THE TWENTY BURGERS to Eat Before You Die
A patty, some vegetables, maybe a slice of cheese, and two buns. It doesn’t take much to create a solid burger, but across the country, chefs are reimagining the tried-and-true American classic, and the results are inventive, sophisticated, and downright outrageous. From cronut buns to vegan fried eggs to mac and cheese fritters, there’s no limit to how today’s vegan burgers are being filled, grilled, and topped. VegNews’ Richard Bowie searched the country for the biggest, baddest burgers out there, and here are the ones you need to try—now.
20 Shouk Burger
Shouk in Washington, DC
Falafel joints in most towns are a vegan’s best friend, and Shouk, a 100-percent plant-based outpost in DC, is proving it with its signature burger. Made from a blend of black beans, beets, cauliflower, and chickpeas, the amped-up veggie patty is stuffed into fresh pita, drizzled with imported Israeli tahini, and adorned with pickled turnips, grilled onions, and roasted tomato “bursts” that leave diners all shook up.
STEP IT UP: Turn up the heat by adding chili pepper harissa.
PERFECT SIDE: Herb-sprinkled polenta fries and cashew labneh
19 The Big Zac
Plant Power Fast Food in San Diego, CA
McDonald’s struck gold with
