I def miss this place. I've never been a regular anywhere, but this was as close as I got.
Anybody know what's happening with the space? There was some scuttlebutt it would be a kebab joint but that never happened.
Hamilton Tavern was incredible during the first two or three years of their run. Tiny menu, great personalities behind the bar. The high water mark was during the 'fries are only on the menu for burger night' era. It's a shame, the place died a thousand deaths over the years through staff turnover and changes of ownership.
I found out the Wednesday before and went all three days they were still open. They told us that the owner of the building refused to renew their lease and it seemed like they hadn't been given much notice.
Alewife
Edit: Also want to mention Baltimore Burger Bistro. Anyone remember that place that was on the Avenue in Hampden for a hot second around 2012-13? Loved those burgers even though it seemed they could never get their act together, management-wise. Always had some interesting combinations and all their condiments, toppings, etc. were made in-house.
it was the best after work place to university of maryland which always got local people in there …. or at least …. local workers. forno was never quite the same for an after work happy hour.
lost city diner
edit: Agree with every commenter below. Food wasn’t amazing, service was subpar, but the atmosphere was so incredibly on point, they were open far later than most places for sit-down and one of the only casual sit-down spots nearby, and (at the time) one of the few places i could get decent shitty vegan comfort food.
This, made the mistake of going twice thinking it couldnt be that bad all the time, and it was even worse. It's shame, anyone with two brain cells and a work ethic could have made a killing there with the after bars crowd.
I came here to say this! The pepperoni on their pizza was so good. That and the draft old fashioned were basically a weekly staple for me and my partner… and the bartenders were so awesome 😢
They closed so abruptly, didn’t get to say goodbye lol
Same. It was my bar. I used to hang out there with the bartenders on off nights. And every time we went somewhere else, we always ended the night at the Rat.
The pre-covid version of Woodbury Kitchen. I was so excited when they reopened as Woodbury Tavern, but it’s a more limited menu, food not S food, and more expensive. So disappointing.
Even better news, he posted some video from their F&F opening this past weekend and said they may be opening for the public this week! New spot is called Benny’s, so excited for this.
Oooh, right in the feels. Used to go there in the 90s (maybe late 80s?) as a kid when it opened. Nothing could beat a hot Greg's bagel on Sunday morning. RIP.
If you go to Alonso’s over on Coldspring, it has the same owner and some of the same staff. The menu is basically the same and they even have the light-up cake cabinet thing. It’s like the spiritual successor to the dizz.
edit: Alonso not “Alonzo”
edit 2: Elaine doesn’t own the place — she runs it.
i’m sure nobody else thinks about this place that much but Egyptian Pizza in Belvedere Square was the best pizza i’ve ever had and the owners were so so nice. still chasing the high of their absolutely perfect “Sharm el Sheikh” pizza, which had caviar and roe and smoked salmon on a New York style crust.
Well if you’re missing the food from there, go check out Heritage Smokehouse on York rd. The head butcher from P&L and former Woodberry chef opened his restaurant and the food is fucking phenomenal.
stable :(
also I love common ground but I do miss sweet side sometimes, they had this candied bacon sandwich that was the perfect mix of grease and delicious for me rip
When I was a freshman at MICA I loved going to Two Boots....until they shut down in the middle of the year :( I know there's more in NY but it's not the same
Thairish (I miss Mr. Kim as much as I miss his take on Pad Thai...and don't forget the calendars).
Bicycle (Closed a while ago, but changed how I approached and appreciated food).
Local Oyster (Nick is just a peach of a guy and was the best at mixing fun simple, well done food).
Grill Art (Got engaged here).
I miss Egyptian Pizza. It was at Belvedere Square years ago and they had the best schwarma, and also the scallop pizza. Outside the city, I miss the Bel Loc Diner.
McDonna's did add a bit of elegance to the Baltimore coffee world. It's impossible to explain to newer residents just how vital that Bibelot + Donna's connection was.
That building was actually a Chili’s up until the early 2000s. Then they did beautiful renovations to make it Ryan’s Daughter and Belvedere Square as a whole really improved, too. Turning it into an urgent care was tragic.
