Worth the drive: Amy’s Drive Thru

Until I went to Amy’s Drive Thru, I had never had a veggie burger.

Despite having many vegan and vegetarian friends, I’ve avoided veggie burgers. Stories of cardboard textured mass produced brands and a dislike for black beans (sorry homemade veggie burgers) have kept me away.

I’m an omnivore with a love for a juicy, medium rare burger with cheese on top – put an egg on it and you’ll have my heart.

So, when I heard that Amy’s Kitchen, the vegetarian frozen/convenience food company was opening a fast food restaurant in July in Rohnert Park, I muttered “only in Sonoma County,” under my breath and went along with my day.

Then I went. Twice.

The modern designed restaurant is eco-friendly and family friendly. You can eat there or get your food to go via the drive-thru. The restaurant is dog friendly, with water bowls located in one of two outdoor dining areas.

Best known for their frozen burritos and mac ‘n’ cheese bowls, here you can get the same dishes freshly made: veggie burgers, burritos, mac ‘n’ cheese, pizza, salad, chili and fries. Vegan and gluten free options are available. Even “non-dairy shakes,” are on the menu, to complement the milkshakes.

All the produce used is sourced from California and the majority is organic. It also gets local: the coffee is from Tomales-based Coast Roast, milk is from local Organic Valley members, and the sour cream is from Clover Stornetta.

As if that doesn’t make your ethical eating habits happy, their employees are paid fair wages, receive benefits and even access to the company gym. Fast food giants take note.

The veggie burger, the Amy ($4.29), is a double veggie patty with double cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, and “Fred Sr.’s Secret Sauce,” the latter which is available regular or spicy.

I went for a single version ($2.99), with spicy sauce, paired with an order of fries ($2.49) and a soda ($1.69).

As my burger was delivered to my table, I was nervous. Would this taste like meat? Would it have giant black beans in it? Would it taste like cardboard?

Folks, it tasted pretty darn good. It’s sort of meat-tasting, but, sort of not. I can’t really explain it, which is an epic fail for a food writer.

The closest thing on earth that I can think of that it tastes like is the burger at MOS Burger, which is a fast food chain in Japan (gotta be a pretentious food writer to make up for my fail, right?).

It’s on a lightly toasted bun, which lends a nice crispy texture to the burger. Fred Sr.’s Secret Sauce is basically ketchup and mustard mixed together with a little spiciness. It’s tangy and tasty.

However, the iceburg lettuce was a bit of a surprise. I was expecting some loose lettuce, something fancy. But, old school requires iceberg, and I’m not a fan. I pulled off the excessive amount on both visits.

The fries taste a lot of like french fries from Wendy’s, which isn’t a bad thing. Fast food fries without the guilt of where they were grown and who is paid what to serve them to me. The soda was good and a pure sugar rush, as it uses real sugar (similar to Boylans).

On my second visit, I had the traditional mac ‘n’ cheese ($4.69). It was super good. Just what you want out of fast mac and cheese. Stir it upon it’s arrival and you’ve got a nice bowl of creamy, gooey, cheese mac.

All the containers are recyclable and beautiful designed. You have to bus your own table, and I was a bit confused as I arrived at the trash station: there was no compost bin.

You have two options: garbage or recycle. Not sure where that garbage goes, but, I’d hate to know my pile of iceberg lettuce was going to get thrown into the dump.

Here’s the outcome: I’m a fan.

Meat eaters, I dare you to try a veggie burger. It’s pretty tasty and so not scary. While it might be missing the juicy mess of a meaty burger, the toppings and sauce make up for it.

There is something for everyone, the food is fresh, staff is friendly and it’s high time that this type of fast food restaurant has come into existence. 58 Golf Course Dr. W., Rohnert Park; amysdrivethru.com.