No, not the main-sequence star that shines light on us from 93 million miles away in space. The less-than-mediocre Baltimore newspaper that, despite gross mismanagement and laughable grammar, is unfortunately still in circulation.
Shortly after our transplant friends arrived in Baltimore, they cut out an article, "100 Things Baltimore Foodies Must Try," stuck it on their fridge, and began crossing off items. Intrigued, Rob and I looked for a copy of our own. There was no chance we would stoop to paying money for a copy of the print edition, so I checked online. They do have the list there, but it's in the form of a SEVENTY-ONE PAGE photo gallery. Yet one more reason the publication deserves to die. So yes, that means I had to cobble it together one annoying page load at a time.
The list is pretty mishmash, as it's lifted directly from viewer comments (many, apparently, typed by eagles.) This is why the Sun is stupid. They should have accepted suggestions, conducted field research and come up with their own list. You know, the professional journalistic option. So there are many flaws.
However, it's still fun to look through, and I think it's been too long since I discussed 100 food items in a single post. So, to remedy the situation, I'm including the entire list below; first with my comments and, as before, bolding items I've already tried. Below that is the unadulterated list, in hopes that no one else will have to curse the Sun as soundly as I did early one morning when I couldn't sleep until it was safely stored on my hard drive.
Click below if you're up for some reading! And if you're not, I'll just tell you: my score was a measly 40 percent. Clearly, I have some work to do.
Why bother with the Saltines? The crab cake looks amazing on its own!
I have drunk Natty Boh, but I haven't finished a whole one. I think that still counts. Actually, as cheap beers go, it's pretty innocuous -- just like water with a little kick.
Not a fan. Major sugar overload.
I vividly remember doing this as a child, and regretting it with all my heart. Goopy, sticky sweetness on something that's already just sugar and water? Ugh.
If the ham is smoked, from our Amish farmer friend, so much the better. Or if it's salt-cured country ham we soaked and cooked ourselves.
My mother-in-law does this every year. I haven't actually tried it, but the list doesn't say I have to, thankfully.
The Wire is my next show, I think. I've heard great things.
I had pastrami there, which I'm counting because, come on, pastrami is so much better. It was an amazing sandwich.
Brewer's Art holds a special place in my heart because Rob and I accidentally had our first date there. True story: we were supposed to meet some friends at the Baltimore Book Fair, but no one else showed (they swear they didn't do this on purpose, but I wonder!) After discovering that the Baltimore Book Fair is about as literary as the Baltimore Sun, we walked over to Brewer's Art and had dinner. When Rob ordered confidently from the wine list, I was officially swept off my feet!
Resurrection Ale came later, with my friend Megan one night last year.
Done many times, in the years before I had to fast on Sunday mornings -- I'm not sure I could do it now, as there are too many delicious smells to ignore! This was a tradition for my father and me when I was very young. We'd go before church; he'd get coffee and I'd get an elephant ear, which I'd try to eat before it fell apart in my hands. It was my favorite part of the week.
I think Rob might disown me if I hadn't tried these when I met him.
I did this the other day, actually; I ordered it on wheat, but it didn't matter, since I abandoned the bread entirely after the first bite. The crab is so wonderful on its own that the bread just interferes.
My friend Lauren introduced me to Rheb's. The first time I went, we waited in line for three hours to buy our chocolate, but I have to say that I enjoyed the experience and I enjoyed the chocolate even more. The dark cherries and / or molasses honeycomb are my favorites.
Heyyy! I just posted about this.
Every Pascha we mooch off our sausage-conoisseur friends. Last year, we caved and bought our own bag. We were not disappointed.
Again, a requirement for entrance into the Lowe family. Also, anyone who's been in my kitchen probably knows that recycling, compost and cat food are all kept in Fisher's tubs.
I have eaten at the Helmand (they actually catered my Afghan lunch the year that I taught The Kite Runner) but have never tried the pumpkin. The photo intrigues me -- it looks like steamed pumpkin with yogurt, but I can't imagine that's what it is!
Mmmmmediocre. The best caramel apples are found in Williamsburg at the candy shop.
These are also going on my must-try list.
That's not a food. I hereby disqualify it.
One of my friends knows Cindy and cannot say enough good things about eating at Charleston, despite the price tag. Someday, I hope!
Minus the mind change, I have eaten here. It's good. Not great.
Really? I'd try it, but it doesn't sound good.
The first, not the second. It really is the best in Baltimore.
I actually tried to visit the real Smith Island for Rob's birthday one year, but his friends vetoed the trip. I was vindicated when I finally tried the cake at Catonsville Gourmet shortly after it opened, and it was worth waiting for. Ten layers of deliciousness! The owner of Sugarbakers also teaches at my school, so we are treated to their cakes at most major events, and they are really incredible. I will even eat their icing, which for me is a big step.
