If I ever go vegetarian I'd definitely just enjoy stuff like falafels, curries, halloumi and the million other options and not worry about reproducing meat.

Even if you don't mind, the longer you give up meat the less interesting it is as a flavor.

I think there's a curve to this.

When I first became vegetarian there were no fake meat options. If you got something that looked or tasted like meat it was because there was meat in it. Gross and nobody wanted that.

But after 20+ years being vegetarian, it's REALLY nice to have some other options. I still enjoy a garden burger or black bean burger if it's the only non-meat option but I can't remember the last time I bought it in the store. The rise in popularity of vegetarian foods and all the fad diets have made it so there's tons of options now.

My meat eating friends all love both Beyond and Impossible. A few actually prefer it to a standard burger.

Now if we can just teach restaurants how to cook them properly...

I get impossible burgers often and can confirm. Not vegetarian, but I've massively reduced red meat consumption and impossible/beyond really hits the spot when I want a burger. It's an option at tons of restaurants now which is amazing. I also get 10 packs of impossible burgers at costco for like $10, honestly incredible deal.

Also between a industrial processed food and something like a falafel I would go for the second every time.

I mean a nice portobello grilled up is a great alternative without the hassle.