Many carnivorous people when forced to eat a meatless patty will ask "Are veggie burgers really cruelty free in the larger sense?" In this town they are. There are so many delicious and healthful (and some not so healthful) alternatives to the played-out beef and turkey burgers. Here are a few worth mentioning.

1.

Candle Cafe

1307 3rd Ave
New York, NY 10021
Their soy patty is a homemade and grilled over an open flame and served with an amazing coleslaw. Be sure to try their other very delicious meat-free versions on classics like chicken Parmesan.

2.

Better Burger

561 3rd Ave
New York, NY 10016
This is the healthy equivalent to your local Mc-something-or-other.  They use mainly organic ingredilants and they are so adament about keeping calories to a minumum that they "air-bake" their fries.  Regardless, they’re fantastic.

3.

Shake Shack

E 24th St & Madison Ave
New York, NY 10010

Shake Shake has one of the most unhealthy options for a meatless burger, but if you want a caloric splurge while still eating a  vegetable, then their shroom burger is your best bet.  It comes fried and filled with melted muenster cheese.

4.

Kate’s Brooklyn Joint

295 Berry St
Brooklyn, NY 11211
Kate just expanded and brought her yummy vegetarian dinner fare to Brooklyn. Believe the hype.

5.

Tiny’s Giant Sandwich Shop

New York, NY 10002
This fantastic sandwich shop offers veggi counterparts to most of their sandwiches, right down to their bacon cheese burger.  The Big Mac Daddy is a giant veggie patty smothered in chedder, tofu bacon and all the fixin’s on a briouche bun.