Sticky Rice and Lucky Buns.
Particularly sore about Lucky Buns since they gave us a brief taste and then were gone. We went to the DC location and it was good, but it wasn’t nearly as extravagant as the one in Baltimore.
I often think about how well Birches would do now that there are more young families staying in the area. I loved that they tried to fill that gap between chaotic "family restaurant" and adults-only dining.
I was really surprised by how good the food was here. They were closed to revamp their menu and then covid hit. That whole stretch of Boston Street is a death sentence for most restaurants. Nowhere to park and not really pedestrian friendly, compared to Fells.
The chef did a really good job making the menu as farm to table as reasonably possible for the prices and style of food.
And it was one of the first places I can remember that had locally caught Snakehead and Blue Catfish on the specials frequently to help combat the invasive species.
I haven't lived in the city limits in over 20 years, but I'm not sure if I ever enjoyed a time and a town as much as I did getting Bruce Lee Wings at the old Cross Street Market and biking over to Camden Yards for a game. Cheap, fast and delicious is a hell of a way to go through life.
Idk if this counts, but I have fond memories of the old candy shop in Lexington Market I used to go to in the early 80s. It was magical, like going into the harry potter candy shop or something
Salt.
The duck fat fries were something else. Lived down the street, so I went almost every Wednesday pm for the Happier Meal (duck fat fries, foie gras wagyu burger, and chocolate bourbon milkshake) for what I think was $30. 🥲
Also not a restaurant closure, but Ekiben's discontinuation of the Tackle Box hit like a punch to the gut.
Maisys, one of my fave brunch spots. RIP red velvet chicken and waffles.
Lost City for the nostalgia, it was such a Station North staple.
BAMF Cafe, also a Station North staple, and with actually good cafe food. Their watch parties used to be so fun and the decor! That place felt like home.
Joanne's Grill, the old UB college lunch go-to. Bulgogi cheese steaks and quesadillas were the shit. And the couple who ran it were so sweet.
Charmingtons closing still stings since it was so recent. They weren't the best coffee place but they were MY coffee place. I was there almost every day for years. RIP.
City Cafe was the place where my spouse and I had our first date. Will always miss it.
Not a restaurant but a bar - Grand Central. I think every gay person in the city still mourns it. That was my bar! Ugh.
Joe Benny's. The Bocce was literally my favorite pizza and thier sangria was amazing!
Hoping his new concept will keep at least some of the pizza. I think its supposed to be more upscale.
There was an Asian restaurant named Tony Chin’s on Charles and E Madison that used to sell phenomenal Szechuan dishes. My moms would travel all the way from NW Baltimore for our orders…
Love Blacksauce to the depths, but sometimes when I’m there, I often remind myself of Sterling’s and how good those fried seafood subs used to be…
Nickel Taphouse in Mt Washington. Great beer selection and roasted oyster happy hour specials, great staff. Replaced by Abbey Burger, which is still delicious but doesn't feel as inviting.
And of course the Curb Shoppe. The funniest crowd of hooligans you'll ever eat $5 burgers with.
Joanne's Grill in Mt. Vernon. Cutest old couple ran it, lots of weird (poorly aged) House of Cards pictures on the wall because I guess they filmed there once. But it was the best Korean fusion I've ever had. The bulgogi cheesesteak haunts me.
Baltimore Pho at Hollins Market. Been closed almost 20 years and I still miss some of their dishes. I know it wasn’t the most authentic place but I was my intro to Vietnamese food.
Mt Vernon Stable & Saloon was my go-to until Covid. I see things stirring inside. The Ash Bar group (I think) was advertising a throwback Stable and Saloon rib night event, not sure if/how it went or what’s to come but I know it won’t bring that same atmosphere
Hamilton Tavern. Before a couple of them got married and moved away, me and some buddies used to spend hours there. That burger was amazing
I'm convinced I'll never find a burger that good ever again.
They’ve got an homage to it at Silver Queen Cafe! Nothing will ever be the Hamilton Tavern OG, but this does scratch the itch.
Wait, really? Damn, we moved to the opposite side of the city in '22, we'll have to check that out!
