The Ultimate Guide to Vegan & Plant-Based Eating at Ben’s Fast Food
Introduction to Vegan & Plant-Based Eating
If you’re searching for food that’s as good for you as it is for the planet, you’re not alone. Vegan and plant-based diets have become some of the most popular (and most misunderstood) ways to eat for better health, sustainability, and animal welfare. So, what’s the difference? A vegan diet excludes all animal products—no meat, dairy, eggs, or honey. Plant-based eating is a bit broader: it focuses on meals built around whole, minimally processed plants, but some people still include small amounts of animal products.
Both ways of eating have been linked to health benefits like reduced risk of heart disease, lower cholesterol, and healthier body weight, according to trusted sources like the Mayo Clinic and Harvard. Plant-based diets can also help support a more sustainable food system, lowering your carbon footprint and conserving resources.
But maybe most importantly? You don’t have to compromise on flavor or satisfaction. The right plant-based fast food can be crave-worthy, affordable, and ready whenever you need it—without sacrificing the foods you love.
At Ben’s Fast Food, plant-based eaters and vegans are at home. Our menu is built with you in mind—fully vegan and plant-based options are clearly labeled, made from scratch, and crafted to deliver flavor and real satisfaction. Whether you’re here for a meal that fits your values or just want a quick, delicious plant-based bite, you’ll find plenty to love on our menu. Our plant-forward menu is built so you can eat more plants, more often, in a way that fits your life.
Every vegan item on our menu is available for fast takeout and delivery—perfect for busy weekdays, late-night cravings, or meal prep. Just order online and we’ll get it to you fresh.
Ben’s Fast Food: Our Plant-Forward Mission
When Ben founded Ben’s Fast Food, the goal was simple: make healthy, scratch-made meals as easy and accessible as a burger and fries. What’s less known? Ben originally set out to create a menu that was 100% plant-based—every dish, every bowl, every sauce. The idea was to prove that “healthy” and “affordable” didn’t have to be opposites, and that delicious food could come straight from the earth. The easiest way to do that is to eat meals comprised of as many plants as possible. Plants, after all, require far less resources to produce than animal-based foods (Our World in Data).
In menu development, Ben was heavily influenced by Michael Pollan’s takeaway from The Omnivore’s Dilemma: “Eat food. Mostly plants. Not too much.” While the concept has evolved to include a full range of crave-worthy bowls (including both plant-based and animal protein options), that core principle remains at the heart of every menu decision. Our kitchen puts plants first—not just because it’s good for you, but because it’s good for everyone. You’ll find plenty of options whether you’re all-in on vegan or just plant-curious.
How We Make Plant-Based Eating Easy
Every meal at Ben’s Fast Food is designed to be as plant-forward as possible. Here’s how we do it:
Ingredient Standards: Only real, whole ingredients—never artificial flavors, preservatives, or refined sugar. Every dish is gluten-free, dairy-free, and soy-free by default.
Vegan by Default: Everything on our menu—every bowl, sauce, spice mix, and marinade—is vegan except for the chicken, pork, and beef options. All plant-based dishes are clearly labeled for your confidence.
Flexible Menu: Our menu is built so you can always find a vegan or plant-based option, with clear labeling and customizable bowls.
Prep Protocols: We make everything from scratch, keep animal proteins and plant-based ingredients separate, and follow careful cleaning routines to minimize cross-contact.
Transparency: We provide detailed allergen info for all menu items, and you can always check our nutrition and allergy info.
Vegan & Plant-Based Menu at Ben’s Fast Food
Our bowls are built for everyone—especially plant lovers. Our vegan and plant-based options aren’t just an afterthought; they’re where it all began. All our (V) Chickpea & Potato Bowls are designed for vegan, vegetarian, and plant-based eaters. All our vegan bowls, sides, and desserts travel well and are made to order for pickup or delivery, so you can enjoy Ben’s Fast Food wherever you are.
Featured Vegan / Plant-Based Menu Items
Chickpea & Potato Mixed Bowl
Our original, signature bowl: slow-roasted chickpeas and potatoes with a mix of fresh greens, grains, and a punchy Lemon Thyme sauce. It’s hearty, satisfying, and 100% vegan from the start.
Green Smoothie
Fresh pineapple, banana, spinach, lime juice, and coconut milk—refreshing, plant-powered, and totally free of added sugar.
Dark Chocolate Cashew Pudding
Made with only cashews, dates, and cocoa. It’s rich, chocolatey, and totally plant-based.
Every menu item is also gluten-free, dairy-free, and contains no added sugar or soy. Want to go even more plant-based? Just skip the animal protein bowls—your meal will still be filling, flavorful, and packed with real nutrition.
