Best veggie burger
The veggie burger at World Peace Cafe is your pick as the best in and around Atlanta. Photo: Phil Skinner, pskinner@ajc.com
YOUR PICKS
1. World Peace Café
You say, “Delicious, hearty and very satisfying!”
2. Houston’s
3. Farm Burger
4. Grindhouse Killer Burgers
5. Yeah! Burger
6. R. Thomas
OUR PICKS
1. R. Thomas
The AJC dining team’s Popular Eats specialist Jon Watson says, “One of Atlanta’s oldest refuges for creative vegetarian cuisine serves a great twist on the traditional veggie burger. The Sloppy Joe Veggie comes as a tortilla stuffed with bits of their house-made veggie patty, cinnamon sweet potatoes, and red slaw.”
2. Houston’s
3. Farm Burger
4. Grindhouse Killer Burgers
5. Atkins Park
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118 comments Add your comment
Captain Veggie
June 11th, 2012
10:48 am
Houstons. Comments closed.
Nancy
June 11th, 2012
10:51 am
Joe’s on Juniper. It’s hard to find a good veggie burger; Joe’s is one of the best. And they have a great patio too.
blueprint
June 11th, 2012
11:19 am
I nominate the Dunwoody Tavern or the Porter Beer Bar in L5P. Try them, you’ll be convinced–no preprepared frozen patties at either place!
Yolanda
June 11th, 2012
11:20 am
Houston’s by far (I agree Captain Veggie). It’s better than a beef burger.
Hokey47
June 11th, 2012
11:55 am
Grindhouse Killer Burgers, bring the dogs too and sit on the patio; Lucky’s in Roswell is great with a variety of different burgers each in beef, turkey and black bean with special seating for the dogs!
erin
June 11th, 2012
1:41 pm
It’s definitely a toss-up between J.Alexander’s and World Peace Cafe. Both delicious, hearty and very satisfying!
mambera
June 11th, 2012
2:01 pm
Gotta go with Yeah! Burger or Grindhouse, with Farm Burger and Vortex getting honorable mentions.
Tony
June 11th, 2012
8:42 pm
World Peace Cafe – hearty (like Erin said)! Definitely better than Grindhouse, Yeah! Burger, the Porter (sorry Porter, I still love you) or Houston’s; never had J Alexander’s. I think Joe’s is a frozen product, and should not be considered (correct me if I’m wrong).
i
June 11th, 2012
9:27 pm
Best: The Vortex
Edible in a pinch: Burger King
Patience
June 11th, 2012
9:27 pm
The Porter in little 5 gets my vote!
Boris Day
June 11th, 2012
9:29 pm
Lucky’s Burger and Brew in Roswell (Black Bean Burger)
Ganners
June 11th, 2012
9:29 pm
HOUSTON’S!!!!!
If I could clone that burger at home I would die happy.
Keith Tinsley
June 11th, 2012
9:50 pm
Urban PL8 — Best in Atlanta!
Smitty
June 11th, 2012
10:12 pm
1 Grindhouse
2 The Earl
3 World Peach Cafe
4 Googie
P
June 11th, 2012
10:13 pm
Soul Vegetarian on Highland Avenue
chuck e
June 11th, 2012
10:25 pm
Usually hate to agree that a chain is best but in this case it really is Houston’s…..nothing else is even close.
LavenderGA1
June 11th, 2012
10:25 pm
HOUSTON’S Number #1.
Sunflower Cafe #2
LavenderGA1
June 11th, 2012
10:26 pm
Oh Yes Burger King in a pinch. I agree with you i
LavenderGA1
June 11th, 2012
10:27 pm
Subway and Blimpie both have the Veggie Patty Sub also.
B. Thenet
June 11th, 2012
10:28 pm
Marlow’s Tavern
D.Simpson
June 11th, 2012
10:49 pm
Cheesecake Factory.
Healthy Referral Newspaper
June 11th, 2012
10:54 pm
Sunshine Burger frozen section Whole Foods. 2 thumbs way up! NON soy. grains and seeds.
q
June 11th, 2012
11:17 pm
Houston’s is far and away the best I’ve ever had. I’m not a vegetarian, so I may not be as well experienced as some other folks. But I’ve tried a few and nothing comes close to Houston’s.
SWAT Native
June 11th, 2012
11:20 pm
I second the vote for Soul Vegetarian. I thought that was their burger and onion rings in the picture.
E
June 12th, 2012
12:07 am
The Counter Veggie Burger!