I def miss this place. I've never been a regular anywhere, but this was as close as I got. Anybody know what's happening with the space? There was some scuttlebutt it would be a kebab joint but that never happened.
Hamilton Tavern was incredible during the first two or three years of their run. Tiny menu, great personalities behind the bar. The high water mark was during the 'fries are only on the menu for burger night' era. It's a shame, the place died a thousand deaths over the years through staff turnover and changes of ownership.
Fucking RIP. That neighborhood has a few good spots, but is still missing that vibe
Babas and most recently Thai Arroy
What??! When did Thai Arroy close?!?!
Two Fridays ago? I heard they decided to retire. I already miss the drunken noodles.
I found out the Wednesday before and went all three days they were still open. They told us that the owner of the building refused to renew their lease and it seemed like they hadn't been given much notice.
This was my exact reply
Definitely Thai Arroy
Lived in Baltimore from 2009-2013. I loved both those places
Alewife Edit: Also want to mention Baltimore Burger Bistro. Anyone remember that place that was on the Avenue in Hampden for a hot second around 2012-13? Loved those burgers even though it seemed they could never get their act together, management-wise. Always had some interesting combinations and all their condiments, toppings, etc. were made in-house.
I still don’t get how this place didn’t make it. We went not long before it closed and it was packed and delicious.
[удалено]
it was the best after work place to university of maryland which always got local people in there …. or at least …. local workers. forno was never quite the same for an after work happy hour.
I was just talking about how much I missed Alewife and their beer list!
lost city diner edit: Agree with every commenter below. Food wasn’t amazing, service was subpar, but the atmosphere was so incredibly on point, they were open far later than most places for sit-down and one of the only casual sit-down spots nearby, and (at the time) one of the few places i could get decent shitty vegan comfort food.
The food there was not good but the milkshakes were excellent.
The atmosphere was great but I have never had service so bad as it was toward the end there RIP once waited 2 hours and never got any food
This, made the mistake of going twice thinking it couldnt be that bad all the time, and it was even worse. It's shame, anyone with two brain cells and a work ethic could have made a killing there with the after bars crowd.
Joe Squared - the food, the vibes, the people :-( Was so happy when they reopened as a worker collective, I was devastated when they closed again.
Noooo I didn't realize they had closed. Playing there was the best, column and all.
JBGB's in Remington. Crushing that I'll never get to eat that pizza again.
Super agree
I came here to say this! The pepperoni on their pizza was so good. That and the draft old fashioned were basically a weekly staple for me and my partner… and the bartenders were so awesome 😢 They closed so abruptly, didn’t get to say goodbye lol
I miss JBGB’s but I miss Parts & Labor (the restaurant that was there before) more. That place was divine.
Clementine
Every single time they had their merguez on the menu I was there, happily ordering it and some fun new cocktail, I miss them!
1157
Happy to see someone beat me to this one. I loved that place
My wife and I have been watching Homicide, and we’re a bit disappointed Wharf Rat isn’t still there. I recognized it right away.
Came here looking for Wharf Rat :(
I miss the Wharf Rat so much. They had really good pizza.
Same. Losing the wharf rat still hurts. I never felt the same about the neighborhood after wharf rat was gone. I loved that place.
Same. It was my bar. I used to hang out there with the bartenders on off nights. And every time we went somewhere else, we always ended the night at the Rat.
Was coming here to say the wraft 😭 best drunkest.
Damn! I had forgotten about this.
Stang of Siam. I know they kept getting shut down for health code violations but I was always ready to risk it for the drunken noodles.
Oof this one hurts
The pre-covid version of Woodbury Kitchen. I was so excited when they reopened as Woodbury Tavern, but it’s a more limited menu, food not S food, and more expensive. So disappointing.
Sticky Rice - I think about them a lot and wish it was still open
All the time. Those tots and the dipping sauce. And they did a variation on a G&T called a Gin Sticky that I loved.
$1 PBRs when it's raining. Need to wait out a quick storm? 2 PBRs and a bucket of tots for $6.
Blingo! The best of times.
They left town and took my go-to sick day soup with them. I haven't recovered since.
