Plant-based meat products have been around for around 150 years, and the market for plant-based meat alternatives has grown in popularity within the past few years. According to The Good Food Institute, plant-based meat sales in the frozen department have grown by about 70 percent since 2023. However, many people reject the idea of plant-based meat because of issues with flavor and texture.

Recently, a new restaurant called Roam Artisan Burgers opened at Corte Madera Town Center. They have a wide variety of menu options with great tastes and toppings. The Vegan Bacon Cheeseburger is a new addition to the menu. The plant-based meal and the traditional burger were both sampled, creating a comparison between them.

Plant-based meat has some disadvantages that come with it. More ingredients go into making them than animal meat patties, and they can potentially be more processed with unhealthy added ingredients such as sugar. Also, it is often more expensive than traditional meat.

 On the other hand, plant-based meat also comes with many advantages. It generally cooks faster than real meat, has fewer calories, and less saturated fat. Plant-based meat is also a good source of protein and fiber, thanks to lentils and chickpeas, which are common ingredients in plant-based meat.

The Vegan Bacon Cheeseburger at Roam had a slightly higher price than the traditional burger. The plant-based burger has some exclusive ingredients from the beef burger, including soy, yeast extract, and beetroot extract. The beetroot extract was most likely responsible for the magenta color found in Roam Burger’s vegan meat.

The plant-based meat had a wildly different texture compared to real meat. It was crunchier, had a texture similar to that of a french fry and was a deep magenta color. The bacon strips included had a plasticky look and a bitter taste. Generally speaking, the hamburger had a good taste to it and was well-made.

The traditional burger was just as you would expect: perfectly cooked all around with a great meat taste. It was juicy and had a rich flavor. The patty was also more compressed than the vegan burger. The clean, real meat taste made the plant-based meat seem even more artificial in hindsight. In total, the traditional burger offered a great, traditional experience.

The real question is: Can plant-based burgers achieve similar results to that of the real deal without harming animals in the process? Overall, plant-based meat works as a decent alternative to the traditional burger. You couldn’t trick someone into believing they’re eating real meat. However, while plant-based burgers may not taste the same as ones with meat patties, the consumer can sleep well knowing an animal wasn’t harmed for them to enjoy the meal.

Whether you lean more towards plant-based meat or real meat, trying one of these burgers may surprise you. So, why not head down to Roam Burgers and give them a taste? You may discover a new favorite meal, no matter which side you’re on!