Vegan & Plant-Based Community Reviews
We're proud to serve many vegan, vegetarian, and plant-based customers daily — and to earn their trust over and over again. Here’s what a few of them have said.
“Amazing (V) Chickpea Potato Garden Bowl!! It was so filling, refreshing and mind blowing in taste. The dressing was soo yum! Great for vegetarians/vegans.” – Divya S.
“Finally, a lunch as healthy as it is delicious in San Francisco! Love the Chickpea & Potato Garden Bowl. The Smoky Chipotle Sauce is perfectly spicy and gives the bowl pizazz. All the fresh vegetables were perfectly cooked. Such a great value (especially compared to most takeout spots in the city). Can't wait to order again!” – Stephanie S.
“First time I order from Ben’s fast food and it totally hit the spot. I ordered the chickpea and potato mixed bowl which comes with greens, grains, chickpea, cauliflower, pickled onions and sauce of your choice. It was super tasty and the portion was huge. Best value for money I’ve ever seen, I highly recommend.” – Julien L.
Why Choose Vegan / Plant-Based Fast Food?
Eating more plants is about way more than just skipping meat. A plant-forward approach can help you in many ways. Here’s a roundup of some of the research:
Boosts heart health in under two months
An eight-week controlled study at Stanford University with identical twins showed that those on a vegan diet saw an average 15 mg/dL drop in LDL cholesterol, 20% reduction in fasting insulin, and ~2 kg greater weight loss, even though both twins consumed healthful, minimally processed meal plans. (Stanford)Slashes daily calorie intake without leaving you hungry
At the NIH Clinical Center, participants on a low-fat (≈10%) vegan diet ate 550–700 fewer calories per day than when on a matched animal-based low-carb diet—but reported no difference in hunger, fullness, or enjoyment, and achieved significant body fat loss. (NIH)Fully plant-based menus can meet all essential nutrients
USDA Agricultural Research Service modeling found that well-designed vegan and dairy-/egg-free vegetarian diets—at 1,800–2,400 kilocalories per day—meet virtually all recommended nutrient requirements for healthy adults when fortified soy replaces dairy. (USDA )Lowers premature death risk by ~30% while reducing agricultural impact
In a 34-year study of over 200,000 adults, the Harvard T.H. Chan School reported that people following a primarily plant-based “Planetary Health Diet” had 30% lower premature mortality, along with 29% less greenhouse gas output, 51% reduced cropland use, and 21% lower fertilizer requirements. (Harvard)Aligns with top diet-quality standards
Based on the Healthy Eating Index—developed by USDA and the National Cancer Institute—whole-food plant-based menus score consistently between 88–99/100, far exceeding the U.S. average (~59/100), thanks to high levels of fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains, and minimal saturated fats and added sugars. (USDA)
Dietary Notes
At Ben’s Fast Food, we take plant-based eating seriously and do our best to make our vegan options accessible to everyone. We do prepare animal proteins in our kitchens, and we follow careful prep routines to keep things separate—but if you have a severe allergy or aversion, please use caution. You’ll always find ingredient and allergen details on our nutrition page and our team is happy to answer any questions.
Vegan FAQs
-
Our entire menu is vegan except for the meat proteins (chicken, pork, and beef). All (V) Chickpea & Potato Bowls, non-meat add-ons, sauces, smoothies, veggies, grains, and dessert are all vegan and clearly labeled.
-
Yes! Every sauce, spice mix, marinade, side, and dessert at Ben’s is vegan unless otherwise noted—so you never have to worry about hidden animal ingredients in your meal.
-
All plant-based dishes are clearly labeled. We keep animal proteins separate in prep and serving, and use only plant-based oils, grains, and sauces for vegan bowls.
-
Nope. All our bowls are made gluten-free without any substitutions or modifications needed.
-
Yes! Ben’s vegan menu is built around whole, minimally processed ingredients—think legumes, whole grains, veggies, and healthy fats. Our bowls are rich in fiber, plant-based protein, and nutrients, with no refined sugar or artificial additives. You can see a full breakdown of calories, macros, and nutrition info for every vegan item on our nutrition page.
-
Absolutely! Every vegan and plant-based item on our menu is available for fast takeout and delivery. Just order online and we’ll make it fresh for you.
Part of a Plant-Forward Family of Brands
Ben’s Fast Food is proud to be part of a family of plant-forward brands, including Palmita and Umami Express. Each brand follows the same food philosophy: bold flavors, clean ingredients, and a menu that puts plants first—so everyone can eat well, feel great, and enjoy food with a purpose.