|
|
|
|
Duda's Tavern
The Top List of Best Buy Restaurants - Baltimore, MD
Bargain Hunting? We’ve got Good Cheap Eats All Over Baltimore
by Amy Cynkar & Cindy Epstein
Hungry for a great bargain? You're going to find that $20 goes a lot further than you thought to get a great meal. Not a fast food burger and fries, a diner breakfast, or a meal from one of the chains, but really good food at fantastic eateries all over the city. Here are ten you might want to try.
BAN THAI RESTAURANT
340 N. Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21201
(410) 727-7971
HOURS: Mon-Sat 11 am-10 pm; Closed Sun
For a great Thai meal at a bargain price, try Ban Thai Restaurant. Family-owned and operated, this Thai treasure near Johns Hopkins in Mt. Vernon offers a variety of traditional Thai dishes. The favorite of many is the Pad Thai, a mildly seasoned dish of sautéed rice noodles, mung bean sprouts, shrimp, eggs, and crushed peanuts. Also popular is the Ka Prow, beef, chicken or pork sautéed with hot chili and basil leaves. The blend of spices in Thai cooking is very aromatic and can range from gently mellow to fiery and spicy – try one of the restaurant’s curry dishes for a real taste of what we mean. The coconut ice cream is made on site and is a must-have. It's made with fresh coconut milk and served with shavings of fresh coconut and palm nuts.
Estimated cost per person for dinner = $15 - 20
Holiday Schedule: New Years Day-Closed, Valentines Day-Open, Easter-Closed, Thanksgiving-Closed, Christmas Eve-Closed, Christmas Day-Closed, New Years Eve-Closed
ATTMAN'S DELICATESSEN
1019 E. Lombard Street, Baltimore, MD 21202
(410) 563-2666
HOURS: Mon-Sat 8 am-6:30 pm; Sun 8 am-5pm
For three generations, this authentic New York delicatessen on Corned Beef Row, just east of downtown, has been serving up a lot of kibitzing, mostly in English peppered with Yiddish. Whether you want lox, pastrami, corned beef, brisket, borscht, whitefish salad, or fresh bagels, you can get it at Attman's, provided you speak loud enough and don’t get trampled by the lunchtime crowd that frequents. The place oozes with character, if not décor. Diners can eat-in or carryout; Attman’s website also allows you to place your lunch order online, and have it delivered right to your door.
Estimated cost per person = $10 - 15
Holiday Schedule: New Years Day-Closed, Valentines Day-Open, Easter-Open, Thanksgiving-Closed, Christmas Eve-Open, Christmas Day-Closed, New Years Eve- Open
SOBO CAFE
6 W. Cross Street, Baltimore, MD 21230
(410) 752-1518
HOURS: Sun-Sat 12 pm-4 pm and 6 pm-10 pm
Funky, artsy SoBo Café offers remarkably low-priced dinner entrees made with imagination and flair. Their famous chicken potpie is an incredible tummy-filler you won't soon forget. In fact, you might not be able to finish it, or any of the other very generous portions SoBo serves. The menu changes daily, but you're guaranteed to find a beef, chicken, fish and vegetarian dish on the dinner menu. Entrees include the likes of succulent thyme and pepper marinated pork loin, cinnamon-coated chicken breast in raspberry vinaigrette, or soy roasted mahi-mahi with ginger relish. Appetizers are also very reasonable. At $3 you can try their cheesy spinach pie or their gourmet macaroni and cheese. The servers are very laid back, and you might have to wait longer than you'd like for your dinner, but the creative "New American Comfort Food" will make it all worthwhile.
Estimated cost per person for dinner = $15 - 20
Holiday Schedule: New Years Day-Closed, Valentines Day-Open, Easter-Closed, Thanksgiving-Closed, Christmas Eve-Closed, Christmas Day-Closed, New Years Eve-Closed
RAS DOOBIE DE CHEF CATERING AND CAFE
213 Penn Street, Baltimore, MD 21230
(410) 752-3896
HOURS: Tue-Fri 11 am-10 pm; Sat 1 pm-10 pm
Recently named “Baltimore’s Best Jamaican Restaurant” by City Paper, you can't help but fall in love with the sweet kindness and charming island hospitality at Ras Doobie, hidden away in Baltimore’s Ridgely’s Delight neighborhood. Carolyn Linton, aka Queen Nzinga, welcomes you like an old friend and tells you what her husband, Chef Ras Doobie, is cooking for dinner. You'll always find a vegetarian, fish and chicken entrée on the ever-changing menu. Jerk chicken prepared with homemade jerk seasoning, curried goat, oxtail stew, and deep-fried catfish with a tangy citrus marinade are among the favorites. You may also find the black beans and brown rice, fried plantains, or pumpkin soup among the evening's choices. The portions are huge, so you'll have lunch for tomorrow. Don't leave without sampling the unique Jamaican "Sweets Ya Soul" desserts like the homemade key lime pie or toto cake, described on the menu as jus’ plain good.
Estimated cost per person for dinner = $12 - 18
Holiday Schedule: New Years Day-Closed, Valentines Day-Open, Easter-Closed, Thanksgiving-Closed, Christmas Eve-Closed, Christmas Day-Closed, New Years Eve-Closed
DUDA'S TAVERN
1600 Thames Street, Baltimore, MD 21231
(410) 276-9719
HOURS: Mon- Sat 11 am-1 am; Closed Sun
The locals love this tiny Fells Pont hangout because of its friendly atmosphere, great food, mainly of the comfort variety, bargain prices, and extensive selection of beers. There are 16 brews on tap and at least another 150 varieties by the bottle. Jumbo lump crab cakes are a real favorite, made with big chunks of fresh crabmeat. The hearty chili bake is a signature of Duda's and is a great complement for your ice cold beer. The charbroiled burgers are big and juicy, and if you're beef and beer lover, stop by on Thursday night for a great steak at a great price. You'll also find a selection of seafood entrees. Not often visited by the tourist crowd, the locals try to keep Duda's a secret. Once you visit, you'll understand why.
