Comment from Rudy McBagel
Time: January 10, 2008, 9:51 am

Oh god………Zach’s on the turn……run from the light…run Zach, RUN!!!!

Comment from Sarah
Time: January 10, 2008, 10:07 am

OMG so excited. I’m going tomorrow on my half day of guests-in-town indulgence! Mourning the lack of yam fries though.

Comment from Rudy McBagel
Time: January 10, 2008, 10:09 am

But seriously….

Isn’t it just alittle sad/alarming that corperate america is trying to turn what one percieves as healthy food into more performed/hydrogenated/give you and arse the size of texas crap?

33% healthier than McD? So is whale meat, but i wouldn’t want that on a seeded bun either.

Comment from DDR
Time: January 10, 2008, 10:45 am

The tomato on that “chicken” sandwhich is so translucent I first mistook it for an onion.
So disappointing.

Comment from Margot
Time: January 10, 2008, 10:59 am

It’s funny.. the bun on your sandwich looks identical to their cartoonish logo.. impressively disgusting.

Comment from CHow
Time: January 10, 2008, 11:02 am

I know a lot of fat vegetarians.

Comment from T
Time: January 10, 2008, 11:08 am

I agree w/ DDR, the tomato isn’t that red. But at least you know that it’s not artificially colored!

One of your best reviews Zach. Well done.

*runs over and grabs Zen Shrimp*

Comment from DRed
Time: January 10, 2008, 11:20 am

Is a chain with 3 locations really corporate america? But yeah-this place looks nasty. If you want fast food you might as well go whole hog and get the real stuff.

Comment from Sarah
Time: January 10, 2008, 11:37 am

Rudy, I have to say I agree with you. The only thing I have to say in defense of my desire for veggie fast food, is sometimes when you’re drunk, you really want to eat crap. Consequently I can’t help but wonder if Zen Burger really wouldn’t be more suited to an East Village location? Because truthfully I can see myself eating lunch there maybe every few months at most, but if it were placed in front of me after an extended happy hour (which occurs more frequently) I’d be chowing down a lot more.

Comment from Rudy McBagel
Time: January 10, 2008, 11:47 am

Sarah what you need young lady is a decent chippy :)

Comment from Anonymous
Time: January 10, 2008, 12:10 pm

yea go get the “real stuff” thats not an oxymoron

Comment from Sarah II
Time: January 10, 2008, 12:25 pm

If they are giving up on the Palate I will be sad! I already mourn the closing of the Union Square location, though I understand that the rent must have escalated out of control there.

Comment from Crackhead
Time: January 10, 2008, 12:32 pm

I am with Rudy on this one; corporate Amerika is killing our country. I would rather have do-gon-a-stik than a fucking Zen Burger.

Comment from Mamacita
Time: January 10, 2008, 12:47 pm

Damn I want a chip stand and some whale meat (fried of course)

Comment from Sarah
Time: January 10, 2008, 1:04 pm

I know. I will chow down on some fried fish. I wish Chip Shop wasn’t so damn expensive. Every time I’m at Floyd it just sings to me.

Comment from Pickled Herring
Time: January 10, 2008, 1:07 pm

i want to knwo what they actually put in those things look and taste like meat. Somehow, I think 100% real meat would be easier to eat without wondering what crap went into it. Screw the healthy part, I dont want expertly seasoned newspaper sandwhiches!

Comment from Matt
Time: January 10, 2008, 1:26 pm

I’d love some whale meet to go with my blackened Flipper sandwich

Comment from Rudy McBagel
Time: January 10, 2008, 1:50 pm

‘meep,meep,meepbeep!!’ ‘ whats that flipper, matt’s taking the piss?’

:) lol

Comment from Swan
Time: January 10, 2008, 2:28 pm

thanks for the report! i definitely have to try it out. 30% less fattening is still good when you have a fried food craving.

Comment from Matt
Time: January 10, 2008, 3:01 pm

OK, I actually just tried this place for lunch, and believe this is one of the worst lunches I’ve had since moving to NY. I had the grilled ‘chicken’ combo, with fries & iced tea, and also a basket of the fried ’shrimp.’

