Steakhouses don’t sound like the most vegan-friendly destinations in the US, and that’s because, well, they’re not. The clue is in the name, but the main selling point of these establishments is, of course, steak. The menus are filled with options like filet mignon, prime ribeye, and wagyu beef. All of which, of course, come from cows. But if you’re invited to a meal at a steakhouse with friends, or you’re stuck for other choices, we will say this: keep an open mind.
Many steakhouses in the US are starting to catch on to the trend for more plant-based foods, and some even offer vegan steak on the menu (yep, for real). Others offer plant-forward side dishes, like salads and roasted vegetables, which can be combined to make a main, and some even have entire sections of their menus dedicated to vegan meals. We took a look at some of the most popular steakhouse chains and standalone locations across the country, and scanned the menus for plant-based options—this is what we found.
1 Morton’s The Steakhouse
When you sit down for a meal at one of Morton’s locations, you have a handful of options to choose from. And yes, they’re all side or appetizer dishes. But don’t sweat too much, because they still are delicious. There are Wild Mushrooms, Chopped House Salad, Sautéed Brussels Sprouts, and Jumbo Grilled Asparagus, for example.
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Fogo de Chão
2 Fogo de Chão
If you have to be a vegan eating in a steakhouse, then the Brazilian chain Fogo de Chão is one of the best to find yourself in. Indulge in a fantastic vegan entrée: the Seared Tofu with Miso Black Bean Pasta, featuring chimichurri-marinated tofu with napa cabbage, pickled onions, and carrot-ginger-miso dressing. The Market Table menu has several plant-based antipasti choices, including Beet Tartae, roasted eggplant, roasted artichokes, and mixed olives with citrus and herbs.
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3 Ruth’s Chris
There are a few meat-free options on offer at Ruth’s Chris, but make sure you specify to your server that you’d like your dish to be prepared to a vegan recipe (so emitting cheese or mayonnaise, for example). Veggie options include a baked potato, pan-roasted cremini mushrooms, and the Steak House Salad.
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4 Black Angus
Again, the steakhouse chain Black Angus has a few vegetarian dishes, but you should specify when ordering that you don’t want any animal products in your meal. Some of the meatless options include grilled asparagus, roasted Brussels sprouts (order without the brown butter), white rice, and French fries.
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5 Peter Luger
Established back in the 1800s, Peter Luger has become one of the most famous places to dine in New York City. And if you’re after vegan food, good news: you do have some yummy choices, including fresh broccoli, onion rings, and salad. Again, these are side dishes, but they are still worth sampling if you find yourself in this renowned eatery.
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Chandlers
6 Chandlers
Chandlers is well worth a visit if you’re in Boise, Idaho. The steakhouse, which is the only restaurant in the city to be recommended in Forbes’ travel guide, offers a vegan steak option, which features mushrooms, grains, and root vegetables served with flavorful red wine and beet jus.
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7 Perry’s
Perry’s is one of the most vegan-friendly steakhouse chains in the US, because it even has a designated vegan entrée section on the menu. The meatiest option is, of course, the Vegan Skillet Chopped Steak, which is served with crimini mushroom gravy. But if you prefer your dishes not to taste anything like animal products, then there’s also Spaghetti Squash Primavera. There is a vegetarian version of the latter, so make sure you ask for the vegan version without Pecorino Romano cheese when you order.
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8 Cut
There are a few vegetable options at Wolfgang Puck’s steakhouse chain Cut, which has locations throughout the US, Bahrain, London, and Singapore. Menus vary from location to location, but look out for French fries, field mushrooms with shishito peppers and mirin-yuzu, and roasted Brussels sprouts. But again, make sure you tell your server you would like your dishes to be prepared with a vegan recipe.
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B&B Butchers & Restaurant/Instagram
9 B&B Butchers & Restaurant
It’s good news if you’re looking for a meat-free meal at B&B Butchers & Restaurant. Despite the ultra-meaty name, the chain has some vegetarian dishes, including the Vegetable Platter and the B&B “Veg” House Salad with portabello filets and onion jam. But make sure you ask for the latter without animal products, because it does also come with crumbled blue cheese.
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10 Brooklyn Chop House
Brooklyn Chop House is a great choice for vegan diners, because as well as steak, it also has a wide selection of plant-based dumplings, noodles, and even vegan meat products. For example, there are Impossible Burger Dumplings and, if you venture to Times Square, plant-based ginger chicken dumplings, Thai peanut chicken noodles, a plant-based cheeseburger, and more. On the side, you can choose from options like bok choy and French fries.
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11Al Biernat’s Steakhouse
Dallas steakhouse chain Al Biernat’s is another great spot for plant-based diners. You don’t have to worry about customization or cobbling together some side dishes, as the restaurant has a whole vegan section. Choose from Thai Stir Fry, Grilled Portabella Enchiladas with coconut cheese, and Al’s Bowl, which consists of whole food ingredients like brown rice, asparagus, yellow squash, carrots, and sweet potatoes.
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12Delmonico’s
One of the most storied restaurants in American history, Delmonico’s has been serving fine dining classics since 1837—and it’s made history again with its first-ever plant-based entrée. The iconic New York City steakhouse has introduced a vegan take on its famous Chicken a la Keene that swaps chicken for lion’s mane mushrooms, served with artisanal lentil pasta, a velvety miso beurre blanc sauce, and crispy lentils for added crunch.
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Boa Steakhouse/Instagram
13Boa Steakhouse
Celebrity-favorite Boa Steakhouse has three locations in California and one in Austin, TX, and all offer just what you would expect from a steakhouse (we’re talking ribeye and Japanese wagyu). But it also has a slightly unexpected offering on the menu: a plant-based section and clearly labeled vegan options. Expect tasty entrées like Cauliflower Parmesan with pomodoro, pesto, and vegan mozzarella, and Masaman Thai Curry with sunchokes and coconut milk.
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For more on vegan restaurants, read:
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Charlotte is a VegNews editor and writer based in sunny Southsea on England's southern coast.
