That’s right, the international chain, Johnny Rockets, offers a vegan option — their Streamliner Burger which consists of a hamburger bun, mustard, Boca Burger (soy patty), lettuce, tomato, onions, pickle, and secret seasoning. And it looks like they take “vegan” seriously, unlike other places we’ve been where vegan can mean almost anything! (Fish sauce in the dipping sauce for vegan spring rolls, egg product in buns, casein in the “vegan” cheese…) From the Johnny Rockets website:
A Note for our Vegetarian Guests
At Johnny Rockets we strive to meet the needs of all of our guests. The Boca Burger patty that we use in our Streamliner is their Original V35 and is manufactured as a vegan product. Our spec hamburger buns should not contain any dairy nor other animal-derived ingredients. Our American fries also should not contain ingredients which are of animal origin and are always cooked in 100% vegetable oil. Beef tallow, or flavorings derived from animal sources, are never intentionally added during the manufacturing or cooking process. However you should be aware that, due to the proximity of the manufacturing equipment to sources of animal protein or oil from animal sources there is the slight, though extremely unlikely, possibility that traces of these unwanted products may be accidentally transferred to our American fries during their production. For this reason, and this reason only, we feel compelled to list beef tallow as a possible (however extremely unlikely) ingredient.Please be aware that we designate a special area of the grill on which to cook only the Boca Burger and we do everything in our power to keep the area free from other materials. We also have special color-coded turners and tongs which help to keep cross-contamination to a minimum. However due to the limited space and tight kitchen layout at Johnny Rockets we cannot guarantee that there will not be unintentional contact with some small amount of material from an item which is of animal in nature.
Anyway, if you’d like to try one on them, here’s a link to the coupon over at VegCooking.com, a PETA blog. The coupon is valid with the purchase of a Streamliner or any sandwich, starter, and drink — and only at participating locations (but I couldn’t find which locations sell the Streamliner online, so check with your local store first). It’s good through the end of May. We’ll be heading there soon, if for no other reason than to support the idea of a vegan option at a burger joint! Woo hoo! Progress! Now, if they’d just offer a vegan shake to go with that vegan burger and fries!
– We’re getting ready to close down our petition to Oprah, asking her to do a piece on factory farming. If you haven’t already signed, please consider doing so. We can all work together to make a difference.
“vegan food options are becoming more readily available”
You’re right. It’s a growing industry. I’ve been paying attention lately because I want to start my own vegan business. So I’ve been reading about the market trends and you’re absolutely right.
I think what’s confusing is that other eating styles are also becoming more popular. For example, during the last twenty years, the number of vegans increased significantly, but the amount of meat that omnivores ate increased too. So while some people stop eating meat, others are eating more.
Hi Elaine,
Are you referring to percentages or straight numbers? Because the increase in population alone could explain how both are occurring. On the other hand, the fast food places all seem to be offering “snack” items for under a buck, so instead of snickers bars, people may be having burgers…
I would expect there will be a real increase in vegan products over the next few years as the environmental issues push “vegan” as a solution.
One word of caution about the vegan streamliners at Johnny Rockets.
Keep in mind that the Bocaburgers are cooked on the SAME GRILL SURFACE as the regular meat patties.
Thus is you are vegan you will invariably become ill due to your Bocaburger patty having fat and oil from the meat patties cooked into it while on the grill.
Although this is a nice gesture on the part of the Johnny Rockets chain to truly be vegan burgers the patties need to be cooked on a separate grill. Since they are not the patties are not vegan.
This is the same in all the major chain restaurants that have so called “vegan” items on the menu. The food items are NOT vegan if they are cooked on surfaces or with items that are used to prepare or cook meat or dairy products.
Hi John,
Actually according to their website, the vegan burgers have a dedicated space on the grill. I would suspect that not every employee is going to adhere to that regulation, because not every employee is going to take this seriously… The Johnny Rockets I have access to has an “open” kitchen. It’s completely visible from the counter. If yours is like that, I’d suggest sitting at the counter if you go. This way you can see for yourself how that store handles your request.
The vegan burger at johnny rockets is only vegan if you specify your a vegan. The actuall veggie burger is but they cook it on the same grill, the onions are cooked in bacon greese and there is butter on the bread. Ask for the burger to be cooked on foil, no onions and take the bread off and dont eat it.