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You all know I love a good veggie burger. Houston’s makes my favorite, but sadly enough, the restaurant left Nashville several years ago. 
However, coming in as my 2nd favorite restaurant veggie burger is J. Alexanders, and Alice (CD’s mom) was so kind as to treat us to lunch there yesterday. Thanks Alice!
I ordered the veggie burger (minus the cheese and mayo) with a side of salsa, and instead of fries, I subbed the vegetable of the day, fire-roasted artichokes. Prepare to drool…
Close up of the veggie goodness…
Oh my goodness – can you believe that is all veggie? If only I could recreate this burger at home, I would eat it everyday! I’m thinking it’s some kind of brown rice/black bean concoction, but I have no idea what else is in there. CD, guess you’ll just have to take me to J’s more often so that I can figure out the recipe. 
Alice ordered the burger as well, but only ate half. So, we brought the rest home, and I ate it atop a salad today for lunch. My bowl consisted of baby romaine, Annie’s honey mustard vinaigrette, spicy Falafel Chips, and the leftover burger, which tasted wonderful all crumbled up on the salad.
That salad was just what I needed after a morning of cleaning. These past few months, I’ve just let the house go because honestly, I’ve had zero energy. All I really kept up with was the laundry and keeping the kitchen clean. However, with 2 hairy dogs, I’ve got to stay on top of sweeping, vacuuming, etc. I’m starting to feel like my old self again and spent the morning ridding the house of dog hair and doing laundry. Feels good to be moving once again as for a while, there were many days when I didn’t even feel like getting out of bed. The late nights are still a bit rough, but the days are so much better. Thanks again to everyone for all your support, advice, and encouragement and many thanks to Alice for a wonderful visit and for all your help with the house! The pups miss you already. 
Now, to all of you who live near a J. Alexanders, go enjoy yourself a veggie burger, and to those of you that don’t, I have two words: ROAD TRIP!
{ 54 comments… read them below or add one }
Oh does that look amazing!!! I love a good veggie burger, and can’t stand when places only have Boca burgers instead of homemade ones!!! Hope you’re feeling well!
Wow, burger looks amazingly delicious!! (almost doesn’t even look like it is a veggie burger)
Your plate looks so good with the burger and those artichokes…Yum!!
Glad to know you are starting to feel better!
Ana
I’ve been to J. Alexander’s many times in the past, but never really had a “wow” meal. Maybe I’ll give them ONE more chance
VeggieGirl, Really? I am not a big fan of chain restaurants, but my whole family LOVES J’s!
Holy crap that looks good. That’s a burger! I agree with Ana – looks like beef…ymmm…hopefully you’ll start feeling consistently better soon. And yes I want a ROAD trip bad.
The name of the restaurant makes me think of America’s next top model
Yummmmy burger though! Looks so meaty!
Yeah, I love Houston’s veggie burger too. Never been to J Alexander’s but I saw one when we lived in Cinci for a year. None down here though…..but we have Houston’s, so I’m safe for now
That burgers look great. Glad you are starting to feel better!
I looooooooooove J. Alexander’s veggie burger! It has an amazing texture. Yum!
Usually veggie burgers look uber dry and not that tempting, but that one looks to die for! Yupie for getting some energy back!
Holy Crap-do they deliver?! That artichoke looks incredible!!!
So is J.Alexander Miss Jay or Mr. Jay?? lame America’s next top model reference–sorry
Anyway, looks like you’re feeling better!
That does look good. I think I’m living in the wrong state for good food. Glad you are feeling better.
That looks amazing! Definitely thought it was meat on first glance.
heather, i live in franklin and LOVE j alexander’s. i’m more tempted by those artichokes than the veggie burger – i love theirs! j’s is my favorite restaurant in nashville to get consistently good food – i’ve never had a bad experience there!
Brianne, I love J’s too. Not a big fan of chain restaurants, but we go there all the time. You’re right – the food is great, and I’ve never had a bad experience there. Impeccable service as well. Thanks for reading – love hearing from local HEABers. P.S. Artichoke hearts were so good, but my favorite veggie-of-the-day is J’s braised red cabbage. YUM!
I have heard such great things about J Alexander’s, although I hear it is a bit pricy.
Runnerforever, J’s is kind of pricey – most entrees are between $15 and $20…and totally worth every penny.
That looks fantastic! I love veggie burgers, especially when they even resemble a regular burger. YUM
Jenn
That burger looks so real! I feel like other burgers must have some burger envy of it
Oh my gosh that burger looks incredible! That would even make avid meat-eaters jealous.
Love veggie burgers! My only caveat is that they’re often very soy-based and I try to limit my soy… but if this one is all vegetables? Yes please! I’m on my way
Danielle, I avoid most soy products as well, and there is no tofu in J’s burger.
