Zaxby’s is a fast-food restaurant that is popular in the Southern United States and specializes in all things chicken. Chicken wings, chicken tenders, you name it and Zaxby’s probably has it. With that said, you probably would not expect a place like Zaxby’s to have any vegan options. While they do not have many vegan options, you could make it work in a pinch.
The vegan options at Zaxby’s are slim. However, if Zaxby’s is your only option, you could make do with their side salad and lite vinaigrette dressing. Zaxby’s fries and Texas toast are also vegan. However, the fries are fried in the same oil as the chicken, and the Texas toast is prepared on the same grill as the bacon.
Ordering vegan at a non-vegan restaurant such as Zaxby’s can be a challenge to say the least. It does not have to be, though. Read on to learn which menu items at Zaxby’s are vegan, including their ingredients. We will also highlight which menu items to avoid at Zaxby’s. Let’s dig in!
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Tips & Tricks for Ordering Vegan at Zaxby’s
As previously mentioned, Zaxby’s is known for their chicken, which is less than ideal for a vegan. However, with these tips and tricks, you will be ordering vegan like a pro at Zaxby’s in no time!
- Omit the cheese on the house salad.
- Omit the ranch dressing with the tater chips and celery sticks.
- Confirm no butter on the Texas toast.
- Choose a vegan-friendly dipping sauce such as bbq, sweet and spicy or teriyaki sauce.
- If cross-contamination is a concern for you, avoid the tater chips and Texas Toast, as they are prepared on the same equipment as the chicken and bacon.
Non-Vegan Foods to Avoid at Zaxby’s
Sometimes ordering vegan at a non-vegan restaurant such as Zaxby’s is easier when you know which menu items you cannot have, rather than trying to piece together the few items that you can have. That is why we created this list of all the non-vegan menu items to avoid at Zaxby’s.
- Any of the chicken tender dishes such as regular or buffalo tenders
- Any of the boneless wing dishes
- Any of the traditional wing dishes
- The cobb salad (contains eggs, bacon and cheese)
- Any of the chicken sandwiches, as they would not have much substance once the chicken and other non-vegan ingredients are taken off.
- Grilled cheese (contains cheese and butter)
- Fried white cheddar bites (contains cheese)
- Chocolate chip cookie (made with eggs and milk)
- White chocolate macadamia cookie (made with eggs and milk)
- Double chocolate chunk cookie (made with eggs and milk)
Vegan Options at Zaxby’s
Now that you know which menu items you cannot have as a vegan at Zaxby’s (and there are quite a few of them), let’s focus on what is most important – what you can have.
Salads
1. The House Salad (omit the cheddar and jack cheese)
These are the ingredients found in The House Salad at Zaxby’s:
- Mixed greens
- Red cabbage
- Carrots
- Cucumbers
- Roma tomatoes
- Fried onions
- Texas toast (confirm no butter)
- Lite vinaigrette salad dressing (high fructose corn syrup, red wine vinegar, salt, corn syrup, soybean oil, onion, garlic, xanthan gum)
2. The Blue Salad (omit the blue cheese and chicken)
These are the ingredients found in The Blue Salad at Zaxby’s:
- Mixed greens
- Red cabbage
- Roma tomatoes
- Fried onions
- Texas toast (confirm no butter)
- Lite vinaigrette salad dressing (high fructose corn syrup, red wine vinegar, salt, corn syrup, soybean oil, onion, garlic, xanthan gum)
Sides
1. Tater Chips (omit the ranch dressing)
Note the tater chips may be fried in the same oil as the chicken, so if cross-contamination is a concern for you, it may be best to avoid these or talk to your server.
Pro Tip: Pair these with a vegan-friendly dipping sauce for even more flavor.
These are the ingredients found in the Tater Chips at Zaxby’s:
- Potatoes
- Canola oil
- Garlic powder
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Onion powder
- Seasoned salt
2. Crinkle Fries
Unlike the tater chips, the crinkle fries are usually prepared in a separate fryer from the chicken. Therefore, the crinkle fries may be a better option for those who are concerned about cross-contamination. However, it never hurts to confirm with your server.
Pro Tip: Pair these with a vegan-friendly dipping sauce for even more flavor.
These are the ingredients found in the Crinkle Fries at Zaxby’s:
- Potatoes
- Canola oil
- Seasoned salt
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
3. Texas Toast (omit the butter)
Pro Tip: Spread a vegan-friendly sauce on top to add some extra flavor. You can also sandwich some of your salad in between the two slices to create a DIY veggie sandwich.
