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Baltimore to Charleston, SC. Anything good?
Sorry for the late reply. There was a lot of good in Charleston. This is a true iconic southern city. Hominy Grill, Poogan's Porch for breakfast, Jestine's Kitchen, shrimp and grits and Gullah Cuisine, deep fried crabs at Buckshots in McClellanville. Unfortunately I didnt make it to Broadway Diner, and I was highly disappointed by the shrimp & grits at S.N.O.B. Everything else was excellent.
Baltimore to Charleston, SC. Anything good?
Next week, my SO and I will be traveling to Charleston, SC. We're leaving on a Wednesday after rush hour is over, and will probably drive to Rocky Mount and stay overnight before continuing to Charleston the next morning. I don't think we'll be stopping for any dinner on the way unless we decide to leave earlier but, just in case, is there anything worth stopping for along I-95? And, is there any good place to get breakfast/dinner in Rocky Mount?
Feel free to add some good suggestions for Charleston also if you have any. We hope to find some good lowcountry food, so any suggestions will be more than helpful!
Post meal thoughts: Granny's Owings Mills
I didn't encounter any bacon, but you can't expect to have a lean meal when you order something like fried chicken, waffles, crab cakes, etc. If you wanted something with less fat/cholesterol, maybe you should've stuck with just a salad (which you can get elsewhere).
To each his/her own I guess. I think they did a really good job on what they offered. It is heavy, as most Southern or "soul food" is. It's definetely not out to be a healthy place. That's not the point.
Post meal thoughts: Granny's Owings Mills
Just got back from Granny's, the new Southern style restaurant in Owings Mills. I can barely breathe nor walk; you really do get your money's worth, and the food tries and succeeds at cooking the type of homestyle Southern food that only a Grandmother, as the name references, could make. The dining room is small but very elegant and the wait staff was quite courteous and attentive. The cornbread that they serve at sit-down is a bit above standard fare, served warm and buttered. There's nothing amazing about it but it's better than those bland dinner rolls I'm used to eating while reading a menu. The brown sugar lemonade, to me, was amazing in its on right. It's apparent that bottled lemon juice was most likely used here, but the brown sugar gives it a depth of flavor, a nice twist to the traditional white sugar variants. There was something else going on with the lemonade but I can't put my finger on it. Whatever it was, it certainly wasn't a bad thing.
I ordered the cream of crab soup which was a bit salty but well seasoned and the correct consistency, not verging on pudding, and not too buttery. That was an unexpected surprise from a restaurant emphasising Southern. The main course for me was chicken & waffles. Now, there are no other places in the Baltimore area that I know of who serve this dish. The closest known place would be Ron Winans & Gladys Knights Chicken & Waffles in Largo, which was my first experience with the dish but the chicken was bland. Granny's gets high marks here. My only complaint is that the waffles were a bit heavy, but the chicken wings were full of flavor and but not overly salty. At $13.95 I thought the dish was a little expensive, but then I realized that I'd get two sides. They dont cut corners on the sides either. The fried potatoes are really like my mother used to make on Sunday mornings, sliced about 1/4 inch thick and fried with onions and green peppers until the potatoes are soft and the onions and peppers have almost melted together. That was heaven. Second side was fried apples, which was also good but I couldn't handle anymore sweets between the chicken & waffles that I drizzled syrup over and the lemonade. It's obvious that attention was given to both side dishes. Anytime the side dish can be eaten as a meal itself, its a winner.
I didn't make it to dessert but I'm sure it would have been delicious also. Total bill was $25 as I dined alone but it was very much worth it. This restaurant gets high praises from me. The wait staff was friendly, the atmosphere was cozy, and the food was delicious. The owner came and greeted me and I commented on the food, and if she reads this I will be putting the leftovers in the oven tomorrow as she recommended. I do taste the love!
Top five Baltimore area pizza places?
I think that's a bit of a stretch. Ever searched DC for good pizza? How abut Richmond? Virginia Beach? Baltimore may not be on par with New Haven or NYC and, of course, pizza is not our claim to fame here. Still, there's probably more good pizza to be found here than in the other cities I've mentioned. To say this is the weakest pizza city on the east coast is a little over the top.
Top five Baltimore area pizza places?
Never on Sunday serves mediocre pizza but their gyros are the best I've had in this city!