The bad:
-$12 and I’m not the least bit filled, I would probably need to
spend $25 to fill myself up

-It took 18 minutes for my food. Granted, they’re a new place, but people who ordered after me got their food in under 5 minutes.

-Everything tastes like greasy nothing. I can feel a mass of grease sitting in my stomach. The fries were bland, shrimp tastes nothing like shrimp, and the chicken was like eating grilled sponge (which actually might taste better than what this was).

The good
-Given the extremely greasy nature of this ‘food’, it should be out of my system fairly quickly.

Comment from Rudy McBagel
Time: January 10, 2008, 3:39 pm

Todays thought/moral.

If one wants a burger buy a fucking burger.

I don’t ask for a Tofu kebab with foie gras do I?

No

Great post Zach!!!…. got most of MT bitching…………Ive seen I am Legend..i know you’re all flesh eating zombies really :)

Comment from Jaime
Time: January 10, 2008, 3:47 pm

Any word on on soy cheese or other non-dairy options?

Comment from Rudy McBagel
Time: January 10, 2008, 3:52 pm

They have soy cows now?……is that like Kobe…………

Comment from DDR
Time: January 10, 2008, 3:58 pm

Matt - I’ve never eaten at this joint, but I’m with you all the way. I’m truly disappointed that Zach recommended it. It is obviously awful in every way. I don’t have to eat there to know that.

Comment from Rudy McBagel
Time: January 10, 2008, 4:02 pm

Die Zen Burger Die Die!!!

Comment from Greg
Time: January 10, 2008, 8:24 pm

This concept is not completely original. Missoula, Montana (yes, way out there) has a place called Good Burger that is also a vegetarian fast food joint.

Comment from Calling You Out
Time: January 10, 2008, 9:08 pm

This man is making thousands of dollars from ads on the website. What began as his passion is now only a money-making venture. Clearly he has sold out - check out this ABC news article about the blog.

http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/wireStory?id=4052653

Comment from Peter Lusk
Time: January 10, 2008, 10:26 pm

Zen Burger and Zen Palate are both awesome in different ways. I have had some of the best restaurant owners in NYC (several of whom are investing) rave about the food when they try it. It is 2/3rds the calories and 1/2 the fat (even better now that they are baking the breaded chicken as of today, not frying it) and tones more vitamins and antioxidants than the death meat they serve at McDeath. It does not make you feel sick afterwards, and there is much less salt than other fast food joints, so yes you might not feel as full, but usually satisfied, especially if you don’t inhale it like most people do.

To those that say the chicken is like rubber, I have had dozens of people tell me it looks like chicken and tastes better(especially the non-breaded), and I agree. HAVE YOU EVEN SEEN A McNugget (McLUGNUT)??? its chicken beak foam! Half of the people who eat it have no idea it is not meat and the Tuna is better than my mothers! (Sorry mom.) Plus there is tones of fiber in it.

To the idiots here that say they don’t need to try it to know it can’t be good for you let alone taste good, that is idiotic. It is fast food, not fine dinging (that is Zen Palate!), but so much better for you than any meat based fast food chain. As far as the crowds are concerned, I have been to McD and Wendy’s and had to wait 10-15 minutes and often get cold fries there too.

You can’t please everyone, now I don’t have to get my fast food fix and feel sleepy, bloated and sick afterwards. I also know for a fact that there is NO artificial flavor or textures and they are working on getting the 1% milk protein out of some of the items to make all the items vegan (that means no animal products)

Comment from Peter Lusk
Time: January 10, 2008, 10:36 pm

The shrimp are not made of “rice cake stuff”, but are a root protein similar to Tarro root , called kanjack root. After living 6 years in New Orleans I can say that if the shrimp are hot, they do taste like a fresh breaded shrimp (which is not supposed to taste like anything).. only old shrimp taste “shrimpy”. If they are cold (like fries) then they taste lame, but they will make you hot ones if you say they are cold.

Pingback from First ever restaurant review! | Magic Jewball
Time: January 10, 2008, 11:04 pm

[...] heard about this place from a blog I subscribe to called Midtown Lunch. Which is pretty much what it’s about. He never describes anything near me, I guess I’m [...]

Comment from Rudy McBagel
Time: January 11, 2008, 6:08 am

Yes, Mr.Lusk.

