Step aside, beef tallow. Where to find vegan, vegetarian fries in Charlotte
In recent weeks, the long-held debate over whether beef tallow (rendered beef fat) or seed oils (oils extracted from vegetable seeds) are healthier has reignited.
On a recent visit to a Florida Steak ‘n Shake, U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy explained to Fox News host Sean Hannity about his desire to return to “traditional and natural ingredients.” Kennedy expressed his preference for beef tallow, considering it a healthier alternative to seed oils, which he considers an ultraprocessed food.
Kennedy’s stance on the matter has inspired Steak ‘n Shake — a fast-food chain best known for burgers and milkshakes — to switch to cooking its fries in 100 percent beef tallow. Steak ‘n Shake has dubbed the change “RFK’ing the fries.”
Beef tallow versus seed oils
Let’s not kid ourselves: Anything deep fried tends to be high in calories and cholesterol. Whether you eat french fries fried in beef tallow or seed oils, at the end of the day, you’re still eating salty, fatty — and, did I mention, oh-so-tasty — french fries.
However, beef tallow is high in saturated fat, which studies show poses concerns for heart health. Eating foods high in saturated fat — like beef tallow — can raise LDL or “bad” cholesterol and clog arteries.
As NPR reports, nutritionists are baffled by the secretary of health’s statements regarding beef tallow — noting that seed oils are well studied and are linked with lower cholesterol levels. Replacing saturated fat with plant sources of fat, i.e. seed oils, has also shown to be beneficial in the prevention of heart disease.
Beef tallow or not, vegetarian fries are hard to come by
For vegetarians and vegans, the conversation about beef tallow and seed oils further highlights the challenges of finding fries that will work with their dietary needs.
Unfortunately, wherever there is fried meat, there is a risk of cross-contamination — it’s the nature of the beast.
Even if a restaurant has a dedicated fryer for non-meat or gluten-free items, a kitchen worker may use that fryer when the other is being cleaned. Or, in the heat of a busy rush, pop in a dish that isn’t necessarily meant to go into that meatless fryer.
Mistakes happen, and you truly never know. If you follow a vegetarian or vegan diet, it’s a risk you must be willing to take when you go out to eat — or avoid certain places altogether.
[ONE YEAR LATER: Have you visited vegan restaurant Vegeez in Waxhaw yet?]
If you want to indulge in french fries without the threat of cross-contamination, your best bet is to go to a vegan or vegetarian restaurant. Thankfully, Charlotte has a few under-the-radar spots whose vegan and vegetarian french fries rival those cooked in the beefiest of tallow.
In addition to the local vegan-friendly restaurants, there are a few fast-food chains that use vegetarian-friendly oils that are dedicated to keeping separate fryers from their meat products. Check them out when you’re craving french fries on the go.
Vegan- and vegetarian-friendly french fries in Charlotte
Bean Vegan Cuisine
Location: 3001 E Independence Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28205
Instagram: @beanvegan
Bean Vegan Cuisine specializes in vegan comfort food with entrees like the Cowboy burger, made with plant-based bacon, vegan cheddar cheese and onions, topped with tangy barbecue sauce. Bean also excels with apps like fried dill pickle chips, served with vegan ranch, of course. As far as sides go, french fries are always on the menu.
Burger King
Location: Multiple
Instagram: @burgerking
In a pinch and craving salty, fast-food french fries? Stop by Burger King. Burger King uses separate fryer vats for different food products. But the eatery’s fryers do share an oil-filtration system, which means there is a risk of cross-contamination.
Chick-fil-A
Location: Multiple
Instagram: @chickfila
Closed on Sundays and never without a line, Chick-fil-A is a fast-food chain that encourages you to eat more chicken. But aside from the crispy nuggets, spicy chicken sandwiches and plethora of tangy sauces, Chick-fil-A offers perfectly salted waffle fries that are vegan-friendly. The fries are cooked in canola oil — in a dedicated fryer — which means they’re also gluten-free.
Five Guys
Location: 2810 South Blvd Unit A, Charlotte, NC 28209
Instagram: @fiveguysca
Five Guys, the fast-food restaurant chain best known for its juicy burgers, prepares its fries using 100 percent peanut oil in a dedicated fryer, making it a vegetarian and vegan-friendly choice. You can order them classic Five Guys Style or spice things up with Cajun Style. However, those with nut allergies beware — these fries are not for you.
Flower Child
Location:1537 Camden Rd, Charlotte, NC 28203
Location: 15210 Bowl St #101, Charlotte, NC 28277
Flower Child is a go-to lunch spot for many South Enders. The eatery is best known for its fresh and inclusive menu with gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan and vegetarian options. As far as fries go, Flower Child offers roasted sweet potato fries, served with buttermilk yogurt ranch.