Primanti Brothers Type Sandwich in Baltimore
Sorry, but Captain Harvey's cheesesteaks are absolutely atrocious. They've made a name for themselves by piling sandwiches with dry tasteless meat that the flimsy bread can't hold. Last time I had one of their sandwiches, the bread was crumbling and the cheese was not melted. Now, on to Primanti's. I definetely think its worth a visit to Primanti's in the Strip District. I went to Pittsburgh last summer for absolutely no other reason than to see what the city looked like and leave (I do those types of things from time to time). While I was there I had lunch at Primanti's. It was packed; can't say it was the best sandwich in the world but it wasn't bad. I believe I ordered the corned beef sandwich and it was piled, as promised, with french fries, cole slaw, tomatoes, meat, and cheese. It is an experience that I think should be enjoyed in Pittsburgh at least for the authenticity.
NJ Turnpike Exit 2
Not much in this area. Back in the day, when Blue Plate used to be Hilltop, I would have suggested getting some homemade chicken pot pie (more like chicken & dumplings). But that is no more. The influx of out-of-towners moving in seem to want something more than that tasty blue collar dish. I personally liked the area more when it was a farm community.
Off the rant, you can try the Harrison House, which is the diner on 322 and 45 in Mullica Hill. For me, Harrison House is a bit on the boring side. Or, you can travel down Kings Hwy (Exit 2 to 322 West to Kings Hwy South) to Vesuvios and get a decent cheesesteak. For a true Jersey breakfast in a fast paced atmosphere, try Angelos Diner in Glassboro. The service isn't great, but the breakfast is good.
Edit: Seems my suggestions are a bit late. Sorry.
Cheesecake in Baltimore??
I've had a cheesecake topped with fresh fruit and I didn't like it. I think it was topped with blueberries, kiwi, strawberries and, if I am not mistaken, oranges. Yes, it looked nice but the cake was overwhelmed by the fruit. In addition, the fruit combination was weird. A great cheesecake can stand alone, of course, or you could throw some Comstock or another fruit syrup (preferably cherry or strawberry) on for good measure. But I personally am all about crust. I think that Cheesecake Factory, albeit a chain, has a very good crust which in turn makes it an even better cheesecake. It also has a nice, creamy consistency.
I just don't want to accept the fact that the cheesecake that suits my palete comes from a chain restaurant.
Best Pizza in N.J.
I'll second Alfred's for a fantastic pie. I wonder why South Jersey isn't getting any love in this thread?? If you want to get a great Buffalo chicken pizza, go for Riccardo's in Washington Twp, close to Five Points.
I should also note that we all see how controversial the pizza subject can be. I am from Jersey but live in Baltimore now, and the topic that's been posted in that forum has also reached over 150 posts. The topic on the Midwest/Chicago board is climbing to 100 posts. And this topic has grown to 170 posts. It's just funny how the pizza subject grabs so much attention and stirs so much controversy. NYC people swear by their pies, CT people think theirs is best, and Jerseyans think there's a pie in the Garden State that eclipses them all. Of course, no one is particularly wrong here. I personally am a fan of deep dish. For me, nothing beats Giordano's in the Chi. In Jersey, Alfred's is excellent and I am curious about DeLorenzos.
Top five Baltimore area pizza places?
I took a buddy out to Matthew's last night. It was our first time eating their pizza and, let me tell you, they turn out a very delicious pie. As everyone has attempted to describe, there's something different about their pie. It's not deepdish, not thin crust, but it's damn good. I got the Great White with a bowl of tomato sauce on the side, and my buddy tried the Four Seasons. Needless to say, we both left completely satisfied. Great service, by the way. My buddy ordered a cup of tea that they served steaming hot (hard to get a steaming hot drink at most diners and restaurants per my experience, unless you stress it to the waiter/tress) which was a big plus and not expected from a pizza joint. Matthew's has a great Mom & Pop feel to it as well.
With this experience, my list has been rounded out. My Top 3 would have to be:
1. Matthews
2. 3M (Gourmet Pizza)
3. Dominic's
As you can see, I'm not the biggest fan of thin crust. Being from Jersey, I grew up on thin crust pizza. Baltimore has some totally different kinds of pizza (texture wise), and I like the diversity.
Cheesecake in Baltimore??
Guys and gals-
Is there any place that dishes out a good cheesecake, or do I have to continue going to Cheesecake Factory? Not that I mind their cheesecake (best thing going for the place), but this can't be the best in Baltimore, can it? It seems that every diner that serves cheesecake do not believe in crust. I personally enjoy crust. Can anyone offer some suggestions on where to find a good cheesecake around here??
Top five Baltimore area pizza places?