But it tastes, and looks, like shit.

Comment from Rudy McBagel
Time: January 11, 2008, 6:25 am

..an calling you out, will you shut up you muppet.

Everyone can make money from blogs.I know guys who make 8 figure bonuses working for the many FI’s in lower manhattan that do blogs ranging from bass fishing to snow boarding and yet happily bank the few quid they get from advertiz(s)ing on said blogs.

You’re just a jealous, shallow little turd.

Comment from Matt
Time: January 11, 2008, 8:27 am

Mr. Lusk-

Either you’ve done more homework on ZenBurger than you care to admit, or, you should state that you have some vested interest in the success of this chain.

You should note that while your chain has less fat and calories than McD’s, that’s like saying “I drink 1/2 as much as an alcoholic”…it’s still really bad for you. And despite not being full (from my $12 lunch), I still felt very sleepy and sick afterwards.

I am by no means a fast food conossieur, in fact I never eat it unless there is absolutely no other option, and in my entire life have never had McDonald’s (yes, seriously). However, I can’t imagine why anyone would willingly plunk down that kind of money for what is essentially fried nothing (you even said yourself that the shrimp is SUPPOSED to taste like fried nothing), when you can go somewhere like FreeFoods and for the same price fill up on quality, organic, healthy food.

Good luck on your business venture, but it’s obviously not my cup of tea.

And yes, calling you out, get the hell outta here-

Comment from liz
Time: January 11, 2008, 9:32 am

i also had the pleasure of trying out zenburger yesterday for lunch and was completely disgusted. i went for the crispy chicken sandwich (minus the lemon aioli, plus cheese & bbq sauce). the “chicken” was one of the most disgusting things i’ve ever eaten. it tasted like a mixture of cardboard and fish. since i’m not a vegitarian, why would i want to eat “meat” that is meat-less when i can have the real deal?! the meal (the part i was able to get down) did not sit well either. i will admit that the fries were tasty and they have fountain sodas with crushed ice! that’s a big deal for some of us.

Comment from Dombrooks
Time: January 11, 2008, 9:52 am

No meat, no thanks.

Comment from Angela
Time: January 11, 2008, 9:55 am

This is a vegetarian, fast food place. All flesh eaters, road kill eatersl cannot appreciate vegetarian food.
First of all, most vegetarians/vegans don’t want their dishes to taste like MEAT! We just want tasty, healthy food that some animal didn’t have to endure torture, and milk or cheese with PUSS and BLOOD.
Second of all, if you’re eating to get full, then you’re probably obese (a beast) unhealthy never exercised a day in your life, who wants to go on, “The biggest loser,” exposing your nasty fat on national TV looking to win money. When one eats a proper balanced diet it satisfies you, we don’t try to take up more space on the subway seats or squeeze onto the person’s lap next to us. Then all you fat heads are always giving us (the skinny people) dirty looks, because we aren;t fat and gross looking. Fat is not only a killer, it makes you UGLY, yes, UGLY, fat faces!
Last of all, all you flesh eating greedy people continue eating your crap, “you are what you eat.” You take up too much space everywhere you go, and expect to be healthy, and act surprised when you get diabetes, high cholesterol and continue wobbling your way throughout. Those who wobble will fall down, babies wobble when they are learning to walk, and they do fall.
We weren’t put on this earth to eat every frigging thing, we are supposed to eat to survive, not make eating your main focus in life.
Flesh eaters continue eating shit, continue killing your brain cells, stuff yourselves and then fall asleep, one day you won’t wake up, your heart will fall asleep.

Comment from Angela
Time: January 11, 2008, 10:02 am

It takes discipline and self control not to be FAT!
So all you gluttons keep getting fatter, don’t expect any sympathy because you are all so weak.
I hope the airlines start charging more for overweight passengers, as technically they are overweight luggage! Move over fatsos, go home and eat yourselves into oblivion.

Comment from AJ
Time: January 11, 2008, 10:10 am

like matt i went there earlier this week to try it out. pretty mediocre. i had the zen burger combo and it was dry and flat and the fries were underdone. it is priced right for the neighborhood so maybe i will try something else but a first taste didn’t have me rushing back.

