101 Feature
Cheap Eats
Published: August 16, 2010
Baltimore may have its problems, but finding a cheap and tasty bite isn’t one of them. Still, some areas have more to offer than others. Students at Hopkins, MICA, and UB can walk to more delicious bargain noshes than we could fit here. Morgan students only sang the praises of one nearby option, and Coppin students told us the most popular places to eat were the chains at Mondawmin Mall. Schools outside the city are a mixed bag, and often the restaurants are more in driving or bussing than walking distance.
By Johns Hopkins University
Carma’s Café
3120 St. Paul St., (410) 243-5200, carmascafe.com
Carma’s Café is a small but cozy hideout that offers warm drinks, paninis, and scrumptious baked goods.
Charles Village Pub
3107 St. Paul St., (410) 243-1611, cvptowson.com
Bar food heaven. XXL garbage nachos, fish and chips, potato skins, and a cheap-as-hell Sunday brunch menu with $3 bloody marys and mimosas.
Chocolatea
3811 Canterbury Road, (410) 366-0095, chocolateacafe.com
Chocolatea offers sweet liquid bliss in the form of warm strawberry Nutella, pumpkin spice, and peppermint candy lattes, as well as white, green, herbal, and oolong teas, plus breakfast staples and Asian lunch items.
The Dizz
300 W. 30th St., (443) 869-5864
The Dizz is a Remington institution, offering ace soups, cheap burgers, a mouthwatering turkey club, and a rotating list of old-fashioned entrées, written up daily in loopy handwriting.
M&J’s Soul Food
102 E. 25th St., (410) 235-7685, mandjsoulfood.com
M&J’s is a welcome alternative to boilerplate carry-out fare—why settle for pizza or subs when divine orders of barbecue ribs or made-to-order fried chicken can be had for about the same price?
New Wyman Park Restaurant
138 W. 25th St., (410) 235-5100
A good old-school choice if you’re craving breakfast food, although the sandwiches and entrées are also pleasant, and all are priced low.
One World Café
100 West University Parkway, (410) 235-5777, one-world-cafe.com
One World is a cozy, genuine respite with good food, good coffee, and beer. And the vegetarian menu can give any place in town a run for its money.
PaperMoon Diner
227 W. 29th St., (410) 889-4444, papermoondiner24.com
PaperMoon’s décor looks like the result of a disturbed 7-year-old boy who got hold of all his sister’s playthings. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are available all day with a variety of vegetarian and vegan options.
Pete’s Grille
3130 Greenmount Ave., (410) 467-7698
An old-fashioned diner with counter seating that gives diners a front-row seat for the flapjack- and patty-flipping. Breakfast and lunch classics; no dinner service.
Sweet Sin bakery
123 W. 27th St., (410) 464-7211, glutenfreedesserts.com
Sweet Sin Bakery focuses on gluten-free dishes with savory fare in the form of appetizers and entrées and a dazzling array of cupcakes including soy- and dairy-free options as well.
University Mini Mart
3201-G St. Paul St., (410) 366-6630
Open 24 hours, UMM has solid Middle Eastern offerings like the falafel and hummus sandwich.
By University of Baltimore/Maryland Institute College of Art
Aloha Sushi and Aloha Hibachi Grill
1218 N. Charles St., (443) 759-8531, alohasushimd.com
The bar has a divey neighborhood feel, the sushi restaurant keeps prices low while still offering fresh fish, and the Hibachi Grill offers Korean and Japanese delicacies.
Dukem
1100 Maryland Ave., (410) 385-0318, dukemrestaurant.com
Dukem’s Ethiopian specialties arrive on giant spongy buckwheat pancakes called injera. Diners tear off pieces of bread to scoop up tasty treats such as lamb, beef, or veggies, stewed until tender in exotic spice mixes.
iBar
2118 Maryland Ave., (410) 637-3089, ibarbalt.com
The Buffalo wings, bright orange things that look like they’ve been cooked in the heart of Chernobyl, are tasty and dangerous (and half price on Wednesdays). Beyond that, expect the usual bar food and a friendly atmosphere.
Kader’s Café Mocha
1501 St. Paul St., (410) 962-5717
Kader’s slate of sandwiches are comfortingly filling without being overstuffed, and the paninis are cheese-filled crunchy goodness, but the roasted salmon sandwich occupies a special place in the heart.
On the Hill Café and Market
1431 John St., (410) 225-9667, onthehillcafe.com
Inexpensive soups, sandwiches, burritos, and salads are the mainstays of the menu, but rounding it out are homemade quiches, savory tarts, and burgers.
Sofi’s Crêpes
1723 N. Charles St., (410) 727-7732, sofiscrepes.com
Sofi’s serves a variety of dessert crêpes alongside a menu of heartier savory crêpes big enough for a smallish meal in its cramped quarters next to the Charles Theatre. It gets packed quickly, but the line moves fast.
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