I have eaten all I can eat many times at Vaccaro's, so I'm counting that even though I haven't tried this particular brand of self-indulgence. Just about any dessert there is too rich to finish, which is sad since most of them would melt before you could get them home anyhow.
Um, that's not food either. It's also intimidating.
Not sure if I have done both at once, but this is getting ridiculous. Can we please stick to eating?
Wow. That's eating. A lot of eating.
I haven't tried their crab cake, but I agree with the philosophy above -- and the lemon / peppermint combo is truly genius.
Our friends (the same friends who posted this list) swear by this place. We really need to make more of an effort to get there.
Oh, yes. What a wonderful place -- meals for any budget (the popcorn is a dollar!)
Yes. Although I prefer the sandwich that consists of thinly sliced tomato and prosciutto, thick slabs of mozzarella and wads of fresh basil leaves on oil-drizzled baguette. If you are not salivating right now, there is something wrong with you.
Not a chance.
Enough about Tony, already! I guess I should probably try this place.
This is way too many things for one item, but I've done most of them at both places. I prefer H-Mart.
This photo looks incredible. I think I'm in.
I saw this on the menu when I was ordering my pastrami. I don't think I could try it.
My daddy raised me right. This was what we begged for when we went out to dinner.
I'm counting this because I've eaten most of these things at Samos, though I've never ordered that particular dish. It's overpriced, like most Greek food in Baltimore, but it's very good.
Ugh. No thank you, Paula.
Rob likes these so much he took to calling the cat Gravy Fry for awhile. He actually does a great impression of the Korean woman near us who sells them along with Pit Beef (at her shack with no door, thank you very much.)
No, but I do love Graul's.
Wasn't this the culprit behind all those food poisoning outbreaks a few years ago? I think I'll steer clear.
As much as I hate gratuitous exclamation points, Otterbein's Cookies actually deserve them. They're thin, crisp and perfect.
This sounds interesting. I tried raw beef for the first time in New York a few weeks ago (at an Arabic restaurant; it was kibbeh, beef with spices.) With the onion, it was amazing.
I don't think the Charles will let you in carrying a crepe, and it would be hard to smuggle, since they're so drippy. But I have done both, and they're both lots of fun.
Here, the exclamation points are truly gratuitous. Wockenfuss doesn't deserve to be on this list at all, much less with that kind of emotion. Once, at the beach, I was curious enough to buy and attempt to eat a caramel-covered marshmallow there. Gag!
I love the Blue Agave, despite the time one of their servers dumped rice and beans all over my dress and into my purse. But I have never tried this dessert, because when I see the tres leches cake, I get weak in the knees.
Yum.
Not in the market, which is both sketchy and smelly. Across the street at Ryleigh's.
Neopol could smoke just about anything and I would eat it.
This sounds intriguing.
How about roast chicken, pizza, and deviled eggs? If you need more suggestions, Rob would be glad to oblige.
I've dreamed of drinking a margarita out of a hubcap for most of my life.
The photo shows a black man driving a horse cart filled with produce. Am I missing something?
On principle, I refuse to dine at establishments that misuse apostrophes.
Sipped, but not drunk. I'm not a fan of tomato juice.
Another place we have to try!
What is with bad candy making this list in droves? This is also the same as number 75.
Why is this memorable? I don't recall it being more Japanese up there.
And Now, The Complete List, For Your Editing Pleasure:
