City: Baltimore, Maryland
Foodie: Meghan, Girls Don’t Know Sports
Venue: Oriole Park at Camden Yards (Camden Yards)
Address: 333 W. Camden St. Baltimore, MD 21201
Team: Baltimore Orioles (MLB)
Meghan's Taste
Part of what makes Camden Yards so wonderful is that it’s nestled in the heart of downtown Baltimore and there is so much more there than just the stadium. This means that there are many great places to go before, during and after the game...all easy to stumble to as you eat and drink your way across Baltimore.
Pregame
The best place to start before any Orioles game is Pickles Pub or Sliders, both conveniently located across from the main gate at Camden Yards. They have an outdoor area stocked with cheap beers, most notably National Bohemian (Natty Boh), the cheap beer of choice in Baltimore. Both also have a good selection of beers on tap inside if you like a classier beer. Sliders has excellent wings and has a great appetizer called a crab pretzel that is a favorite Baltimore dish. (Soft pretzel covered in crab dip, covered with cheese and baked until the cheese is melted...mmmmmm) Also, there are a ton of vendors that sell hot dogs, sausages, peanuts, and sometimes crab cakes that are always cheap and usually good.
Camden Yards
Must haves
Boog’s Barbecue: Former All Star Oriole, Boog Powell, has a delicious BBQ stand near the center field bleachers. The pit beef sandwich is worth every penny. This is the place to eat. End of story. It also has the best beer deals, in case you want something to wash down that delicious sandwich with.
Uncle Teddy’s Pretzels: I love soft pretzels and the hand rolled, buttered pretzels are something I eat at almost every game. If you don’t want a whole meal or need an extra snack. This is it. If you like sweet better, there is a cinnamon sugar pretzel as well.
Also Rans
Most of the rest of the food there is just your average fare, nachos, pizza, hot dogs, ice cream and fries (better with vinegar and Old Bay). Nothing too special. I’d only recommend if you really have a craving for average, greasy, overpriced food.
Rumored to Exist
I’ve heard that somewhere at the stadium they serve crab cakes. I have never seen one or known anyone who has tried one. That being said, I would stay away from those crab cakes. Until I actually meet someone who has tried one, I will refuse to believe that they are possibly any good. And there are so many places to get good crab cakes in Baltimore. Please, just go to Boog’s.
Post Game
Most tourists after the game will wander down to the Inner Harbor for some food. And if you want to eat at a soulless chain restaurant, go right ahead. However, if you want a more local feel, walk northeast of the stadium instead of just east to Historic Federal Hill. There are a ton of good bars and restaurants in this neighborhood. And you’re likely to get something decent to good wherever you go. So I’m just going to run down a few of my favorites. Remember, when in doubt anything with crab or old bay is probably a good choice.
Nobles: Typical bar food, burgers, wings, you know. They do have great giant nachos. They also have fun bar games including beer pong and corn hole. I have a soft spot for this place. This is also a good place for a crab pretzel.
Nick’s at the Cross Street Market: Go to the Cross St. Market for a great assortment of food. Nick’s has sushi, sandwiches and a raw bar that usually has crabs that can be bought individually or by the dozen. Never picked a crab steamed in Old Bay? Well you have been missing out. On top of that, there are giant beers and plenty of O’s fans.
Pub Dog: Delicious gourmet pizzas. All delicious but I recommend “The Original’ Wing Dog (Buffalo Chicken), The Atomic Dog (if you like spicy) or the Mr. Green Jeans (more traditional). And micro-brew beer, two for one deal. I’m a fan of the Amber Dog and the Irish Red, but again, you really can’t go wrong. Also, shuffleboard is on the third floor of this cozy row home turned brew pub.
Mother’s: This is one of the largest bars in Federal Hill. It also offers outdoor seating and two large indoor areas. There are TVs plastered to every wall so any game you might want to watch is probably on. The portions are generally big and the food is good. There is a large selection of sandwiches, wraps and entrees.
Regi’s: This is more of a restaurant than a bar. It has outdoor seating which is always nice. Great American food all around. Burgers, sandwiches and tater tots with brie and bacon are all good bets on this menu. Most of the appetizers are good and the salads are all delicious.
Don’t Know: It’s a little farther away than the rest of the bars. (A few more blocks) However, the food here is worth the walk. The mac and cheese is great and cheap. The Kobe beef sliders are awesome. There is a great selection of beers on tap. And there are tons of fun bar games including shuffleboard, corn hole, and buck hunter.
Map of Locations
View Larger Map
Address: 333 W. Camden St. Baltimore, MD 21201
Team: Baltimore Orioles (MLB)
Meghan's Taste
Part of what makes Camden Yards so wonderful is that it’s nestled in the heart of downtown Baltimore and there is so much more there than just the stadium. This means that there are many great places to go before, during and after the game...all easy to stumble to as you eat and drink your way across Baltimore.
Pregame
The best place to start before any Orioles game is Pickles Pub or Sliders, both conveniently located across from the main gate at Camden Yards. They have an outdoor area stocked with cheap beers, most notably National Bohemian (Natty Boh), the cheap beer of choice in Baltimore. Both also have a good selection of beers on tap inside if you like a classier beer. Sliders has excellent wings and has a great appetizer called a crab pretzel that is a favorite Baltimore dish. (Soft pretzel covered in crab dip, covered with cheese and baked until the cheese is melted...mmmmmm) Also, there are a ton of vendors that sell hot dogs, sausages, peanuts, and sometimes crab cakes that are always cheap and usually good.
