Foodie 15: Tucson’s tastiest vegan burgers (buns, too)

Whether you’re after a vegetable-filled patty, seeking a plant-based meat-like alternative, or just in the mood for a good burger, here’s the ultimate guide for some of the best plant-based burgers in Tucson.

Substance Diner

1015 S. Park Ave.

The Substance Burger’s grilled Beyond Meat patty sits between a soft sesame seed Kaiser roll bun with shredded lettuce, organic tomato, dill pickles, pickled red onions, and a creamy sauce. Add additional toppings of choice, like the savory Beer Sautéed Mushrooms or crunchy Tamari-Tofu Bacun.

For more information, visit substancediner.com. 

Bob Dobb’s Bar & Grill

2501 E. Sixth St.

Bob Dobb’s offers a vegan burger patty called the Beyond Bob. The ground Beyond Meat is seasoned and then marinated in soy-free and vegan ingredients.

Experience the Beyond Bob patty as a Classic Burger with vegan cheddar cheese and an optional gluten-free bun, or try it on the current “Burger of the Week.” For instance, the Driving Me Caprese burger with vegan mozzarella cheese, sliced tomatoes, basil chiffonade, and a vegan/gluten-free balsamic glaze. Vegan mayo and Sriracha mayo are available upon request to add to your burger or to use as a dip for the crispy housemade fries and chips served on the side.

For more information, visit bobdobbs-tucson.com. 

Beaut Burger

267 S. Avenida del Convento

The made-from-scratch B8 burger is a grain and veggie patty topped with crispy onions, tomato, pickled poblano, and smoked tomato aioli. Beaut Burger’s patties are a creative combination of unprocessed veggies, millet, beans, and spices. Choose between over 10 different burgers and then keep it classic or make it a double.

For more information, visit beautburger.com.

Goodness

2502 N. Campbell Ave.

Garlic mayo and marinated mushrooms? Yes, please. Goodness offers the Shroom burger, Classic, and Double Double Classic for those who want their burger tall. The Double Double is two 4oz patties, vegan cheddar, goodness sauce, arugula, red onion, tomato, and pickles on a sprouted wheat bun.

For more information, visit goodnessfresh.com. 

GM kitchen 86

1439 S. Fourth Ave.

Find The Impossible Burger at GM Kitchen 86, located inside the American Eat Co. food court. Creamy chipotle aioli, lettuce, red onions, tomato, vegan cheese, and avocado on a fluffy vegan brioche bun.

For more information, visit kitchen8six.com. 

HUB Restaurant & Ice Creamery

266 E. Congress St.

HUB stacks its Beyond Meat burger with sautéed mushrooms, pickled red onion, fresh spinach, and smashed avocado with melted vegan cheddar. Choose your side of fries or tater tots.

For more information, visit hubdowntown.com.

Lovin Spoonful’s

2990 N. Campbell Ave. #120

Lovin Spoonful’s beloved Wildcat Burger is a house-made soy patty with sweet caramelized onions, crispy tempeh bacon, vegan bleu cheese, and creamy sriracha mayo on a fluffy roll served with potato salad.

For more information, visit lovinspoonfuls.com. 

Little Love Burger

312 E. Congress St.

Create your own “Self-Love” vegan burger with an Impossible patty and veggie fixings. Choose from lettuce, tomato, pickle, jalapeno, and wild arugula. Add spicy ketchup, Gulden’s Mustard, or barbecue sauce.

For more information, visit littleloveburger.com. 

Urban Fresh

73 E. Pennington St.

High in protein, the Tofu Mushroom Burger at Urban Fresh features a thick and flavorful patty topped with lettuce, tomato, and onion on a soft sesame seed bun. Choose between “Green Chile” or “American Style.”

For more information, visit urbanfreshaz.com. 

El Torero

231 E. 26th St.

Look out for El Torero’s Beyond Double Double special. Two juicy Beyond Burger plant Patties piled high with green chili, tomato, lettuce, pickle, hot peppers, vegan spread, guac, and Follow Your Heart cheese served with crispy seasoned fries.

For more information, visit eltorerotucson.com. 

Union Public House

4340 N. Campbell Ave. #100

Union’s Veggie Burger dish is a Beyond Burger with avocado smash, arugula, pickled onions, and heirloom tomato. Switch the bun to focaccia, and let serving staff know that you’d like a vegan dish to ensure all animal products are kept separate. Enjoy fries and a juicy pickle on the side.

For more information, visit uniontucson.com. 

Charro Vida

7109 N. Oracle Rd.

The La Vida Burger is a Beyond Carne patty topped with queso vegan, lettuce, tomato, red onions, pickles, and vegan secret sauce on a plant-based sourdough bun served with a choice of Rosemary Sweet Potato Fries or Yucca Fries.

For more information, visit charrovida.com. 

Midtown Vegan Deli & Market

5071 E. Fifth St.

Midtown’s vegan version of the Western Bacon Cheeseburger: The Western Bacon Chi. Choose between Beyond Meat or a black bean patty. Toppings include fried onion rings, sweet and spicy barbecue sauce, and tempeh bacon on a toasted sesame seed bun.

For more information, visit midtownvegandeli.com. 

Fullylove’s

994 E. University Blvd.

Fullylove’s V-Licious Burger is a Beyond Burger patty topped with oven-roasted tomatoes, arugula, vegan aioli, truffle oil, vegan cheese, and avocado served on a vegan bun.

For more information, visit fullyloves.com. 

Vivace

6440 N. Campbell Ave.

Vivace’s Italian Style Vegetarian Burger is an Impossible patty served open-faced over garlic toast, with a fresh tomato-basil topping and a mixed greens salad. This burger comes with non-vegan cheese. Ask to make it vegan with their house-made vegan cheese.

For more information, visit vivacetucson.com.