I'm probably going to get ripped by some of you out there who will say the following "burger" is not a burger, but I'm going to mention it anyway 'cause it's interesting.

Zach Brooks, our weekly Serious Sandwiches contributor at Serious Eats, paid a visit to a new vegetarian fast food joint in Midtown Manhattan for his blog, Midtown Lunch. The place is called Zen Burger, but don't let that fool you. It's not about hippie whole food; its mission is to re-create the experience of McDonald's but with meatless products—with veggie burgers, crispy "chicken" sandwiches, fried "shrimp," and more.

The owners have plans to snowball the concept into a nationwide chain, so within a few years there could be one opening near you. The next one is slated to open on Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood later this year.

But don't look to the place as a diet panacea. Says Zach, "The food is not healthy, just healthier. 30 percent fewer calories than McDonald’s is still pretty fattening."

Zen Burger

Address: 465 Lexington Avenue, New York NY 10017 (map)
Phone: 212-661-6080
Website: zenburger.com