VEGAN FAKEAWAYS
From KFC to McDonald’s we test the best vegan fast food on the high street for Veganuary
MOVE aside, mung beans, and take that tofu with you – vegan food doesn’t have to be virtuous any more.
High Street bakery Greggs has won over hordes of veggies with its recently launched no-beef Steak Bake. And as 250,000 of us chow down on plant-based foods for “Veganuary”, other takeaway chains have introduced meat- and dairy-free options.
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LAURA STOTT took to the High Street to try out Veganuary fast food.
Leon Vegan Love Burger, £5.75 5/5
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ON THE MENU: Soya beetroot patty topped with vegan burger sauce and mustard mayo, tomatoes, pickles and smoked gouda-style vegan cheese.
VEGANUARY VERDICT: This dairy and animal-free dish from Leon was a complete treat for my tastebuds.
From the lip-smackingly good bun to the cheese slice, spot-on sauces and tasty patty, it was a standout plant-based success.
The beetroot-flavoured burger made a surprisingly good meat substitute with an unexpectedly yummy flavour while the melting texture of the gouda-style slice was bang-on too.
Not greasy at all, this somehow managed to taste virtuous and like eating junk food all in one mouthwatering bite.
My clear favourite of all the High Street Veganuary options.
KFC Vegan Burger, £3.99 4/5
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ON THE MENU: Crispy Quorn fillet coated in seasoning mix, lettuce and vegan mayo in a sesame bun.
VEGANUARY VERDICT: The Colonel’s first plant-based burger certainly resembles the real deal. The taste isn’t too, ahem, fowl either.
KFC’s famous spice mix tastes even more potent on this patty, probably to compensate for Quorn’s naturally bland flavour.
The dairy-free sauce is tangy and, while the fake “fillet” is too soft in texture to fool anyone into believing it is bird-based, I still tuck in with a satisfying crunch.
Finger Lickin’ Good.
McDonald’s Veggie Dippers Happy Meal, £2.99 2/5
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ON THE MENU: Two vegan red pepper, tomato pesto and split pea mix dippers coated in breadcrumbs, with fries, sauce and a soft drink.
VEGANUARY VERDICT: Maccy D’s might be trying to lure vegans through the Golden Arches, but one bite of these mushy dippers could well be enough to send them running back to the counter screaming for a Big Mac.
The veggie nuggets are tiny, tasteless and have a horrid soggy texture.
The fries are reliably tasty but overall this eating experience is deeply unpleasant.
More of an unHappy Meal for me.
Costa Vegan Smoky Ham And Cheeze Toastie, £2.95 4/5
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ON THE MENU: A white bread sandwich filled with coconut-based cheese and Quorn smoky ham substitute. Toasted fresh in store.
VEGANUARY VERDICT: Once warmed up, this sarnie looks appetising with its griddled appearance and a pleasant, if potent, cheese smell.
But the Quorn meat is a suspicious bright pink that’s more salmon than ham.
Despite its garish colour, this tastes just like eating a traditional cheese toastie.
The fromage flavour is so strong that I struggle to detect any smoky flavours, but that doesn’t stop me scoffing the lot.
Greggs Vegan Steak Bake, £1.55 5/5
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ON THE MENU: A golden puff-pastry lattice filled with Quorn chunks and onions in gravy.
VEGANUARY VERDICT: Following on from the success of its vegan sausage roll, Greggs’ faux-steak bake tastes so convincing it is no surprise it sells out.
Fresh from the oven, it’s golden brown, piping hot and smells delicious.
I’m blown away by how much flavour is packed into the casing.
The veggie gravy is rich and satisfying, the puff-pastry – made without the usual egg glaze – flakes round my mouth and the filling resembles real steak. Perfect for anyone missing a meat fix.
Subway Meatless Meatball Marinara, £3.99 3/5
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ON THE MENU: Plant-based meatballs in tomato sauce, topped with vegan cheese and choice of garlic aioli, sweet onion or sriracha hot chilli sauces.
VEGANUARY VERDICT: Subway promises to pack all the punch of the much-loved Meatball Marinara into this vegan version.
I opt for mine on multiseed bread with lettuce, cheese and garlic mayo.
I found the seasoning quite over- powering but the replica meatball texture is spot on.
This would satisfy any beef cravings and you could easily mistake this tribute act for the real deal.
Pizza Hut Veggie Pepperphoni Pizza, £11.95 1/5
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ON THE MENU: Pizza topped with vegan cheese and Pepperoni-style slices made from pea protein.
VEGANUARY VERDICT: New to menus this month, this pizza is not only the most expensive vegan offering in my taste-test but also the least appetising.
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In fact, it’s so revolting I can barely manage to swallow a bite. The deep crust base is covered with gunky cheese that smells like the inside of a trainer, has a rubbery flavour and sticks like glue to the back of my teeth.
There’s barely any of the hyped-up pretend pepperoni topping either.
More Vegan Hurl than Vegan Hut.
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