Best Vegetarian Burgers In Orange County
A veggie burger is not an uncommon menu item. However, it used to be that every place offered a garden burger and little else in the way of veggie burgers. People have learned that a veggie burger doesn't have to be a bland frozen patty that is thrown on a grill and overcooked. It can be so much more than that. From portobello mushroom burgers to a black-bean patty, here are some of the best veggie burgers in Orange County.
BRU Grill and Market
23730 El Toro Road
Lake Forest, CA 92630
(949) 305-5757
www.brugrill.com
On the lunch menu at BRU, you can find a portobello mushroom burger that is an amazing combination of flavors. The mushroom is topped with red onions, house pickles, lettuce, tomato and the piece de resistance: melted goat cheese. The house pickles add a nice spice note to the earthy taste of the mushroom and the creaminess of the goat cheese. This amazing burger is available only until 3 p.m., so enjoy one for lunch.
Related: Best Burgers In Orange County
Umami Burger
2981 Bristol St.
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
(714) 957-8626
www.umami.com
At Umami, you can substitute a portobello mushroom for any one of its regular burgers. That is not an unusual menu item, but it's the extras that really make this a great vegetarian burger. First of all, the bun is like a brioche: airy and a little sweet. Before your burger is delivered, the waiter or waitress brings a small tray to your table with four things you can use to top your mushroom: jalapeno ranch, house-made ketchup, aioli and spicy Diablo sauce (highly recommended).
Slater's 50/50
24356 Swartz Drive
Lake Forest, CA 92630
(949) 460-9314
www.slaters5050.com
You wouldn't expect a veggie burger at a place that specializes in burgers that are half ground beef and half bacon. However, this place has two options if you don't want a burger that is half bacon: a veggie burger or a portobello mushroom burger. What makes your veggie burger great here is not just the patty or mushroom, but what you can get on top of it. You can choose from a list of cheeses (including an amazing beer cheese sauce), veggies and all sorts of other things to load on top of your burger. Some other place may make the claim, but at Slater's, you can have it your way.
The Surfin' Cowboy
34235 Doheny Park Road
Capistrano Beach, CA 92624
(949) 272-5957
www.thesurfincowboy.com
The key to a good portobello mushroom burger is the condiments. No place understands this better than The Surfin' Cowboy. The mushroom is topped with roasted red peppers, asparagus and tomato confit. All of the items are not only delicious, but a great complement to the mushroom. If this is the first thing you try at The Surfin' Cowboy, it's probably enough to get you to go back and try the other delicious items on the menu.
Gypsy Den
2930 Bristol St.
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
(714) 549-7012
www.gypsyden.com
A black-bean patty is a popular option for vegetarian burgers and you'll find a good one at Gypsy Den. Instead of offering just white and whole wheat buns, this place offers a pretzel bun, which makes the burger even better. The patty is topped with sprouts and tomatoes and served with either tortilla chips or a mixed greens salad. Ask for a small container of salsa to put on your burger; it is the perfect condiment.
Gary Schwind is a freelance writer covering all things Orange County. His work can be found on Examiner.com.
