Vegan
American
Take-out
Bakery
All vegan except dairy milk option for coffee. Casual cafe offering multiple vegan sandwiches, a soup of the day, and a couple of salads along with the obvious coffee and dessert. Located on the second floor above another restaurant with walk-up required. Since winter 2014. MAR 2016 REPORTED SHUT.
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Last update on 14 Mar 2016 by Guest
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Added by veggivet on 24 Dec 2014
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8 Reviews
First Review by Randal Putnam
passedout
Points +300
Good food, Nice people, Hit or Miss Service - Edit
The Brakes in a very small coffee shop that boasts a great menu of sandwiches, soups, baked goods and hot drinks. I believe everything is organic, and most raw materials are locally sourced.
Read moreThey are probably best known for their "Bacon Bad" sandwich which is a BLT using a unique soy-based bacon substitute that takes on the consistency of prosciutto.
Any desert is a good choice, and this where the Brakes seems to really shine. With a large selection of gluten free and flour based options, you can typically find something that's going to satisfy your sweet tooth.
The service can be slow at times, depending on how crowded it is. Definitely more of a 'laid back' approach to food service than some folks are used to. I would recommend going if you have a lot of time to devote to it.
Pros: Great Food, Nice People, Unique Menu
Cons: Slow Service
Guest
WarrenM
Points +69
Went twice but didn't get served - Edit
I went to the Brakes twice during a recent visit to Albany. The first time I arrived on Saturday evening at 8:15 to be told that the kitchen closed at 8 (the place closes at 9). Went back the following day on sunday at 3:15 to be told that the kitchen was about to close but i could still squeeze my order in. After a 30 min wait, i went to find out what was happening to be told that the stove was broken and the kitchen was closed!
Read moreCan't review since I went twice but they wouldn't serve me. Make sure you call before you go, turn up at least an hour before they close and take a screwdriver just in case you need to fix the stove to get served.
Pros: Food looks great, Fast internet, Good prices
Cons: No concept of service, Run out of food early, Don't seem to care about hungry people
Guest
Armando
Points +121
A Very Pleasant Exprience - Edit
I was in Albany for only two nights, but decided I would seek out a local Vegan restaurant to eat out at. Happy Cow led me to The Brakes, which is conveniently located near the Sate Capitol building, and was in walking distance from my hotel. I am so glad that I found them! They not only served me up an absolutely delicious Bean Burger with potatoes but made me feel welcomed and less alone. The seating was cafe like, with some comfy places near the window, looking out onto the street. I noticed books and a chess board, so the atmosphere is very laid back and inviting, if not maybe elegant. There were also books for sale on Environmental related issues, which I looked through while waiting for my food. There were other folk eating as well, and regulars enjoying conversation, who chatted me up and made me feel a part. But if you still aren't convinced they are worth a visit, then I should maybe add that they have great teas, and some awesome vegan desserts. Mine was a Maple Oat Square with Raspberry! I will definitely visit again next time I'm in town. Thanks to all the good people at The Brakes!
Read moreGuest
Nibs
Points +593
The Brakes is the place to be in Albany - Edit
No better place in Albany. Daily soups, stews, salads, etc. in addition to many different sandwiches and drinks, hot and cold. I had a kamut and vegetable stew that was wonderful, very filling and delicious. Also had the soup of the day, again a hearty choice with lots of vegetables. My side salad had a delicious ginger dressing.
Read moreBesides the food, the best thing about The Brakes is the atomosphere - informal, a good number of seats yet cozy, books and other reading material, and friendly customers and staff. There is also a fridge with vegan cheeses, tofu scramble, etc. if you want to take something home. The concept of The Brakes is that you're helping to put the brakes on climate change and other ills. There's a discount if you bring your own mug or take public transport to get there!
If you remember "The Loving Cafe" in Albany, The Brakes is owned by one of the same people, and the chef is also now at The Brakes. Again, very friendly and great to talk to. I plan on coming here every time I visit Albany.
Pros: Healthy, delicious food, great concept, friendly staff
Guest
sweetpeavegan
Points +20
Little Gem - Edit
The Breaks is fabulous. We went to Albany as a stop over between Canada and Brooklyn and we were starving! Luckily we found The Breaks. I am sure that every.damn.thing. in there is great but I HIGHLY recommend "The Breakefast" breakfast sandwich. It was gooey and oozy in all the right spots. Jessica (who works there) recommended it to us and she was right on point.
Read moreThe cafe is very cute and light-filled. The couch is comfy, the accept credit cards, and the homemade lemonade is outta this world.
Pros: delish, easy street parking, very friendly staff
Cons: some but not a ton of outside seating
Guest
veggivet
Points +180
Vegan Oasis in Albany - Edit
Looking for a place with healthy options open on July 4th, and came across this gem. Overlooking Lark St. from its second story perch, this unpretentious space offers healthy food in a very open, friendly space. I knew I had found the right place when I saw 'Gazborscht' on the menu, a beet-based gazpacho that was out of this world. What a great way to use those healthy beets! Their Krypton salad was the perfect companion for their version of Philly cheese-steak. Too full for dessert, I took a couple of freshly made raw cookies home with me. All the dishes were fresh, flavorful, and filling. Prices reasonable for the quality of ingredients. Very relaxed vibe makes you feel right at home. My only gripe (and the reason I gave 4, instead of 5 stars) is the presence of cow's mammary secretion along with non-dairy options for those coffee drinkers who still drink the milk of another species. At least they compared the carbon footprints of all the creamers, and of course, cow's milk dwarfed everything else that is available. I hope they follow in the path of another excellent vegan restaurant, Evolution Cafe, which also had cow's milk when they first opened. They discontinued serving it a few months later. Parking can be a challenge, but I usually am able to find a spot on one of the side streets off of Lark. Don't miss this gem!
Read moreUpdated from previous review on Monday July 06, 2015
Pros: Excellent food, Friendly staff, Comfy sofa to people watch from
Cons: Serves cow's mammary secretion
Guest
Larry74
Points +239
Vegan in Albany! - Edit
Great little vegan shop in Albany in the heart of town! had the "Don't have a cow, man!" very tasty! looking forward to going again!
Read morePros: great tasting food!
Cons: Milk for coffee? everything else is vegan, so I ha
Guest
Randal Putnam
Points +36
First Visit to The Brakes - Edit
The place is bright and right sized. The best part of the space is the second story picture window overlooking Lark Street with a view straight down Chestnut. A long couch faces the wall of glass. It seems perfect for passing the time on a cold winter day.
Read moreEveryone working there was very sweet. We were asked if we'd been in before. Since we hadn't we were given some background. Making a connection with the customers, you know. The right way to be.
I had the artisan griller (grilled cheese). It was a delight. I expected Daiya on bread but it was made with homemade cheesy spread that was delicious. Nice bread, too. Attention had also been paid to the slaw. Purple cabbage. Jalapeños. Nicely dressed. I wish there had been more of it.
Lacey had the breakfast sandwich listed on a specials board to our left. It was also terrific. Cheesy tofu scramble with All Vegetarian, Inc. vegan bacon on ciabatta. Side of nicely prepared home fries.
There are ten other things on the menu I want to try. They also have a cooler with things to buy for carry away. I was most tempted by the packages of vegan bacon they were offering. Same as the bacon on Lacey's sandwich--really delicious stuff.
Thanks for being here!
Guest
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