This article appeared originally at Quora.com https://www.quora.com/What-vegetarian-fast-food-meal-isnt-vegetarian-at-all/answer/Jim-Moore-21

Thank you for the question.

What is, and is not, “Vegetarian” can be subjective. Thus determining whether or not a meal of intended and non-intended ingredients and components is vegetarian can be complicated. As an example, for some people animal eggs can be a vegetarian ingredient, for others they may not be. The same can be said of diary products. That would mean that for some a plant-based patty with cheese is vegetarian and for others it may not be. The restaurant may promote the burger with cheese as vegetarian, while a particular consumer may consider it otherwise.

On a more subtle level, how the meal is fixed may impact its being vegetarian or not. As an example, a plant-based patty fixed on a grill top which is also used for preparing meat-based food may not be considered vegetarian by some. Unintentional contact with meat residue would be the disqualifying factor. The same circumstance could be extended to all-vegetable french fries prepared in a fryer that is also used for preparing chicken and/or fish products.

Recently fast food restaurants seem to be interested in appealing to the vegetarian and vegan consumers. As popularized by the headlines, some establishments have stumbled by serving meat ingredients on or with vegetarian foods, and by making the controversial faux pas of preparing vegan food in a manner which results in it touching meat products. A couple of the related headlines are below:

Why Burger King's new Impossible Whopper isn’t totally vegetarian

Vegan furious as Domino's serve him plant-based pizza... with ham

Fast food restaurants are built on fast-moving, efficient systems that do not require critical thought nor particular attention being paid to the process. As they move into the vegetarian/vegan market they will stumble while the new systems are developed. If you are a vegetarian or a vegan, until the time when certainty in the ingredients and cooking methods are stabilized, there is likely value in enjoying meals out in sit down restaurants that are interested in crafting food and that can uniquely customize a meal to meet your requirements.

Thank you again for the question. Peace and good eating to You always.