Looking for The Habit vegetarian options? Here’s the full list. As more people adopt vegetarian and plant-based lifestyles, finding meat-free options at popular fast-casual chains matters more than ever. The Habit Burger & Grill, a California-born chain famous for its char-grilled burgers, may not be the first place that comes to mind for vegetarians — but it offers a genuinely vegan veggie patty, several sides, and customizable salads. This guide breaks down exactly what’s vegetarian at The Habit, what’s vegan, and how to order around the menu’s dairy and shared-fryer caveats.
A Quick Look at The Habit Burger Grill
The Habit has grown from a single Santa Barbara burger stand into an international chain, but its char-grilled approach has stayed the same. Here are the milestones worth knowing:
- Founded in 1969 in Santa Barbara, California, originally as “The Hamburger Habit.”
- Brothers Brent and Bruce Reichard bought the Goleta location in 1980 and grew the concept into a chain.
- The Charburger — the chain’s signature char-grilled burger — was named the best burger in America by Consumer Reports in 2014.
- Acquired by Yum! Brands in March 2020 for roughly $375 million, joining KFC, Taco Bell, and Pizza Hut under the same parent company.
- Rebranded to “Habit Burger & Grill” in August 2024.
- Around 370 locations today across the United States, with international restaurants in Cambodia, China, and the United Arab Emirates. Headquarters are in Irvine, California.
The Habit vegetarian options: What to Order
Below is a quick reference table of the most reliable meat-free options. Because recipes and preparation vary by location, always confirm with staff — especially for fried and grilled items that may share equipment with meat.
| Menu Item | Vegetarian | Vegan |
|---|---|---|
| Veggie Burger (vegan patty, no cheese) | Yes | Yes |
| Veggie Burger with cheese | Yes | No |
| Grilled Cheese | Yes | No |
| French Fries | Yes | Yes |
| Sweet Potato Fries | Yes | Yes |
| Tempura Green Beans (no ranch) | Yes | Yes |
| Onion Rings | Yes | No |
| Garden Salad (no chicken, no cheese) | Yes | Yes |
| Shakes, Malts & Sundaes | Yes | No |
Vegetarian Burgers & Sandwiches at The Habit
- Veggie Burger: The Habit’s Veggie Burger is built on a vegan veggie patty, served on a toasted wheat bun with green leaf lettuce, fresh tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, and sweet mustard dressing. As built (without cheese) it’s fully vegan; add cheese and it becomes a vegetarian option. Note: the Impossible Burger was discontinued in 2025, so the house veggie patty is now the chain’s main meatless burger.
- Grilled Cheese: A simple, kid-friendly melt of cheese on toasted bread. It’s vegetarian but not vegan. It’s also available as a kids’ meal.
- Build your own: The veggie patty can be substituted into most of The Habit’s sandwiches, so you can customize toppings to taste.
Vegetarian Salads at The Habit
The Habit’s salads are easy to make vegetarian by skipping the chicken or other meat. The most dependable choice is the Garden Salad — fresh greens and vegetables that become vegan when you hold the cheese and pick a plant-based dressing. The chain’s vegan-friendly dressings include fuji apple cider vinaigrette, house dressing, mango salsa, miso ginger, red wine vinaigrette, and sweet mustard. Avoid the Caesar and ranch dressings if you’re vegan, as both contain dairy. Heartier salads such as the Santa Barbara Cobb typically include meat, egg, and cheese, so ask for them to be built without those ingredients.
Vegetarian Sides at The Habit
- French Fries: Thin-cut and crispy, these are vegan-friendly. Keep in mind they’re cooked in a shared fryer (see the allergies section below).
- Sweet Potato Fries: A naturally vegan side with a touch of sweetness.
- Tempura Green Beans: Lightly battered and fried; vegetarian, and vegan if you skip the ranch dip. They contain gluten.
- Onion Rings: Crispy and golden, but the batter contains dairy, so they’re vegetarian rather than vegan.