These are the ingredients found in the Texas Toast at Zaxby’s:
- White bread (flour, yeast, water, salt)
- Garlic powder
- Seasoned salt
4. Celery Sticks (omit the ranch dressing)
These are the ingredients found in the celery sticks at Zaxby’s:
- Celery
Dipping Sauces
1. BBQ Sauce
These are the ingredients found in the BBQ sauce at Zaxby’s:
- Tomato paste
- Vinegar
- Liquid smoke
- Onion powder
- Mustard
- Black pepper
- Sugar
2. Insane Sauce
Note this sauce lives up to its name, which means it is very spicy. If you cannot handle this much heat, we suggest you choose a milder dipping sauce option.
These are the ingredients found in the Insane Sauce at Zaxby’s:
- Red peppers
- Distilled vinegar
- Salt
- Water
- Tomato paste
- Mustard
- High fructose corn syrup
- Corn syrup
- Garlic
- Spices
- Soybean oil
- Onion
- Sugar
- Paprika
- Xanthan gum
- Extractives of capsicum, potassium sorbate, and sodium benzoate, soybean oil, and natural flavor
3. Sweet and Spicy Sauce
These are the ingredients found in the Sweet and Spicy sauce at Zaxby’s:
- Citrus
- Ginger
- Red chili peppers
4. Teriyaki Sauce
These are the ingredients found in the Teriyaki sauce at Zaxby’s:
- Soy sauce (soybeans, wheat, salt)
- Brown sugar
- Garlic
- Ginger
- Mirin
Beverages
1. Sweet Tea
These are the ingredients found in the sweet tea at Zaxby’s:
- Black tea
- Sugar
2. Unsweetened Tea
These are the ingredients found in the unsweetened tea at Zaxby’s:
- Water
- Black tea
3. Apple Juice
These are the ingredients found in the apple juice at Zaxby’s:
- Pure filtered water
- Concentrated apple juice
- Less than 0.5% of: calcium citrate, ascorbic acid (vitamin C), and potassium phosphate
Find a Zaxby’s Near You
Zaxby’s has over 600 locations in 16 states including Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah and Virginia. Even if you do not live in a state that has a Zaxby’s, you are bound to pass by one on a road trip. If you do live in a state that has a Zaxby’s, click here to find a Zaxby’s in your area.
Similar Restaurants to Zaxby’s
If you like Zaxby’s you are going to love these similar restaurants. They all have a similar vibe and menu items. However, if you do not like Zaxby’s, fear not. Although these restaurants are similar to Zaxby’s, they each feature their own unique flair. Therefore, you may prefer one of these restaurants over Zaxby’s. Give one of them a try the next time you are looking to eat out.
Related Questions
We hope that this article answered any questions you may have had about eating at Zaxby’s as a vegan. However, if you still have further questions, keep on reading. These are some other frequently asked questions many people have about Zaxby’s.
Is Zaxby’s Nuclear Sauce Vegan?
Yes, the nuclear sauce at Zaxby’s is vegan. It is made of red peppers, distilled vinegar, salt, water, tomato paste, mustard, high fructose corn syrup, garlic, spices, onion, sugar and paprika. However, it is advised that you order this sauce at your own risk. After all, it is not called nuclear sauce for nothing. It is very spicy, so if you cannot handle that much heat, you would be better off with a milder sauce such as bbq or teriyaki.
Are The Fries at Zaxby’s Vegan?
Yes, both the tater chips and crinkle fries at Zaxby’s are vegan. However, the tater chips may be fried in the same oil as the chicken. The crinkle fries, on the other hand, are often fried in a separate fryer. Therefore, if cross-contamination is a concern for you, you may want to avoid the tater chips and go for the crinkle fries instead. When in doubt, you can always talk to your server. As long as you are polite and ask with a friendly smile, they are more than happy to accommodate your request.
Does Zaxby’s Have Beyond Chicken?
No, Zaxby’s does not offer beyond chicken or any other vegan meat option at this time. However, the demand for more vegan options at non-vegan restaurants such as Zaxby’s is increasing every day. Therefore, it is entirely possible that Zaxby’s will expand their menu and include more vegan options such as beyond chicken or veggie burgers in the near future. If or when they do, supplies may be limited, so you make sure to stay up to date on Zaxby’s news that way you can be the first in line.