Food & Drink

Lone Star has gone vegan with plant-based nachos, burritos and cheesecake

Times have changed since the 80s!

Lone Star, New Zealand's home of dishes like the Redneck Ribs and Dixie Chicken, has turned with the times and will now offer a vegan menu.

The bar and eatery first opened in 1988, back when vegetarianism wasn't very popular, let alone being vegan!

Now, Lone Star has 24 spots around the country, and its latest menu update includes a whole lot of plant-based offerings so no one gets left out, no matter their dietary restrictions.

There will still be cheese, sour cream, chocolate and ice cream, just not the traditional kind. Plus, it's all locally sourced in Aotearoa.

Starters include a seeded baked ciabatta loaf, oven-baked and served with olive oil and balsamic vinegar. The Cowboy Bean Dip combines spicy red kidney beans, cheese, sundried tomatoes and jalapenos, blended and served hot with sour cream and oven-baked flour tortilla chips.

Mains include the Midnight Nachos, served with their famous spicy bean mix, roasted seasonal vegetables and topped with grilled cheese, salsa, sour cream and jalapenos.

The Campfire Burrito could be the way to go with roasted vegetables, spicy bean mix, greens and rice, or grab a Fist Full of Pizza with two flour tortillas, roasted veggies, cheese, tomato, fresh herbs, salsa, sour cream and jalapenos. While you're at it, it'd be rude not to add a side of buffalo chips, jalapenos or a crispy cauliflower basket among others.

For the plant-based sweet tooth, there's an indulgent chocolate and boysenberry cheesecake finished with boysenberry topping, served with homemade sorbet and berry coulis.

Alternatively, opt for the Comfortably Numb with premium Killinchy Gold New Zealand sorbet or dairy-free ice cream served with wafers and berry coulis.

The new vegan menu is already available in Lone Star's Christchurch, Nelson and Taupo restaurants, and will be coming to Queenstown, Papanui, Masterton, Tauranga and more soon.