The Guru Of Good Times
June 12th, 2012
12:12 am
Houston’s with a side of slaw and fries, and I am outta commission for the rest in of the day, god bless ‘em. And off topic, Ringside has a great veggie dog…..
SC
June 12th, 2012
12:18 am
Urban Pl8’s Nut Burger is pure heaven! Also notable – Houston’s, Cafe 640 and Bookhouse Pub.
Haca Mila
June 12th, 2012
12:50 am
R Thomas. Hands down!
steve riley
June 12th, 2012
1:26 am
That’s so messed up on so many levels.
Scott
June 12th, 2012
2:06 am
Ive gone meatless these days and have had some good..some not so good and need to try others.
I love Joes and Cowtippers (metrotainment group) but their black bean or vegi burger..whatever they call it is awful..totally soggy and mush…they need to find another supplier or recipe…
GrindHouse is very good.
Although Burger King has gone through a menu makeover..alot of people including me over a year ago didnt realize BK has a Veggie Burger..its really good…(its kind of buried on their menu board near the fish)…
Taco Mac Black Bean/Veggie Burger is ok…
Reading this blog..Im now really interested in going back to Houston’s (one of my FAV restaurants ever)..and trying their Veggie Burger..
Also I cant wait to try R Thomas, Cheesecake Factory, Vortex and Luckys
Thanks guys for the recommendations..
Vicky
June 12th, 2012
5:35 am
Canyon Burger — black bean burger with chipolte mayo and sweet potato french fries.
Eat a Salad
June 12th, 2012
5:48 am
I would vote for wonderful world of burgers but they have since shuttered. Farm Burger is good as well. Houston’s option is not even a formed patty. It is basically a vegggie sloppy joe on a roll. It is impossible to eat like a burger. It requires a full set of utensils to finish (spoon included).
Michael
June 12th, 2012
7:10 am
I’m not a vegetarian but I love veggies and eat them regularly. What I don’t understand is the desire to disguise them as something else, like a burger. Just eat the damn things already. They’re good.
ATLien
June 12th, 2012
7:20 am
The quinoa burger at Farm Burger – and I’m not even a vegetarian.
old cowboy
June 12th, 2012
7:20 am
NONE OF THEM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Mrlucky
June 12th, 2012
7:26 am
To the “OLD” cowboy, you must be on the wrong thread, you want the I want to eat meat till I die thread………..but thanks for your opinion anyway
NotAVegetarian
June 12th, 2012
7:27 am
1) Houstons for a higher-end experience. I love it!
2) Yeah! Burger
3) Cinebistro in Brookhaven
4) The “Streamliner” at Johnny Rockets is simple goodness!
tiz
June 12th, 2012
7:29 am
Check the nutrition facts on BK’s veggie burger. Its 2x as bad as their beef burger!!!
USMC
June 12th, 2012
7:35 am
R. Thomas has one of the BEST Veggie Burgers in town.
My girlfriend and I were eating lunch there one day. She ordered a regular Hamburger(beef) and I ordered the Veggie burger. When the two burgers came out, I had her take the first bite of my Veggie burger and she was Amazed and actually said it tasted far better than her Hamburger; she’s been hooked ever since.
Mary
June 12th, 2012
7:38 am
I’ve been a vegetarian for over 20 years in Atlanta and have eaten probably any type of veggie burger around. Houston’s veggie burger is the best and there isn’t one that compares to it.
The next closest thing to veggie burger goodness is probably the veggie loaf at Cafe Sunflower. But still nowhere as awesome as Houston’s.
Sarah
June 12th, 2012
7:52 am
Ted’s has a fantastic Veggie burger. Made in house, but you can get it with any of the toppings of their house burgers.
VeggieLover
June 12th, 2012
7:58 am
I like the veggie burger at Boardwalk Burgers (Ansley Mall and Sandy Springs). Add pickles and the chipotle sauce… mmmm mmmm goodness!
VegHead
June 12th, 2012
8:00 am
Tie between GRINDHOUSE and HOUSTONS!
Delicious!!!
June 12th, 2012
8:05 am
I’ve been a vegetarian for 3 years now. I haven’t been to nearly half of the places you all suggested, but I’m definitely looking forward to trying them. Thanks for the heads ups. Having said that, the best veggie burger I’ve had (other than the ones I make myself) has got to be at 5Guys!!! I’m telling you, it’s crazy good. Downside, you basically have to assemble the burger yourself, but at least you get to choose what you want on it.
veggiehappy
June 12th, 2012
8:06 am
Atkins park does a great veggie burger. Also Neighbors use to have a light fluffy oat burger but they gave it up for a bean burger.
yum
June 12th, 2012
8:23 am
houstons, r thomas, and grindhouse are my favorite.
