Not Sure What to Order? Here are some Suggestions from Baltimore Diners – and Me!

I published the list below in one of my early newsletters in February of 2021. This was the time of seemingly daily changes to Covid rules of dining out in Baltimore City, so many of us were ordering more takeout than we ever had. You could stick with your old faithfuls but at a certain point, you need something new to try. So, I asked readers to share their favorite takeout orders and it was so great! I personally tried a bunch of new things and during a time when we all needed a little comfort, it felt good.

Since this list is over two years old, I’d love to hear what other faves you’d add to the list. Send me a DM on Instagram: @charmcitycook

One other reason for a list like this is simply to guide people to the most loved items on restaurant menus. I can’t tell you how many times people would say, “I went to such-and-such restaurant and I just didn’t love it…” and then I ask what they ordered and it was clear that they could’ve used a little guidance. Not to say that everyone will like all of the same things, but having a running start with a few suggestions on what to try can be really helpful.

So, now that many of us are going out more than we were two years ago, you can use this list for ordering both in restaurants and via takeout. (Remember to avoid delivery apps as much as you possibly can so the restaurant makes more money from your order!)

SOME FAVES OF MINE:

Cafe Campli – Alla Lanterna at Cafe Campli – lemon butter spaghetti alla chitarra, roasted garlic, cauliflower + garbanzo puree, anchovy bread crumbs, Fava Crostini, Sunday Gravy, excellent cocktails, both boozy and non-alcoholic

Vellegia’s – Melon + prosciutto, Panzanella salad

Allora – Cacio é Pepe, Mortadella Involtini – garlic ricotta, rocket, balsamic glaze, pistachio dust, microgreens, Fig + Prosciutto Toast

Foraged – anything Chris Amendola does with scallops! I have loved every prep I have tried. Also, roasted oysters.

Maiwand Grill – Potato and green pea curry with rice, Potato samosas, Tandoori Chicken Tikka

Ambassador Dining Room – Lamb Vindaloo, Samosas, Chicken Tikka Masala (and a very nice martini)

Birroteca – It’s still so good – you really should go! Carbonara, Bolognese, Garlic bread, Margherita pizza (and, again, a very nice martini) Also, nice outdoor seating.

Chachi’s – Rotisserie chicken (you have to get the ranch dipping sauce), Schmaltz potatoes, pierogis

Atwater’s – Field greens salad, avocado toast

La Cuchara – They still have great specials on happy hour drinks ($20 bottles of wine!), Patatas Bravas, Dayboat scallops, fantastic free bread service

Cosima – Pizza al Gamberi – green onion pesto, shrimp, bacon, provolone, chili oil, Grilled octopus, Gnocchi. Polpette (meatballs)

Marta – Literally everything. My specific faves: Beef tartare, Caesar salad, Spaghetti with crab – and very good cocktails

READERS SUGGESTIONS (Feb 2021)

Chiyo — “All the rolls.”

Cindy Lou’s Fish House — Biscuits, fried green tomatoes, rockfish bites, shrimp and grits, fried chicken. COCKTAILS. (Okay, so, that was everything I have personally had there, it is so good and the patio view is unbelievable.)

The Food Market — “Amish soft pretzels always, always”, Fast Food Market (weekend special), spaghetti and crab meatballs, lamb chops and crispy lobster fingers. “I love ordering from The Food Market because we all can use some comfort right now.”

Chuck’s Trading Post — Wednesday burger special, “every burger is fantastic.”

Nihao — Peking duck, Grand Marnier shrimp, fried rice, cocktails (non-alc, too), Shrimp dumplings

Dylan’s — “The menu is so tight that everything on it is really, really good.” Burger and fries, Caesar salad, kale salad, shucked raw oysters, fried oyster sandwich, killer drinks.

Ethel’s Creole Kitchen — “Consistently my favorite.” 

Foraged — “We order everything.” “I mean, just order anything on the menu, it’s that good.”

Mizu Sushi — “The 3-roll lunch special is such a good deal.”

The Helmand — Kaddo Borwani (pumpkin), Banjan Borwani (eggplant), chicken kabobs, Dwopiaza lamb

The Prime Rib — “The best takeout, what a treat. Get prime rib (obviously), potato skins, mashed potatoes and you have to get martinis.They come in pouches like Capri Suns!” Also, I have to add that their cheeseburger is one of the best I’ve ever had and it’s on the takeout menu.

Petit Louis — Cucumber salad, friseé salad, whole roasted chicken, eggplant napoleon, steak frites, steak au poivre, extra fries always. The whole menu. 

Papermoon Diner — “I love the Spring Egg: potato cake, prosciutto and spinach tossed in olive oil served with 2 over-medium eggs and hollandaise.” (omg, that sounds good!)

Thai Street — Soups, noodles, Khai Soi, spring rolls, crab fried rice 

Annabel Lee Tavern — Grilled tuna panini

Mt. Everest — Saag Paneer, Chana Masala with naan

Snake Hill — Three mentions of their wings!

The Local Fry — “Tofu Bahn Mi, Asada fries. So good.”  I also LOVE their dry rubbed wings in a many flavors and I love that you can order all flats! (team flats over here.)

Isabella’s — “Best Italian Cold Cut in the City!”

Souvlaki — Pantzarokeftedes (beet wrap), Bifteki with Greek fries

Hersh’s — Caesar salad, Americano pie, crostini, wings, carbonara — “Literally everything is good here.”

Sobo Cafe — Ranch garden salad, short rib, salmon, mussels, spicy feta, mac ‘n cheese

Clavel — Margaritas, all the tacos, burritos. “For real, everything is good here.”

Sushi Sizka — Pingpong roll, spicy salmon roll, Caribbean roll

Koko’s  — Crab cakes and wings

Alma Cocina Latina — “The arepas are the best.”

Jasa Kabob — Curry and vegetable samosas

Paulie Gee’s — “Their Wednesday wood-fired special is great. It’s 2 pizzas for $22 or 4 pizzas for $44.”

The Tilted Row — “Pasta dishes and Andy’s Mac ‘n cheese, a carryover from his days at Donna’s in Charles Village”

Wet City — “The Bahn Mi Dog, Ribeye Cheesesteak, Hot Chicken Sandwich — plus amazing beers in crowlers.”

Kitsch Cafe — “Incredible breakfast sandwiches. Plus, when you order a ‘Givewich, it goes to someone who needs a meal.”

Ekiben — Neighborhood Bird, tempura broccoli (now GF), tofu brah, shrimp snacks, tons of creative and delicious collaborations. And you can also “Buy a Hero a Bun” for a healthcare worker if you’d like to help folks on the front lines.

Ramen Utsuke — “Consistently excellent ramen.”

BRD — “Such a good lunch!”

Le Comptoir Du Vin — “We love their sandwiches and the lentils.” I have to add that I could absolutely eat their chicken liver pâté on sourdough once a week. ​