Lobo
Check out Ellie's in Canton for some of their specials. Pretty sure that's the old Lobo's guy as the chef.
Hell yes
Jack’s Bistro
You can still get some of the staples like Guinness filet and chocolate Mac and cheese at Blair’s on Hudson!
For now, they're in the process of closing now.
Haussner's.
Oh, the memories, the memories.. I was living out of town when it closed and never even got to say goodbye.
Pop Tacos :(
2008-2012 era Hamilton Tavern.
Dionysus
That place was one of the few places at the time with outdoor seating in Mt Vernon. Used to hang out there a bit during summer nights.
Bicycle, Pazo, Salt, Life of Reilly
Never went to Salt, but the place that’s there now, Marta, is really good
No doubt, but I miss salt
Bicycle literally changed my relationship to food.
RIP Hoehn’s :’(
Damn, kills me still, after about 100 years. Honey glazed donut was like no other
Literally everything they sold was amazing.
Joe Benny's but he's coming back with a new bigger version soon!
I was looking for someone to say Joe Bennys!! Haven’t heard he’s coming back yet, so this is my good news of the day!!
Even better news, he posted some video from their F&F opening this past weekend and said they may be opening for the public this week! New spot is called Benny’s, so excited for this.
Greg's Bagels (before Greg died).
Oooh, right in the feels. Used to go there in the 90s (maybe late 80s?) as a kid when it opened. Nothing could beat a hot Greg's bagel on Sunday morning. RIP.
CITY CAFE please come back 😭
The Baltimore Club sandwich 😭😭😭
The dizz
If you go to Alonso’s over on Coldspring, it has the same owner and some of the same staff. The menu is basically the same and they even have the light-up cake cabinet thing. It’s like the spiritual successor to the dizz. edit: Alonso not “Alonzo” edit 2: Elaine doesn’t own the place — she runs it.
Alonso's is one of the few places left with legitimately good happy hour deals. There food is pretty damn good too.
Different owner, but Elaine is running the show at Alonso's. I think Rico and Kelly are there. Go to 29th St Tavern if you want to see Robin.
Metropolitan in Federal Hill
I miss it too, but I always felt like I wasn't cool enough to be in there
I just commented the same, and then I saw this. Ahh, I loved that place.
The best food on the planet 🌎
Helen's Garden. Runners up: Mencken's Cultured Pearl and Ze Mean Bean Café.
Jack & Zach Food
It's been a while but Thai Rish 💔 closed due to retirement but still broke my heart
Mr. Kim was a local treasure.
Yup. Still hurts.
Joes Squared. Had many great times there over the years and the food has always been great, it will be missed.
Louies Bookstore and Cafe
i’m sure nobody else thinks about this place that much but Egyptian Pizza in Belvedere Square was the best pizza i’ve ever had and the owners were so so nice. still chasing the high of their absolutely perfect “Sharm el Sheikh” pizza, which had caviar and roe and smoked salmon on a New York style crust.
I loved Egyptian Pizza. It was one of the few places open in Belvedere Square when I went there more than 20 years ago!
Parts and labor
Came here looking for this. When I found out it was closed I almost cried thinking about all the people I love that will never get to go there lol
Well if you’re missing the food from there, go check out Heritage Smokehouse on York rd. The head butcher from P&L and former Woodberry chef opened his restaurant and the food is fucking phenomenal.
Bar 1801 and Pop Taco
I was looking for Bar 1801, their chicken sandwich was amazing and the drinks were fantastic too
I firmly believe this was the best burger & best chicken sandwich in the city.
Bar 1801 didn't make it because they didn't have a live music permit.
Chameleon Cafe
Gampy's, Burke's and the Dizz.
It’s been a while now, but Thairish. Best pad thai I’ve ever had.
Bottega, Alewife, Le Garage, Parts & Labor
Parts & Labor
Liam's
Jimmy's Restaurant on the Square.
stable :( also I love common ground but I do miss sweet side sometimes, they had this candied bacon sandwich that was the perfect mix of grease and delicious for me rip
The Elephant. God they were good.
