Plant-based options at popular chains are honestly way better than I ever expected they would get by 2025. Like… I used to be the person who said “just give me the fries and leave me alone” and now sometimes I actually choose the vegan thing on purpose?? Wild.
McDonald’s – The McPlant Saga Continues (and I’m still confused) Plant-Based Options at Popular
They finally went full nationwide with the McPlant in late 2024/early 2025 depending on where you live. I had one like four days after it dropped near me because I’m weak and impulsive.
First bite was… surprisingly decent? It tastes like a hamburger that’s having an existential crisis but in a good way. The sauce is solid. The bun is fine. But then you remember most locations still cook fries in the same fryer as meat and your little vegan heart dies a little.
I give it a solid 7.6/10 Would smash at 1am again. Already did. Twice last week.
(they have the nutrition page here if you care: https://www.mcdonalds.com/us/en-us/product/mcplant.html )
Burger King – Impossible Whopper still carrying the team in 2025 Plant-Based Options at Popular
Listen. Impossible Whopper has been the MVP since 2019 and it honestly still is.
I ate one in my car after the worst tinder date of my life last month. Cried. Ate. Added extra pickles because why not at that point.
It was perfect. The pickles saved me emotionally. Also they brought Impossible Nuggets back permanently and that’s genuinely dangerous information for someone with my impulse control.
Official page: https://www.bk.com/menu/impossible-foods
Starbucks – Where I Continue to Fail at Being Plant-Based Plant-Based Options at Popular
Starbucks has the Impossible Breakfast Sandwich and some decent plant-based snacks in 2025 but I have a very shameful confession:
I have ordered that sandwich with bacon. On purpose?? No. Accidentally. Twice. In the same month.
The barista just gave me the saddest smile both times while remaking it. I wanted to disappear into the floor.
Pro survival tip from someone who sucks at this: say “vegan, no animal products at all please” like you’re begging for your life. It helps. Sometimes.
Quick chaotic ranking from someone who eats too much fast food Plant-Based Options at Popular
- Impossible Whopper – 9/10 (still the goat)
- Impossible Nuggets – 8.5/10 (dangerous)
- McPlant – 7.6/10 (solid drunk food)
- Starbucks Impossible Sandwich (when I don’t sabotage it) – 7.2/10
- That sad little Sweet Earth frozen burrito I keep buying at Target when I’m lazy – 8.9/10 (not technically a chain but I’m counting it)
Look… I’m not vegan. I’m barely even vegetarian. I’m mostly just someone who feels guilty sometimes and wants to feel slightly less like garbage while still eating trashy food at inappropriate hours.
The plant-based options at popular chains in 2025 are good enough that I don’t feel like I’m being punished when I order them anymore. That’s actually huge.
So if you’re curious, or if you’re like me and just want to make slightly better bad decisions at 2 a.m., try one.
Just maybe triple-check you didn’t accidentally add bacon. Learned that one the hard way.
Tell me your go-to chain vegan order in the comments — I need more terrible ideas.
love you mean it, me, chewing the last sad fry at way too late o’clock
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