As a food writer, I’m asked all the time about where to eat and what to order. So I’ve called a few friends and associates — local celebs, food influencers and “ex-pats” — to find out where they get their happy meals.
They just may make you happy, too!
Randi Rom
I’m obsessed with Pierpoint’s “Baltimore on a Bun” — crabcake, buttermilk-crisped chicken and pit beef with a side of waffle fries!
Smashburgers from the new Doozy’s Diner in Catonsville remind me of my all-time fave burgers from Wimpy’s (back in the day) in Ocean City. And chocolate chip scones from Hampden’s Harmony Bakery do, in fact, make me very happy!
Megan Knight
Anchor/Reporter WMAR-TV
Ahi Tuna Avocado at The Tillery in Owings Mills. Super-fresh tuna topped with a crunchy slaw. The crispy wontons and cucumbers are perfect vessels to scoop up the tuna!
Yucas Bravas at Alma Cocina Latina in Baltimore. I could eat 10 plates of these and still want more. The fried yucca is nice and crunchy, with so much cheese and nice, bright garlic/cilantro sauce.
Tacos from Banditos in Towson. I’ve tried a lot of local tacos, and the ones from Banditos are some of the best in the area. They are full of flavor and leave me feeling full and happy.
The Oreo Bliss dessert at Park Tavern in Severna Park. This dessert is truly blissful! Oreos, covered in Rice Krispies and fried, with a big scoop of vanilla ice cream. Just a couple bites and your sweet tooth will be satisfied.
Lisa Shenkle
Magnolia Blue Southern Coastal Living
Hands down for me, it’s Miss Shirley’s chicken and waffles. In my new business, I travel and explore the South and eat a lot of Southern-inspired cuisine, from shrimp and grits, loads of fresh fish, and — you got it — chicken and waffles. The combo of the honey mustard aioli and cheddar and green onion waffles paired with peppadew jalapeño butter is incomparable to any others I’ve eaten south of the Mason-Dixon!
@Thegoddesscraves
The brisket at Heritage Smokehouse is melt-in-your-mouth delicious. It’s juicy and flavorful with the right amount of smoke! And do not pass on their signature spicy pickles, they’re the perfect crunchy complement.
@Baltimoreguided
The Lyfe Café. You probably recognize the name from the former café in The Shops at Kenilworth. Well, they pivoted to a food truck and the acai and smoothies are better than ever!
Their acai bowls are the best. We love the sunset bowl with pineapple, strawberry and mango over organic unsweetened acai sorbet and crunchy granola topped with chia seeds and honey. It’s 100 percent worth following their truck schedule @TheLyfeCafe so you can find them for the perfect Sunday afternoon (or anytime) nosh.
@Charm City Table
My happy meal is a sandwich, half a dozen smoked mussels and ginger cardamom lemonade from Neopol Savory Smokery. When it comes to the sandwich, it depends on what I am in the mood for. I switch between the smoked salmon BLT, smoked shrimp salad and smoked whitefish salad sandwiches. I love this meal because it’s quick, fresh, filling and flavorful. It’s also nice to know that their ingredients are sustainably sourced. I usually get my “happy meal” from their stall at Belvedere Square Market or their Hollins Market location at 875 Hollins St.
For dessert, I love the gelati or Italian ice from Tia’s Italian Ice in Hampden. Tia’s sells Philly-style water ice, ice cream, pretzels, funnel cakes and more. Their desserts are affordable, and with many of their offerings being vegan and gluten-free, I love stopping here with friends and family since there’s something for everyone. It is difficult for me to pick one favorite Italian ice flavor, but I like to try different color and flavor combinations with each visit. I always leave with my sweet tooth satisfied.
@Foodtravelart
As someone who eats vegetarian foods most of the time, I always return happy from Ekiben. Order the flavorful tempura broccoli topped with red onions and fresh herbs and the tofu brah covered in peanut sauce. It’s quick, inexpensive and has an explosion of flavors you can’t get anywhere else.
Gina Crash
WLIF101.9
Kiko’s Loco Fried Rice at Johnny’s in Roland Park! You can make at least two meals out of it!!
The BLT at THB Bagelry toasted and scooped on a sesame bagel always hits the spot! The Birria Tacos at Papi’s Towson. Going to get some right now!
Greg Carpenter
WLIF 101.9
Milton Inn — French onion soup. There seems to be 1,000 flavors in that soup.
Bowley’s on the Bay — Sunday brunch. The place is on the water and prior to a Ravens game … what more do you need?
McFaul’s IronHorse Tavern — Cheesesteak, a huge portion of cheesy steak goodness.
Papi’s Towson — Quesadilla. Once again you can pinpoint several flavors in one amazing dish.
Ex-Pats
Judi Shaw
From Randallstown
Sabatinos’s bookmaker salad and garlic bread on both sides — I have tried to replicate it (and gotten close), but it’s an impossibility. I grew up eating at Sab’s four or five nights a week, so it’s considered home cooking in my family.
Steamed crabs (from C.J’s) — enough said.
Shrimp salad — surprisingly this is not available on the West Coast. My favorite is Bull on the Beach in Ocean City, but you could get a good shrimp salad all over Baltimore.
Crabcakes — again, an impossibility to replicate outside of Maryland (and some of Delaware). I think that Pappas probably has the best right now. I grew up in Randallstown, and moved to Redondo Beach, Calif. (which has a Marylander-owned food truck that sold crabcakes and shrimp salad) and then Las Vegas (which has ah-mazing food and has one Marylander-owned restaurant that sells some of the above items)
Mindy McShane
From Randallstown
I miss Sabatino’s. My parents went there just about weekly, and in many ways, this Jewish girl thinks of it as a home-cooked meal. The garlic bread done on both sides was my favorite and everything pasta. Also, for dessert, my dad would just get the insides of a cannoli. Oh, and the salad because the dressing is amazing. Sabatino’s was just good, and for me it meant family.
Linda Roth
From Randallstown
I miss the matzoh ball soup (one gigantic matzoh ball!) at Suburban House. I’m likely not alone as they closed in December of 2017. I miss the linguini in white clam sauce (“Frank Sinatra’s favorite) at Sabatino’s — I miss the attitude there, too.
My culinary connection to Baltimore continues, as president of the DC Regional chapter of Les Dames d’Escoffier, which includes members from Baltimore. Les Dames d’Escoffier is a leadership culinary organization composed of women who have achieved success in their profession and contribute significantly to their communities.
And on a kosher note…
Norris And Janice Brodsky
Of Mount Washington
The restaurants that we frequent are kosher including David Chu’s — we love the orange beef — the tasty, crispy dish is delicious. The vegetable eggrolls are excellent, and the lemon chicken is like the orange chicken but with a fabulous lemon sauce.
Dougie’s — all of their subs and sandwiches are big, satisfying, comfort food. They answer to a higher authority! Serengeti offers tender, sizzling steaks. I don’t usually have leftovers, but I try to bring something home for our dog who gobbles them up. And he has a very sophisticated palate!
Randi Rom is president of RJ Rom & Associates. She is a freelance columnist and writer who represents some of the region’s top restaurants and food-related events. Contact her at randirom@comcast.net.
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