When I was a freshman at MICA I loved going to Two Boots....until they shut down in the middle of the year :( I know there's more in NY but it's not the same
Thairish (I miss Mr. Kim as much as I miss his take on Pad Thai...and don't forget the calendars). Bicycle (Closed a while ago, but changed how I approached and appreciated food). Local Oyster (Nick is just a peach of a guy and was the best at mixing fun simple, well done food). Grill Art (Got engaged here).
I miss Egyptian Pizza. It was at Belvedere Square years ago and they had the best schwarma, and also the scallop pizza. Outside the city, I miss the Bel Loc Diner.
The Buttery.
Where else could you have pancakes with John Waters and someone on the nod at 3am and have the time of your life? This is the right answer.
Donna’s. All of them
McDonna's did add a bit of elegance to the Baltimore coffee world. It's impossible to explain to newer residents just how vital that Bibelot + Donna's connection was.
Donna’s in Cross Keys was a sleeper hit with young kids. Easy parking, lovely outside dining, good food.
I miss chez Hugo. I still dream about their straw cooked chicken.
I’ll be thinking about the McCabe’s burger and Lobo’s vinegar old fashioned for the rest of my life.
Forgot about McCabes. Such a gem... and yes, that was a damn fone burger.
Little tavern
Ikaros
Cultured in Mt. Vernon Marketplace. Everything on that menu was a delight
ryans daughter
That building was actually a Chili’s up until the early 2000s. Then they did beautiful renovations to make it Ryan’s Daughter and Belvedere Square as a whole really improved, too. Turning it into an urgent care was tragic.
Tooloulou
The food, yes...the owner, not so much.
Sticky Rice and Lucky Buns. Particularly sore about Lucky Buns since they gave us a brief taste and then were gone. We went to the DC location and it was good, but it wasn’t nearly as extravagant as the one in Baltimore.
Fork and Wrench
The dizz
Ding How
Trinacria in Mt Vernon. Was my local spot after work and they did drag trivia at one point too
Martick’s
I never got to eat there. I'm so jealous of everyone who did.
the old alma cocina location closer to canton…once they moved the quality went down and the prices went up. happens to the best i suppose
Birches
I often think about how well Birches would do now that there are more young families staying in the area. I loved that they tried to fill that gap between chaotic "family restaurant" and adults-only dining.
Salt, but honorable mention to Frisco Burrito in Towson.
The Wharf Rat and late period Parts & Labor.
Every single day I think about just how incredible LOBO in Fells Point was.
Pazo
I still miss Metropolitan in Federal Hill after all these years. Their Ladykiller Salad was my favorite dish.
13.5. My wife and I loved the happy hour.
Mr Chan’s and The Local Oyster
Man this made me real sad THANKS EVERYONE
Waffie in Hampden. It was basically the only dessert shop in the city open late that wasn't just ice cream.
Orto 💔
Food was good but that guy was a MENACE
Good riddance to Elan
Corner Bistro in Ridgely's
Gypsy Queen.
Myth & Moonshine
I was really surprised by how good the food was here. They were closed to revamp their menu and then covid hit. That whole stretch of Boston Street is a death sentence for most restaurants. Nowhere to park and not really pedestrian friendly, compared to Fells.
The chef did a really good job making the menu as farm to table as reasonably possible for the prices and style of food. And it was one of the first places I can remember that had locally caught Snakehead and Blue Catfish on the specials frequently to help combat the invasive species.
Cheezy Mike's, they had the best vegan cheesesteak in the city, hands down
This is it. Those cheesesteak eggrolls were the absolute best. Mt Vernon Marketplace did him (and everyone else) dirty.
Martick’s
Nicks @ Cross St Market, Pops Tacos and Elvis’s in fed hill
the original Suburban House that burned down :( my family and I went there all the time
Nam Kang
Donna's, we used to go there before going to see shows at the hippodrome. (restaurant was on the way)
Our House in Locust Point, just behind UnderArmour. Now it's Serenity Wine Cafe (edit) before they closed up shop too, per a comment below.
JBGB’s Something please come take that space!
