Tempeh burger at The Hollow

the hollow tempeh burger cross-section

A cross section of the The Hollow's tempeh burger.

By Jeff Janssens

Few foods are as satisfying as a classic hamburger. Lately, though, I've been making an effort to eat less red meat.

So even though I'd heard that The Hollow Bar + Kitchen in downtown Albany has a very good beef burger, one featuring a fried egg and habanero ketchup, I was more interested in their tempeh burger, curious to see if I could leave satisfied even after opting for the vegetarian option.

The Hollow succeeded. The texture and taste of the tempeh -- along with an enjoyable sauce and roasted vegetables -- left me sated.

Tempeh is, in essence, a cake of cultured and fermented soybeans. I've written about the tempeh samosa at Umana, but the tempeh is only a bit player in that appetizer. With the tempeh burger at The Hollow, tempeh is given a starring role.

And in this role tempeh shines. If you're unfamiliar with it, don't think tofu. Tempeh -- developed originally in Indonesia -- features whole soybeans, which give it a unique taste and satisfying texture.

The tempeh patty on The Hollow's burger is sliced almost an inch thick; its taste is nutty and earthy. The whole soybeans give it a bit of crunch -- not to mention more nutritional value than other soy products -- and its firmness makes for a particularly satisfying bite between the bun.

the hollow tempeh burger overhead

Of course the tempeh burger isn't served plain. It's topped with a sweet potato barbecue sauce that provides a slightly sweet, slightly smoky addition to the tempeh. I didn't really taste the sweet potato in it, but I imagine it did play a role in the thickness of the sauce. As someone who's often skeptical of barbecue sauces, this one succeeded, in large part because it wasn't overpowering.

With the tempeh burger and sweet potato fries costing only $9, I thought it reasonable to add cheese for a dollar extra. There are several options; I chose the Monterey Jack-cheddar blend. This comes as a combination of shredded cheeses melted atop the tempeh in a layer just thick enough to add a noticeable sharpness that played well off the barbecue sauce.

The menu stated the burger was topped with roasted vegetables but didn't specify what the vegetable would be. So I was surprised to find whole asparagus spears layered between the tempeh and the cheese. There were a few of the tender upper asparagus halves, and they added some depth of flavor, a bit of bitterness. They were a bit unwieldy, though, hanging off the side of the burger, so for that reason alone a different vegetable might be a better option.

I must also mention the bun, because this is the element that can make or break any burger. And here, the bun was toasted, buttered, fluffy, and substantive enough to handle all the elements -- but not so dense that it eclipsed the many featured flavors and textures held within.

There is plenty of flavor in The Hollow's tempeh burger, and I'm glad to see another area restaurant taking advantage of this alternative protein. Accompanied by a pile of sweet potato fries that were nicely crisped and a pint of the excellent Victory DirtWolf Double IPA -- one of many fine beers available on tap -- it made for an enjoyable overall experience.

the hollow bar and kitchen interior lights

The Hollow opened last year in the space on North Pearl Street previously occupied by the Bayou Café, the only remnants of which lie in the second, back bar area and its dark, swamp-house motif. The dining area features an appealing minimalist aesthetic: brick walls and entryway arches, exposed ventilation ducts, and rows of lit mason jars hanging low from the ceiling. With an already-established reputation as a concert space for quality bands such as The Hold Steady, The Hollow has now become something of a rarity: a hot spot for nightlife that also serves as a destination for those looking for a tasty, thoughtfully-prepared meal.

Jeff Janssens writes about food and beer at The Masticating Monkey.

More Eat This!
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+ COB Pizza at Red Front
+ Spiced Potato with Hot Pepper and Special Pancakes at Northeast Dumplings House

Find It

The Hollow
79 N Pearl St
Albany, NY 12207

Comments

I might just have to try this- without the cheese and butter of course! Happy to hear a tempeh is being used more!

I absolutely LOVE this tempeh burger! The Hollow is my new favorite place to eat. They were even able to make mine on greens and made it vegan. LOVED it and LOVED the fresh cut sweet potato fries. The place is pretty cute too.

Lucky me, I've got plans to be downtown tonight.

As a vegetarian I appreciate a review of a veg dish and certainly want to give this a try. But what sad looking tomato slices as garnish! Why bother off season? A good pickle might be a better choice.

Thought I'd follow up, in case anyone is curious. I ordered the tempeh burger and was given the tempeh reuben, which is new on the menu. The owner said it was his mistake and he'd make the burger if I didn't like the reuben. That wasn't necessary, the reuben was delicious. (Sweet potato fries for the win.)

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