165556 Tue Apr 30 08:50:44 -0700 2002 8 14 Washington DC & Baltimore Area 0 884521 I recently moved to Baltimore from NYC, and am seriously missing the lunch scene there, especially food carts and storefront restaurants for rice & beans, etc. Lunch in downtown Baltimore seems pretty sterile, with very few options at all, let alone interesting options. Any suggestions for places within a 5-10 minute walk for good lunch? Tue Apr 30 08:50:44 -0700 2002 0 Kristy 1 884522 erm, no not really. Since 9/11 the lunch scene packed up and went home. There's Cambalou on Calvert, just north of Center Stage, that has nice sandwiches and a good atmosphere. Holy Frijoles on Charles is ok. But if you are talking harbor-type downtown, then it gets tough. Bombay cafe on Lombard, or Corned Beef row (which isn't walking distance really). then again, I have not truly prowled for anything, so there may be some downtown vets with better input. Tue Apr 30 08:57:06 -0700 2002 884521 0 pleiades 1 884524 I don't know where you are, but there's a tacky food court in the old News American building (on Lombard?) with a middle eastern joint called Cypriot that's worth visiting. Tue Apr 30 10:28:51 -0700 2002 884521 0 dbutcher 1 884530 hi kristy, i used to live in new york before coming back home to baltimore so i know what you're missing in terms of streetcorner gyro carts, gigantic salad/hot food bar carryouts, etc. the baltimore downtown lunch scene is very different -- if you learn to look with educated eyes, you'll find that our selection of restaurants is much funkier and individualistic, the food more old-school. not so many super-fast standup or ethnic options, but b'more is a little slower than nyc. we baltimoreans like to sit down to eat our lunch... if you're into grazing for lunch, try cross street market or lexington market, both potentially walkable depending on where you work downtown. great food stalls in addition to produce, flowers, etc. otherwise, a few places to think about: werner's restaurant on redwood street, heart of downtown (incredible original deco interior, home-cooking kind of place, astonishingly cheap) sascha's 527 on charles women's industrial exchange, of course! caribbean kitchen -- 353 north calvert crazy john's on "the block" for a good hotdog and fellini-esque people-watching. prepare to be panhandled. both babulu grill and eurasian harbor are open for lunch, as more upscale options. enjoy! cheers, trix Tue Apr 30 10:47:32 -0700 2002 884521 0 trix 1 884535 I can't say that I can improve on Trix's list, but there are a couple of other places: San Sushi in the Redwood Trust has a decent reputation The Purple Orchid at President and Pratt used to get rave reviews before it moved downtown but now seems ot have disappeared off the radar screen; may be worth a visit. India Rasoi in Little Italy is very good and delivers. Joe's Dim Sum Palace on Park--though the menu was limited, the dim sum wasn't bad when I went there four months ago. And don't forget Burke's if you get an onion ring craving. Tue Apr 30 15:44:51 -0700 2002 884521 0 asun 2 884575 Joe's Dim Sum is now called Chinatown Cafe, but otherwise, what Asun said. Wed May 01 14:42:36 -0700 2002 884535 0 peckish 3 884592 Thanks for the correction Peckish. Hate to have people looking for the wrong place! Thu May 02 10:06:16 -0700 2002 884575 0 asun 1 884554 Once again, don't know where downtown but there is a great hotdog cart that has expanded to gyros, shewarma and other chicken wrapped in pita delights. For $3.25 they're a steal. Hot dogs with all the trimmings $1.25. Corner of Charles and Chase in front of Mercantile Bank. Almost worth switchin' banks just for the excuse to stop by. Farther downtown... I never minded a brisk walk to Cross Street Market for sushi or steamed shrimp and oysters. Degroens Grill-formarly the Baltimore Brewing Company-has just started serving lunch out in the old Brewer's Park. Haven't eaten there but the park sure is nice. Pratt and President Street. Tue Apr 30 20:45:58 -0700 2002 884521 0 dorckus5 2 888092 Lunch in Downtown Baltimore has gotten better and easier then ever. The DeGroen's Grill, formely the Batltimore Brewing Co., is a hidden gem in downtown lunch spots. The food was perfectly prepared comfort food....I had a blackened catfish sandwich and beer-batter fries to die for and my co-worker had the fish-n-chips that could easily be the best in town.......plus it was totally affordable for a lunch time budget. The service was efficent, friendly, speedy and the server actually had a personality. Get out of your offices and come try this place, it's a breath of fresh air on the local downtown restaurant scene. Plus I have heard they have a great happy hour. Fri Nov 15 10:19:26 -0800 2002 884554 0 James Owen