Zaxby’s is a chain of fast restaurants in the US and was founded in 1990. They operate in more than 900 locations, mostly in the South. They are known for their chicken fingers, wings, salads, and sandwiches. There are also many vegan options at Zaxby’s.
You can order a side salad here if you are a vegan. You can also opt for their tater chips without ranch, crinkle fries, and celery sticks without ranch. They also offer Texas toast, sauces, and various beverages as vegan options.
Read ahead as we discuss the many vegan options available at Zaxby’s.
Vegan Options at Zaxby’s
Here are the vegan options available at Zaxby’s:
Side Salad
The side salad from Zaxby’s is a fully vegan option. However, some locations may still add croutons and cheese to the salad. Hence, you should ask the staff to exclude these from the side salad.
This salad comes with red cabbage, greens, carrots, cucumbers, and red tomatoes. You can opt for the lite vinaigrette with this salad. This is the only available vegan dressing at Zaxby’s. The location you go to may have other options, like the citrus vinaigrette.
Note that Mediterranean dressing is not a vegan option as it contains milk.
Crinkle Fries
Crinkle fries are crinkle-cut French fries. These are a go-to vegan option on Zaxby’s menu. However, some locations may fry it in the same fryer in which the chicken is fried. If this bothers you, ask your restaurant how they prepare their fries.
Tater Chips Without Ranch Sauce
These are fresh potato chips, similar to bagged chips. They are, however, a lot zestier than the bagged version. Note that tater chips come with a ranch dressing on the side, which is not a vegan option. Hence, you should request the staff not to add the ranch dressing.
Like crinkle fries, these may also be prepared in a fryer used to make chicken. Enquire about this before you purchase your fries.
Celery Sticks Without Ranch
While this may not be the best dine-out option, it is vegan. However, you will have to ask your restaurant not to add ranch dressing that contains milk. It comes in a basket of celery. This may have about 20 sticks of celery.
Texas Toast
This is a toast that has no dairy or eggs in it. Hence, it is a good option for anyone looking to eat vegan food. It has a garlicky taste that you are sure to enjoy. Some locations may add butter to the toast.
Hence, you should ask the staff to confirm.
Sauces
There are several sauce options for vegans at Zaxby’s. If you are worried about eating the above options, simply pick one of these sauces. Ask them as sides for your Texas toast, crinkle fries, or tater chips. You can even add them to your salads. Here are the available sauces:
- Tongue torch
- Wimpy
- Sweet and spicy
- BBQ sauce
- Teriyaki sauce
- Insane
- Nuclear
Beverages
There are many beverage options for vegans. These include the following:
- Unsweet tea
- Sweet tea
- Apple juice
- Diet Coke
- Coca-Cola
- Coke Zero
- Dr Pepper
- Fanta
- Diet Dr Pepper
- Sprite
- Mello Yello
- Lemonade
- Cherry Coke
- Hi-C fruit punch
- Barq’s root beer
Are Fried Pickles at Zaxby’s Vegan?
No, the fried pickles at Zaxby’s may not be a vegan choice. This is because the batter for the fried pickles may have eggs in it. Zaxby’s allergen menu also does not mention fried pickles. Hence, you should ask your restaurant to see if eggs are added.
Are Spicy Fried Mushrooms at Zaxby’s Vegan?
The spicy fried mushrooms at Zaxby’s could be a vegan option. However, they are not present on the allergen menu at Zaxby’s. Hence, you should ask the staff at your restaurant to confirm whether they are entirely vegan.
Are Zaxby’s Fries Vegan?
Yes, Zaxby’s fries are 100% vegan. PETA looked into the matter and looked at all fast food joints and popular chain restaurants to see if the French fries are vegan. Following this, they found that all places, except McDonald’s, offer 100% vegan fries.
On the other hand, McDonald’s offers fries that have beef fat in them. You can add some vegan condiments to your French fries to make them taste better.
Does Zaxby’s Use the Same Equipment for Preparing Vegan and Non-vegan Food?
Yes, we know this because of Zaxby’s allergen statement. The restaurant claims it cannot guarantee that its food is 100% allergen-free.
While this is a disclaimer for allergens, the same is true for vegan options. Speak to the staff at the particular Zaxby’s restaurant you visit if you are concerned about cross-contamination.
Does Zaxby’s Have Whole Food Plant-Based Options?
For those of you who live a whole food lifestyle and a vegan one, processed food is off the table. You can get a meal at Zaxby’s that is whole food plant-based. You can order the side salad, which has no processed food in it.
You can also opt for the celery sticks. Make sure that you do not order the ranch that comes with it. A better idea is to bring your own condiments or peanut butter. You can then enjoy their salads and celery sticks while sticking to your lifestyle goals.
Zaxby’s may have homemade peanut butter. However, it is best to bring your own to have enough options for yourself. Other than the above, you will not find any whole-food plant-based food at Zaxby’s.
Does Zaxby’s Use Animal-Derived Products For Frying?
No, Zaxby’s does not use animal-derived products for frying. Instead, they use a blend of refined soybean and canola oil. While these refined oils are vegan, they are not whole-food options.
What Other Options Do I Have at Zaxby’s?
If you are unsatisfied with the limited menu above, you can always ask for customization. You can take the beef, chicken, and other animal products out of their sandwiches. You can also exclude any dressings that contain milk.
You can do the same with the salad menu at Zaxby’s. You can opt for the garden house salad. Ask the staff at Zaxby’s to get rid of the cheddar and any other base that may compromise your vegan diet.
They also offer garden cobb salad. This has cucumbers, Roma tomatoes, hard-boiled eggs, and cheese. You can ask for vegan customization of the same. You will have to get rid of the eggs and the cheese.
Why Should I Eat Vegan at Zaxbys?
According to The Vegan Society, meat and dairy products can harm the environment.
This plant-based diet can also reduce the land required to cultivate livestock. It will also keep you healthy as a plant-based diet contains nutrients and vitamins. PETA also suggests that a vegan diet will help you lose fat faster and feel energetic.
PETA further suggests that all the cool kids on the block have opted for a vegan diet if you need another reason to do it. From Arianna Grande to Natalie Portman, there is a long list of celebrities choosing a vegan life.
With these vegan options available at Zaxby’s, you can do your bit for your health and the environment.
Endnotes
There are many science-based benefits of eating vegan food. The benefits are many from a healthy heart to the prevention of diabetes. Hence, the next time you go to Zaxby’s, you can eat from the vegan options we have highlighted above.
These may not be filling by themselves. You can pair the side salad with Texas toast, and you will have a satisfying meal on your plate. Get the celery sticks if you are opting for unprocessed food. Take your dips with you for a much more hearty meal.
Speak to the staff at your location to better understand Zaxby’s food practices.