1. Have a jumbo lump crab cake from Faidley's on a Saltine.
2. Pick steamed hard shells at Mr. Bill's Terrace Inn in Essex.
3. Eat Bertha's mussels.
4. Drink a Natty Boh.
5. Snack on a Berger's cookie.
6. Put marshmallow on your snowball.
7. Split Maryland beaten biscuits and put some thin slices of ham in them.
8. Serve sauerkraut with your turkey.
9. Get a chicken box (fried wings, western fries, dinner roll) from a Baltimore City public market.
10. Maybe the chicken box should be from Tyrone's?
11. Lake trout. And for those of us who watched "The Wire," have a grape soda with it.
12. Breakfast at Blue Moon Cafe down in Fells Point.
13. Corned beef on rye at Attman's.
14. Chiapparelli's house salad.
15. Knock back a goblet of Resurrection Ale at Brewer's Art.
16. Take a Sunday morning stroll through the JFX Farmer's Market.
17. Thrasher's french fries from the boardwalk in Ocean City.
18. Have a Black Eyed Susan at the Preakness.
19. Chow down on a pit beef sandwich at Boog's during an O's game.
20. Shop for shoes and chocolate at Ma Petit Shoe in Hampden.
21. Have a soft crab sandwich on white bread.
22. Eat a box of Rheb's buttercreams. Not at one sitting, of course ... on the other hand, why not?
23. Order a Tio Pepe sangria (red). It contains fruit, so it counts as food!
24. Polish sausage from one of the two Ostrowski shops.
25. German sausage from Binkert's
26. Fisher's popcorn downy ocean, hon!
27. Sunday brunch on the terrace at Ambassador Dining Room, an atypical setting for an Indian restaurant.
28. Get peach cake from Woodlea Bakery.
29. Eat the pumpkin appetizer at the Helmand.
30. Eat a Wockenfuss caramel apple! Mmmmm.
31. Thin crust pizza! Iggies and Joe Squared.
32. Savory muffins at Red Canoe in Lauraville.
33. Try some of the special flavors from Taharka Bros. (formerly Sylvan Beach) ice cream and Pitango Gelato.
34. Make fun of the hipsters at Golden West and Rocket to Venus in Hampden.
35. Have a special occasion dinner at Charleston. Ask Chef Cindy Wolf to fix what she thinks is best that night.
36. Change your mind about vegan/vegetarian food at Liquid Earth.
37. Try the charcuterie at Clementine.
38. Macaroni and cheese with bittersweet chocolate from Jack's Bistro.
39. Throw in a shrimp salad from Kibby's and/or Mary Mervis.
40. Smith Island Cake, but only from Sugarbakers.
41. Gorge yourself on the Monday night all-you-can-eat at Vaccaro's.
42. Discuss a bottle of wine with Tony Foreman at Cinghiale.
43. Eat roasted vegetables at Donna's ... wearing black.
44. Veal Chop at Da Mimmo.
45. Bookmaker salad at Sabatino's.
46. Get a crab cake and a lemon/peppermint stick at the Flower Mart. Isn't a fabulous crab cake, but even an average crab cake in Baltimore is better than anywhere else!
47. Order any sandwich at Trinacria. But no calling ahead to order like I do. You must wait in line for the full effect.
48. Order the popcorn and deviled eggs at Woodberry Kitchen. Before your appetizers, not in lieu of.
49. Have lunch on the patio at Sanders Corner overlooking the Loch Raven Reservoir.
50. Head to Carroll County for the best cream of crab soup at Smokey's BBQ on Liberty Road.
51. Stop at DiPasquale's in Highlandtown for their Italian and meatball subs.
52. Fried chicken livers from the Lexington Market.
53. Bagel with lox and cream cheese or apricot spread from Greg's.
54. Sit at the bar at Cinghiale and order anything. Talk to Rob about wine when Tony isn't in town.
55. Tamales from the food truck on Broadway.
56. Coddies on a cracker from a rowhouse bar.
57. Wander aisles of exotic produce - lychees! jackfruit! Indian eggplant! - at H Mart or Lotte Plaza in Catonsville. Eat some yummy bi bim bap or udon soup at the food court and then pick up a beautiful fresh whole fish for dinner before you head home.
58. Go to a bull/oyster roast or crab/shrimp feast at any number of Baltimore venues as long as you go to at least one at a V.F.W. hall, American Legion, Steelworkers Hall, fire hall, state park, etc.
59. Prime rib at the Prime Rib.
60. Greenberg Potato Skins from Prime Rib
61. How about the fried green pepper rings at Gunnings!
62. You have to get a Popular Mozzarella Pie from Matthew's Pizza!
63. A baloney-wrapped hot dog from Attman's.
64. Pit beef from anywhere without a door.
65. Late night dinner at the Bel-Loc Diner.
66. Eat a "Tour of Samos" at Samos in Greektown (Greek salad, tzatziki and pita, kalamari, spinach pie, chicken souvlaki, dolmades, lamb chops, garlic shrimp, gyro, roasted potatoes).
