Meta Burger Offers Vegan Takes on American Classics

A new burger joint is coming to Denver, offering a menu of American classics such as cheeseburgers, hot dogs, shakes, fries, nachos, and milkshakes, with one catch: it’s all vegan. Meta Burger is located at 7950 E. Mississippi Ave. and will open this week.

The fast-casual restaurant includes both fixed menu items like the Supernova burger with habanero jam, cheese, pickled jalapeños, lettuce, pickled red onions, and tomato but also features a build-your-own bar with options like buns, patties, and specialty toppings including grilled pineapple, caramelized onions, mac ‘n cheese, and sauces such as teriyaki and guacamole.

Owners Michael Reeves and Matthew Coates met while working at Native Foods in Boulder. Their restaurant was born from a desire to offer diners a vegan option that is healthier, more environmentally friendly than beef, and affordable (the most expensive burgers are $8.49). They use a soy ground beef product called Hungry Planet (which they season and make into patties in house) that has roughly half the calories and fat of comparable alternative meat burgers such as the Beyond Burger and the Impossible Burger.

Among some of the more notable options, a soy-based soft serve ice cream that can be customized (think Dairy Queen Blizzard) and a creamy cheese sauce made from an eggplant base. The eatery plans local and national expansion in the near future.

The restaurant is open from Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday until 10 p.m., and Sunday until 4 p.m.

• Meta Burger [Official Site]

• All Denver Restaurant Openings [EDEN]