Camden Yards
Must haves
Boog’s Barbecue: Former All Star Oriole, Boog Powell, has a delicious BBQ stand near the center field bleachers. The pit beef sandwich is worth every penny. This is the place to eat. End of story. It also has the best beer deals, in case you want something to wash down that delicious sandwich with.
Uncle Teddy’s Pretzels: I love soft pretzels and the hand rolled, buttered pretzels are something I eat at almost every game. If you don’t want a whole meal or need an extra snack. This is it. If you like sweet better, there is a cinnamon sugar pretzel as well.
Also Rans
Most of the rest of the food there is just your average fare, nachos, pizza, hot dogs, ice cream and fries (better with vinegar and Old Bay). Nothing too special. I’d only recommend if you really have a craving for average, greasy, overpriced food.
Rumored to Exist
I’ve heard that somewhere at the stadium they serve crab cakes. I have never seen one or known anyone who has tried one. That being said, I would stay away from those crab cakes. Until I actually meet someone who has tried one, I will refuse to believe that they are possibly any good. And there are so many places to get good crab cakes in Baltimore. Please, just go to Boog’s.
Post Game
Most tourists after the game will wander down to the Inner Harbor for some food. And if you want to eat at a soulless chain restaurant, go right ahead. However, if you want a more local feel, walk northeast of the stadium instead of just east to Historic Federal Hill. There are a ton of good bars and restaurants in this neighborhood. And you’re likely to get something decent to good wherever you go. So I’m just going to run down a few of my favorites. Remember, when in doubt anything with crab or old bay is probably a good choice.
Nobles: Typical bar food, burgers, wings, you know. They do have great giant nachos. They also have fun bar games including beer pong and corn hole. I have a soft spot for this place. This is also a good place for a crab pretzel.
Nick’s at the Cross Street Market: Go to the Cross St. Market for a great assortment of food. Nick’s has sushi, sandwiches and a raw bar that usually has crabs that can be bought individually or by the dozen. Never picked a crab steamed in Old Bay? Well you have been missing out. On top of that, there are giant beers and plenty of O’s fans.
Pub Dog: Delicious gourmet pizzas. All delicious but I recommend “The Original’ Wing Dog (Buffalo Chicken), The Atomic Dog (if you like spicy) or the Mr. Green Jeans (more traditional). And micro-brew beer, two for one deal. I’m a fan of the Amber Dog and the Irish Red, but again, you really can’t go wrong. Also, shuffleboard is on the third floor of this cozy row home turned brew pub.
Mother’s: This is one of the largest bars in Federal Hill. It also offers outdoor seating and two large indoor areas. There are TVs plastered to every wall so any game you might want to watch is probably on. The portions are generally big and the food is good. There is a large selection of sandwiches, wraps and entrees.
Regi’s: This is more of a restaurant than a bar. It has outdoor seating which is always nice. Great American food all around. Burgers, sandwiches and tater tots with brie and bacon are all good bets on this menu. Most of the appetizers are good and the salads are all delicious.
Don’t Know: It’s a little farther away than the rest of the bars. (A few more blocks) However, the food here is worth the walk. The mac and cheese is great and cheap. The Kobe beef sliders are awesome. There is a great selection of beers on tap. And there are tons of fun bar games including shuffleboard, corn hole, and buck hunter.
Map of Locations
View Larger Map
Camden Yards photo credit: Joseph D'Angelo's photostream
Pickle's Pub: Deborah Lewis pbase
Boog's: bunkosquad's photostream
Pubdog: Baltimore Sun
Pickle's Pub: Deborah Lewis pbase
Boog's: bunkosquad's photostream
Pubdog: Baltimore Sun
Posts
mmmmmm, a crab pretzel is never a bad idea
The Downtown Exchange on Pratt St. and Hopkins Pl. is a slept-on bar for food. Really good cheese steaks, and everything is reasonably priced.
My big thing is Baltimore's obsession with Old Bay. I swear they use it as aftershave.
I'm a firm believer there should be a salt, pepper and Old Bay shaker on every table. It's just sooo good.
Good write up. Just a few nitpicks from a Baltimoron. Fed Hill is southeast of Camden Yards, not northeast.
I've never been to Don't Know so I can't speak to the food or atmosphere, but it seems remiss on a blog about baseball and food that you don't mention that it's a Red Sox/Patriots bar.
Dog Pub is awesome. Wing dog pizza is the best thing ever invented.
Sorry, I seem to be an idiot at reading a map. You are right Fed Hill is southeast.
Don't Know has a good atmosphere and does say its a Pats/Sox bar but the O's game is usually on as well. They have plenty of TVs. I've also watched Maryland games there so it didn't really occur to me when I wrote this. I believe they also support West Virginia. However, they do have great food, great happy hours, and a fun atmosphere.
Fair enough. I've never even been in there for the Red Sox flag hanging out front alone. Reason enough to boycott IMO.
has everbody tried the crabanero hot sauce yet?
http://carolinasauce.stores.yahoo.net/f10000-1080749040.html
crab cakes are available on the club level. not quite as good as G and M, but still pretty tasty.
I read the other day on Hostpph blog that in Baltimore, they have the best crabs in the country, and I would really like to go and try some ;)