I actually visited Dominick's last night and it was quite fulfilling. The pie was a bit doughy, not too thin and not too crispy. For what it was, a delicious pie. A couple of weeks back I ate at Pizza Johns. Also a very good pie. It should be reminded that these two places offer what I'd consider to be a completely different taste. One is crispier, the other a bit doughier. Dominics is what I'd consider to be "Baltimore style" if there is any such thing. The reason why I say this is because I've had several experiences down here that taste different than pizza I've had anywhere else, yet those ones down here have some consistent characteristics.
There was a place on York Rd. just past Woodbourne Ave. called Gourmet Pizza that had a very good "Baltimore style" pie. A little greasier than some places, but the pizza had that doughiness, and the sauce had a unique, a tiny bit sweet, taste. I can't describe it, but if you aren't into pizzas that dont have crispy NY style crusts, you might not enjoy these places I'm talking about.
the philly cheesesteak (not in philly)
And who knows. Maybe there's a place carved out of the side of a Baltimore row home, or smushed between some factories and the expressway, in a less desirable area, or just way off the beaten path that's dishing out a cheesesteak worthy of even a staunch Philadelphian's glory.
Best Crabcake in Baltimore area
Scratch Angelina's from the list. I went there a little over a year ago only to find that they changed ownership. The place was empty on a Friday night in the middle of July. I think there was one other small party dining that night. Anyway, the crab cakes were awful and "market price" turned out to be $42. On top of that, the coziness of the place was gone. No more candle-lit tables. Maybe the new owners went back to the original formula, but you don't change a winning thing.
I guess I'll just have to stick with Timbuktu for the cakes. They did away with the crackers and cheese, a bummer, but the crabcakes are still delicious.
Iggies Pizza and other B-More disappointments
I don't think it would be a stretch to expect to find a real Philly-style cheesesteak here in Baltimore (I mean bread and ALL). I thought I had realistic expectations. I mean, I was in Marcus Hook (just south of Philly) and it only took me an hour to get there from here. I didn't realize that those 70 or so miles made such a difference. Between Baltimore Cecil County I'd expect there to be at least one good Philly-esque sub shop. Oddly enough, the best cheesesteak I've eaten in this area was closer to DC (SSS).
It's probable that if many of these places got hold of a good bread like Amoroso's or Liscios, the sandwiches would be that much better. Sadly, to me if your bread sucks, well, your entire sandwich goes down with it.
Iggies Pizza and other B-More disappointments
I can't believe that I got ridiculed for assuming that The Real Thing was to imply an attempt at replicating a real Philly steak. Reading the newspaper clippings on the wall of the joint and talking to the guy behind the counter who I thought may have been the owner (who said he was originally from Philly), I thought my assumption was at least educated, and my expectations understandable.
That being said, I have yet to try MaGerks; I also hear Jeno's is decent. I think I already mentioned South Street Steaks down in College Park, which I believe is the closest you're gonna get. As far as the standard sub rolls here, while they usually make for a terrible cheesesteak, they're actually good for crabcake subs; not too much bread to overwhelm the sandwich. Casa Mia's on Taylor Ave makes an excellent crabcake sub, BTW.
Iggies Pizza and other B-More disappointments
Obviously, certain other aspects of the trip dominated my opinion of the experience. The omelette itself would have been a little better with American cheese but I went with the cheddar. Otherwise it was a decent omelette at best. I'm a fan of the Amish market's omelettes myself, and hold them as a standard. My guest had the huevos rancheros, which I probably would have liked, but that's not her type of breakfast dish and therefore she was disappointed with it. To their credit, and worth mentioning (forgive me for being human and forgetting), I did have their cinnamon rolls, a breakfast element that's honestly hard to find at most restaurants. They were pretty good, but not worth the trip back.
Not surprising, there are a few other reviews on the internet (other sites) that rant on Blue Moon.
Iggies Pizza and other B-More disappointments
No stretch. Mama Celeste would have made for a much better lunch than what I had today. Maybe it was a bad day at Iggies or just a bad pie for me. I just want to give an informed opinion.
Iggies Pizza and other B-More disappointments
I think everyone would be happier. Heck, I know I'd be happier if my favorite restaurant slashed their prices in half. And? Isn't price considered in most cases when assessing an eating establishment? My criteria, of course, is not based solely on price. If that were the case, I'd limit my diet to Ramen noodles and chicken gizzards and only eat out at Mickey D's. Sorry if I misled you to thinking that my bias is based on price alone. It's ultimately up to everyone to try these places themselves. They might have a great experience, like the one I was anticipating.
