Fast food update

Vegetarian Journal, Jan-Feb, 2005 by Heather Gorn

THERE ARE VEGETARIANS WHO WOULD NEVER EAT at a fast food restaurant. To these people I would say, I understand completely. I have never eaten at a fast food restaurant. However, many people do. I am a firm believer that we need to work together in order to effect positive change. By communicating with these companies, we are demonstrating that there is a growing number of vegetarians and thus a growing interest in vegetarian food; by communicating in a constructive manner, we increase the chance of being heard. It would be a tremendous step for vegetarians to be taken seriously by the fast food business. And it is beginning to happen. More and more companies that we contact have pre-made handouts detailing their vegetarian and vegan menu options; these businesses are becoming more familiar with vegetarian and vegan diets. One company even took the initiative to call us and request guidance in adding vegetarian items to their menu. Slowly but surely change is coming--perhaps one day soon we will witness the rise of a vegetarian fast food chain.

CHICK-FIL-A

Chick-Fil-A lists the following items as vegan ("Do not include any animal products"): Side salad without cheese, Cool Wraps[R] without chicken or cheese, plain bun with lettuce and tomato, barbecue dipping sauce, croutons, reduced fat raspberry vinaigrette, and any soft drink.

Chick-Fil-A lists the following items as vegetarian ("include egg, milk, and cheese"): Any salad without chicken, reduced fat raspberry vinaigrette, blue cheese dressing, buttermilk ranch dressing, spicy dressing, Thousand Island dressing, light Italian dressing, croutons, sunflower kernels, carrot raisin salad, cole slaw, any Cool Wrap[R] without chicken, Polynesian dipping sauce, Dijon honey mustard dipping sauce, barbecue dipping sauce, plain biscuit, brownie, Icedream[R], lemon pie, cheesecake (any flavor), danish, and any soft drink.

The waffle flies at Chick-Fil-A are fried in oil that contains beef tallow.

Chick-Fil-A is able to prepare menu items differently upon request to accommodate customers with special dietary needs; Chick-Fil-A suggests that customers call ahead so that they are able to meet their needs in a timely manner. Customers can call the operator or manager to request special meals.

DENNY'S

Denny's Corporation stated:

   "While most Americans do include meat and other
   foods of animal origin in their diet, there are also
   millions of Americans who, for various reasons
   (religion, environmental, ecological, economical,
   world hunger, and personal ethics), have decided to
   exclude meat and animal-based products from
   their diet. Denny's offers a variety of foods and
   menu items for persons choosing to adopt vegan
   or vegetarian diets. Please see ingredient and
   specification notes for further information on
   how these lists were compiled.

      In the past people eating a vegetarian diet were
   concerned with the sources of lecithin and mono- and
   diglycerides. According to industry sources,
   (or equal to) 95% of these items are from non-animal
   sources. Currently Denny's specifications
   do not require sources of food components such
   as these be disclosed; when possible this information
   will be utilized in generating nutritional
   guidance documents."

Denny's defines their vegan menu offerings as "excludes foods and food components of animal origin." The breakfast items that Denny's cites as vegan are oatmeal, grits, Cheerios, Corn Flakes, non-sugar frosted Mini Wheats, Raisin Bran, Rice Krispies, Sugar Frosted Flakes, Complete Bran, toasted bagels or English muffins with fruit topping or syrups, multi-grain bread (contains caramel color), plain French toast bread, fresh fruit bowl, applesauce, nut topping, any fruit topping, frozen strawberries, and any flavor of jelly.

The following lunch and dinner selections are listed as vegan: regular French fries (see deep fly procedures, opposite), sliced tomatoes, celery sticks, sauteed or grilled vegetables, applesauce, tortilla chips, and Pico de Gallo. A baked potato topped with salsa, nut topping, chopped tomato, steak sauce (caramel color), marinara sauce, sauteed mushrooms, grilled peppers and onions, or BBQ sauce is listed as vegan. Denny's says that their English muffin, Boule bread, bagel, and Hoagie roll topped with tomatoes, red onions, pickles, mustard, lettuce, green chilies, ketchup, cucumbers, bell peppers, and light Italian dressing are vegan. The side salads, which can be topped with beans (at select stores), olives, nut toppings, diced chili peppers, mushrooms, cucumbers, oil and vinegar dressing, and light Italian dressing, are listed as vegan as well.

Denny's cites their apple pie, apple crisp, and fruit selections as vegan desserts. These beverages and condiments are listed as vegan: Ruby Red Grapefruit, tomato juice, coffee, hot tea, iced tea, Raspberry Nestea, lemonade, cranberry juice, apple juice, orange juice, and maple syrup.

Denny's cites the following breakfast items as "lacto vegetarian options--all vegan options plus dairy foods and foods containing components of dairy foods": cold and hot cereal combos with milk, pancakes with toppings and syrups, buttermilk biscuits and country gravy, sourdough bread, croutons, buttermilk biscuits, white bread, and Special K Cereal.