Hi divas! This week I’m doling out two reviews in one newsletter because all of my meat-free subscribers deserve it!
Whether you’re vegetarian, vegan or just looking to cut back on the beef where you can, these are both great options that aren’t just a subbed in Beyond patty.
Rippers
First up is Rippers, who I’ve previously gone on record adoring. A few folks who I trust praised their veggie burger so on my recent trip down to the beach, I wanted to try it for myself.
The vegan burger will run you $12.75 and comes with a heap of crunchy romaine lettuce, pickles, white onion and a veganized version of their signature burger sauce. The patty itself is a housemade bean and quinoa blend, with some actual veg in the mix.
The patty itself has a great crunch with some decent body to it. The sauce is virtually indistinguishable from the non-vegan counterpart and the larger serving of lettuce here is wonderful in the hot sun.
As I worked my way through the meal, I found myself wishing the patty was a bit thinner - as the crunchy edges gave way to the softer inner patty, the chew that I initially enjoyed became a bit monotonous, which I think would be solved with a lower profile.
Disco Birdies
Disco Birdies is a new spot on the border of Bed Stuy and Clinton Hill from the team behind For All Things Good, Bar Birba, and the similarly party-minded Disco Bottles.
They’re known for fried chicken and bubbles but their champagne battered Falafel Smash caught my eye. I wound up splitting the veg option and their original Bistro Smash and honestly I walked away singing the praises of the meat-free meal!
The falafel burger was topped with a zingy vegan aioli that was dill-forward, almost tzatziki-like and a ton of dill pickle chips. Both of the patties had crispy, salty edges and were smashed thin to maximize their surface area in the way I wished the Rippers vegan patty was. This was one of those burgers where after I took my first bite I had to look up at my dining partner and plainly say, “This is REALLY good!”
It was satiating but not too heavy - I could’ve easily put down another but was happy with the one.
I’m ranking the Rippers burger at 30 between Au Cheval and Nowon and Disco Birdies at 15 between Margot and the OG Rippers burger. As a reminder, the paid tier gives you access to my running spreadsheet as well as my FULL list of the places that I’m trying soon. Here’s to more unique veggie burgers in my future!