Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, April 28, 1993                   TAG: 9304280292
SECTION: EXTRA                    PAGE: 1   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: ALMENA HUGHES STAFF WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

VEGETARIANS CAN USUALLY HAVE IT THEIR

Oh sure, the vegetarians said, you can get salads or fries, and a few places offer corn, cole slaw, baked beans or baked potatoes. But try scarfing them down while keeping one hand on the wheel.

Actually, it turns out, the meat shunners don't have a legitimate bone to pick. A random survey of several major chains found most do offer suitable easy-to-eat fast foods. They just don't publicize them.

Burger King, which has long invited diners to "have it your way," will upon request whip up a Veggie Whopper or Junior Veggie Whopper. That's lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, onions and all the condiments of a regular Whopper on a bun, minus the burger. The price ranges from 49 cents for the junior to 83 cents with cheese, compared to $1.75 for a conventional meat Whopper.

For those who eat dairy products, the restaurants also make a mean grilled cheese, said Mike Sloan, Burger King director of operations.

Wendy's offers a Bun with Everything or a Bun with Everything and Cheese, said controller Shirley Fleshman.

Again, these consist of lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, onions, mayonnaise and/or mustard - the chain's burger components sans the burger.

A Bun with Everything costs 90 cents or $1.30 with two slices of cheese. A regular Wendy's burger costs $1.59.

Rally's Hamburgers' sandwiches are all made to order, said operating partner Bob Adams. Rally's makes a Veggie Burger and a Veggie Taco, with whatever ingredients the customer requests, Adams said.

"There is no difference in price because we never figured out the difference in costs to us. But we try to make sure that the portions of vegetables are overly generous to compensate," he said.

McDonald's did not have a meatless variation of its burgers, although Lakeside swing manager Jaymes Matthews said the restaurant would be happy to try to fill any special requests. He said the item probably would cost the same as its standard version, but if someone really questioned it, the price would be reduced by 22 cents.

Arby's Vice President Dave Brown said the chain can hold the meat on any of its submarine-type sandwiches to please nonmeat-eating patrons. Since this would require special handling, however, there would be no discount on the price.

"We had a woman who wanted her sub on a multigrain bun because she thought that was healthier," Brown said. "We made it for her."

Taco Bell spokeswoman Stuart Pannill said the chain routinely offers bean tacos, burritos or tostadas. But anything on its menu can be made meatless, upon request. Again, there is no reduction in price for items that require special handling.

Hardee's will make any of its sandwiches without meat, for the asking. It also will, upon request and for a fee, heap on extra portions of cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, onions or other condiments.

"We've had people order a hot dog bun with the works," said senior General Manager Louanne Semones.

She said a small cheeseburger costs 86 cents. The meatless variation with one slice of cheese is 70 cents, or with extra cheese or toppings, probably back up to 86 cents.

Why don't the chains publicize their nonmeat offerings? The spokespeople said it would take up too much space on the menus; it's not something most people are looking for at burger/chicken chains; or the chain just didn't think about it.

But, as Arby's Brown said, "Most everyone is trying to please the customer. So if you want something, just ask. No harm in that."