Wendy’s: What’s Vegetarian Editorial Review

Wendy’s doesn’t carry a plant-based patty or any dedicated vegetarian menu, so you’re building your meal from sides and customized salads instead of ordering something off the board. The good news is the sides actually deliver: the Natural-Cut French Fries are genuinely vegetarian, cooked in a plant-based oil blend rather than anything derived from meat.

What to order at Wendy’s

The Plain Baked Potato is vegan as long as you skip the butter and sour cream, and it’s the closest thing to a filling entree on the menu. Pair it with the Side Salad, minus the croutons and cheese, or the Apple Bites for something lighter. If you want a sandwich, order a Jr. Cheeseburger Deluxe with no meat and you’ll get the bun, lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles, ketchup, and mustard.

What to watch out for

The fries share a fryer with other menu items, so strict vegans should factor that in even though the potatoes and oil themselves are plant-based. Buns vary by location: the classic Sandwich Bun is dairy-free, but newer Potato Buns contain milk and are replacing it in some markets. The Frosty and the Caesar dressing both fall out of vegan territory because of dairy, anchovy, and rennet, so treat those as vegetarian only. Skip the Chili and the Taco Salad entirely, since both are built around seasoned beef rather than something you can simply ask to have left off.