Having lived there for four years, I would like to add the following:
- Nam Kang, on Maryland Street around 20th - great Korean food, with expertise in Japanese cuisine and the ability to make Americanized Gwailo "Chinese food." Order something you've never heard of, and you'll enjoy it. You wouldn't order Bol Go Gi at McDonald's, right?
- The Paper Moon Diner, just past JHU's Sig Ep house on 28th street, 1 block west of Howard Street - 24 hours a day, overpriced, undercooked food. Service out of a Vonnegut novel. The first time I went there with a group, a guy sat down with us like he belonged there, and after about 3 minutes, said, "Well, I know what I'm getting. How about you?" And when we told him, he wrote it down and disappeared into the kitchen. Uber-trendy alternative decor worth visiting once or twice, but I know too many people who've gotten food poisoning there to go back and order the meat. Stick to the delicious French Toast; it's made with challa. Oh, and it's where my girlfriend and I went on our first "date." If you're not on a shoestring, it's a nice novelty meal.
- Pete's Grille, down on Greenmount and 28th - a Baltimore tradition! O's memorabilia, and the kind of place where everybody knows your name. I've only been once, but I think if I went back, they'd remember what I ordered. Breakfast and lunch only; dirt cheap and delicious, wonderful service.
- Holy Frijoles, in Hampden on 36th street - Decor that rivals The Paper Moon, constantly rotating local art that they'll sell you right off the wall. Servers with personalities and smiles and tattoos, and great fashion sense. The nachos are served on a plate about one foot in diameter, and stacked about 5" deep, taste great, and they cost less than $10.00. HUGE portions, great prices--order anything, you can't go wrong. Kicks Don Pablo's and Chi-Chi's asses with one bare foot.
- Tamber's Nifty Fifties, on 34th and St. Paul - aimed at the JHU college crowd and the families visiting the hospital, Tamber's is a slick chrome Cadillac diner with an oldies jukebox--and they also do tandoori. Fair prices, indifferent but pleasant service.
- The Melting Pot, Towson - fondue! Very expensive, very ritzy, very romantic. The service and portions you expect when paying $100 for two meals. Take your best gal there for a very special occasion, but don't let her see the price.
- Mick O'Shea's, on Charles Street down near Mt. Vernon - come for good Irish food, stay for the music. The best Guinness in the city, and the mayor is the front-man for a band that plays there on occasion. Home of Tom, the Pissed-off Paddy Barman made famous in the Donegal X-Press song. DXP's lead singer and various group members play there Thursdays under a different name--worth the trip. If Cory's there, he'll be at the second or third table on the left wall; tell him I said "hi."
Those are all my old favorites in the city; if you go to any of them and enjoy your meal, toss me a /msg. If you bring a date and they like it, toss me an upvote.
Bon appetit!