Food in Baltimore City Part 1

Baltimore isn't known for great food. I have a love/hate relationship with this city, and I can see why most people choose to stay away from parts that are not the Inner Harbor or Fells Point: crackheads, drugs, violence, and the overall grimeyness of it all. If you dig deep, though, you can find great places to eat. I would not and will not call myself a "foodie", but I will call myself a fan of great, fresh food with highly discriminating tastes. Here are the places that have been no-fail in food and service for me.

*** Note: I don't drink so my price ranges and psuedo reviews of these places do not take in consideration beverage menus ***

$       Cheap
$$     Moderate
$$$   Expensive
$$$$ Breakin' da bank

B&O American Brasserie 2 North Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21201 - Downtown $$$
This restaurant occupies the original Baltimore & Ohio Railway headquarters and is connected to the Hotel Monaco in Downtown. Beautiful, gorgeous architechture: tall ceilings, dark wood tables, huge windows, leather walls, and grand chandeliers. It has that 1960's, Mad Men feel in their decor. Great for dates. Raved as one of the best restaurants in Baltimore, they serve American cuisine made with seasonal and local ingredients.

Quite 'Mad Men'-esque

Salt 2127 E. Pratt Street, Baltimore, MD 21231 - Butcher's Hill/Upper Fell's Point $$$
I'm so lucky to live blocks away from this establishment. An ever-changing menu featuring New American cuisine made with fresh, local, and seasonal ingredients. The food itself is fine-dining in its quality and portions (think: opposite of TGIFRidays), but the decor is modern and hip. And they have Duck fat fries!

Johnny Rad's 2108 Eastern Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21231 - Upper Fell's Point $$
Imagine if a skater/punk grew up and opened a pizzeria-tavern. Throw some 80's punk records and old, worn skate decks on the wall, along with a logo that's a mirror image of the Black Flag logo -- Rad's in Upper Fell's Point is what you get. But in no way is this place close to being a dive bar. Pizza here is borerline gourmet. You get fresh ingredients on soft, crispy crust. I don't drink, but they def have an elaborate list of beers. I've come here so much with my boyfriend that our server remembers our order. UGH So embarassing to have become what I never wanted to become: a 'Regular'.

Caprese, the only pizza I order here

Sip & Bite 2200 Boston Street, Baltimore, MD 21231 - Canton $
Greasy spoon serving the best breakfast food with the occassional special in between. Typical Greek fare is served in diner portions at a cheap price. Open 24 hours except on Tuesdays (for now anyways). Love love love this place. Never a disappointing meal here (eat your heart out, Blue Moon Cafe!). Plus, George Clooney has eaten here!

Except on Tuesdays

Pete's Grill 3130 Greenmount Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21218 - Waverly $
Not a single table in sight here; only a counter that seats no more than 15 people. If you want a seat here, you can wait or come back a later time. But keep in mind that they close at 1 pm everyday. I used to live a couple blocks from here and I easily rolled out of bed into a seat here. They have lunch options, but I always just ordered breakfast. Cheap, plentiful, and quick.

Apparently, Micheal Phelps has dined here after boning girls all night