Updated January 2023! If you’re tired of paying for “no cheese” then visit The Habit Burger Grill. Most of their savory menu is dairy-free, and cheese is an “extra” that comes with an upcharge. And really, it isn’t needed. They offer flavorful fare with a range of buns, proteins, and toppings, and everything is grilled to order. Dairy-free guests can enjoy the majority of the burgers, sandwiches, and salads at this counter-serve, fast-casual spot. Just make sure to read all of our notes!
The Habit Burger Dairy-Free Menu Guide with Vegan & Custom Options
This menu guide includes dairy-free menu options first, followed by custom order components. Be aware of special order requirements in parentheses () next to the menu items, and see the Heads Up notes to help fill in the blanks.
Fryer Note: They do use a shared fryer for all fried items at The Habit Burger, but at last check, none of their fried items contained dairy, egg, or nuts.
Grill Note: Cheese and dairy butter blend are used on select grilled items, as noted. If you are concerned about potential cross-contamination, inquire about clean equipment preparation. Some locations butter the breads after they are toasted. In those cases, butter is not used on the grill.
Other Allergen & Dietary Notes: All items listed below are made without nuts and peanuts, unless otherwise noted. All Burgers and Sandwiches can be made without egg if you substitute an egg-free spread or dressing. Fried items are noted as containing gluten primarily due to cross-contamination in the fryer. Some fried items contain gluten, but not all do. The soy in most items at The Habit Grill is soy oil. but For vegan options, see the Vegan Menu Guide at the bottom of this post.
Charburgers
- Charburger (contains egg, gluten, soy)
- BBQ Bacon Charburger (contains egg, gluten, soy)
- Double Charburger (contains egg, gluten, soy)
- Lettuce Wrap Charburger (contains egg, soy)
- Santa Barbara Charburger (no cheese, sub dairy-free bun) (contains egg, gluten, soy)
- Teriyaki Charburger (contains egg, gluten, soy)
- Original Impossible Burger (contains egg, gluten, soy)
Heads Up! Most of their burgers at The Habit Burger technically come without cheese (you pay extra for it), but the staff likes to quickly add the cheese upgrade to your order as they ask (we’ve had it happen at various locations, many times). Make sure you firmly state no cheese and double check your burger before taking a bite. Also, their Sautéed Portobella Mushrooms are made with dairy.
Dairy-Free Bun Options: Plain Bun, Seeded Bun, Wheat Bun, Lettuce Wrap. See Bun Options below for additional notes.
Sandwiches
- Ahi Tuna Sandwich (contains egg, gluten, soy)
- Chicken Club Sandwich (sub dairy-free bun) (contains egg, gluten, soy)
- Crispy Chicken Sandwich (contains egg, gluten, soy)
- Grilled Chicken Sandwich (no cheese, sub dairy-free bun) (contains egg, gluten, soy)
- Tenderloin Steak Sandwich (sub dairy-free bun) (contains egg, gluten, soy)
- Veggie Burger (contains gluten, soy)
Dairy-Free Bun Options: Plain Bun, Seeded Bun, Wheat Bun, Lettuce Wrap. See Bun Options below for additional notes.
Salad
- BBQ Chicken Salad (sub dairy-free dressing) (contains soy)
- Garden Salad, Plain or with Tuna or Tenderloin (contains gluten, soy)
- Grilled Chicken Salad (contains gluten, soy)
- Santa Barbara Cobb Salad (no cheese) (contains egg, soy)
Salad Dressings: Fat Free Italian Dressing, House Dressing (contains soy), Italian Dressing (contains egg, soy), Red Wine Vinaigrette (contains soy), Sweet Mustard Dressing (contains soy)
Heads Up! The Caesar, Ranch, and Thousand Island Dressing at The Habit Burger do contain milk.
Kid Favorites
- Charburger with Fries (contains gluten, soy)
- Kids Crispy Chicken Bites with Fries (contains gluten, soy)
Sides
- Applesauce
- Crispy Chicken Bites (contains gluten, soy)
- French Fries (contains gluten, soy)
- Sweet Potato Fries (contains gluten, soy)
- Tempura Green Beans (contains gluten, soy)
- Side Salad (see Heads Up below, see dressing options above)
Heads Up! The Onion Rings at The Habit Burger do contain dairy, and are cooked in a shared fryer with the other fried items. The croutons at Habit Burger used to contain dairy, but now they are dairy-free, according to the company. But the side salad, without dressing, is still listed (incorrectly) as containing milk on their nutrition chart (the Garden Salad is not, which is essentially the same thing). We are following up with the company on this discrepancy, but be sure to verify before ordering a salad at your location.
