Skip the beef in favor of these vegan and vegetarian patties that are so good they just may become your new go-to order.
Summer food season is here in the Hudson Valley, which means burgers, hot dogs, and buttery corn on the cob will be filling up your plates in no time at all. Of course, for anyone who’s trying to eat less meat (or no meat at all), finding veggie-centric options that satisfy those seasonal cravings can be a challenge. To help, we rounded up a handful of highly delicious, unique veggie burgers throughout the Hudson Valley. Whether you’re celebrating #MeatlessMonday or simply looking for a rockin’ burger, you’ll want to get your hands on all these orders.
Clemson Brewing Co.
Middletown
Maybe you don’t think of a brewery as the first place to order a veggie burger, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t consider it. Clemson allows any burger to be swapped out for a portobello mushroom cap, which means you can turn whichever burger strikes your fancy into a vegan or vegetarian entree. If you’re pairing your burger with one of the brewery’s top-tier beers, go for the Clemson Stout as your handheld of choice. This burger is big on flavor, thanks to a hearty smear of Clemson stout barbecue sauce, garlic aioli, white cheddar, onion fritz, lettuce, and tomato. Get it on a classic bun or swap it out for a pretzel or gluten-free bun as preferred. If all that isn’t enough to tempt your taste buds, the parmesan truffle fries that come with every burger (veggie or otherwise) certainly will.
Grass Roots Kitchen
Tarrytown
Grass Roots Kitchen has so many tempting vegetarian and vegan options on its menu that it can be hard to choose just one. If a burger is calling your name, opt for the falafel burger. As the name suggests, it’s a falafel-style patty made with chickpeas, onion, parsley, cilantro, and cumin that’s topped with tahini sauce, red onion, lettuce, and pickle. Equally scrumptious is the Root Burger, the eatery’s signature beet quinoa burger paired with vegan Swiss, watercress, pickled onion, and GRK sauce. Many burgers have the option for gluten-free bread, so feel free to make that swap if it suits your fancy.
Grazin’
Hudson
For a place known for its 100-percent grass-fed-and-finished certified Black Angus beef burgers, Grazin’ sure knows how to do a veggie burger right. Go for The Veggie, featuring an all-organic patty that blends legumes, beets, carrots, cashews, herbs, and spices. It’s served with a buttermilk ranch sauce that takes it to the next level. If you’re in the mood for something lighter but no less flavorful, The Bello, comprised of a whole roasted portobello mushroom cap with balsamic marinade, is a wonderful option. It also features that zesty buttermilk ranch, with roasted red peppers thrown in for good measure.
Hudson Hil’s Café
Cold Spring
You know that restaurant with a line out the door and onto the sidewalk every weekend? That’s Hudson Hil’s. While the breakfast menu is understandably a main attraction (can you say chocolate babka French toast?), the lunch menu is where it’s at when it comes to finding a showstopper of a veggie burger. The quinoa and black bean burger is made with sweet potatoes, quinoa, rice, and black beans for a patty that’s hearty and healthy. From there, it’s served on an English muffin and layered with lettuce, tomato, onion, and vegan aioli.
Mama Boy’s Burgers
Tannersville
Mama Boy’s Burgers pairs old-school nostalgia with updated twists on classic Americana fare. The menu features new takes on fan-favorites like burgers and hot dogs, and there’s even a section dedicated to vegetarian burgers. It’s hard to turn down the falafel burger, which features Mama Boy’s house-made falafel, along with spiced gouda, tomato, and harissa yogurt sauce. The Fun Guy is a must for mushroom lovers, since it comes with truffled portobello, sauteed mushrooms, Swiss cheese, crispy onions, and truffle mayo. Get your burger with hand-cut French fries, tater tots, house-made cole slaw, or even fried cheese curds on the side, then sit back and savor the deliciousness before you.
Meyer’s Olde Dutch
Beacon
If you haven’t stopped by the recently renovated Meyer’s Olde Dutch yet, it’s time to make dinner plans in Dutchess County ASAP. The burgers are the star of the show here, and the Veggie Dutch is no exception. Chef/owner Brian Arnoff treats diners to a house-made veggie patty that’s topped with cheddar, fry sauce, lettuce, tomato, onion, and pickles. It can be made vegan or served with a gluten-free bun upon request as well. Order it with a side of homemade coleslaw for a meal that sings of summer flavor.
Moonburger
Kingston
This is not your average takeout burger. In fact, the vegan burgers available to-go at Moonburger are all made with plant-based Impossible meat…not that you’d know based upon the taste. As for what to order, stick with the Classic Cheeseburger, a griddled Impossible patty with real American cheese, a signature double onion, dill pickle, lettuce, and special sauce on a Martin’s potato roll. The standard order is not vegan, but Moonburger can make it dairy-free or gluten-free upon request. Pro tip: pair your burger with a side of hot fries, a.k.a. standard fries tossed in a secret spice blend that’s highly addictive.
Prohibition River
Nyack
Next time you find yourself strolling around Nyack, make a point to stop into Prohibition River for one of its mouthwatering burgers and sammies. The portobello and black bean burger is a must on the veggie-centric front. It’s a hearty, wonderfully textured veggie burger made even better with a topping of mixed greens, tomato, Swiss cheese, and balsamic reduction. All burgers come with the restaurant’s hand-cut fries (fair warning: it’s nearly impossible to stop at just a few) and house-made pickle chips. Pair your burger with the brew of your choice or, if you want something a little different, one of the delightful house cocktails.
