Looking for The Habit Burger Grill vegetarian options? Here’s the full breakdown. The Habit Burger & Grill is a California-born chain built around char-grilled beef, but vegetarians and vegans have more to work with than you might expect. The vegan veggie patty is the standout. In addition, there’s a Portabella Char, a handful of sides, and salads you can customize meat-free. This guide covers every The Habit Burger Grill vegetarian option, what’s vegan, and the prep caveats (like the shared fryer and grill) you need to know before you order. For more context, see our guide to eating vegetarian at popular chains.
A Quick Look at The Habit Burger Grill
The Habit started as a single Santa Barbara burger stand and has grown into an international chain. Its char-grilled style has stayed consistent throughout. Here are the key facts:
- Founded in 1969 in Santa Barbara, California, originally as “The Hamburger Habit.”
- Brothers Brent and Bruce Reichard bought the Goleta location in 1980 and built the concept into a chain.
- The Charburger is the chain’s signature char-grilled burger. Consumer Reports named it the best burger in America in 2014.
- Yum! Brands acquired The Habit in March 2020 for roughly $375 million, adding it to the same portfolio as KFC, Taco Bell, and Pizza Hut.
- Rebranded to “Habit Burger & Grill” in August 2024.
- Around 370 US locations today, plus international restaurants in Cambodia, China, and the United Arab Emirates. Headquarters are in Irvine, California.
The Habit Burger Grill Vegetarian Options: What to Order
Below is a quick reference table of the most reliable meat-free items. Preparation can vary by location, so confirm with staff on fried and grilled items that share equipment with meat.
| Menu Item | Vegetarian | Vegan |
|---|---|---|
| Veggie Burger (vegan patty, no cheese) | Yes | Yes |
| Veggie Burger with cheese | Yes | No |
| Portabella Char | Yes | No |
| Grilled Cheese | Yes | No |
| French Fries | Yes | Yes* |
| Sweet Potato Fries | Yes | Yes* |
| Tempura Green Beans (no ranch dip) | Yes | Yes* |
| Onion Rings | Yes | No |
| Garden Ranch Salad (no cheese) | Yes | Yes† |
| Shakes, Malts & Sundaes | Yes | No |
*Cooked in a shared fryer with meat products. †Vegan only with Sweet Mustard dressing, which is the only dressing The Habit currently labels as vegan on its allergen page.
Vegetarian Burgers and Sandwiches at The Habit
- Veggie Burger: Built on a vegan veggie patty on a toasted wheat bun, with green leaf lettuce, fresh tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, and sweet mustard dressing. Order it without cheese and it’s fully vegan. Add cheese and it becomes vegetarian only. The Habit dropped the Impossible Burger in 2025, so the house veggie patty is now the chain’s only meatless burger option.
- Portabella Char: A char-grilled portabella mushroom burger (820 cal). It contains dairy and egg, so it’s vegetarian but not vegan. It cooks on the shared char-grill with meat, so cross-contact is possible. Still, for vegetarians who want a heartier option beyond the veggie patty, this is worth trying.
- Grilled Cheese: A simple cheese melt on toasted bread. It’s vegetarian, not vegan, and is also available as a kids’ meal.
Customize Your Order at The Habit
The Habit’s build-your-own setup lets you personalize your veggie burger with quite a few toppings. Here are the add-ons worth knowing about (all plant-based unless noted):
- Avocado: Order an avocado half or chunky avocado (about 80-90 cal). It makes the veggie burger considerably more filling.
- Caramelized Onions: A sweet, rich topping that pairs well with the veggie patty.
- Pickled Red Onion: Adds acidity and crunch to any sandwich.
- Pineapple Slice: A slightly sweet option, available as a topping add-on.
- Corn & Black Bean Salsa: A plant-based topping that works well for vegans looking to add flavor without dairy.
- Lettuce wrap: Ask for any burger in a bun lettuce wrap instead of bread. It’s available upon request and is a good vegan move if you want to skip the bun entirely.
- Bun options: The veggie patty comes on a wheat bun by default. A seeded bun or plain bun are alternatives. The sourdough option uses a butter blend, so it’s not vegan.
Vegetarian Salads at The Habit
The Habit’s salads are easy to make vegetarian by ordering without meat. The Garden Ranch is the most reliable choice. It’s a simple salad with fresh greens and vegetables. Hold the cheese and choose Sweet Mustard dressing, and it’s fully vegan. That’s the only dressing The Habit currently labels as vegan on its nutrition page.
Other dressings on the current menu include miso ginger, house dressing, roasted garlic aioli, avocado ranch, lemon Caesar, spicy ranch, and 1000 Island. However, only Sweet Mustard is explicitly marked vegan, so check the allergen guide for updates. Ranch and Caesar-based options contain dairy.
For heartier salads like the Santa Barbara Cobb, ask for it built without meat or cheese to make it vegetarian. The Mango Miso Crunch (hold the protein) is another option worth asking about. Confirm the current build with staff, as salad compositions can change.