67. Krispy Kreme Bread Pudding at Ale Mary's
68. Eat anything on the menu at Andy Nelson's.
69. Gravy fries.
70. Chicken salad from Graul's Market!
71. Old-fashioned Maryland stuffed ham.
72. OTTERBEIN'S COOKIES!!!!!!!!!!
73. Raw beef and onion sandwich with raw yellow onion and salt and pepper on fresh rye bread (or pumpernickel).
74. Buy a crepe at Sofi's and enjoy it while watching a movie at the Charles.
75. Naron candy.
76. Polish dog with "the works" at Polock Johnny's.
77. Italian cold cut sub at Pastore's in Towson.
78. WOCKENFUSS CANDIES!!!!!!!!!!
79. Order the chocolate-chili bread pudding at the Blue Agave.
80. Have a picnic at Fort McHenry.
81. Any sandwich from Eddie's in Roland Park.
82. String bean rolls at Cafe Zen
83. Garlic fries at Brewer's Art.
84. Oysters and beer at Cross Street Market!
85. Coffee from Zeke's.
86. Smoked platter from Neopol at Belvedere.
87. Go to the Wine Market on a Monday night and enjoy a neighborhood discount (extended to all diners).
88. Have an ice cream that contains vegetables at Dominion Ice Cream. [Ed.'s note: Now relocated to Hampden.]
89. Have Old Bay on things other than seafood. For instance, corn on the cob, potato salad, coleslaw.
90. Margarita in a hubcap from Nacho Mama's.
91. Take the Clipper City brewery tour.
92. Have a Black Eyed Susan cupcake at Charm City Cupcakes. It's one of my favorite things about Baltimore!
93. Get fruit and veggies from an a-rab.
94. Sip 'n Bite.
95. Sip a Bloody Mary with an Old Bay rimmer. I only see this done at Baltimore restaurants.
96. Enjoy a meal at Salt.
97. Eat the Berger cookie pie at Dangerously Delicious Pies in Federal Hill. A new tradition built on the old.
98. Mary Sue Easter Eggs.
99. Eat sushi in Towson.
100. Wiener schnitzel, red cabbage, and more at Eichenkranz in Highlandtown. The last traditional German food in the city.
Shortly after our transplant friends arrived in Baltimore, they cut out an article, "100 Things Baltimore Foodies Must Try," stuck it on their fridge, and began crossing off items. Intrigued, Rob and I looked for a copy of our own. There was no chance we would stoop to paying money for a copy of the print edition, so I checked online. They do have the list there, but it's in the form of a SEVENTY-ONE PAGE photo gallery. Yet one more reason the publication deserves to die. So yes, that means I had to cobble it together one annoying page load at a time.
The list is pretty mishmash, as it's lifted directly from viewer comments (many, apparently, typed by eagles.) This is why the Sun is stupid. They should have accepted suggestions, conducted field research and come up with their own list. You know, the professional journalistic option. So there are many flaws.
However, it's still fun to look through, and I think it's been too long since I discussed 100 food items in a single post. So, to remedy the situation, I'm including the entire list below; first with my comments and, as before, bolding items I've already tried. Below that is the unadulterated list, in hopes that no one else will have to curse the Sun as soundly as I did early one morning when I couldn't sleep until it was safely stored on my hard drive.
Click below if you're up for some reading! And if you're not, I'll just tell you: my score was a measly 40 percent. Clearly, I have some work to do.
1. Have a jumbo lump crab cake from Faidley's on a Saltine.
Why bother with the Saltines? The crab cake looks amazing on its own!
2. Pick steamed hard shells at Mr. Bill's Terrace Inn in Essex.
3. Eat Bertha's mussels.
4. Drink a Natty Boh.
I have drunk Natty Boh, but I haven't finished a whole one. I think that still counts. Actually, as cheap beers go, it's pretty innocuous -- just like water with a little kick.
5. Snack on a Berger's cookie.
Not a fan. Major sugar overload.
6. Put marshmallow on your snowball.
I vividly remember doing this as a child, and regretting it with all my heart. Goopy, sticky sweetness on something that's already just sugar and water? Ugh.
7. Split Maryland beaten biscuits and put some thin slices of ham in them.
If the ham is smoked, from our Amish farmer friend, so much the better. Or if it's salt-cured country ham we soaked and cooked ourselves.
8. Serve sauerkraut with your turkey.
My mother-in-law does this every year. I haven't actually tried it, but the list doesn't say I have to, thankfully.
9. Get a chicken box (fried wings, western fries, dinner roll) from a Baltimore City public market.
10. Maybe the chicken box should be from Tyrone's?
11. Lake trout. And for those of us who watched "The Wire," have a grape soda with it.
The Wire is my next show, I think. I've heard great things.
12. Breakfast at Blue Moon Cafe down in Fells Point.
13. Corned beef on rye at Attman's.
I had pastrami there, which I'm counting because, come on, pastrami is so much better. It was an amazing sandwich.
14. Chiapparelli's house salad.
15. Knock back a goblet of Resurrection Ale at Brewer's Art.
Brewer's Art holds a special place in my heart because Rob and I accidentally had our first date there. True story: we were supposed to meet some friends at the Baltimore Book Fair, but no one else showed (they swear they didn't do this on purpose, but I wonder!) After discovering that the Baltimore Book Fair is about as literary as the Baltimore Sun, we walked over to Brewer's Art and had dinner. When Rob ordered confidently from the wine list, I was officially swept off my feet!
Resurrection Ale came later, with my friend Megan one night last year.