Shakes & Desserts at The Habit
The Habit is known for its hand-scooped shakes and malts in flavors like vanilla, chocolate, strawberry, coffee, mocha, and cookies & cream, plus sundaes. These are all dairy-based, so they’re vegetarian but not vegan. There’s currently no non-dairy shake option, so vegans should plan to skip dessert.
What’s Vegan at The Habit Burger Grill?
Vegan options at The Habit are limited but solid, thanks to the vegan veggie patty. Stick to these:
- Veggie Burger on a wheat bun, no cheese, with a vegan-friendly dressing.
- French Fries and Sweet Potato Fries.
- Tempura Green Beans without ranch.
- Garden Salad, no cheese, with a vegan dressing such as red wine vinaigrette or miso ginger.
Skip grilled onions (prepared on a shared grill with meat), the Caesar and ranch dressings (dairy), onion rings (dairy in the batter), and the butter-blend spread used on the sourdough and ciabatta breads.
Special Dietary Requirements and Allergies
The Habit publishes allergen and nutritional information on its website, and staff can usually point you to a guide in-store. A few things to keep in mind:
- Shared fryer: French fries, sweet potato fries, onion rings, and tempura green beans are all cooked in the same oil, which strict vegetarians and vegans may want to avoid.
- Shared grill: The char-grill cooks meat, so items like grilled onions may not be suitable for vegetarians. Ask for raw onions instead.
- Dairy: Caesar and ranch dressings, onion ring batter, shakes, and the butter-blend spread on sourdough and ciabatta all contain dairy.
- Gluten: The veggie patty and tempura green beans contain gluten.
- Cross-contamination is always possible in a busy kitchen, so communicate your needs clearly to the staff.
Tips for Vegetarians at The Habit
- Lead with the veggie patty: It’s vegan and can be swapped into most sandwiches, giving you more variety than the menu suggests.
- Customize your salad: Order any salad without meat, hold the cheese for a vegan version, and choose a plant-based dressing.
- Ask about the fryer and grill if you avoid cross-contact — preparation can differ by location.
- Double-check ingredients: Menus change (the Impossible Burger was dropped in 2025), so verify current options with staff or the online allergen guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does The Habit Burger Grill have a veggie burger?
Yes. The Habit serves a Veggie Burger made with a vegan veggie patty on a toasted wheat bun with lettuce, tomato, cucumber, onions, and sweet mustard dressing. Order it without cheese to keep it fully vegan.
Is The Habit’s veggie patty vegan or vegetarian?
The Habit’s veggie patty is vegan. The Veggie Burger as served (without cheese) is vegan; adding cheese makes it vegetarian.
Did The Habit discontinue the Impossible Burger?
Yes. The Habit quietly removed the Impossible Burger from its menu in 2025. The chain’s house-made vegan veggie patty is now its primary meatless burger option.
Are The Habit’s french fries vegan?
Yes, the french fries and sweet potato fries are vegan-friendly. Just note that they’re cooked in a shared fryer with other fried items, which strict vegans may want to avoid.
Which salad dressings at The Habit are vegan?
The vegan-friendly dressings include fuji apple cider vinaigrette, house dressing, mango salsa, miso ginger, red wine vinaigrette, and sweet mustard. The Caesar and ranch dressings both contain dairy.
Are the shakes at The Habit vegan?
No. The Habit’s shakes, malts, and sundaes are all dairy-based, so they’re vegetarian but not vegan. There is currently no non-dairy shake option.
Conclusion: What’s Vegetarian at The Habit?
The Habit Burger & Grill may be built around char-grilled beef, but vegetarians and vegans can still put together a satisfying meal. The vegan veggie patty is the standout, backed up by fries, sweet potato fries, tempura green beans, and customizable salads. Just watch for the shared fryer and grill, dairy in the dressings and shakes, and the discontinued Impossible Burger. For more meat-free dining strategies, see our master guide to eating vegetarian and vegan at restaurants, or browse all of our restaurant guides.
Craving more burger options? Check out what’s vegetarian at In-N-Out Burger, Wendy’s, and McDonald’s.
The Habit vegetarian options: frequently asked questions