Love In Action Cafe
Location: 4419 Tuckaseegee Rd, Charlotte, NC 28208
Instagram: @loveinactioncafe
Nestled in west Charlotte — just outside Charlotte Douglas International Airport — is Love In Action, a vegan restaurant on a mission to bring plant-based food and a sense of community to the neighborhood. Love In Action serves vegan takes on Southern classics like sweet potato hash and “chick’n” and waffles, which can be found on the restaurant’s breakfast menu. Love In Action’s cuisine is well-rounded, offering a little something for everyone with options like sandwiches, bowls, fruit smoothies, desserts, and, of course, french-fries.
Mike’s Vegan Grill
Location: 440 E McCullough Dr #123, Charlotte, NC 28262
Instagram: @mikesvegangrill
Mike’s Vegan Grill is all about serving comfort food — but make it vegan — with dishes like hot dogs, burgers, quesadillas and sweet potato tater tots. For french fries, Mike’s offers its take on dirty fries, served with chopped vegan barbecue, coleslaw and pickles.
Oh My Soul
Location: 3046 N Davidson St, Charlotte, NC 28205
Instagram: @ohmysoulusa
Hailing from South Africa, the folks at Oh My Soul, NoDa’s first completely vegan restaurant, combine cruelty-free cuisine with bold South African flavors. Try Oh My Soul’s gluten-free Filthy Fries made with vegan queso, smashed voerie (a plant-based take on South African sausage), pico de gallo, chakalaka (South African vegetable relish) and homemade peri-peri sauce. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can order the fries extra spicy. Oh My Soul has an expansive outdoor dining area that was named runner up for best patio in CharlotteFive’s Readers’ Choice best patio poll.
Romeo’s Vegan Burgers
Location: 5518 South Blvd Charlotte, NC 28217
Instagram: @romeosveganburgers
What started as a popular food truck in 2020, has evolved into Charlotte’s first vegan drive-thru. Romeo’s Vegan Burgers is best known for its plant-based burgers like the Where Art Thou Romeo burger, made with Beyond Meat or Impossible patties and vegan cheese. If you’re craving chili cheese fries, don’t worry, Romeo’s Vegan Burgers has that, too. The chili cheese fries are topped with vegan chili, plant-based cheese and onions. While it may not be the picture of health, it’s definitely tasty.
Sanctuary Bistro
Location: 6414 Rea Road, Suite c2, Charlotte, NC 28277
Instagram: @sanctuarybistro
Opened on the foundation of kindness, community and compassion, Sanctuary Bistro provides fine dining for a vegan and vegetarian crowd. The family-owned and operated restaurant serves upscale forward-thinking cuisine with dishes like Portabella Rockefeller — a cheeky mushroom-centric take on oysters Rockefeller. Sanctuary Bistro has a delicious side of roasted potatoes that’s sure to satisfy your spud craving.
Shake Shack
Location: Multiple
Instagram: @shakeshack
Shake Shack, the chain best known for burgers, milkshakes and french fries smothered in cheese, uses soybean oil to fry its french fries, making them vegan and vegetarian. According to Shake Shack’s website, there may be risk for cross contamination at certain locations that share one fryer. When in doubt, call before to double check.
[HIDDEN GEMS: 5 best underrated places to hike within 90 minutes of Charlotte.]
Soul Miner’s Garden
Location: Camp North End, 1801 N. Graham St. STE 101 Charlotte, NC 28206
Instagram: @soulminersgarden
Soul Miner’s Garden is a woman/family-owned, vegan food stall located in Camp North End. It shares a commonality with a few of the restaurants on this list — it also started as a food truck. Soul Miner’s Garden uses plant-based ingredients (mushrooms, soy patties and black beans) as the base for many of its vegan dishes. For french fries, try Soul Miner’s Buffalo ranch fries: crispy waffle fries tossed in ranch seasoning with Buffalo sauce and house-made ranch drizzled on top. The food stall offers sweet potato fries and rosemary garlic fries, as well.
Taco Bell
Location: Multiple
Instagram: @tacobell
Surprised to see Taco Bell on this list? You’re not alone. Believe it or not, Taco Bell’s Nacho Fries are an American Vegetarian Association certified vegetarian item. Taco Bell’s website does contain a disclaimer that vegetarian and meat ingredients are handled in common areas, so cross-contamination is possible.
VegGeez Plant Based Eatery
Location: 1325 N Broome St, Waxhaw, NC 28173
Owned and operated by long-time restaurant industry pros — a husband-and-wife duo — VegGeez is a plant-based restaurant in Waxhaw that serves everything from mushroom-based reuben sandwiches to lemongrass-infused green coconut curry. To fulfill your french fry craving, try VegGeez chili cheese fries. The fries are hand-cut, well-seasoned and topped with the restaurant’s “best damn chili” and vegan cheez sauce.