Comment from SMDNY
Time: January 11, 2008, 10:10 am

I’m curious how many of the bad reviews are coming from people who don’t generally eat meat substitutes? If you eat a veg chicken pattie, it’s not going to taste like chicken. The texture, appearance and scent are what is “chicken like”.

I’ve never been a fan of Zen Palate (always get sick after eating there - the oil they use? dunno), and doubt I’ll try Zen Burger. If you don’t like Zen Burger, but are interested in trying other restaurants that do meat substitutes, I’d suggest Red Bamboo or something like the soy duck at Spice.

Comment from AJ
Time: January 11, 2008, 10:27 am

SMDNY–since you’re curious, i haven’t eaten meat in almost 20 years so i don’t really have the taste to compare it to. maybe i’m not the target audience since i don’t miss mcdonald’s or burger king. it’s fine but nothing special.

Comment from Rudy McBagel
Time: January 11, 2008, 10:39 am

Angela…I suppose a dinner with veal cutlets topped with seared foie gras is out of the question?

Comment from Rudy McBagel
Time: January 11, 2008, 10:41 am

Vegans in general need a bloody good slap.

Comment from Matt
Time: January 11, 2008, 11:04 am

Rudy, I think what Angela might need is a bloody good slap on the arse. Seriously Angie (can we call you Angie, or maybe Ang?) where does all this agression come from? Are we not entitled to not enjoy this food? And by not enjoying this food, that makes us fat people who take up multiple seats on subways? And why would you mind standing on the subway, since you’re so healthy and fit?

Oh, and in case you haven’t read a single thing on this page, Zen Burger is NOT healthy…(”First of all, most vegetarians/vegans don’t want their dishes to taste like MEAT! We just want tasty, healthy food that some animal didn’t have to endure torture, and milk or cheese with PUSS and BLOOD.”)…It is healthIER fast food, but still fried and breaded, and the only organic offering on the menu is the mixed greens salad. That means your food is processed and genetically modified. w00t!

Comment from Matt
Time: January 11, 2008, 11:09 am

oh, and in case you forgot, you can be a fat and unhealthy vegetarian. *hugs Angie*

Comment from Sarah
Time: January 11, 2008, 11:21 am

Okay, first of all, Rudy: your taking on Calling You Out makes my love for you even stronger. That being said, some of my best friends are vegan. I have to agree with a lot of what’s been said here, and full disclosure I’m a pretty flexible vegetarian (I’ll eat fish, I won’t die if I find out later my soup was made with chicken stock, also I kind of might not always be the healthiest eater), but I don’t understand why so many people are so enraged by the concept of: 1. fake meat/vegetarian food that mimics meat 2. Vegetarians wanting to eat junk food. Being a vegetarian does not make you always healthy and all virtuous. Some of us do it for political reasons and some of us do it b/c meat gives us digestive problems. Meat is not a part of my diet, anymore, but I still want something totally gross to counteract my hangover on occasion (like today). Does fake chicken taste like chicken? Well on occasion it does actually. Let me try again: should you be drawing a direct corollary between a hamburger and a soy burger? No. Come on people. If you eat meat, and want junk food, fine. Go to the bazillion fast food places that cater to you. I’m happy that someone’s made a place for me and my booze-residue filled stomach to chase the booze– I mean blues– away. Thank you and good night.

Comment from Rudy McBagel
Time: January 11, 2008, 11:42 am

‘The Drunken Veggie’

I can see a new Blog starting up!!!

Comment from Crackhead
Time: January 11, 2008, 11:43 am

The doucheness of this has gone fucking galactic.

Callingyouout: DOUCHE

Angela: DOUCHE

Now, Crackhead: DOUCHE

Comment from Mamacita
Time: January 11, 2008, 11:43 am

Angela is on the rag :-P

Comment from Rudy McBagel
Time: January 11, 2008, 12:28 pm

DO vegans mensturate?

Surely their wombs would only bleed fair trade canberry juice.

Comment from DDR
Time: January 11, 2008, 12:47 pm

Rudy has done it yet again!
God save the Queen, etc.

Comment from odbs
Time: January 11, 2008, 12:57 pm

Too much hate coming to and from the vegans… It is possible to express a point of view without being judgemental.

