East Side Burger

A newcomer on the veggie scene, this fast food joint has taken a meatless approach to another trend in Paris – the mighty burger. Vegans and vegetarians finally have a place to mingle with options for both camps. With just two choices a day from their four varieties of burgers, don’t expect a big greasy bacon-topped concoction. Mushroom and tofu patties are nestled in over-sized buns with lettuce, cheese (vegan or regular) and a small pallet of toppings depending on the burger. The Basque, with roasted red peppers, caramelized onions and cheddar cheese is a winner, even if the patty gets a bit lost in the toasted bread. The menu also offers vegan quiche, meatless nuggets with cheese, and a vegetarian hot dog which, surprisingly, mimicked a regular hot dog when topped with ketchup, mustard, fried onions, and relish. Then again, whether or not a traditional hot dog contains meat remains debatable. The €9 lunch menu comes with fries or coleslaw as well as a drink (cherry 7-UP and Dr. Pepper give it that extra American touch). The seating downstairs and the two tables outside fill up fast, but the queue moves slowly enough that a seat should free up by the time your order is ready. Grab a cupcake or vegan cookie to go to make up for any calories lost in the tofu patty.