175835 Fri Oct 14 13:06:21 -0700 2005 12 14 Washington DC & Baltimore Area 0 945694 I'm an SF hound who will be spending a few days in the area between Philadelphia and Baltimore. I was wondering if anyone could recommend any attractions in that area that might be of houndly interest (cheesemakers, artisan bakers, organic farms, out of the way places featuring local specialties, homemade ice cream, etc.). Since I'm not familiar with the area, the towns, roads, landmarks, etc., a specific description of where such places can be found (with a decent map) would be much appreciated. Fri Oct 14 13:06:21 -0700 2005 0 Ruth Lafler 1 945701 Pit beef, crabs, crab cakes, TastyCakes, French fries and gravy, cheesesteaks, Polock Johnny's sausages... Check out Fells Point, Federal Hill, E.A. Poe's house, Lexington Market, Blob Park. Hell, just poke around. A lot of strange and wonderful stuff in Baltimore even by SF standards. Baltimore, after all, blessed us with H.L. Mencken, Frank Zappa, John Waters, Divine. You gotta love that. Fri Oct 14 14:06:09 -0700 2005 945694 0 flavrmeistr 2 945702 fries and gravy. Yum. Fri Oct 14 14:07:34 -0700 2005 945701 0 Tugboat 2 945729 even as a local, that was one of the most heartwarming descriptions of Charm City that I've ever heard! well done! Fri Oct 14 17:41:32 -0700 2005 945701 0 baltoellen 1 945741 For a pleasant Sunday afternoon you could try the winefest at Boordy Vineyards. It's a nice way to see a non-California winery during a pleasant fall day. Link: http://www.boordy.com Fri Oct 14 22:23:19 -0700 2005 945694 0 dzoey 2 945742 Sounds interesting, thanks! Sat Oct 15 03:14:37 -0700 2005 945741 0 Ruth Lafler 1 945752 I'm shoehorning this into the out of the way places for local specialties category. If you are a pizza fan, you may be aware that many consider the coal fired ovens of Frank Pepe's, Sal's Apizza, and Modern (among others) in the area on and around Wooster Street in New Haven, CT to be Mecca for thin crust pizza. Of course, there are arguments for other styles of pizza from other places, but the New Haven contingent can make a strong case for pizza excellence. You're not going to be anywhere near New Haven while in Balitmore, but you *will* be in driving distance of a small place that puts out excellent pizza in that style. Alfred's Tomato Pie is located in Blackwood, New Jersey, phone number is 856-228 1234. From Baltimore, go up 95, into Delaware and follow the signs to get onto the New Jersey Turnpike. Get off at Exit 3, which should be Route 168 (if I'm remembering the number correctly), AKA Blackhorse Pike. Go East on Black Horse Pike/168 about five miles, and once you get into Blackwood, look for Church Street. Just past Church Street, still on Black Horse Pike, will be Alfred's on the norht side of the street, and an Eckerds drug store on the south side. Try the Sausage and Vidalia onion. Tell Alfred that Ken from Baltimore sent you. It will be about a 2 hour drive from Baltimore, but if you like that style of pizza, you may find it worth the drive. Sat Oct 15 12:15:19 -0700 2005 945694 0 Warthog 2 945841 Please point out to me all those who would drive TWO HOURS on expressways to buy and eat a pizza. I wouldn't drive that far for heart surgery! Tue Oct 18 05:16:44 -0700 2005 945752 0 Griller 3 945873 One time I drove nearly two hours for Stag on tap. It was worth it. Nice excuse for a great fall excursion along scenic routes. Only part of that was I-70. Tue Oct 18 13:14:33 -0700 2005 945841 0 Dennis S 3 946083 Who would drive two hours each way for a pizza? Depends on the pizza! If I didn't find this one worth a two hour drive myself (did so last Saturday, as a matter of fact), I wouldn't have recommended it. Pizza lovers who have suffered in the Baltiore/DC area will understand, others who don't care about pizza needn't worry about it. To each his own. For example, I wouldn't drive around the block for a wine tasting, because I don't care much about wine, but I wouldn't begrudge those who might choose to drive two hours for that. The OP asked for things of culinary interest worth driving for. I suggested one. The OP can decide whether or not to it's worth it to them. Fri Oct 21 14:14:33 -0700 2005 945841 0 Warthog 4 946098 I invested about six hours and 100 miles of rough traveling for white pizza (w/bacon and clams) and red pizza (sausage, mushroom and salami and olive) at Pepe's in New Haven, CT two weeks ago. It was oh so worth it. I'd do it again in a minute. Fri Oct 21 16:47:42 -0700 2005 946083 0 flavrmeistrs 5 946156 Maybe somebody needs to organize a Baltington-Washimore Chowhound pizza run. With five or six people in a van or something, the hit from tolls, gas, and driving duties could be spread out a bit more than on a solo run. Mon Oct 24 14:40:05 -0700 2005 946098 0 Warthog 1 945880 I drive DC to Philadelphia a few times every year (child in college). I ALWAYS stop at: The Charcoal Pit 2600 Concord Pike (Route 202) Wilmington, Delaware About 5 minutes off I-95 (no turns - very easy) Here's a map: http://www.mapquest.com/maps/map.adp?country=US&addtohistory=&address=2600+Concord+Pike&city=Wilmington&state=DE&zipcode=19803&homesubmit=Get+Map Not organic, not artisan, but a must for a chowhound. I always get a cheeseburger (trust me) and a milkshake but the whole menu looks good. Link: http://www.charcoalpit.com Tue Oct 18 14:25:40 -0700 2005 945694 0 Rosco