Austin
vegan
burger joint
Mission Burger Co.
has joined forces with a coffee shop
Barley Bean Cafe
to launch a 24/7 vegan spot in South Austin.
The newly launched independent eatery, which discreetly began operations on South Lamar Boulevard at the start of March, offers over 40 plant-based choices covering breakfast, lunch, dinner, desserts, coffee, and cocktails.
Breakfast provides a mix of traditional foods like pancakes along with quick options, including sausage-egg-and-cheese bagel sandwiches.
breakfast tacos
Lunch and dinner feature a variety of sandwiches, burritos, along with a customizable French fry station allowing guests to create their ideal toppings. Notable items include a Reuben sandwich prepared on marble-rye bread, a classic New York-style chopped cheese dish, as well as BBQ brisket platters crafted from a mix of dried-out mushrooms which undergo five hours of smoking outside; these come alongside rich homemade mac ‘n’ cheese and coleslaw sides. The star attraction remains the Mission Burger—infused with Impossible Meat blended with secret spices, paired with a plant-based dressing similar to Thousand Island, plus some pickle slices.
The Barley Bean Café located on South Lamar, which first opened its doors in 2015, runs a distinct kiosk within offering an exclusively plant-based selection of beverages including coffees and teas along with a complete lineup of alcoholic options such as wines, beers, mixed drinks, and non-alcoholic versions—all crafted using only vegan components and alternatives like various types of dairy-free milk. To satisfy sweet cravings after enjoying these offerings, Mission Burger’s founder Michael Limongelli prepares his special vegan ice cream featuring oats as the main ingredient. The flavors available range from classic cereal milk to more adventurous combinations like banana blended into creamy textures alongside rich peanut butter streaks combined with pure vanilla essence, enhanced with vibrantly hued toppings derived purely through natural coloring agents such as turmeric for golden hues and beets for deep red tones.
The restaurant is open about its operations.
components, all of which are outlined extensively on their website
The chicken patty is crafted using mushrooms; the brisket comes from a blend of dehydrated shiitake and lion’s mane mushrooms; the cheese substitute is derived from oat milk; and the ranch dressing, which the eatery now sells bottled versions of, uses rice milk as its foundation. All sauces are prepared in-house, although Mission Burger does utilize some pre-made components, such as
Impossible Foods
Vegan burger patties, which they “enhance,” according to Limongelli. “We add seasoning and sauces to make the dishes uniquely ours.” In contrast to numerous eateries, they do not impose additional charges for substitutions or alterations due to allergies or dietary restrictions. Although items such as gluten-free buns increase costs for Mission Burger, “we believe it wouldn’t be right,” states Limongelli. “[Customers] have no control over their conditions.”
The new business endeavor has been a long-held aspiration for Mission Burger Co.’s founders and close companions, Limongelli and Isaac Mogannam, who established the enterprise in 2023. Their initial meeting occurred when both were working at a grocery store’s catering service in Austin; Mogannam prepared burgers, whereas Limongelli crafted vegan ice cream. Inspired by their shared love for plant-based cuisine, they combined forces to start their own vegan pop-up events and catering services.
Limongelli mentions that initially, they ventured into running a vegan burrito firm followed by another focusing on vegan Italian fare. However, recognizing that burgers garnered significant interest from Austin’s dining crowd, they shifted focus entirely towards this offering. After integrating popular components from their former burrito operation—such as the cherished breakfast burritos and favored Crunchwraps—their venture gained momentum. Prior to officially unveiling Mission Burger Co., they organized several pop-ups leading up to the launch within an intimate 200-square-foot location.
Rivercity Market
, and the rest is history.
Currently, Mission Burger Co. operates from a spacious 1500-square-foot location and offers over 40 menu items, most of which are prepared using their large 48-inch griddle, according to Limongelli. Inside the eatery, guests can enjoy various seating options including numerous tables and benches, individual workstations, a comfortable sofa area, and a bar that accommodates six people. There’s also an outdoor patio equipped with six big picnic-style tables.
Limongelli mentions that Mission already has customers who come at least twice daily for both breakfast and lunch, finding this very fulfilling. According to Limongelli, rescuing animals plays a role here, but equally important is providing good-quality vegan cuisine to people in the Austin region with a focus on being welcoming. This implies that visitors will receive a free warm chocolate chip cookie during each visit along with a dining atmosphere devoid of pushy “vegan” conversations. “Our activism comes through our dishes,” asserts Limongelli. “Taste buds lead us initially.”
Mission Burger Co. can be found at 3600 South Lamar Boulevard in South Austin. They operate from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. every day.