A&W: What’s Vegetarian Editorial Review

A&W isn’t built for vegetarians. There’s no meatless burger or sandwich on the menu, so your meal comes entirely from the fried sides, the cheese curds, and the ice cream counter.

What to order at A&W

French fries are the easiest pick, since A&W lists them as gluten-free and dairy-free with no animal ingredients in the potato or the seasoning. Wisconsin white cheddar cheese curds are the signature side, lightly breaded and fried to a golden brown in a 5-ounce or 10-ounce size. Onion rings, battered white onions fried to order, round out the trio. Close things out with a root beer float, a milkshake, or a sundae, all built on the chain’s soft serve and its fresh-brewed, cane-sugar root beer.

What to watch out for

Fries and onion rings share fryer oil with chicken and other breaded items at most locations, so they’re vegetarian but not a safe vegan bet if cross-contact matters to you. A&W doesn’t publish whether its cheese curds use animal or microbial rennet, so strict vegetarians should ask before ordering. The coleslaw has egg in its mayo, and every soft serve, shake, float, and sundae is made with dairy. Beyond the root beer and fountain sodas, there isn’t a genuinely vegan option on this menu.