I was in San Francisco for work without Justin, when that happens, I tend to eat foods I know he doesn’t enjoy as much as me (such as Ethiopian (which I also had in SF, Indian, and Thai). I’m not really a fast food gal, but there are times when that is what is available, and sometimes I struggle to find something good to eat. Of course San Francisco is a culinary dream, there is no reason for me to eat fast food, but when a friend said she went and enjoyed Mr. Charlie’s, a vegan version of McDonald’s (though completely independent, it’s important to note!), I was intrigued to see how this plant-based contender stacked up. As soon as I walked in, the familiar bold red and yellow colors hit me, it does sort of have that McDonald’s feel. The space was somewhat small but with a variety of seating options and definitely had that quick-service vibe, right down to the notable absence of a public restroom.
I decided to go for their signature Mr. Frowny Meal, which included a burger, 4 nuggets, fries, and a drink. I selected the Not a Cheeseburger, and have to say that it was surprisingly good! Maybe it was the onions or the pickles or mustard that I used to be familiar with. The patty had a texture and flavor that genuinely echoed those classic McDonald’s patties – a testament to the ingenuity of plant-based cuisine. It definitely satisfied that nostalgic fast-food craving in a completely vegan way.
The nuggets looked promising, golden and crispy on the outside. However, upon tasting them, I felt they were missing just a little something. Perhaps a touch more oil or a slightly deeper fried feel, maybe more seasoning inside the nugget would have elevated them to that truly craveable nugget status. Still, they were a solid vegan nugget option, but not one I would get if I went again.
The fries were decent – your standard fast-food style fries, a good vehicle for dipping. Which brings me to the sauce dilemma! As a lifelong minimal ketchup-on-fries devotee, the six options for sauces presented a bit of a departure from my norm. I cautiously tried the green sauce first. It wasn’t bad, a little tangy and herby, but it didn’t quite click with my personal fry preference. Then came the BBQ sauce, a condiment I rarely reach for. I gave it a tentative taste, and while it was okay, it definitely wasn’t my go-to. In the end, I ate most of my fries plain without sauce.
Overall, my experience at Mr. Charlie’s was interesting. The “Not a Cheeseburger” was a definite win, successfully capturing that familiar fast-food flavor profile in a vegan package. The nuggets showed potential, and the fries were a solid side. While the sauces weren’t my personal favorite for this type of food, they were good and offered a different dipping experience. I would eat the Not a Cheeseburger again.
Mr. Charlie’s offers a fun and accessible way to enjoy vegan fast food in San Francisco. If you’re curious about plant-based alternatives to classic fast-food fare, it’s definitely worth a try.