But in terms of the health angle, fat isn’t the only factor. When you eat meat in fast food restaurants, you’re getting poor quality meat heavily pumped up with antibiotics. Having less of that is a good thing. I eat meat sometimes but I’m conscious of where it’s coming from and haven’t eaten fast food in a long time. That said I miss that greasy fast food taste and will be happy to give zen burger a try.

ps: Zach, hope you keep making the ad revenue. Last I checked I’ve never paid a dime to enjoy this site…

Comment from DDR
Time: January 11, 2008, 2:06 pm

To Peter Lusk, Douchemaster General:

Please disclose any relationship/investment you may have in this apparently wildly unpopular restaurant.

And if you’re going to try to insult people, at least learn how to spell. It’s “tons” not “tones.” You did it twice so it’s no typo.

Idiot.

Comment from Rudy McBagel
Time: January 11, 2008, 2:20 pm

Angela……..just a wild guess, but are you in the process of divorcing paul mcartney?

Comment from Rudy McBagel
Time: January 11, 2008, 2:36 pm

Angela,if one ‘is what one eats’ you must eat an awful lot of Dumbfuck Apples.

Comment from nate
Time: January 11, 2008, 3:07 pm

Angela = Peter Lusk with his junk stuffed back between his legs.

Rudy = my fucking hero.

Comment from wayne
Time: January 11, 2008, 4:26 pm

Rudy, whatever you do, don’t mention that most vegans are self-righteous ditzy liberal atheist drug-addled hippies who need to be beaten with a pimpstick - that’ll just get them even more rabid

Comment from jn
Time: January 12, 2008, 8:22 am

seriously, the fair trade cranberry juice comment is the funniest thing i have ever read
rudy you have outdone yourself

Comment from Katherine
Time: January 14, 2008, 10:47 pm

Wow, not only did I always have an uneasy relationship with this site because I could only imagine the hundreds of mediocre, post-college, overweight Americans (”New Yorkers”) sitting in their pathetic cubicles reading about the next delicious lunch they will eat on their sadly assigned time slot to go eat, but now we’ve confirmed the simplicity and conformity of their minds through the disgustingly sexist comments exhibited by half of them. Thanks for restoring the faith here, boys. I knew I would eventually be reassured why I never took an office job when I graduated and continue to avoid pubs and the West Village like the fucking plague. Here’s to an indistinguishable, average life!

Comment from Katherine
Time: January 14, 2008, 10:52 pm

PS: Yes, it is sexist to “HUG” women in consolation, you fucking loser. Also, talking about us being “on the rag” is perpetuating a great sense of inferiority in our culture. I wouldn’t expect anything less from someone who can’t handle the concept of a “burger” not made out of a cow. Does your brain also hurt when someone talks to you about energy-saving lightbulbs and homosexuals? Get out of New York.

Comment from Rudy McBagel
Time: January 15, 2008, 4:56 am

Not so long ago we’d burn you.

Comment from Rudy McBagel
Time: January 15, 2008, 5:00 am

Kathy,very well put and consice stance on your extreme left wing pantsuit views.

But the uestion still stands.

Do you Swallow?

Comment from BamBam
Time: January 15, 2008, 9:37 am

Rudy McBagel material is A+.

Katherine - notwithstanding your poorly phrased screed, this site is home to a lot of happy, well adjusted foodies.

Your attacks would have more bite if they reflected reality in any way, rather than being figments of your bizarre and hate-filled imagination. You may be glad you never took an “office job,” but what office would hire a Harpy?

Comment from wayne
Time: January 15, 2008, 12:38 pm

“uneasy relationship with this site”
“eventually be reassured why I never took an office job”
“avoid pubs”
“sexist to “HUG” women”

Katherine = surly umemployed self-hating fat chick upset at us getting our feed on

Comment from Y’all are crazy
Time: January 15, 2008, 4:11 pm

For all the haters who have been bombarding this site lately:

(1) Acquire a sense of humor and compassion. Forthwith.

(2) Don’t blame the site for the readership’s carnivorious inclinations. If I judged a website by its visitors, I’d probably never use Google again.