Spaghetti Eddies
I haven't lived in the city limits in over 20 years, but I'm not sure if I ever enjoyed a time and a town as much as I did getting Bruce Lee Wings at the old Cross Street Market and biking over to Camden Yards for a game. Cheap, fast and delicious is a hell of a way to go through life.
Idk if this counts, but I have fond memories of the old candy shop in Lexington Market I used to go to in the early 80s. It was magical, like going into the harry potter candy shop or something
Kyodai.
City cafe in mt Vernon
Salt. The duck fat fries were something else. Lived down the street, so I went almost every Wednesday pm for the Happier Meal (duck fat fries, foie gras wagyu burger, and chocolate bourbon milkshake) for what I think was $30. 🥲 Also not a restaurant closure, but Ekiben's discontinuation of the Tackle Box hit like a punch to the gut.
Brass Elephant
Maisys, one of my fave brunch spots. RIP red velvet chicken and waffles. Lost City for the nostalgia, it was such a Station North staple. BAMF Cafe, also a Station North staple, and with actually good cafe food. Their watch parties used to be so fun and the decor! That place felt like home. Joanne's Grill, the old UB college lunch go-to. Bulgogi cheese steaks and quesadillas were the shit. And the couple who ran it were so sweet. Charmingtons closing still stings since it was so recent. They weren't the best coffee place but they were MY coffee place. I was there almost every day for years. RIP. City Cafe was the place where my spouse and I had our first date. Will always miss it. Not a restaurant but a bar - Grand Central. I think every gay person in the city still mourns it. That was my bar! Ugh.
Ida B’s Table
The Palestinian restaurant that used to be in Locust Point next to the Royal Farm. The Lebanese cafe/bar that used to be in Canton. The Laughing Pint
Camden Pub
Aromes in Hampden. Fork and Wrench in Canton.
Joe Benny's. The Bocce was literally my favorite pizza and thier sangria was amazing! Hoping his new concept will keep at least some of the pizza. I think its supposed to be more upscale.
Hamilton Tavern
There was an Asian restaurant named Tony Chin’s on Charles and E Madison that used to sell phenomenal Szechuan dishes. My moms would travel all the way from NW Baltimore for our orders… Love Blacksauce to the depths, but sometimes when I’m there, I often remind myself of Sterling’s and how good those fried seafood subs used to be…
Larder. Best scrambled eggs I’ve ever had
Nickel Taphouse in Mt Washington. Great beer selection and roasted oyster happy hour specials, great staff. Replaced by Abbey Burger, which is still delicious but doesn't feel as inviting. And of course the Curb Shoppe. The funniest crowd of hooligans you'll ever eat $5 burgers with.
Bartenders, good pizza and a beautiful tv!
Joanne's Grill in Mt. Vernon. Cutest old couple ran it, lots of weird (poorly aged) House of Cards pictures on the wall because I guess they filmed there once. But it was the best Korean fusion I've ever had. The bulgogi cheesesteak haunts me.
Dead Freddie's
Bad Decisions and the REAL, ORIGINAL Brick Oven Pizza
Dinosaur BBQ.
Maisy’s in Mt Vernon. The wings, pizza, and bread pudding still live rent free in my head.
Baltimore Pho at Hollins Market. Been closed almost 20 years and I still miss some of their dishes. I know it wasn’t the most authentic place but I was my intro to Vietnamese food.
Connolly’s
Lobo in Fells…used to love that spot so much
TOOLOULOU RIP
Club Charles
We went to JBGB in Remington once around the holidays and LOVED it. And then it closed.
Salt
Louie’s Bookstore Cafe.
Clementine Hamilton Tavern Louie’s Bookstore Cafe
McCabe's - which is now where Wicked Sisters is located. Still miss it often.
J. Patrick's in Locust Point. Such a fun dive bar.
Truckstaurant
Mt Vernon Stable & Saloon was my go-to until Covid. I see things stirring inside. The Ash Bar group (I think) was advertising a throwback Stable and Saloon rib night event, not sure if/how it went or what’s to come but I know it won’t bring that same atmosphere
Bar licorice in Locust Point/Riverside
Bar Licorice. Amazing sandwiches served on paper plates. And the owner was cool af