Funny as it is, no one really seems to care what I said about the other two places. Maybe Iggies has a cultish following of sorts or something. I'll keep that it mind the next time I decide to slam a place here on CH. Tough crowd......
Iggies Pizza and other B-More disappointments
I can respect that. Maybe this sort of thin crust isn't my thing. I tried Joe Squared and wasn't particularly blown away either. And I guess I can do away with the "high quality ingredients". The always affordable corner pizzeria always sufficed well. I guess I'll stick with searching for more of those. Next up: Matthew's and Fortunado's.
Iggies Pizza and other B-More disappointments
Disappointment #1: Iggies Pizza
So today, since Iggies is almost literally ten paces from my job, I decided to investigate what all of the clammer over their pizza was about. I viewed their menu online but was not forewarned about the price. Suffice to say, I was startled reading how much I'd have to invest in a standard 8" cheese pizza. But it was easy to see why; Iggies seems to be all about adding a "trendy" upscale spin on an otherwise blue collar meal. I've been to these types of places before and they usually pale in comparison to honest, family owned and neighborhood driven counterparts, especially in the arena of pizza. Anyway, I coughed up $8.50+ tax for an 8" Quattro Formaggi which had obviously spent a smidge too much time in the oven. That may have been the culprit, but I doubt it could explain the sad looking pie. What was supposed to be roasted garlic tasted more like they spread a garlic paste under the cheese, and it overwhelmed the pizza along with the taste of burnt embers. The use of cheese was stingy, at best. For the same amount, I could have bought at least 6 Mama Celeste pizzas from Shoppers and been outstandlingly satisfied. Same size, better value.
Disappointment #2: Blue Moon Cafe
You know, it seems like most places that are raved about in local papers and spoken highly of on AOL City Guide I have a bad experience with. Such was the case at Blue Moon. It could possibly have been the wrong day, or maybe the alignment of the celestial bodies, but I probably won't be going back for a redemptive meal. First of all, eating here is a tight squeeze. Now, I had the unfortunate experience of getting here by 10am on a Sunday, so anyone who's been here can imagine the wait that had already formed. I waited in the cold, in my car, and in the cold again for at least 25 minutes before my name was called. OK, I can excuse that; business is good. Anyway, I am finally seated with my guest and, being the caring and concerned male that I am, I chose the less comfortable of our seating options at the table: the chair next to the door. Mind you, it's a blustery morning outside, so not only did I have to constantly move my chair up for incoming patrons, but I'd also get a nice shot of cold air down my back every time the door was opened. Whatever, I excused this also and chalked it up as part of the experience. Besides, we hadn't eaten yet.
One thing that had already irked me was the unfulfilled hopes of fresh squeezed orange juice that had been a raved about item in the City Guide. It was only 10:30 am and they already ran out, so I had to settle for an iced tea. The major disappointment came when I decided to order a Western Omelette to find that they did not offer American cheese. What? A menu offering omelettes and you don't have American cheese? What kind of establishment is this?!! Needless to say, that was the final and deciding blow. I'd much rather have gone to either of the Double T diners and probably would have saved a couple of dollars as well. City Guide and City Paper let me down on this one, but the experience was educational nonetheless.
Disappointment #3: The Real Thing
Not such a surprise, I'd mainly fault this establishment with not delivering on the expectations of such a bold name. The "Real Thing" was a real disappointment in many ways but, to its merit, was not unlike any other Baltimore cheesesteak (this is a sub shop, by the way). The bread was a little better than the usual flimsy, could-substitute-as-hotdog-roll type of bread that I've experienced. The true test of structural fortitude for any cheesesteak is whether or not it can survive a "to go" trip. My sandwich barely made it home, and within a couple of bites it was ready to collapse on itself, which it eventually did and I wound up eating the rest with a spoon and fork. Not a good experience. I'm from South Jersey, so my cheesesteak expectations are a bit high, and on that note, the Real Thing does not deliver anything beyond the usual Baltimore sub. Next time I'll suck it up for the 45 minute trip to South Street Steaks in College Park for a much better attempt at the "real thing".
Edit: To their credit, though, The Real Thing did not provide nearly as bad an experience as the overly hyped Captain Harvey's. Ugghhh, who keeps suggesting this place? Not only was I served meat from a heaping pile that must have been sitting on a grill for hours, when I got the sandwich home (a 20 minute drive), it was a mangled mess and the cheese wasn't even melted. And to think, I spent $9 on that mess of a sandwich.
