Leon Love Burger Review – A Wholesome Fast Food Experience
September 4, 2024
I remember my first visit to a Leon restaurant — the South Bank branch in London. As a student with my Mum visiting, we were curious about a new food joint promising “wholesome and healthier” fast food. Leon’s mission statement says it best:
“Why can’t fast food be good food? Our mission is to prove that it can be by serving naturally fast food that not only tastes good but does you good too.” – Leon, What We Do
About Leon
Founded by three childhood friends, Leon set out to reimagine fast food through a healthier lens. In today’s world, where the fast food landscape is dominated by megachains often linked to deforestation and poor diets, smaller ethical chains like Leon are refreshing. They focus on social responsibility, ethical sourcing, and offering genuinely good food, all while maintaining convenience and affordability.
Ethical Eating in 2024
Finding ethical dining options in 2024 is challenging, especially as a vegan. So discovering Leon at Magor Services in Wales — en route to climb Sugar Loaf mountain — was a sigh of relief. Among the otherwise American-centric motorway services, Leon stood out as a beacon of choice for ethical and vegan fast food.
Vegan Options at Leon
Leon offers a wide selection of vegan dishes — more than most omnivore fast food joints. Currently, there are eleven vegan options including:
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Dahl & rice
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Beans & rice
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Bhaji wrap
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Slaws
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Hummus & flatbreads
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The famous Love Burger
On that misty Saturday, knowing a hike awaited, I opted for the Leon Love Burger. I might have also gone for the Bhaji wrap or golden dahl — ultimate comfort foods — but curiosity won out.
What I Loved About the Love Burger
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Texture of the Patty
The patty is dense with a little bite, without mimicking meat too closely — perfect if, like me, you don’t want your vegan food to feel like imitation meat.
Ingredients of the Vegan Patty:
Flavoured Rehydrated Pea Protein (Water, Textured Pea Protein, Natural Flavours, Salt, Malt Extract Powder, Onion Powder, Garlic Puree, Herbs), Coconut Oil, Rapeseed Oil, Methylcellulose, Potato Starch, Bamboo Fibre, Pea Fibre.
I noted the methylcellulose, an emulsifier derived from cellulose. While not harmful for most, those sensitive to emulsifiers or focusing on gut health may want to be aware.
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The Burger Sauce
Tangy and flavourful, the sauce makes the burger feel like a “proper burger.” -
Pickles and Salad
No burger is complete without them. They add freshness and crunch. -
Vegan Cheese
The vegan cheese reminded me of VioLife — firm, flavourful, but slightly overpowering. Balanced with the other ingredients, it works well, but I wouldn’t eat it alone.
What I Didn’t Love
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Chain Dynamics
If you prefer supporting independents, Leon’s chain status (around 70 UK outlets) may be off-putting. Still, its commitment to vegan and veggie options is impressive. -
Packaging
Like most fast food chains, packaging felt unnecessary for dine-in. Offering stainless steel plates and tumblers for those eating in — possibly with a small discount — could reduce waste and costs.
Despite this, compared to other motorway options like McDonald’s, Costa, or limited vegan offerings at the noodle bar, Leon was the obvious choice.
Final Thoughts
The Leon Love Burger offers a balanced, wholesome, and convenient vegan fast food experience. While no chain is perfect, Leon stands out for:
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Ethical and vegan-friendly menu options
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Quality ingredients and innovative flavours
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Fast, accessible dining for ethical eaters on the go
If you’re vegan or just looking for a healthier, ethical fast food alternative, Leon is worth a visit — especially at motorway services where choices can be limited.
Source:
Leon, https://leon.co/menu/
Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page
National Trust, https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/wales/sugar-loaf-skirrid-and-usk-valley
Bio Medical Central,
https://microbiomejournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s40168-020-00996-6#Sec15