The Veggie Burger Crisis in America

A week or so ago, I headed over to the Bistro Burger for lunch in seach of my favorite veggie burger in the City. They are always so tasty there, the service is quick, the onion rings perfect and the wheat buns fabulous. Upon return to the office and taking my first bite I was in for a real shock. This is not my normal veggie burger! What the hell? I had to throw it away - it was so gross (not to mention for the first time ever they ignored my request for wheat bun and only put American cheese even though I paid for American AND Swiss! The nerve!). I called Bistro Burger to let them know I eat there regularly and was really sad about my experience today but mostly upset about the veggie patty - what happened?

Well....good thing I called! Turns out Bistro Burger has always served the wonderful Gardenburger brand patty (nothing beats Gardenburger). Apparently Kellogg, who already owns Boca Burger (also known as barf burger) purchased Gardenburger. In an effort to trim down cost and lean-up operations, which seems to be the target of all corporate America these days, Kellogg/Boca cut corners in a whole bunch of places at the Gardenburger plants. Well guess what? Many of those cost-cutting measures also turned out to be health and safety violations which prompted the FDA (or some other supervisory body like them) to shut down Gardenburger. Ugh! All this straight from the Bistro Burger owner who has been on the phone with Gardenburger/Boca/Kellogg trying to get to the bottom of what happened.

There is no Gardenburger available anywhere. If there is, it is older stock and probably purchased in a large quantity. Beware - they will run out of delicious Gardenburger! Kellogg apparently says they are fixing everything so Gardenburger production can resume but until then, we are stuck with the nasty Boca burger with their cardboard texture and disgusting chunks of carrot and bell pepper. And until then I'm afraid I won't be able to go to Bistro Burger either. The Bistro Burger owner tells me I am not the only customer he is losing until he can get Gardenburger back in the restaurant.

Shame on Kellogg/Boca burger. Long live Gardenburger!