Nothing to Beef About

Juicy burgers pack only veggies between the buns.

At Audubon Circle, fill up on some healthy junk food. (Photograph by Yoon S. Byun)

The Best: House-made bean burger $9, Audubon Circle Restaurant and Bar

The chef at yummy Audubon knows that veggie burgers, often the sole option for vegetarian customers, can languish on menus. But he wanted his made-from-scratch burger to meet the same standards as the rest of the entrees on the menu -- and it does. Black and pinto beans get flavor from garlic, onion, cumin, paprika, diced tomato, and ground tortilla chips. Topped with chopped lettuce, tomatoes, and a chili mayo, this burger actually looks like a burger. It's soft in texture and not overwhelmed by the bun. Bottom line Scores points for being the prettiest and having the best taste.

Butter bean and lentil burger $9, Common Ground Bar and Grill

Chef Simon Robinson mixes the unsung butter beans with lentils, fresh basil, garlic, caramelized onions, and potatoes, then breads it in fresh crumbs and pan-sears it. At about 9 ounces, it's a substantial match for its oversized bulkie roll, slathered in basil pesto mayo. It does seep out of the edges, though, so a slice of melted cheese helps keep it inside the bun. We wish it weren't so pale -- butter beans look like white lima beans. Bottom line This burger does justice to Boston's Beantown moniker.

Veggie Burger $9, Miracle of Science Bar + Grill

The big surprise about this delicious patty is that it's not made in house. Savory but not spicy, it gets an extra boost of yum from the rice and cheese, helping it keep its shape. It's also made with more vegetables than beans. The burger gets in-house doctoring with a melted slice of pepperjack cheese, jalapeno aioli, a layer of sweet-smelling arugula, and a freshly par-baked French roll. Among vegetarians, it has a cult following. Bottom line Even carnivores opt for this perennial.

-- Janice O'Leary

Audubon Circle Restaurant and Bar 838 Beacon Street, Boston, 617-421-1910, auduboncircle.us
Common Ground Bar and Grill 83 Harvard Avenue, Allston, 617-783-2071, commongroundbarandgrill.com
Miracle of Science Bar + Grill 321 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, 617-868-2866, miracleofscience.us