There are a number of reasons to eat more plant-based. There’s animal compassion, health benefits, and an ethical pull to live more sustainably. However, the simplest reason to go vegan is for the delicious food. Veggie Grill by Next Level, a fast-casual plant-based chain, is one of the many gateways to adopting a vegan (or vegan-leaning) diet. It’s classic fast-food comfort with a few hearty, fully loaded salads tossed in, all made with plants.
The history of Veggie Grill
Launched in 2006 as a way to transform American fast-food culture (for the better), Veggie Grill now boasts 17 locations. Founder T.K. Pilan previously told VegNews, “I thought the food culture permeated by traditional fast-food restaurants had huge negative impacts, and I wanted to be part of the solution.”
Veggie Grill
While the menu has changed significantly over the years to incorporate more global flavors and brand collaborations, Pilan affirmed that the original mission has not shifted.
“Our vision of changing American food culture for the better with great restaurants that help people begin, advance, and enjoy their plant-based journey has remained very much the same over the years,” said Pilan.
In early 2024, the chain was acquired by Oregon-based vegan fast-food chain Next Level Burger (NLB), and together, they’re stronger than ever. Veggie Grill’s new name is Veggie Grill by Next Level, and according to NLB founder Matthew De Gruyter, the aim behind the acquisition is simple: “The more plant-based grub we sling, the more our impact amplifies.”
Both fast-food chains share the same goal, which is to encourage more people to try sustainable, vegan fast food. The menu at Veggie Grill by Next Level will see changes in the future as part of the new partnership, but for now, you can still find some of our classic favorites on the menu.
What to order at Veggie Grill by Next Level
Whether you’re ready to take your first taste of plant-based food or just craving a spicy Chick’n sandwich, these Veggie Grill classics won’t do you wrong.
Veggie Grill
1Tenders
The menu says one order serves two, but that’s inaccurate. One person can easily inhale six of these crispy chicken wings and still have room for a meal. They are available plain, but ordering them slathered in buffalo sauce is highly recommended.
Veggie Grill
2 Mac and Cheese
The original mac and cheese is technically an appetizer, but it eats like a meal. There have been times when a bowl of this spiralized cheesy pasta is all we need to feel satisfied. It’s the definition of what the essential stovetop mac and cheese should be: thick, creamy, hot, and cheesy.
The chain has also launched a new version of the popular creamy dish, called Truffle Mac + Cheese, which, of course, comes complete with truffle cheese sauce, as well as mushroom crisps, almond parmesan, and toasted breadcrumbs.
Veggie Grill
3 Chick’n Wraps
The chain’s signature crispy chick’n wing is doused in buffalo sauce and lovingly wrapped in a ranch-slathered tortilla along with crunchy chopped romaine in its Buffalo Blitz Wrap It’s nothing fancy—just a buffalo wrap done right. You can also choose from the Cali Chick’n Wrap or the Caesar Crunch Wrap (which you can also have with Beyond Steak instead of vegan chicken if you prefer).
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4 Crispy Cauliflower
With a name like Veggie Grill by Next Level, we expect to see vegetables on the menu … even if they’re deep-fried and doused in sticky-sweet orange sauce. These tempura-battered cauliflower florets are light, crispy, and wholeheartedly addicting. It’s an outstanding showcase of the delicious versatility of cauliflower. If you prefer, you can also order them with buffalo sauce instead.
Veggie Grill
5 Sweet Potato Fries
These sweet potato fries are the clear choice for any entrée that offers a complimentary side. Even the sweet potato fry-averse customer will learn to love the sweeter side of French fries after trying the chain’s perfect rendition characterized by tapered, crispy, and blackened ends and a tender—never soggy—center. Unlike traditional French fries, ketchup is entirely optional.
Veggie Grill
6 Santa Fe Chickin’ Sandwich
Beyond the buffalo sauce, vegan chicken is another staple Veggie Grill by Next Level nails every time. Many omnivores have been innocently duped by this sandwich, truly in disbelief that it is not made from an animal. The chain’s deceptively good crispy chick’n patty is complemented by romaine lettuce, sliced tomato, pickled onion, mashed avocado, and smoky mayo all sandwiched between a soft wheat roll. It comes with a side, and the Sweetheart Fries are the obvious choice.
Veggie Grill
7Buffalo Bomber Sandwich
This slightly spicy sandwich combines two of Veggie Grill by Next Level’s best attributes: buffalo sauce and chick’n. It’s fairly basic—a buffalo-smothered crispy chicken patty is layered with romaine, pickles, and tomato on a brioche bun—but its simplicity is a mark of a well-made sandwich. It’s easy to hide imperfections with loads of toppings, but with minimal ingredients, the greatness of the buffalo chick’n patty really shines. Pro tip: order a side of ranch for dipping—it helps tone down the heat level for those with a low spice tolerance.
Veggie Grill
8 Ultimate Veggie Burger
With over 15 years in business, it’s understood that some evolution is necessary to keep up with the times. Veggie Grill adopted Beyond Burgers years ago, but one sandwich on the menu remains true to its veggie-based roots. The Ultimate Veggie Burger is a classic—it may not fool you into thinking you’re eating a beef burger, but the wholesome mushroom and grain patty is satisfying in its own way. The plant-based American cheese, tomatoes, crunchy sprouts, pickles, onions, and special sauce only add to this sandwich’s appeal. May the OG veggie burger live on.
Veggie Grill
9 Sunrise Kimchi Burger
No, your eyes do not deceive you, that really is a vegan egg. This unique, tasty burger is guaranteed to become one of your go-to choices at the veggie chain. It features a totally vegan Yo-Egg, which sits on top of a Beyond Burger and is paired with shredded iceberg lettuce, sesame aioli, pickled cucumbers, and kimchi.
Veggie Grill
10 Southwestern Nachos
These nachos may be found on the shareables menu, but you’ll want to order a plate all for yourself. Crunchy tortilla chips are doused in creamy vegan queso before they’re sprinkled with Tex-Mex taco crumbles, beans, pico de gallo, Fresno peppers, a dollop of guacamole, and drizzles of crema. Order-in for the ultimate movie night at home.
Veggie Grill
11 Beyond Bánh Mì
Beyond Meat’s plant-based steak tips are the star of this Vietnamese-inspired bánh mì. Marinated Beyond Steak is nestled inside a whole wheat bun alongside crunchy cucumbers, pickled vegetables, fresh herbs, Fresno peppers, and a Dijon mustard aioli. One bite of this sando, and you’ll want to order a second.
Veggie Grill
12 Carrot Cake
As a rule of thumb, we shy away from pre-packaged carrot cake in order to avoid mass disappointment. It tends to be unpleasantly dry, and finding a decent slice isn’t worth the letdown. Veggie Grill by Next Level has restored our hope. This individually portioned carrot cake is melt-in-your-mouth-moist and topped with a thick layer of cream cheese frosting. The cake is studded with just the right amount of walnuts that offer a hint of crunch—because cake should never be overly crunchy. Veggie Grill isn’t a bakery, but we’ve made several stops just for the carrot cake alone. Items may come and go, but this dessert is one option that deserves to be indoctrinated in the Veggie Grill Hall of Fame.
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Tanya Flink is a Digital Editor at VegNews as well as a writer and runner living in Orange County, CA.