16. Take a Sunday morning stroll through the JFX Farmer's Market.
Done many times, in the years before I had to fast on Sunday mornings -- I'm not sure I could do it now, as there are too many delicious smells to ignore! This was a tradition for my father and me when I was very young. We'd go before church; he'd get coffee and I'd get an elephant ear, which I'd try to eat before it fell apart in my hands. It was my favorite part of the week.
17. Thrasher's french fries from the boardwalk in Ocean City.
I think Rob might disown me if I hadn't tried these when I met him.
18. Have a Black Eyed Susan at the Preakness.
19. Chow down on a pit beef sandwich at Boog's during an O's game.
20. Shop for shoes and chocolate at Ma Petit Shoe in Hampden.
21. Have a soft crab sandwich on white bread.
I did this the other day, actually; I ordered it on wheat, but it didn't matter, since I abandoned the bread entirely after the first bite. The crab is so wonderful on its own that the bread just interferes.
22. Eat a box of Rheb's buttercreams. Not at one sitting, of course ... on the other hand, why not?
My friend Lauren introduced me to Rheb's. The first time I went, we waited in line for three hours to buy our chocolate, but I have to say that I enjoyed the experience and I enjoyed the chocolate even more. The dark cherries and / or molasses honeycomb are my favorites.
23. Order a Tio Pepe sangria (red). It contains fruit, so it counts as food!
Heyyy! I just posted about this.
24. Polish sausage from one of the two Ostrowski shops.
Every Pascha we mooch off our sausage-conoisseur friends. Last year, we caved and bought our own bag. We were not disappointed.
25. German sausage from Binkert's
26. Fisher's popcorn downy ocean, hon!
Again, a requirement for entrance into the Lowe family. Also, anyone who's been in my kitchen probably knows that recycling, compost and cat food are all kept in Fisher's tubs.
27. Sunday brunch on the terrace at Ambassador Dining Room, an atypical setting for an Indian restaurant.
28. Get peach cake from Woodlea Bakery.
29. Eat the pumpkin appetizer at the Helmand.
I have eaten at the Helmand (they actually catered my Afghan lunch the year that I taught The Kite Runner) but have never tried the pumpkin. The photo intrigues me -- it looks like steamed pumpkin with yogurt, but I can't imagine that's what it is!
30. Eat a Wockenfuss caramel apple! Mmmmm.
Mmmmmediocre. The best caramel apples are found in Williamsburg at the candy shop.
31. Thin crust pizza! Iggies and Joe Squared.
32. Savory muffins at Red Canoe in Lauraville.
These are also going on my must-try list.
33. Try some of the special flavors from Taharka Bros. (formerly Sylvan Beach) ice cream and Pitango Gelato.
34. Make fun of the hipsters at Golden West and Rocket to Venus in Hampden.
That's not a food. I hereby disqualify it.
35. Have a special occasion dinner at Charleston. Ask Chef Cindy Wolf to fix what she thinks is best that night.
One of my friends knows Cindy and cannot say enough good things about eating at Charleston, despite the price tag. Someday, I hope!
36. Change your mind about vegan/vegetarian food at Liquid Earth.
Minus the mind change, I have eaten here. It's good. Not great.
37. Try the charcuterie at Clementine.
38. Macaroni and cheese with bittersweet chocolate from Jack's Bistro.
Really? I'd try it, but it doesn't sound good.
39. Throw in a shrimp salad from Kibby's and/or Mary Mervis.
The first, not the second. It really is the best in Baltimore.
40. Smith Island Cake, but only from Sugarbakers.
I actually tried to visit the real Smith Island for Rob's birthday one year, but his friends vetoed the trip. I was vindicated when I finally tried the cake at Catonsville Gourmet shortly after it opened, and it was worth waiting for. Ten layers of deliciousness! The owner of Sugarbakers also teaches at my school, so we are treated to their cakes at most major events, and they are really incredible. I will even eat their icing, which for me is a big step.
41. Gorge yourself on the Monday night all-you-can-eat at Vaccaro's.
I have eaten all I can eat many times at Vaccaro's, so I'm counting that even though I haven't tried this particular brand of self-indulgence. Just about any dessert there is too rich to finish, which is sad since most of them would melt before you could get them home anyhow.
42. Discuss a bottle of wine with Tony Foreman at Cinghiale.
Um, that's not food either. It's also intimidating.
43. Eat roasted vegetables at Donna's ... wearing black.
Not sure if I have done both at once, but this is getting ridiculous. Can we please stick to eating?
44. Veal Chop at Da Mimmo.
Wow. That's eating. A lot of eating.
45. Bookmaker salad at Sabatino's.
46. Get a crab cake and a lemon/peppermint stick at the Flower Mart. Isn't a fabulous crab cake, but even an average crab cake in Baltimore is better than anywhere else!
I haven't tried their crab cake, but I agree with the philosophy above -- and the lemon / peppermint combo is truly genius.