Breads
- Plain Bun (contains gluten, soy)
- Seeded Bun (contains gluten, soy)
- Wheat Bun (contains gluten, soy)
- Iceberg Lettuce Wrap
Heads Up! The Habit Grill uses a Butter Blend Spread that contains dairy on their Sourdough Bread and Ciabatta. We have been told that both breads are dairy-free when unbuttered, but double check at your location if you want to order either of these options. They have a limited time Pretzel Pub bun at select locations. We are working to find out if it is dairy-free.
Sauces & Spreads
- BBQ Sauce
- Mayonnaise (contains egg, soy)
- Roasted Garlic Aioli (contains egg, soy)
- Spicy Red Pepper Sauce (contains egg, soy)
- Sweet Mustard Dressing (contains soy)
- Tartar Sauce (contains egg, soy)
- Teriyaki Sauce (contains gluten, soy)
Heads Up! As mentioned above, the Butter Blend Spread at The Habit Burger does contain dairy.
Meats & Meat Alternatives
- Bacon
- Crispy Chicken Filet (contains gluten, soy)
- Impossible Patty (contains soy)
- Seasoned, Chargrilled Ahi Tuna
- Seasoned, Grilled Beef Patty
- Seasoned, Grilled Chicken Breast (contains soy)
- Seasoned, Grilled Tenderloin Steak (contains gluten, soy)
- Veggie Burger Patty (contains gluten, soy)
Other Burger & Sandwich Toppings
- Avocado
- Caramelized Onions
- Lettuce
- Pickles
- Pineapple Slice
- Tomato
Heads Up! The Sauteéd Portabella Mushrooms at The Habit Burger do contain dairy.
The Habit Burger Vegan Menu Guide
- Original Impossible Burger (no mayo)
- Veggie Burger
- Applesauce
- French Fries
- Sweet Potato Fries
- Tempura Green Beans
- Side Salad (no croutons, vegan dressing)
Vegan Sauces & Dressings
- BBQ Sauce
- Teriyaki Sauce
- Fat Free Italian Dressing
- House Dressing
- Italian Dressing
- Red Wine Vinaigrette
- Sweet Mustard Dressing
Other Vegan Burger Components
- Plain Bun
- Seeded Bun
- Wheat Bun
- Iceberg Lettuce Wrap
- Avocado
- Caramelized Onions
- Lettuce
- Pickles
- Pineapple Slice
- Tomato
This Post is for Informational Purposes Only
Menus, ingredients, kitchen procedures, management, food sourcing, and restaurant protocols are subject to change at any time. Always read the menu and discuss your dietary needs with the staff before ordering. Make sure they can accommodate your situation. This post is for informational purposes only, and should not be construed as advice.
There is always a risk for potential cross-contamination of allergens in any commercial kitchen. If cross-contamination is an issue for you, always speak with the manager to ensure that your meal can be safely prepared. Listings here do not guarantee that a restaurant is safe enough for your individual needs. Only you can make that decision.
Each location of a chain restaurant has different management and staff, and some might have different owners. This means differences in processes, ingredients used, menu options, and food sourcing can occur. Always verify the safety of your order for your needs at your current location.
Where to Find The Habit Burger Grill
They have tons of restaurants in California, and dozens more in other states. See the website below for locations, hours, and their allergen information.
Website: www.habitburger.com
Average Reader Review
Rate Your Dairy-Free Experience with this Restaurant
What Others Are Saying ...
Love the dairy-free options
Their service is always slow, and they love putting cheese on even when you don’t order it, at every location we’ve been to. BUT, they always make it right and the food is affordable and delicious. We love it when we visit a place with a Habit grill, it makes lunch or dinner easy.
For More Dairy-Free Guidance, Get Go Dairy Free!
1 Comment
Hello! just a heads up the grilled onions are not vegan. They rest on the grill they use for meat and they also put patties on top of the onions are part of the cooking process.