Veggie burger looks GREAT! YUM. It has been a long time since I have had one, this makes me crave it
I hear ya on having no energy to clean! I sometimes can hardly keep up or something always pops us and takes my time away. I need to get a maid!
I’d pay $15 for that beauty of a veggie burger. Wow.
Oh, wow!! That artichoke looks fabulous, reminds me that I have one in the fridge!
Glad you mentioned the artichoke – I’ve never seen them prepared quite that way. Looks yummy.
I hear ya on the housekeeping. I got out of practice when I was working full-time, and now I can’t quite get back into it. Vacuuming and clearing the sink are the bare minimum. Redecorating and painting – what’s that?
Glad you’re feeling a little better. Hopefully it will get easier!
Carbzilla, How is the job search going?
Turns out I do live near a J. Alexanders. I’ll have to try it sometime. That veggie burger looks great.
that burger looks amazingly juicy, and the artichokes to die for!! i miss burgers.
Twice in a row you’ve got me drooling for a veggie burger!
That veggie burger looks so meat-like. I love when other people give me their leftovers! Makes the deliciousness laaaast.
Glad you were able to truly enjoy a meal. And god bless mother-in-laws and their ability to clean – mine would happily windex my sidewalk if she could!
That veggie burger looks really tasty!!! Also, the artichoke looks fabulous. I’ve never thought of them grilled. I actually have never bought one whole either and not sure I’d know what to do with it…………or how to eat it, lol.
Idreamoftahini, I’ve never bought a whole artichoke either, but I love J’s version. If I could make it like that at home, I would buy them all the time!
NEED TO DO A ROAD TRIP STAT!!!! god i miss them!!
Whoa there!! Hot veggie patty coming through! I’ve never, ever seen a veggie patty look that good!
Whoa! That veggie burger looks phenom!
I loooove veggie burger salads and haven’t had one in so long. Think I may have to make one soon.
Glad you are doing so well HDEAB
I need to find Houston’s best veggie burger. We have a Houston’s Restaurant, so maybe I’ll start there!
HI there Heather!
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love almond butter, I’ve never heard of Almondie. Where do you purchase it?
I agree that J’s is probably the best, but I’ve recently discovered a close runner up! Have you heard of Gabby’s? It’s right by Greer Stadium, and they were voted best burger by the Scene, but the veggie burger is to die for. They’re only open for lunch Mon-Thur, and until 7:30 on Friday, but so worth it. He buys buns from a local bakery, local grass fed beef, and local potatoes for the fries. Plus, the prices are so reasonable. The veggie burger comes with a delicious bbq – I actually told my husband it reminded me of the one from J’s. They also have sweet potato fries. I love supporting local businesses! You must try it!!!
http://gabbysburgersandfries.com/
Kristy, I love Gabby’s. They get their beef from the same farm Chris and I buy ours, and it’s grass fed finished. I’ve only been there once, and got the beef burger, but good to know they make a good veggie version as well. I’ll get that next time…with sweet potato fries of course!
Kristy, I just went to Gabby’s for the first time last week and loved it! Of course, I totally got a bacon swiss burger instead of the veggie, LOL. I’ll have to try the veggie one next time. The sweet potato fries were heavenly.
omg! I’ve been itching to try J.Alex’s veggie burger but have never taken the plunge (you just never know what you’re going to get w/ veggie burgers)! I can’t wait to try one next time. My husband & I love that restaurant!
There’s a J. Alexander’s near where I live, but I never bothered, thinking it probably didn’t have much down by alley.. but wow, that burger looks amazing. Definitely on my go-to list now!
J’s roasted artichokes are SO GOOD! Now, I need to go back and try that veggie burger….
whoa… that veg burger puts most other BEEF burgers to shame!
So glad you’re starting to feel better
I have a J. Alexander’s near me! I would love to try their veggie burger. Do you know if it is vegan? Thanks
Sarah, As far as I know, if you ask for it without cheese and a dry bun, then yes, the burger is vegan, but I would double check before ordering.
Hmm, I just discovered that Denver has both a Houston’s and a J. Alexander’s within driving distance… I think the ultimate test test challenge is on
Thanks for the recommendations, that burger looks delish! Glad to hear your feeling a little better too!!
That burger looks SOOOOOO good right now! I am hungry!
In my heavier days i was a big fan of Houston’s spinach artichoke dip. All that cheesy goodness on chips…mmmmm
I think that it would just make me ill now
Marissa, My aunt always orders the dip as her meal. I steal some…it’s too good, but I feel bad eating too many since it’s her meal…which is a good thing!
I found myself at J. Alexander’s one day with family for lunch and that’s what I ordered too (except I had the fries ;/) The burger was unbelieveably delicious, I was so surprised!!!