47. Order any sandwich at Trinacria. But no calling ahead to order like I do. You must wait in line for the full effect.
Our friends (the same friends who posted this list) swear by this place. We really need to make more of an effort to get there.
48. Order the popcorn and deviled eggs at Woodberry Kitchen. Before your appetizers, not in lieu of.
Oh, yes. What a wonderful place -- meals for any budget (the popcorn is a dollar!)
49. Have lunch on the patio at Sanders Corner overlooking the Loch Raven Reservoir.
50. Head to Carroll County for the best cream of crab soup at Smokey's BBQ on Liberty Road.
51. Stop at DiPasquale's in Highlandtown for their Italian and meatball subs.
Yes. Although I prefer the sandwich that consists of thinly sliced tomato and prosciutto, thick slabs of mozzarella and wads of fresh basil leaves on oil-drizzled baguette. If you are not salivating right now, there is something wrong with you.
52. Fried chicken livers from the Lexington Market.
Not a chance.
53. Bagel with lox and cream cheese or apricot spread from Greg's.
54. Sit at the bar at Cinghiale and order anything. Talk to Rob about wine when Tony isn't in town.
Enough about Tony, already! I guess I should probably try this place.
55. Tamales from the food truck on Broadway.
56. Coddies on a cracker from a rowhouse bar.
57. Wander aisles of exotic produce - lychees! jackfruit! Indian eggplant! - at H Mart or Lotte Plaza in Catonsville. Eat some yummy bi bim bap or udon soup at the food court and then pick up a beautiful fresh whole fish for dinner before you head home.
This is way too many things for one item, but I've done most of them at both places. I prefer H-Mart.
58. Go to a bull/oyster roast or crab/shrimp feast at any number of Baltimore venues as long as you go to at least one at a V.F.W. hall, American Legion, Steelworkers Hall, fire hall, state park, etc.
59. Prime rib at the Prime Rib.
60. Greenberg Potato Skins from Prime Rib.
61. How about the fried green pepper rings at Gunnings!
62. You have to get a Popular Mozzarella Pie from Matthew's Pizza!
This photo looks incredible. I think I'm in.
63. A baloney-wrapped hot dog from Attman's.
I saw this on the menu when I was ordering my pastrami. I don't think I could try it.
64. Pit beef from anywhere without a door.
My daddy raised me right. This was what we begged for when we went out to dinner.
65. Late night dinner at the Bel-Loc Diner.
66. Eat a "Tour of Samos" at Samos in Greektown (Greek salad, tzatziki and pita, kalamari, spinach pie, chicken souvlaki, dolmades, lamb chops, garlic shrimp, gyro, roasted potatoes).
I'm counting this because I've eaten most of these things at Samos, though I've never ordered that particular dish. It's overpriced, like most Greek food in Baltimore, but it's very good.
67. Krispy Kreme Bread Pudding at Ale Mary's
Ugh. No thank you, Paula.
68. Eat anything on the menu at Andy Nelson's.
69. Gravy fries.
Rob likes these so much he took to calling the cat Gravy Fry for awhile. He actually does a great impression of the Korean woman near us who sells them along with Pit Beef (at her shack with no door, thank you very much.)
70. Chicken salad from Graul's Market!
No, but I do love Graul's.
71. Old-fashioned Maryland stuffed ham.
Wasn't this the culprit behind all those food poisoning outbreaks a few years ago? I think I'll steer clear.
72. OTTERBEIN'S COOKIES!!!!!!!!!!!
As much as I hate gratuitous exclamation points, Otterbein's Cookies actually deserve them. They're thin, crisp and perfect.
73. Raw beef and onion sandwich with raw yellow onion and salt and pepper on fresh rye bread (or pumpernickel).
This sounds interesting. I tried raw beef for the first time in New York a few weeks ago (at an Arabic restaurant; it was kibbeh, beef with spices.) With the onion, it was amazing.
74. Buy a crepe at Sofi's and enjoy it while watching a movie at the Charles.
I don't think the Charles will let you in carrying a crepe, and it would be hard to smuggle, since they're so drippy. But I have done both, and they're both lots of fun.
75. Naron candy.
76. Polish dog with "the works" at Polock Johnny's.
77. Italian cold cut sub at Pastore's in Towson.
78. WOCKENFUSS CANDIES!!!!!!!!!!
Here, the exclamation points are truly gratuitous. Wockenfuss doesn't deserve to be on this list at all, much less with that kind of emotion. Once, at the beach, I was curious enough to buy and attempt to eat a caramel-covered marshmallow there. Gag!
79. Order the chocolate-chili bread pudding at the Blue Agave.
I love the Blue Agave, despite the time one of their servers dumped rice and beans all over my dress and into my purse. But I have never tried this dessert, because when I see the tres leches cake, I get weak in the knees.
