Summer Eats in BMore

Due to the fact that I had an absurd amount of time to screw around this summer, I discovered lots of food places, both new and established, in the Baltimore area that I thought I’d share for those interested. If you’re in the area and a fat ass like me, then you might want to continue reading.

THE UNDERRATED

Café Filí – Mt. Vernon

This place was so good I went twice, two weekends in a row and got the same thing. They only serve breakfast and lunch, but it is SO worth going for one of the two meals. They offer modern takes on Mediterranean dishes. Counter service, very reasonable prices considering the portions, and food comes out quickly – very important for a hangry bitch like me.

Lamb shawarma grain bowl with roasted cauliflower, hummus, fatoosh, and a creamy yogurt sauce that tasted like a garlicky tzatziki for $14! You bet your ass I ate the whole thing.

Red Pepper Sichuan Bistro – Towson

Probably some of the best Chinese food I’ve ever had (including food from home and NYC). I’ve been here twice, once when my dad visited and once when my mom visited lol because it’s a little expensive, but like 2-ish dollar signs on Yelp. I grew up with a lot of these dishes, so they really hit home when it comes to authenticity. The inside is also hella bougie, you need to see for yourself.

Smoked tea duck

Wontons; snow pea tips

Braised pork

Get the wontons in hot chili oil, they’re not that spicy and so freakin’ delicious.

Taqueria El Sabor del Parque – Patterson Park

I’m surprised that more people don’t know about this place, but it’s literally the only place I know in Baltimore that has REAL tacos (the ones that are 2-3 dollars each). The cebollitas, cilantro, lime: all the works.

FOD Poke Bar – Towson

Personally, the more shit in my poke bowl, the better. And this place lets you do just that at a fairly reasonable price. Lots of dietary options and toppings to choose from to make your own bowl. Great place to go to after getting slammed at Barley’s Backyard during power hour, and then make your way across the street for either boba at Gong Cha or cookies at Insomnia.

Kong Pocha – Station North

More people need to know about this hole in the wall! Food and aesthetic approved by Korean boyfriend.

Water Song Yunnan Kitchen – Federal Hill

Go here for fancy Chinese food. I was super unfamiliar with most of the dishes since they are particular to the Yunnan Province, but still good, nonetheless. I can see their noodle soups being really good for a hangover. Modern enough to appease the vegans, authentic enough to appease the Chinese.

Stir-fried cauliflower, braised beef noodles, & BBQ short ribs.

THE MAINSTREAM BUT STILL GOOD

Ekiben – Hampden

My boyfriend and I have been trying to eat from here since APRIL and finally got around to it in June. There’s another location in Fells Point but both places DO NOT offer any sit-down dining; it’s carry-out only so you know that shit is good. Small menu with Asian-inspired bao, bowls, and a few side dishes. You can’t pinpoint exactly where the flavors are from which I think is awesome; they’ve got dishes with Thai, Taiwanese, Viet, and even Mexican spices.

The neighborhood bird bao and the crispy tofu bowl. Keep in mind that I picked this up and drove an hour to Annapolis where George goes to school, and we finished everything, room-temp to cold, in a matter of minutes.

DiPasquale’s Italian Market – Brewers Hill (Canton)

Your neighborhood Italian market and deli with all the works and then some. The number of options is a little overwhelming but well worth your time looking over the menu. If you’re an Italian craving traditional Italian food, I would assume this would be the place to go to since they are closed on God’s Day.

Choice of 3 sides: marinated calamari, orecchiette with Italian sausage and broccoli rabe, meatballs

Artifact Coffee – Hampden

I was pleasantly surprised with the food menu from this place. Coffee was obviously delicious, but this is a great place to go to if you’re looking for lunch and study time. The atmosphere in the main dining room is fairly quiet except for the sounds of the kitchen.

Oat milk latte

Kale salad with rockfish

THE NEW NEW

Toki Tako – Rotunda

Based on the name of this place, I thought it would be slightly too westernized for my taste, but it’s quite the opposite. Their originality is Korean-style tacos in corn tortillas, but they also serve rice boxes with different types of meats and veggies. Their menu also has side dishes like tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes) and corn cheese.

Pork belly doshi (rice box)

Kitsch – Hopkins

The BEST sandwich place ever, no cap. They always have the best music playing inside, but there is no seated dining because the place is so small so it's best if you order online. They're located on the first floor of The Carlyle right across from Hopkins. My mouth is watering thinking about this place. Words can literally not describe how good their food is, so you'll just have to go see for yourself.

Egg sammie w/ bacon and hot honey and a side of nitro cold brew

good neighbor – Hampden

Hipster coffee place off of Falls Road that’s worth going to when the weather is nice to sit at their outdoor wooden patio. Not the best place to study inside if you’re not good with noise since they play loud alternative music in the café area, but the place is cute and they sell unique cooking ware, furniture, books, and textiles. Come here more for the ambience than for the coffee, but their blueberry scone is kickass.