SAN ANTONIO — A local chef's idea for a completely plant-based, organic fast-food restaurant is becoming a reality in the Alamo City.

Mike Behrend, co-owner of Green Vegetarian Cuisine at the Pearl, has started an online crowd-funding page for the restaurant. He hopes the soon-to-open Earth Burger will offer a healthier take on quick and reasonably priced cuisine. The diner will be the first of its kind in Texas, Behrend said.

“We believe the best thing for our families is to go to the local farmer's market and take home fresh produce to prepare. However that is often unrealistic in today's fast-paced world,” reads the page on Kickstarter.com. “That's where Earth Burger comes in. We are entering the fast food market with tastier, fresher and healthier alternatives that also happen to be vegan and vegetarian. Our goal is to provide people with great healthy choices at a great value.”

The restaurant's online menu has burgers and wraps priced at $5 with a combo meal that includes a burger or a wrap, side and a drink for $8, which is about the same as a similar item at Whataburger or McDonalds. Kids meals are $5.

The first Earth Burger, which will be dine-in or drive-thru, will be located in Park North Shopping Center at the corner of Blanco and NW Loop 410, according to the website. It is unclear when the restaurant will open, but the online fundraising goal of $40,000 must be met by April 29 for the restaurant to receive the funds. The fundraiser has gained nearly $6,000 as of Wednesday afternoon.

The money raised through Kickstarter will help with the cost of construction and equipment.

Other items on the menu include: Nacho Burger, “Chik-n” and fish sandwiches, corn dog, grilled cheese, fries, ice cream and beverages.

Behrend acknowledges that Texas, and in particular, San Antonio, may be a challenge.

“San Antonio has a reputation for loving its meat and Tex-Mex food, and it also has the reputation of being one of the fattest cities in the U.S.,” the page reads. “The good news is that Texas has fully embraced Green, we've grown to three locations in San Antonio and Houston.”

Green Vegetarian Cuisine, which opened here in 2007, now has three locations in San Antonio and Houston.

kparker@express-news.net

Twitter: @KoltenParker