Oregon’s Vegan Burger Shop Will Set Down Roots in Roosevelt Whole Foods

Eater broke the news way back in 2015 that Oregon’s vegan Next Level Burger was interested in a Seattle expansion; now there’s finally progress on that front, with the company announcing plans to open inside the Roosevelt Whole Foods this August.

The restaurant will occupy a prominent spot at the front of the grocery store. Next Level Burger specializes in so-called "plant-based" food; all burgers, hot dogs, shakes, salads, sides, and sandwiches are made without animal products, and the ingredients are organic and non-GMO. This location will be equipped to serve beer, cider, and dairy-free shakes.

"It's so much better for the planet," co-founder Matthew de Gruyter told Eater PDX. "A pound of red meat takes about 2,500 gallons of water to produce. I used to eat about seven pounds of meat a week, so that means I was going through a swimming pool's worth of water on a weekly basis. We're reinventing fast food. It's a healthy alternative for everyone, whether you're in a progressive city like Portland, or somewhere like Dallas, Texas."

The original Next Level Burger was founded in Bend, Oregon, and the company has expanded into Portland and Lake Oswego.