Hartbreakers

From the team behind East Williamsburg’s beloved Champs Diner is another plant-forward American diner concept Hartbreakers. Set in a fast casual 1970s-inspired spot the specialty is fried “chicken” sandwiches like the Picnic Basket (seitan bacon, vegan cheddar, pickled red onion, and coleslaw) or the spicy and tangy Thunderbird. Sides of the crispy waffle fries are a necessity and take note that the indoor seating is slim, so chances are it’ll be a to-go meal.

The Picnic Basket, stuffed with fried chik’n and seitan bacon, is a best-seller, but Hartbreakers’ fast-casual menu doesn’t end there: Dressed-up waffle fries, striking salads, breakfast burritos, and other sandwiches share the spotlight. The menu is entirely vegan, and just about everything’s made in-house. The colorful dining room mimics a 1970s-era cafe, so be sure to sneak a peek of it when you’re picking up your takeout order, even if indoor dining is temporarily paused until further notice due to Omicron.