Publish date: 2024-01-15
But the pièce de résistance was the spicy cauliflower sandwich. It was the best plant-based item I've ever tried at a fast-food restaurant.
For years, fast-food chains such as McDonald's, Pizza Hut, and KFC have dabbled with plant-based foods. They know demand is real.
About one in five consumers say that they want more plant-based foods in their diet, according to a February 2023 report by market research firm Circana.
"About 25 million consumers eat plant-based beverages and foods occasionally or regularly, consuming these foods as part of a meal or as an ingredient," according to Circana.
As a result, plant-based chains are also growing in popularity, such as Hart House, Next Level Burger, and Mr.Charlie's. The latter is a terrible vegan spoof of McDonald's.
But no one has gotten it right until now.
I've eaten plant-based fast foods over my two-decade-long career covering the restaurant industry. I've tried KFC's Beyond Fried Chicken Meat, nearly the entire icky menu at Mr.Charlie's, and Veggie Grill, widely touted as one of the first plant-based fast food chains in the US. The food at Veggie Grill is delicious. But the chain, founded in 2006, has struggled with finances. It was acquired this week by Next Level Burger.
That's good news because the plant-based food at Veggie Grill is savory and delicious. But the fried cauliflower slider at Dave's Hot Chicken is the best plant-based menu item I have ever eaten at a fast-food restaurant. It was crazily addictive. I couldn't stop eating it.
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