Plant-Based & Packed with Flavor: The Ultimate Vegetarian Street Food Guide
When most people think of NYC-style street food, their minds immediately go to sizzling flat-tops, hand-carved gyro meat, and marinated chicken. But there is a whole other side to the street cart experience that delivers just as much bold, unapologetic flavor: the plant-based lineup.
You do not need to be a strict vegan or vegetarian to appreciate a perfectly crafted meatless meal. At Urban Gyro & Chicken, we treat our plant-based ingredients with the exact same culinary respect and heavy-hitting Mediterranean spices as our meats. If you are looking to mix up your usual order or navigating a meat-free diet in SLC, here is your guide to the ultimate vegetarian street food feast.
The Star of the Show: Crispy Herb Falafel
The cornerstone of any great vegetarian Mediterranean menu is the falafel. Forget the dry, dense versions you may have settled for in the past. Our falafel is handmade, packed with fresh herbs like parsley and cilantro, and fried until the exterior forms a deeply golden, satisfying crunch.
Because it is such a versatile protein, we feature it across the menu:
The Classic Falafel Platter: For the traditional street cart experience, we serve five crispy falafel pieces over a bed of our seasoned rice, complete with fresh toppings, a side salad, and our signature sauces for $13.
The Falafel Gyro: Need lunch on the move? We wrap our golden falafel inside a warm pita with crisp veggies and sauces for $10.
The Fresh Salad Bowl: If you want a lighter crunch, you can add falafel to a crisp Romaine lettuce bowl with chickpeas, tomatoes, cucumbers, and hummus for $12.
Rethinking the Philly Cheesesteak
Street food is all about heavy-hitting comfort, and sometimes you just need a massive, melty sandwich. We took the DNA of a classic East Coast staple and gave it a vegetarian twist with our Falafel Philly.
For $10, we load up a toasted hoagie with our crispy falafel, sweet caramelized onions, roasted bell peppers, melted cheese, and our house sauces. It is an unexpectedly brilliant flavor combination that delivers all the richness of a traditional cheesesteak without the meat.
Crave-Worthy Sides to Complete the Meal
No street food order is complete without the right sidekicks. Our vegetarian side menu is designed to hold its own, heavily featuring traditional Middle Eastern spices and creamy textures.
Hummus and Za'atar Pita: We pair our smooth, rich hummus with warm pita bread that has been coated in a savory, herbaceous za'atar blend for $5.75.
Za'atar Fries: Upgrade your standard side order to our crispy fries tossed in tangy, earthy za'atar seasoning for $4.75. They are highly addictive and the perfect vehicle for our famous White Sauce.
Whether you are participating in Meatless Mondays, maintaining a strict vegetarian lifestyle, or simply craving the unmistakable crunch of a fresh falafel platter, we have a spot waiting for you. Stop by our Regent Street or McClelland St locations today to explore the plant-based side of the cart.
