The Best Fast Food Chain For Vegetarian Diners

Aside from the typical low prices, fast food chains are famous for convenience and quick service. But are the options always convenient for every customer? While there are some dishes at most fast food chains that are inherently vegetarian, there is one franchise that reigns supreme in terms of vegetarian inclusivity: Taco Bell.

That's right, Taco Bell has a sizable list of menu options that are already made without meat, yet are packed with both protein and tasty ingredients. Items like the Veggie Bowl, Spicy Potato Soft Taco, and Black Bean Chalupa Supreme are all meatless options that will make you forget about meat all together. Many vegetarian customers also claim Taco Bell as their go-to fast food joint, noting how it's easy to swap meat for beans without losing any flavor. Taco Bell also features vegetarian dessert options, including the popular cinnamon twists — this allows vegetarian customers to enjoy every part of their meal in one stop.

Taco Bell is also one of the best fast food chain options for gluten free diners as well. Back in 2018, the chain specifically highlighted the multiple gluten free menu items, featuring items like Power Bowls and Doritos Locos Tacos (via Taco Bell). A majority of Taco Bell's sauce options are also gluten free, so nobody has to skimp on the seasoning. Clearly, Taco Bell cares about its customers with various dietary restrictions. 

While Taco Bell seems to be the crowd favorite, there are certainly other chains that have a good vegetarian selection. Some of the best options are restaurants that allow you to build your own meal, like Chipotle. This more upscale chain may not be quite as affordable as Taco Bell, but Chipotle's lifestyle bowls offer a variety of vegetarian friendly combos. Black or pinto beans serve as a great protein source, while the fajita veggies help bring more bulk and flavor to your bowl along with all the usual fixings. Chipotle also offers sofritas, a plant-based protein, that is great for both vegetarian and vegan customers.

Taco Bell and Chipotle offer similar cuisines, so if you're looking for a different fast food opportunity, another good build-your-own option is Subway. When making your sandwich, simply skip the meat section of the lineup and take advantage of the cheese and veggie selection, then top it all off with your favorite condiments. Not to mention you can customize your bread and try limited-time options like the new ghost pepper bread for some extra heat. Subway also makes a vegan vegetable patty that will help add a bit more substance to your sandwich, which you can smother in the chain's vegan-inclusive sauce collection. There's almost always a way to customize fast food and turn it into something vegetarian — but if you want to keep things convenient, you may want to keep the above listed places in mind for your next quick bite.