What Are The Vegan Options At Hooters?

Hooters may not be the first place that comes to mind for plant-based dining, but if you find yourself there, you won’t have to leave hungry. 

While the menu isn’t overflowing with vegan options, there are a few clear choices and some customizable dishes that can work.

We’ve done the research to break down exactly what’s vegan at Hooters, what can be made vegan, and what you should avoid.

Let’s get into it.

Vegan-Friendly Menu Items At Hooters

These items are completely vegan as listed on the menu, meaning no substitutions or special requests are needed.

Impossible Burger

Hooters offers the Impossible Burger, a fully plant-based patty that doesn’t contain any meat or dairy. However, a few things to keep in mind:

• Not all locations carry it, so check ahead before visiting.
• Double-check the bun—some locations may use brioche, which contains dairy. Ask for a vegan-friendly bun if available.
• Cross-contamination is possible, so if that’s a concern, ask your server about kitchen practices.

Curly Fries

A fan favorite, Hooters’ Curly Fries are vegan. These crispy, seasoned fries don’t contain any animal products. 

However, they may be cooked in shared fryers, so ask your server if that’s an issue for you.

Tortilla Chips

Hooters’ Tortilla Chips are a great vegan bar snack, but be careful when ordering. 

The default serving comes with queso dip, which contains cheese, so make sure to request salsa, guacamole, or pico de gallo instead.

Customizable Vegan Options At Hooters

Some menu items aren’t vegan by default but can be easily modified.

Garden Salad (No Cheese or Croutons)

Hooters’ Garden Salad can be made vegan by removing the cheese and croutons. The best dressing choices for vegans are:

• Lite Italian Dressing
• Olive Oil & Balsamic Vinaigrette

Bavarian Pretzels (No Beer Cheese)

The Bavarian Pretzels are typically served with beer cheese, which isn’t vegan. Ask to swap it for a vegan dip like BBQ sauce or salsa. Keep in mind, this item is only available at select locations.

Garlic Fries

Some Hooters locations offer Garlic Fries, which are similar to their regular fries but with added garlic seasoning. 

From our research, there’s no indication that they contain dairy or animal products, but it’s always good to double-check with your server.

Hooters Vegan Side Dishes

Pair your main meal with one or more of these naturally vegan side dishes:

• Green Chiles
• Celery Sticks
• Mixed Vegetables
• Jalapeños
• Broccoli

These sides can be enjoyed on their own or paired with one of Hooters’ vegan-friendly dips.

Vegan Dips And Sauces

Many of Hooters’ signature sauces are actually vegan. These can be great for dipping fries, pretzels, or even tortilla chips.

• 911 Wing Sauce
• BBQ Sauce
• Cajun Sauce
• Jaytona Wing Sauce
• General Tso Wing Sauce
• Habanero BBQ Wing Sauce
• Mild, Medium, and Hot Wing Sauce
• Samurai Wing Sauce
• Three Mile Island Wing Sauce

Potentially Vegan (But Needs Confirmation)

These items seem like they could be vegan, but due to unclear ingredient lists, we recommend checking with your server before ordering.

Tater Tots

Tater Tots should be vegan since they’re just fried potatoes, but Hooters’ version contains 10mg of cholesterol, which only comes from animal products. This suggests they may have dairy or another non-vegan ingredient.

Baked Beans

Some Hooters locations offer Baked Beans as a side dish, which seems like a great plant-based protein option. 

However, the nutrition info indicates cholesterol, meaning they may contain lard or another animal-based fat. Check with your server before ordering.

What’s Not Vegan at Hooters?

Some items might seem plant-based but are not vegan due to hidden ingredients like eggs or dairy.

Unreal Wings

While Hooters’ Unreal Wings sound plant-based, they actually contain eggs. Unfortunately, these are not suitable for vegans.

Fried Pickles, Fried Jalapeños, and Onion Rings

These fried items are not vegan because the batter contains egg. While the vegetables themselves are plant-based, the breading makes them off-limits for vegans.

Final Thoughts

Hooters is not the most vegan-friendly restaurant, but if you find yourself there, you do have some options. 

The Impossible Burger (if available), Curly Fries, and Garden Salad (without cheese or croutons) are your best bets for a meal. If you’re just snacking at the bar, tortilla chips with salsa or guacamole and some vegan-friendly dips can work too.

If your location carries the Impossible Burger, you’re in luck. Otherwise, expect to rely on sides and appetizers. 

Always check with your server about ingredients and cross-contamination, as menus vary by location.

Frequently Asked Questions