80. Have a picnic at Fort McHenry.
81. Any sandwich from Eddie's in Roland Park.
82. String bean rolls at Cafe Zen.
83. Garlic fries at Brewer's Art.
Yum.
84. Oysters and beer at Cross Street Market!
Not in the market, which is both sketchy and smelly. Across the street at Ryleigh's.
85. Coffee from Zeke's.
86. Smoked platter from Neopol at Belvedere.
Neopol could smoke just about anything and I would eat it.
87. Go to the Wine Market on a Monday night and enjoy a neighborhood discount (extended to all diners).
88. Have an ice cream that contains vegetables at Dominion Ice Cream. [Ed.'s note: Now relocated to Hampden.]
This sounds intriguing.
89. Have Old Bay on things other than seafood. For instance, corn on the cob, potato salad, coleslaw.
How about roast chicken, pizza, and deviled eggs? If you need more suggestions, Rob would be glad to oblige.
90. Margarita in a hubcap from Nacho Mama's.
I've dreamed of drinking a margarita out of a hubcap for most of my life.
91. Take the Clipper City brewery tour.
92. Have a Black Eyed Susan cupcake at Charm City Cupcakes. It's one of my favorite things about Baltimore!
93. Get fruit and veggies from an a-rab.
The photo shows a black man driving a horse cart filled with produce. Am I missing something?
94. Sip 'n Bite.
On principle, I refuse to dine at establishments that misuse apostrophes.
95. Sip a Bloody Mary with an Old Bay rimmer. I only see this done at Baltimore restaurants.
Sipped, but not drunk. I'm not a fan of tomato juice.
96. Enjoy a meal at Salt.
Another place we have to try!
97. Eat the Berger cookie pie at Dangerously Delicious Pies in Federal Hill. A new tradition built on the old.
98. Mary Sue Easter Eggs.
What is with bad candy making this list in droves? This is also the same as number 75.
99. Eat sushi in Towson.
Why is this memorable? I don't recall it being more Japanese up there.
100. Wiener schnitzel, red cabbage, and more at Eichenkranz in Highlandtown. The last traditional German food in the city.
And Now, The Complete List, For Your Editing Pleasure:
1. Have a jumbo lump crab cake from Faidley's on a Saltine.
2. Pick steamed hard shells at Mr. Bill's Terrace Inn in Essex.
3. Eat Bertha's mussels.
4. Drink a Natty Boh.
5. Snack on a Berger's cookie.
6. Put marshmallow on your snowball.
7. Split Maryland beaten biscuits and put some thin slices of ham in them.
8. Serve sauerkraut with your turkey.
9. Get a chicken box (fried wings, western fries, dinner roll) from a Baltimore City public market.
10. Maybe the chicken box should be from Tyrone's?
11. Lake trout. And for those of us who watched "The Wire," have a grape soda with it.
12. Breakfast at Blue Moon Cafe down in Fells Point.
13. Corned beef on rye at Attman's.
14. Chiapparelli's house salad.
15. Knock back a goblet of Resurrection Ale at Brewer's Art.
16. Take a Sunday morning stroll through the JFX Farmer's Market.
17. Thrasher's french fries from the boardwalk in Ocean City.
18. Have a Black Eyed Susan at the Preakness.
19. Chow down on a pit beef sandwich at Boog's during an O's game.
20. Shop for shoes and chocolate at Ma Petit Shoe in Hampden.
21. Have a soft crab sandwich on white bread.
22. Eat a box of Rheb's buttercreams. Not at one sitting, of course ... on the other hand, why not?
23. Order a Tio Pepe sangria (red). It contains fruit, so it counts as food!
24. Polish sausage from one of the two Ostrowski shops.
25. German sausage from Binkert's
26. Fisher's popcorn downy ocean, hon!
27. Sunday brunch on the terrace at Ambassador Dining Room, an atypical setting for an Indian restaurant.
28. Get peach cake from Woodlea Bakery.
29. Eat the pumpkin appetizer at the Helmand.
30. Eat a Wockenfuss caramel apple! Mmmmm.
31. Thin crust pizza! Iggies and Joe Squared.
32. Savory muffins at Red Canoe in Lauraville.
33. Try some of the special flavors from Taharka Bros. (formerly Sylvan Beach) ice cream and Pitango Gelato.
34. Make fun of the hipsters at Golden West and Rocket to Venus in Hampden.
35. Have a special occasion dinner at Charleston. Ask Chef Cindy Wolf to fix what she thinks is best that night.
36. Change your mind about vegan/vegetarian food at Liquid Earth.
37. Try the charcuterie at Clementine.
38. Macaroni and cheese with bittersweet chocolate from Jack's Bistro.
39. Throw in a shrimp salad from Kibby's and/or Mary Mervis.
40. Smith Island Cake, but only from Sugarbakers.
41. Gorge yourself on the Monday night all-you-can-eat at Vaccaro's.
42. Discuss a bottle of wine with Tony Foreman at Cinghiale.
43. Eat roasted vegetables at Donna's ... wearing black.
44. Veal Chop at Da Mimmo.
45. Bookmaker salad at Sabatino's.
46. Get a crab cake and a lemon/peppermint stick at the Flower Mart. Isn't a fabulous crab cake, but even an average crab cake in Baltimore is better than anywhere else!
