The Five Guys Menu: What's Available for Meatless Diets
Five Guys is famously a haven for burger lovers, but its customizable menu also includes choices for those avoiding meat. The approach is not centered around a specific plant-based patty like some competitors, but rather on leveraging their fresh vegetable toppings and custom preparation. The core meatless options revolve around three main menu items: the Veggie Sandwich, the Cheese Veggie Sandwich, and the Grilled Cheese Sandwich.
The Veggie Sandwich: A Patty-Free Experience
For those who are vegetarian but not vegan, the Veggie Sandwich is a straightforward choice. This option is not a burger with a plant-based patty, but rather a sandwich composed entirely of the restaurant's signature fresh and grilled vegetable toppings. It is a customizable item that typically includes grilled onions, mushrooms, and green peppers, along with fresh lettuce and tomatoes, all served on a toasted sesame seed bun.
While this sandwich is a vegetarian-friendly option, it is crucial for vegans to note that the standard Five Guys bun contains both milk and eggs, making it unsuitable for a strict vegan diet. Vegans will need to customize this order further by requesting a lettuce wrap instead of the bun.
The Cheesy Goodness: Grilled Cheese
The Grilled Cheese is another excellent meatless choice, especially for vegetarians. It consists of American-style cheese melted onto an inverted, toasted sesame seed bun. The beauty of ordering this at Five Guys is the ability to add any of the available free vegetable toppings to it. This allows for a highly personalized and flavorful vegetarian meal. Popular additions include grilled onions and mushrooms, creating a unique, savory experience. Similar to the veggie sandwich, vegans will need to request a bunless version or a lettuce wrap to avoid the dairy and egg in the bun and cheese.
The French Fries: A Vegan Favorite
The French fries are perhaps the most universally accepted meatless option at Five Guys. The company famously cooks its fries in 100% pure peanut oil, making both the Five Guys Style (plain salted) and the Cajun Style fries suitable for both vegetarians and vegans. This makes for a reliable and delicious side dish for any dietary preference. Additionally, the availability of free peanuts in-store is another snackable, vegan-friendly option.
Navigating Customization: For Vegans and Those with Allergies
For those following a strict vegan diet, simply ordering the veggie or grilled cheese sandwich is not enough. The key lies in strategic ordering and communication with the staff.
Here is a step-by-step guide for vegans:
- Start with the Veggie Sandwich or Grilled Cheese base. This gives the kitchen a clear starting point.
- Specify 'no bun.' Request the vegetables be served as a "lettuce wrap" or in a "burger bowl".
- Ask to hold the cheese. For the grilled cheese, explicitly state no cheese.
- Request a clean grill. Cross-contamination with meat products is a significant risk since all food is cooked on the same surface. Requesting that the vegetables be cooked on a clean section of the grill is a crucial step for preventing cross-contamination, though staff may not always be able to accommodate.
- Customize with free toppings. Load up on grilled onions, mushrooms, and green peppers, plus fresh lettuce and tomatoes.
- Choose vegan-friendly sauces. Many condiments like ketchup, mustard, relish, and BBQ sauce are vegan.
Vegetarian vs. Vegan Options at Five Guys
| Feature | Vegetarian-Friendly | Vegan-Friendly |
|---|---|---|
| Veggie Sandwich | Yes, on standard bun | Only as a lettuce wrap; specify 'no cheese' if ordering a cheese veggie sandwich |
| Grilled Cheese | Yes, on standard bun with cheese | Only as a lettuce wrap; must specify 'no cheese' |
| French Fries | Yes | Yes, cooked in peanut oil |
| Milkshakes | Yes, most flavors (excluding bacon) | No, contains dairy |
| Buns | Yes, contains dairy and egg | No, contains dairy and egg |
| Cross-Contamination | Not a concern for most vegetarians | Possible risk due to shared grill, communicate with staff |
Five Guys vs. The Competition
It's worth noting that Five Guys has taken a different path than many of its competitors in the fast-food industry. Chains like Burger King and Carl's Jr. have introduced dedicated plant-based patties, such as the Impossible Whopper and Beyond Burger options, respectively. Five Guys has remained committed to its "fresh, never frozen" ethos, which has historically meant sticking to its core menu. The company's CEO has confirmed they are exploring plant-based options but have not yet found a meat-free patty that meets their quality standards. This means that for a satisfying meatless meal, customers must rely on the existing, customizable menu items rather than a dedicated plant-based product. This unique stance distinguishes Five Guys in the fast-food landscape.
Conclusion: Making the Most of Five Guys' Meatless Offerings
To answer the question, "Does Five Guys have meatless options?", the clear takeaway is that yes, they do, but with specific caveats. For vegetarians, the veggie sandwich, grilled cheese, and fries offer tasty and satisfying combinations. Vegans, however, must be more deliberate in their ordering, requesting bunless options and being aware of potential cross-contamination. The unlimited toppings remain a powerful asset for creating a personalized meal, regardless of dietary restrictions. While some may miss a plant-based patty, the customization and quality of fresh ingredients still make Five Guys a viable option for a meatless fast-food meal.
For more information on the menu and allergens, you can visit the official Five Guys website.