(3) Don’t hate on vegetarians and vegans for believing what we believe, and accept the fact that we all made our dietary choice for different reasons. It’s utterly indecent to think that any one of us speaks for all of us. Does Goerge Bush speak for all of Christendom?

(4) Develop a fucking sense of adventure. Like Zach, the uber-carnivore who was gutsy enough to eat at Zen Burger and admit that he kinda liked it. After all, his adventurous palate is probably why most of us read this site to begin with.

So, the point is let Zach do what he does best, which is inform and entertain us, and leave the personal attacks out of it.

Thanks for reading, void where prohibited, restrictions may apply, results may vary.

Comment from quarterempty
Time: January 30, 2008, 2:23 pm

just got back from zen burger for the second time two months into their open. every part of the experience was underwhelming or frustrating. the ordering process was still best described as “chaotic” with no line and cashiers yelling for customers. the cashier made it clear i was just an obstacle to her next customer. i’m no buddhist, the closest i come to zen is being a fan of nirvana, but this didn’t seem zen at all to me, i couldn’t wait to get out of there.

the burger meal is listed as $6.50, but with tax it goes to $7.04. really? so maybe they could speed up the line if their cashiers didn’t have to make 96 cents in change every order.

I should have been suspicious when my food only took a couple of minutes to arrive, but they were busy and maybe had a lot cooking. it was stone cold when i opened the package. it honestly looked just like the “other hamburger chain” burger the major chains will show in their ads. I was so impressed by how unappealing it looked i took a picture i’m planning to send to the company. the “zenbeef burger” patty itself was a cold pressed puck of something. it tasted like every other frozen veggie burger i’ve ever had, though there were strong notes of soy sauce. the lettuce was leaf and seemed reasonably fresh, there were plenty of onions (good thing i like them, i was never asked if i wanted them). and the whole wheat bun was welcome, if smashed.

the only part of the entire experience that was enjoyable were the fries. they were pretty good. perhaps even ideal. great flavor, crisp outside, even as they cooled. and very evenly cooked. oh, and the diet coke was perfect, though i did have to ask for a cup with my meal.

the first time i went a couple of weeks ago, i had the harvest burger, it was mediocre as well,

so i would definitely not recommend zen burger, but if you really have to try it for yourself, i can only assume the zen”beef” burger is improved by being warm, you might try to check it’s freshness before you leave. i would assume mine was made two hours prior to my ordering it.

Comment from Sheila
Time: February 11, 2008, 7:09 pm

I tried Zen Burger and yes, it ’s not haute cuisine. What do y’all expect? I thought the burger was ok, the fries were very good and the shrimp was excellent. They do serve salad but I couldn’t bring myself to order it - It’s a fast food joint! The point of eating fake meat is it’s better for you (up to a point), better for the environment and better for the animals. If you don’t care about any of that, just go to Micky D’s and eat a ground up dead cow (oops I meant hamburger).
And this is for you, Rudy McBagel. Get a life.

Comment from Rudy McBagel
Time: February 12, 2008, 7:28 pm

This is for you sheila.

Get a partner that dosn’t take AA batteries.

Comment from gourmet eater
Time: February 13, 2008, 10:44 am

The snow was coming down, so I Decided to eat as close to my office as possible -opted out Metro because I wanted something healthy! What a mistake–The shrimp I HAD ( LITERALLY) because I THREW them in the garbage. They were dry as a piece of cardboard and had no taste. Then trying again I ordered a hamburger–wrong again –cold,with a scrap of lettuce and the same cardboard. Somebody better wake up there. Is there any management or food quality control? I really won’t make the same mistake by eating there again and Iadvise all my friends to do the same .

Comment from Frezzer
Time: February 13, 2008, 10:46 am

The snow was coming down, so I Decided to eat as close to my office as possible -opted out Metro because I wanted something healthy! What a mistake–The shrimp I HAD ( LITERALLY) because I THREW them in the garbage. They were dry as a piece of cardboard and had no taste. Then trying again I ordered a hamburger–wrong again –cold,with a scrap of lettuce and the same cardboard. Somebody better wake up there. Is there any management or food quality control? I really won’t make the same mistake by eating there again and Iadvise all my friends to do the same .