47. Order any sandwich at Trinacria. But no calling ahead to order like I do. You must wait in line for the full effect.
48. Order the popcorn and deviled eggs at Woodberry Kitchen. Before your appetizers, not in lieu of.
49. Have lunch on the patio at Sanders Corner overlooking the Loch Raven Reservoir.
50. Head to Carroll County for the best cream of crab soup at Smokey's BBQ on Liberty Road.
51. Stop at DiPasquale's in Highlandtown for their Italian and meatball subs.
52. Fried chicken livers from the Lexington Market.
53. Bagel with lox and cream cheese or apricot spread from Greg's.
54. Sit at the bar at Cinghiale and order anything. Talk to Rob about wine when Tony isn't in town.
55. Tamales from the food truck on Broadway.
56. Coddies on a cracker from a rowhouse bar.
57. Wander aisles of exotic produce - lychees! jackfruit! Indian eggplant! - at H Mart or Lotte Plaza in Catonsville. Eat some yummy bi bim bap or udon soup at the food court and then pick up a beautiful fresh whole fish for dinner before you head home.
58. Go to a bull/oyster roast or crab/shrimp feast at any number of Baltimore venues as long as you go to at least one at a V.F.W. hall, American Legion, Steelworkers Hall, fire hall, state park, etc.
59. Prime rib at the Prime Rib.
60. Greenberg Potato Skins from Prime Rib
61. How about the fried green pepper rings at Gunnings!
62. You have to get a Popular Mozzarella Pie from Matthew's Pizza!
63. A baloney-wrapped hot dog from Attman's.
64. Pit beef from anywhere without a door.
65. Late night dinner at the Bel-Loc Diner.
66. Eat a "Tour of Samos" at Samos in Greektown (Greek salad, tzatziki and pita, kalamari, spinach pie, chicken souvlaki, dolmades, lamb chops, garlic shrimp, gyro, roasted potatoes).
67. Krispy Kreme Bread Pudding at Ale Mary's
68. Eat anything on the menu at Andy Nelson's.
69. Gravy fries.
70. Chicken salad from Graul's Market!
71. Old-fashioned Maryland stuffed ham.
72. OTTERBEIN'S COOKIES!!!!!!!!!!
73. Raw beef and onion sandwich with raw yellow onion and salt and pepper on fresh rye bread (or pumpernickel).
74. Buy a crepe at Sofi's and enjoy it while watching a movie at the Charles.
75. Naron candy.
76. Polish dog with "the works" at Polock Johnny's.
77. Italian cold cut sub at Pastore's in Towson.
78. WOCKENFUSS CANDIES!!!!!!!!!!
79. Order the chocolate-chili bread pudding at the Blue Agave.
80. Have a picnic at Fort McHenry.
81. Any sandwich from Eddie's in Roland Park.
82. String bean rolls at Cafe Zen
83. Garlic fries at Brewer's Art.
84. Oysters and beer at Cross Street Market!
85. Coffee from Zeke's.
86. Smoked platter from Neopol at Belvedere.
87. Go to the Wine Market on a Monday night and enjoy a neighborhood discount (extended to all diners).
88. Have an ice cream that contains vegetables at Dominion Ice Cream. [Ed.'s note: Now relocated to Hampden.]
89. Have Old Bay on things other than seafood. For instance, corn on the cob, potato salad, coleslaw.
90. Margarita in a hubcap from Nacho Mama's.
91. Take the Clipper City brewery tour.
92. Have a Black Eyed Susan cupcake at Charm City Cupcakes. It's one of my favorite things about Baltimore!
93. Get fruit and veggies from an a-rab.
94. Sip 'n Bite.
95. Sip a Bloody Mary with an Old Bay rimmer. I only see this done at Baltimore restaurants.
96. Enjoy a meal at Salt.
97. Eat the Berger cookie pie at Dangerously Delicious Pies in Federal Hill. A new tradition built on the old.
98. Mary Sue Easter Eggs.
99. Eat sushi in Towson.
100. Wiener schnitzel, red cabbage, and more at Eichenkranz in Highlandtown. The last traditional German food in the city.