RR
June 12th, 2012
8:23 am
The Righteous Room and The Porter are the 2 veggie burgers I crave!
Biker Chick
June 12th, 2012
8:23 am
I’m a long-time vegetarian and although Houston’s veggie burger is great, the best veggie burger I have ever tasted is served at THE DOWNWIND RESTAURANT at PDK Airport http://www.downwindrestaurant.com/. The patty is thick, not overcooked, so it’s moist, the bun is fresh and you can get your choice of American, Swiss, Feta or Blue Cheese on top. Your non-vegetarian friends can chow down on the Classic Downwind Burger which was voted “Best Burger in Town”.
Wimpy
June 12th, 2012
8:34 am
Steve Riley @ 1:26AM said it all.
chefmoss
June 12th, 2012
8:37 am
Urban PL8’s nut burger- nothing else comes close. I’m a meat eater who craves this veggie burger.
cant companre
June 12th, 2012
8:43 am
the best veggie burger I ever had was at Emory cafeteria. Yeah the hospital dont forget its a college campus to. But the veggie burger there is fantastic. try it folks! you cant even tell its not the real thing (beef (if you eat that) or turkey) doesnt need anything the bun is moist and the burger is juicy go early the line gets really long….
Ricardo
June 12th, 2012
8:44 am
For all the Houston’s Huggers, have you tried Kitsch’n 155?
Home made, great flavor and texture, and they do an excellent job with the toppings that make the Veggie taste like a Burger. I leave the onions off but keep all the ketchup, mustard,
mayo, honey mustard, BBQ sauce, lettuce, tomato, pickle,
grilled mushrooms, grilled onions, and slaw on.
Ellen
June 12th, 2012
8:46 am
I love the veggie burger at Marlow’s Tavern in Vinings. Excellent!!
Lisa
June 12th, 2012
8:47 am
The mere mention of a Houston’s veggie burger has put today’s schedule into a tailspin.
That burger is the best veggie burger around, and better than most meat burgers. I also love the skinny fries.
It’s not vegan though, but it is vegetarian. It is FREAKING DELICIOUS.
ATL Guy
June 12th, 2012
8:52 am
Houstons Veggie Burger is Unbelievable! Thats all my fiancee and I will ever order there and we’re not even vegetarian. Without question the best veggie burger I’ve ever had!
Love the BK
June 12th, 2012
8:53 am
Burger King is the one I really like and it has that char grill taste. Some of the others listed, I haven’t tried but I am going to keep them on my list.
Stef
June 12th, 2012
8:55 am
Houstons is amazing.
Grindhouse is a good second option (plus a little kinder to the wallet).
Atlgal
June 12th, 2012
8:56 am
Edamame burger at HobNob with sweet chili sauce. Yum!!
ATL
June 12th, 2012
9:05 am
Definitely Houstons.
AW
June 12th, 2012
9:16 am
Farm Burger’s Quinoa burgers
Brown Eyed Girl!
June 12th, 2012
9:34 am
I have eaten vegetarian products for the better part of my 43 years. There is only one other person that I know makes a better burger than Houston’s. I have a meat eating friend that said she would never eat a veggie burger, but after one bite, she was a convert! I only wish there was a Houstons here in Kentucky!
Doggymo
June 12th, 2012
9:36 am
Canvas Cafe and Bakery
They have a Southwest Turkey burger that has Chipolte Mayo, Black Bean Salsa, Pico, Avocado, and Pepperjack cheese. It is fantastic!!!
1164mgc
June 12th, 2012
9:38 am
Wish I could find a BK that didn’t overcook their veggie burgers.
jonnycash
June 12th, 2012
9:39 am
I can tell you the worst. Five Seasons Brewery.
Edward
June 12th, 2012
9:57 am
Houston’s followed by Cafe Sunflower.
LOVE Food
June 12th, 2012
9:57 am
I agree with the Canvas Cafe one in Marietta
Lisa
June 12th, 2012
10:01 am
A turkey burger IS NOT a veggie burger.
BigB
June 12th, 2012
10:01 am
Almost 20 years as a vegetarian and the only comments here should be asking for the best veggie burger AFTER Houston’s as there is no other comparison. There are some copycat recipes online that can give you similar flavor…I just wish I could figure out how they get their’s to stay together. Houston’s should get the top 3 spots in a best of list…it’s that good. For honorable mentions World Peace Cafe is quite good. I also recently tried Yeah! Burger and was impressed.
