ALBANY – Vegan burgers won’t leap to thoughts for these pondering of consolation meals. The creations at Wizard Burger in Albany may change that.
Each vegans and nonvegans flock to the North Pearl Avenue restaurant for burgers such because the Inexperienced Goblin It Up, an Not possible plant-based burger patty topped with inexperienced chilis and jalapeno garlic crema on a potato bun. Different objects embrace the Frito Bandito, an Not possible plant-based patty topped with American cheese, Fritos, pickled jalapenos and barbecue sauce; and “Magic-ano,” an Not possible patty topped with American cheese, Carolina barbecue sauce and pulled “pork” constructed from jackfruit.
“We wish to maintain the menu artistic and provides individuals extra choices,” mentioned Alex Berta, who, together with enterprise companion Chris Carpentier, owns Wizard Burger and Burrito Burrito, one other vegan restaurant in Troy. “Once we have been deciding what to do subsequent after Burrito Burrito, burgers have been one other enjoyable idea we may execute.”
Berta mentioned the group instantly started supporting Wizard Burger when it first opened its doorways a yr and a half in the past at 74 N. Pearl St. in Albany throughout from B. Lodge & Co., Albany’s oldest division retailer.
“It’s nice when exhibits are on the town at Empire Dwell and it’s neat being throughout the road from Lodge’s,” he mentioned. “Lots of people can’t inform that our meals is vegan and most of the people are actually into it.”
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‘Love at first sight’
Buyer Andrew Lynch first met Berta at Burrito Burrito. “I’m an enormous fan of their burritos, and once I discovered they opened Wizard Burger I needed to give it a attempt,” the Troy resident mentioned. “It was love at first sight.”
In accordance with Lynch, a vegan for almost 4 years, Wizard Burger presents constant, incredible meals.
“It’s one of the best vegan burger round,” he mentioned. “They’ve such artistic burgers — it’s not your commonplace, run-of-the-mill burger with lettuce, tomato and onion. They’ve nice choices.”
Lynch mentioned that frequenting Berta and Carpentier’s eating places so usually has led to him turning into shut associates with them. Final yr, Lynch determined to rent their firm, Meadowlark Catering — which Berta and Carpentier personal, together with Heidi Lynn Sicari of Takk Home and Beth Mickalonis — for his marriage ceremony in 2021.
“We did buffet-style, together with vegan burger sliders, a mashed potato bar and chimichurri pasta,” Lynch mentioned. “There was a lot meals and everybody liked it, and there have been no different vegans on the marriage ceremony except for my spouse and I.”
Breaking the stereotype
Berta credit the world’s vegan group for the success of his restaurant ventures.
“The Capital District has an enormous vegan group they usually’re so supportive,” he mentioned.
The Capital Area Vegan Community, which works to attach vegans within the space and supply outreach to encourage extra individuals to decide on the vegan way of life, additionally hosts a number of occasions all year long, together with Albany VegFest and Veg Out Fest in Troy.
Govt Director Andrea Shaye mentioned vegan eating places corresponding to Wizard Burger are an amazing addition to the group.
“Any time a vegan restaurant opens in our space, particularly one that provides hearty meals like burgers, it helps break down the stereotype that vegan meals is simply salads,” Shaye mentioned. “Additionally, as a vegan, I wish to go someplace that I do know animals weren’t harmed within the making of the meal I’m about to eat.”
Although Shaye mentioned vegan eating places are warmly welcomed by the vegan group, additionally they serve a function for nonvegans.
“They assist introduce most people to veganism and assist them to extend their consumption of plant-based meals,” she mentioned. “I hope the house owners of Wizard Burger proceed to be artistic about alternative ways to introduce vegan meals to most people and that they proceed to thrive.”
Conserving it attention-grabbing
Berta mentioned he makes an effort to alter the menu as usually as potential in order that there’s at all times one thing new at Wizard Burger.
“Some weeks we make modifications each day — it simply will depend on how a lot free time we’ve got,” he mentioned. “We attempt to maintain our menu attention-grabbing, and our clients give us a pleasant problem to maintain up with.”
Sooner or later, Berta mentioned, he and Carpentier’s aim with Wizard Burger is to have a number of places all through the Capital Area.
“Proper now we’re Watervliet, the place Chris and I grew up, in addition to Clifton Park and Saratoga,” Berta mentioned. “Having a franchise is the last word aim, however we haven’t began speaking about it. We’ll do it when that chance presents itself.”
For data, name 518-250-9440 or go to wizardburger.com.
Extra: Dig In! Special Section – Eat up at these delicious local favorites
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