Your Guide to Vegan Options at Betty's Burgers
For those following a plant-based diet, finding reliable vegan options at popular fast-food chains can be a challenge. Fortunately, Betty's Burgers has made strides in recent years by introducing and clearly labelling specific vegan and customisable items. This comprehensive guide details everything a vegan diner needs to know to navigate the menu confidently.
The Dedicated Vegan Offerings
Betty's Burgers features at least one core burger that is designed specifically for vegan customers, reducing the guesswork when ordering. The cornerstone of their vegan menu is the Classic Vegan burger. This popular item is built with a crispy fried brown rice and vegetable patty. Topped with fresh tomato, lettuce, pickles, onion, and a spicy vegan mayo, it is served on a dedicated vegan bun. It is crucial to remember to ask for the vegan bun when ordering, as the standard milk buns contain dairy. The delicious fries are another great vegan option, generally cooked in a separate fryer to avoid gluten cross-contamination, though it's always wise to confirm this with staff when ordering for strict dietary needs. For a lighter option, the Garden Salad is also suitable for vegans.
How to Customize to Make it Vegan
Beyond the dedicated vegan options, Betty's menu includes vegetarian items that can be modified to be completely plant-based. Here is a step-by-step guide for ordering these customisable meals:
- Betty's Classic Plant: This burger comes with an Australian-made Love Buds plant-based patty, but the standard assembly includes dairy cheese and Betty's special sauce, which contains egg. To make it vegan, you must request the following modifications:
- Remove the cheese.
- Swap out Betty's special sauce.
- Request the specific vegan bun.
- The 'Bare' Burger: Any burger can be served 'bare,' wrapped in lettuce instead of a bun. This is an excellent choice for those wanting to avoid buns altogether. For a vegan-friendly 'bare' option, choose a vegan patty, ask for no cheese, no special sauce, and ensure the vegan mayo is used instead.
- Shroom Burger: While the Shroom burger features a crispy fried mushroom patty, it is not vegan as it contains melted Gouda and Gruyere cheese. However, it may be possible to create a custom vegan mushroom burger by requesting a grilled mushroom patty instead of the standard fried one and ensuring all dairy and egg products are omitted. Always discuss this with the restaurant team to ensure it meets your requirements.
What Vegans Should Avoid
To ensure your meal is completely vegan, it's important to know which ingredients and menu items are off-limits. These include:
- Milk Bun: The standard burger bun at Betty's contains milk and is therefore not vegan. Always specify the vegan bun when ordering.
- Betty's Special Sauce: This signature sauce is not vegan and must be substituted with a vegan-friendly alternative like the Spicy Mayo.
- Dairy Cheese: Any menu item that comes with cheese must have it removed, as it is a dairy product.
- Thick Shakes & Concretes: The base for all thick shakes and concretes is a custard ice cream that contains dairy and cannot be made vegan.
- Onion Rings and other beer-battered items: Some items may contain egg or dairy in their batter, so it's best to confirm with staff or avoid them if you're uncertain.
Important Cross-Contamination Information
For those with severe allergies or who follow a very strict vegan diet, it is vital to be aware of the kitchen environment. While Betty's takes some precautions, they cannot guarantee a zero-cross-contamination environment. As stated on their website, they take extra care when informed of allergies, including using clean utensils and gloves. For example, they toast vegan buns on a separate grill. However, shared surfaces and fryers are a reality in a busy kitchen. Always inform staff of your dietary requirements, especially if allergies are a concern. You can download the nutritional and allergens information directly from the Betty's Burgers website for detailed ingredient lists.
A Comparative Look at Vegan Options
To provide context for Betty's offerings, here's a comparison of common burger components and their vegan suitability at Betty's:
| Component | Betty's Standard | Betty's Vegan Option | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Patty | Angus Beef, Chicken, Mushroom | Classic Vegan (rice/veg), Classic Plant (Love Buds) | Vegan-Friendly |
| Bun | Brioche (milk) | Vegan Bun (request) | Vegan-Friendly |
| Cheese | Dairy Cheese | None (request removal) | Not Vegan |
| Special Sauce | Contains Egg | Spicy Vegan Mayo (available) | Not Vegan |
| Fries | Standard Fries | Standard Fries | Vegan-Friendly |
| Thick Shakes | Custard base (dairy) | None | Not Vegan |
Conclusion
So, is Betty's Burgers vegan-friendly? The answer is a clear yes, though with a few important caveats. With a dedicated Classic Vegan burger on the menu and the option to modify other plant-based items, vegans have several satisfying choices. The availability of vegan buns and sauces, along with accidentally vegan sides like fries, makes ordering easy, provided you know what to ask for. For those with strict dietary requirements concerning cross-contamination, direct communication with staff is essential, as Betty's operates in a shared kitchen environment. Overall, Betty's Burgers offers a solid and transparent approach to vegan dining within a casual, fast-food setting.