As much as I love Five Seasons, the Man in Black at 9:39 has a point…their veggie burger is really dry and void of flavor.
JeanV
June 12th, 2012
10:03 am
Ted’s Montana Grill – excellent taste and texture. Also The Grove on LaVista.
Mary B
June 12th, 2012
10:18 am
R Thomas
Egger
June 12th, 2012
10:21 am
Righteous Room
Rooibos
June 12th, 2012
10:22 am
Best veggie burger I’ve had in metro Atlanta was served in the cafe of the State Botanical Garden in Athens. Those folks made fantastic meals! Best store-bought is Sunshine Burger.
But my all-time favourite veggie burger is served by Wimpy’s, a chain restaurant in South Africa. The “Vegetarian” is pressed vegetables made into cutlet form with a crispy breadcrumb exterior. Delightful and easy on the pocketbook!
http://www.wimpy.co.za/images/menus/wimpy_menu/index.html
Tzippi
June 12th, 2012
10:28 am
TAP in Midtown. No question, its the best thing on the menu. It was even better when you could order it with a side of Quinoa. If you haven’t had the veggie burger at TAP, do yourself a favor.
Remie
June 12th, 2012
10:28 am
The Highlander off Monroe is by far one of the best.
Virginia
June 12th, 2012
10:36 am
Farm Burger!
Peaches McGavern
June 12th, 2012
10:42 am
Houstons! I have not been in forever but that has been my answer to this question since I had my first one so long ago. Until we meet again…
ERC
June 12th, 2012
10:51 am
I love Urban pL8’s Nut Burger — it’s got a kick to it. Also Johnny Rockets soy burger tastes like real beef!
Creolegurl
June 12th, 2012
10:53 am
HOUSTON’S!!!!!
misselite
June 12th, 2012
10:56 am
HOUSTON’S!!!
jennifer
June 12th, 2012
11:22 am
Black bean burger at The Earl. Quinoa burger at Farm Burger.
Big Slapper
June 12th, 2012
11:24 am
Brickstore Pub, Decatur Square. How has this not been mentioned until now?! A little blue cheese, some stone ground mustard, a Victory Pils and I’m there!
N-GA
June 12th, 2012
11:25 am
Get a Houston’s veggie burger with a grilled artichoke appetizer to go with it. Whoa!
cw
June 12th, 2012
11:26 am
Houston’s veggie burger tastes great, but it’s a big old mess to eat, because they fail to put any binder in them to hold them together. They just squish out and fall on the plate (if you’re lucky) with every bite. Cheesecake Factory tastes and looks a lot like Houston’s but don’t fall apart.
Ted’s is not made in house (stated above), but is a Boca Burger, which is one of my 2 choices for home use, It’s very good.
Chili’s have a great black bean burger, especially when you have it done “peppercorn style”, where there are peppercorns pressed on outside, and little fried onion strings added on top, with mustard, let/tom.
Sadly, though many restaurants and burger joints now have veggie burgers, they use Garden Burgers, which have cottage cheese mixed into them. As a non-cheese eater, I can’t eat the ones at these places (Cheeseburger Bobby’s comes to mind).
Not sure I have a “best” but like all the above. My new fave at home is the Gardien Burger patty – just out at the Publix.
Deb
June 12th, 2012
11:39 am
The Counter is my favorite.
Samantha
June 12th, 2012
11:55 am
The best veggie burger I ever had was a Morning Star burger. They have the best veggie burgers. It tastes just like meat.
KJ
June 12th, 2012
11:56 am
Probably the Porter in Little 5 or Midway Pub in EAV.
Danny
June 12th, 2012
12:03 pm
Ted’s Montana Grill’s new in house veggie burger. The best in Atlanta!
Chester
June 12th, 2012
12:04 pm
No such thing.
Jodi
June 12th, 2012
12:23 pm
Wow, Im a vegetarian and you guys have me wanting to try the Houston’s veggie burger today. The only “best one” I tried was the Chili’s black bean burger….but I’m a newbie.
cw
June 12th, 2012
12:39 pm
Ok, Houston lovers, how do you eat their Veg Burger? I can’t keep it in the bun! I ask them to cook it twice so it’s almost crusty on the outside, and it still mushes all over the place. A great taste (whoda thunk anything made with beets would taste good?!), but so hard to actually eat it! I’s love some advise on how to accomplish this feat, without the use of a fork!
Lisa
June 12th, 2012
12:58 pm
I always eat the Houston’s burger with a knife and fork.