Comment from DDR
Time: February 13, 2008, 10:52 am

Hey gourmet eater - you and Frezzer should get together.

Comment from Captain Vegetable
Time: February 15, 2008, 12:12 pm

Seems that Gourmet Eater/Frezzer has something to gain from trashing Zen Burger (twice without even bothering to change up his comments)… maybe he owns the Subway next door?

Anyway, I’ve eaten at Zen Burger over 12 times now and I think the food and the service are excellent. Yes, the first few weeks had it’s problems but give these guys a break!… They just opened this place and it’s the first of it’s kind… EVER! So, i’m sure there were some things that they didn’t anticipate like the massive crowds they were faced with upon opening.

I give Zen Burger a lot of credit for what they are trying to do (providing a healthier option to the fast-food experience) and wish them all the luck in their expansion plans.

I will definitely be a loyal customer of theirs and hope to see more in the city (and across the country) soon.

Comment from DDR
Time: February 15, 2008, 3:22 pm

Hey Captain Veggie - you and Peter Lusk should get together!

Pingback from zenpawn » Blog Archive » ZenBurger: Vegan Fast Food
Time: February 24, 2008, 8:26 am

[...] far, they’ve a restaurant in New York, and one on the way in Hollywood. There’s also an application for franchise opportunities on [...]

Comment from Darren
Time: February 26, 2008, 2:29 pm

I ate at Zen Burger, for my first time, today. I had the… Zen [Beef] Burger meal, with super-sized fries of course. Despite the reviews here, I enjoyed the meal. The fries were strangely similar in taste and texture to McDonald’s, but less salty, and supposedly less starchy. They were also hot and crispy, which occurs less than 50% of the time at McD’s. The burger was much larger and nicer looking than the pics posted here. I did’t really like the burger, because of the ZenSauce and lack of cheese (shoulda thought o’ that when I ordered), but that’s just preference. It seemed quality and I enjoyed that it was on a whole-wheat bun. Next time I think I’ll try the ZenDog with the organic homemade chili and organic american cheese.

Also, despite the comments about poor service, my experience was great. There was a manager-looking fellow standing at the door, handing out menus and walking aroung asking myself and others how we liked the food. If the service sucked before, they must have heard it, because it seemed like they were trying hard to please - the bus people won’t even let you throw away your own trash; they ask to take your tray as soon as you look like you are getting up to leave. I also noticed a line manager barking commands at the register people, to make sure they were remembering sauces and procedures.

To those comments about the processed nature of the food: I’m sure it is, but the rear of the menu clearly states that the fake meats are made from “100% natural, protein-rich vegetables, grains, and non-GMO soy with no antibiotics, hormones or artificial flavors”. Works for me.

I eat meat, though I don’t feel righteous about it (atually, a bit guilty). I, for one, hope this place takes off. It may not be the healthiest, but anything that is a step in the direction away from McDonald’s and factory farms, seems like a good thing. Plus, it’s cheaper than Better Burger.

Comment from Laura
Time: June 30, 2008, 3:07 pm

BTW - They now have a special sandwich that is a Filet o Fish! (along with some other specials that aren’t listed on the regular menu behind the counter, but be sure to ask!)

I heart ZenBurger.

Comment from Lisa
Time: July 9, 2008, 12:39 pm

Well, the truth is ‘ you can’t please everyone ‘ ! but I don’t understand why there are so much of negative attacks. I am a vege for spiritual and enviroment political reasons. Yes, I said ‘ enviromental’, no one here mention about the slogan printed on Zen Burger’s serving tray paper. It is good that Zen Burger is bringing the awareness to the public. Meat consumption is the number one global warming contributor. If you don’t believe me there are plenty of evidences and researches out there including UN and IPCC reports. We, the human,are eating out planet to death.

And yes, this is a fast food chain, all the fried food might not be the healthiest. I try to eat healthy but I am no a saint, once a while I love to have some junk, as a vegetarin I am just glad that there is one more option out there for me.

Stop accusing people, fat people, meat eater, vegtarin, whatever, we need to be more loving to each other, we should be happy that we are here in U.S. to experience the most prosper ways of life style. More than 1/3 of earth population live in starvation. But we have the luxury to have many options and to complaint about the foods. Have some compassion people !!!