Vegetarian Sides at The Habit
- French Fries: Thin-cut and crispy. The ingredients are vegan-friendly, but they’re cooked in a shared fryer with meat products. Strict vegans who want to avoid cross-contact should note this.
- Sweet Potato Fries: A naturally vegan side, also cooked in the shared fryer.
- Tempura Green Beans: Lightly battered and fried. They’re vegetarian, and vegan without the ranch dip. They contain gluten and also share the fryer.
- Onion Rings: Crispy and golden, but the batter contains dairy. So they’re vegetarian, not vegan.
Shakes and Desserts at The Habit
The Habit is known for hand-scooped shakes and malts in flavors like vanilla, chocolate, strawberry, coffee, mocha, and cookies & cream, plus sundaes. All of these are dairy-based. They’re vegetarian but not vegan. There’s no non-dairy shake option on the current menu, so vegans will need to skip dessert.
What’s Vegan at The Habit Burger Grill?
Vegan options at The Habit are limited but solid. Here’s what works:
- Veggie Burger on a wheat bun (or lettuce wrap), no cheese, with Sweet Mustard or any plant-based topping.
- French Fries and Sweet Potato Fries (shared fryer applies).
- Tempura Green Beans, no ranch dip.
- Garden Ranch Salad, no cheese, with Sweet Mustard dressing.
- Vegan toppings: avocado, caramelized onions, pickled red onion, pineapple slice, and corn & black bean salsa are all plant-based add-ons.
Skip grilled onions since they cook on the same char-grill as meat. Also skip the sourdough bread (butter blend), the Portabella Char (dairy and egg), and all dressings except Sweet Mustard if you’re strictly vegan.
Special Dietary Requirements and Allergies
The Habit publishes allergen information on its website, and staff can direct 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 all cook in the same oil. Strict vegetarians and vegans who want to avoid cross-contact should note this.
- Shared char-grill: The grill cooks meat, so the Portabella Char and grilled onions may not suit strict vegetarians. Ask for raw onions instead.
- Dairy: Ranch and Caesar dressings, the onion ring batter, shakes, the Portabella Char, and the butter-blend spread on sourdough all contain dairy.
- Gluten: The veggie patty and tempura green beans contain gluten.
- Cross-contamination: The Habit states that all products are prepared on shared equipment and that cross-contact cannot be guaranteed. Communicate your needs clearly to staff.
Tips for Vegetarians at The Habit
- Lead with the veggie patty: It’s vegan and can swap into most sandwiches, giving you more variety than the standard menu suggests.
- Try the bun lettuce wrap: Ask for your veggie burger in a lettuce wrap instead of bread. Staff can accommodate this upon request, and it’s one of the easiest vegan swaps on the menu.
- Add avocado or caramelized onions: Both are plant-based add-ons that make the veggie burger more satisfying and filling.
- Build your salad smart: Order any salad without meat, hold the cheese for a vegan version, and choose Sweet Mustard as your dressing.
- Ask about the fryer and grill: Preparation can differ by location, so confirm with staff if cross-contact is a concern for you.
- Check the allergen guide: The menu does change: The Habit dropped the Impossible Burger in 2025 and added the Portabella Char, so verify current options before ordering.
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 and it’s fully vegan.
Is The Habit’s veggie patty vegan?
Yes. The Veggie Burger patty is vegan. The whole burger is vegan without cheese. Adding cheese makes it vegetarian only.
What is the Portabella Char at The Habit?
The Portabella Char is a char-grilled portabella mushroom burger on the Habit Burger & Grill menu. It’s vegetarian but not vegan, since it contains dairy and egg. It also cooks on the shared char-grill with meat, so cross-contact is possible.
Did The Habit discontinue the Impossible Burger?
Yes. The Habit 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?
The fries and sweet potato fries are vegan-friendly by ingredients. However, they’re cooked in a shared fryer with other fried items. Strict vegans who want to avoid cross-contact should keep this in mind.
What dressings at The Habit Burger Grill are vegan?
Sweet Mustard is the only dressing The Habit currently labels as vegan on its allergen page. Other dressings (including ranch, avocado ranch, and lemon Caesar) contain dairy or other animal ingredients. Check the allergen guide for updates.
Are the shakes at The Habit vegan?
No. The Habit’s shakes, malts, and sundaes are all dairy-based. They’re vegetarian only. There’s no non-dairy option on the current menu.
Conclusion
The Habit Burger & Grill may be built around char-grilled beef, but there’s a solid vegetarian meal here if you know what to order. The Habit Burger Grill vegetarian options include the vegan Veggie Burger, the portabella-based Portabella Char, sides like fries and green beans, and salads you can build meat-free. The key is knowing the shared fryer and grill limits, and that Sweet Mustard is your one confirmed vegan dressing. For more meat-free dining strategies, see our 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.