No need to rush eating that delicious thing.
kss
June 12th, 2012
1:05 pm
Houstons…hands down
Rana
June 12th, 2012
1:36 pm
The Counter, hands down.
Caitlin
June 12th, 2012
1:39 pm
R Thomas!
Mary
June 12th, 2012
1:51 pm
Ricardo, I have tried Kitschen’s veggie burger. Flavorless. And it pretty much mushes together when you bite into it. A big disappointment.
kantstopservices.com
June 12th, 2012
2:07 pm
I proudly nominate 5 napkin in midtown.
Veg
June 12th, 2012
2:10 pm
Houston’s
Diego
June 12th, 2012
2:17 pm
Do any of these offer a Gluten Free Bun?
Justin
June 12th, 2012
2:50 pm
After reading all the comments about Houston’s I’m ready to try one of their veggie burgers!
Michael Halfstup
June 12th, 2012
3:46 pm
I have been a veggian for almost 20 years. I have to say the BK is one of my favorites. The chargril taste is to die for. One time I ate a burger that wasn’t a garden burger it was meat and I almost literally die when I found out. Then I was dating an australialian and got something called a veggimite sandwich and thought it was going to kill me too being salty and whatnot. Thank you for this list of other vegie burgers in this wonderfel city. I can start going down the list and try them myself.
Debbie
June 12th, 2012
3:51 pm
The Earl. I think veggie burgers are a matter of preference though. I like a meat like burger. It cannot be mushy and must have flavor. Leave all those vegetables out of my veggie burgers!
Roni
June 12th, 2012
4:27 pm
Cheesecake Factory!!!!
J
June 12th, 2012
4:33 pm
It’s a tie between Houston’s and Googie Burger.
K
June 12th, 2012
5:59 pm
It’s a tie between Soul Veggie’s Garvey Burger and World Peace Cafe’s Peace Burger.
As a vegetarian, Houston’s veg burger stinks. It literally falls apart and is likely prepared on the same grill as carcass burgers.
PTC DAWG
June 12th, 2012
8:22 pm
A veggie burger is not a burger…it’s a sandwich.
the truth
June 12th, 2012
9:49 pm
OXYMORON
Sloane
June 13th, 2012
1:35 am
Houston’s is sooo good !! With a side of couscous, you can’t go wrong.
lifetimeVeggie
June 13th, 2012
8:31 am
J. Alexanders has a delicious Veggie Burger
Yeah! Burger also has a pretty good Veggie Burger as well.
Diane
June 13th, 2012
8:31 am
Definitely, Houston’s. Has that great char-grilled flavor.
loki44
June 13th, 2012
12:04 pm
Vortex
Jackson Benning
June 13th, 2012
11:07 pm
Aaron Rocco’s Colony Square. yummmm.
Teresa
June 13th, 2012
11:14 pm
The veggie burgers at The Marlay House in Decatur are by far THE BEST! You have to have them. p.s. Marlay’s is the only place in the world where I eat fries. They are incredibly good.
kcossN
June 13th, 2012
11:54 pm
Jazzy Juice Cafe On Covington Hwy/Panola Road
BlondAlto
June 14th, 2012
1:02 am
As a 22-year vegetarian, I think this is a fantastic question! And though it’s a “chain,” Chili’s really does a super job with their black bean burgers. The neat thing is that you can have them any way a regular one is sold, e.g. mushroom-n-swiss, old-timer etc. And they have a general “vegetarian menu,” wherein you can order sides that fit the bill.
Quinnoa Joee
June 15th, 2012
7:05 am
Trader joe’s masala burgers….
T
June 15th, 2012
12:20 pm
Farm Burger’s Quinoa Burger….. OMG
Kim
June 16th, 2012
1:20 am
Houston’s is the best…hands down! Marlows has a great one too. Honorable mention to Ted’s.
Burger King and Chili’s “veggie” burgers are cooked on the grill with the meat burgers, so they are NOT vegetarian.
Mark in the City of Decatur
June 18th, 2012
9:25 am
Three veggie burgers I can vouch for being delicious:
1) the Quinoa (I think it’s pronounced KEE-no-wah) burger at Farm Burger (in the city of Decatur, next to the Decatur Post Office). By far my favorite veggie burger.
2) the Black Bean burger at the relatively new Smashburger (on Roswell Road). As much as I think Smashburger has growing pains, I must be fair about this.
3) the Veggie Burger at Kitsch’n 155 (1788 Clairmont Road in Decatur) is savory, too.