites as the ZenBeef Burger, ZenSausage Burrito, ZenShrimp Basket, and the vegan ZenHarvest Burger. Washed down with fair-trade iced coffee, organic salad, and vegan soft-serve ice cream, ZenBurger’s meals may get you just a little closer to enlightenment.

Gobo (New York City)
Who needs raw beef when you can indulge in Avocado Tartare with Wasabi-Lime Sauce? Send spaghetti and meat-sauce packing with Green Tea Noodles with Vegan Bolognese Sauce. A great vino to go with dinner is a must. Gobo’s sommelier Hervé Pennequin was a 2003 candidate for best sommelier in the world.

Herbivore (San Francisco)
Try fresh and tasty plant-based variations of classics such as moussaka, gnocchi, or macaroni and “cheese.” If you’re an imbiber, try quenching your thirst on a gingery fruit-juice cocktail made with soju (Korean rice and barley spirits).

VG burger (Boulder)
VG offers five different burger options, from nut to black bean and beyond. Of course, you’ll want fries with that-especially since they’re baked, not deep—fat fried. Top it all off with a milkshake blended with soy, rice, or hemp ice cream.

Native Foods (Southern California)
Standouts from this varied, all-vegan menu include Save the Chicken Wings, the Howard Lyman-inspired Mad Cowboy Bowl-a baked potato topped with barbecue faux-chicken skewers and roasted veggies drenched in ranch dressing—and the Philly Peppersteak Sandwich.

Hillside Quickie (Seattle)
Every unique menu item boasts mouthwatering ingredients, but The Crazy Jamaican—a jerk-tofu burger with ripe plantains and grilled sweet onions-is one of its most popular dishes.

Soul Vegetarian (Los Angeles)
Comfort and soul foods get an impeccable makeover: sweet potato pie, broccoli quiche, and savory corn bread. Focusing on highly flavorful “transitional” foods, the menu is influenced by the flavors of many cultures, including Mexican, Middle Eastern, and African.

Veggie Grill (Southern California)
Sweetheart Chili Fries made from sweet potatoes, Sante Fe Crispy Chickin’ sandwich, or the Chop-Chop Chef Salad will have you sated from lunch straight through to dinnertime.

Café Gratitude (San Francisco)
Try I Am Sassy, a virgin margarita made with agave and fresh watermelon, or I Am Graceful, a dish of quinoa, fresh veggies, and Indian coconut-curry sauce.