Estimated cost per person for dinner = $15 - 20
Holiday Schedule: New Years Day-Open, Valentines Day-Open, Easter-Closed, Thanksgiving-Closed, Christmas Eve-Closed, Christmas Day-Closed, New Years Eve-Open
MATTHEW’S PIZZA
3131 Eastern Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21224
(410) 276-8755
HOURS: Mon-Thu 11 am-10 pm; Fri-Sat 11 am-11 pm; Sun 12 pm-8 pm
If you can forgive the restaurant’s humble dining area, you’re in for a real treat at this long-time Highlandtown neighborhood establishment, which boasts the best pizza in Baltimore. From tasty traditional Italian pizzas like the Margherita, topped with fresh basil, freshly diced tomatoes, mozzarella and extra-virgin olive oil to the Crab Pie, a Baltimore favorite topped with 100% lump crab meat, cheese and carmelized onions with Old Bay seasoning, Matthew’s does it right – and its cheap, too! You also can’t go wrong with one of their famous pastas or sub sandwiches. Carry out is also available.
Estimated cost per person for dinner = $10 - 15
Holiday Schedule: New Years Day-Open, Valentines Day-Open, Easter-Closed, Thanksgiving-Closed, Christmas Eve-Closed, Christmas Day-Closed, New Years Eve-Closed
SIP & BITE
2200 Boston Street, Baltimore, MD 21231
(410) 675-7077
HOURS: Open 24 hours, 7 days a week
The wide variety of good food at inexpensive prices is the real draw at this 24-hour long-time Canton establishment. Sip & Bite offers locals the classic, greasy spoon diner experience, and has been serving up their famous breakfast staples since the late 1940s. The crab cakes and meatloaf are also definitely worth a taste here. Expect to be a bit patient during their busy “after-the-bars-close” hours.
Holiday Schedule: New Years Day-Closed, Valentines Day-Open, Easter-Open, Thanksgiving-Closed, Christmas Eve-Open, Christmas Day-Closed, New Years Eve-Open
Estimated cost per person for dinner = $10 - 20
SAMOS
600 South Oldham Street, Baltimore, MD 21224
(410) 675-5292
HOURS: Mon-Sat 10 am-10 pm
Despite the modest décor, the Greek food is spectacular at this BYOB. You'll find a great variety of authentic Greek dishes at incredibly reasonable prices, served by a lively and friendly wait staff, happy to help with any menu questions you may have. Enjoy crusty old world bread, dipped in hummus, tapenade or the very yummy fish roe dish, taramasalata. You’ll also find fresh feta, kalamata olives, dolmades, and the best authentic Greek pita in the city. Try one of the succulent lamb dishes or the very hearty moussaka that's a meal in itself. You’ll most likely encounter a line for a table anytime you go, and keep in mind that Samos is cash-only.
Estimated cost per person for dinner = $15 - 25
Holiday Schedule: New Years Day-Closed, Valentines Day-Open, Easter-Closed, Thanksgiving-Closed, Christmas Eve-Open, Christmas Day-Closed, New Years Eve-Open
HOLY FRIJOLES
908 West 36th Street, Baltimore, MD 21211
(410) 235-2326
HOURS: Mon-Fri 11 am-11 pm; Sat 12 pm-11 pm; Sun 12 pm-10 pm
Plan to arrive hungry for a lunch or dinner out at this Hampden favorite. Holy Frijoles boasts a menu of simple but substantial Mexican fare at very affordable prices. Nosh on some loaded nachos while you wait for your tacos, burrito or chimichangas to arrive, but save room – the entrees are huge. Bigger parties may have trouble squeezing into this cramped restaurant, but the food is worth a little discomfort. Don’t forget to try one of their specialty margaritas.
Estimated cost per person for dinner = $15 - 20
Holiday Schedule: New Years Day-Closed, Valentines Day-Open, Easter-Closed, Thanksgiving-Closed, Christmas Eve-Closed, Christmas Day-Closed, New Years Eve-Closed
HENNINGER’S TAVERN
1812 Bank Street, Baltimore, MD 21231
(410) 342-2172
HOURS: Tue-Sat 5 pm-1 am
Stick to the less expensive, but limited, menu available at the bar and you’re in for a real treat at this classy, intimate tavern in Fells Point. Homemade chili, served with sour cream, onions and cheese is a mere $5 and you’ve got to try their Seafood Sampler of clams, mussels and shrimp. Henniger’s wine list offers quite a few nice varietals for a reasonable price, and desserts like their Frozen Lemon Tartufo and Pistachio Gelato are not to be missed. While the entrees available at one of the restaurant’s coveted tables is a bit more upscale, prices are still pretty reasonable for the quality and quantity of the dishes. Put Henniger’s on your list of places to try!
Estimated cost per person for dinner = $15 - 20
Holiday Schedule: New Years Day-Closed, Valentines Day-Open, Easter-Open, Thanksgiving-Closed, Christmas Eve-Open, Christmas Day-Closed, New Years Eve-Open
|
|
|
|
|
|