The Food at the Laughing Pint Is No Joke

The Laughing Pint in the Highlandtown neighborhood of Baltimore City is one of the best hidden jewels anyone could ever find.  Being brutally honest, it is tucked away in a neighborhood well hidden from the tourist crowd.  Locals and those in the know benefit highly from this.

To look at the Laughing Pint from the outside there is nothing that prompts you to think that the food is fantastic.  As a matter of fact there is no indication that food is served at all.  It's appearance is portrays little more than a neighborhood bar were you may stop in to have a beer, but looks can be deceiving and the food at the Laughing Pint is some of the best i have had anywhere.  Oh, by the way, that is in addition to the pool table and free shuffle board.

The menu itself is small and they don't even have a deep fryer.  About half a dozen appetizers, burgers, mac and cheese and a few sandwiches plus a soup of the day and a special...that's it.  Though the menu is small, the quality of the food and the creativity and flavors are amazing!

Tonight I decided to try the Natty Boh Mac & Cheese.  I can see your reaction.  "Yeah, its Mac & Cheese with bratwurst, big deal..."  Not so fast.  Mac & Cheese with Natty Boh bratwursts mixed into fresh Havarti and Cheddar cheeses topped with a pear Bourbon sauce is a whole new animal.  I must admit I was a little weary of the pear Bourbon sauce being overly sweet, but it was very subtle and well balanced with the taste of the bratwurst and cayenne pepper.  It was a perfect meal for a cold, damp January night.  And it has ruined all other Mac & Cheeses for me.

Do yourself a favor and stop by the Laughing Pint and say hello to Sharon, Shannon and Monica while you enjoy a beer and a bite.

 As always, Eat like A Local!

www.laughingpint.com

Where Elvis Lives and the Colts, Natty Boh, Unitas and the O's Reign Supreme

Nacho Mama's, is a funky little place on Canton Square that is riddled with an eclectic collection of all things Baltimore: Unitas & the Colts, Elvis, Natty Boh Beer and more. The building is littered with paraphernalia of things that made Baltimore and Maryland great like pictures and news clippings of the 1958 Colts, the '83 Orioles World Series, iconic pieces from the National Bohemian ad campaigns and a little bit of Elvis. You'll even see a Coastal Highway street sign that was 'borrowed' from Ocean City, MD.  So assuming you are one of the few folks in the region to have visited Nacho Mama's, sit back and enjoy your nachos and margaritas and try not to be surprised that they are served in a hubcap, we're just getting started.

Nacho Mama's gets filled up...FAST. So either be early or be patient or both.  You can usually get your seat of choice for lunch if your in the door by noon.  However if you are coming in for happy hour or dinner see the hostess.  Midweek or late night (the kitchen is open until 12a) it makes no difference.  This place is always busy and for a reason.  the food is fantastic and the folks are fun to chat with also.

There are house rules which are printed on every menu, that you will enjoy reading for yourself,  but keep in mind, they are enforced.  As far as what to order goes...you just can't go wrong here. I cannot ever recall having a bad meal here in the almost 20 years I have eaten at Mama's. The menu is simple and broken down into "THINGS"; Fajita Things, Dinner Things, Quesadila Things and a bunch of other "Things". But do pay attention to the spicy warning. Spicy here does NOT mean mild. But the Cajun Burrito with sausage and shrimp etouffee, the shrimp and chorizo burrito and the and the corn & crab quesadilla are assured winners in my book.

If you like a funky place in its own time warp with a sense of humor, Nacho Mama's is the place for you.  Trust me, you will have a great time and a great meal.  One warning, the portions are BIG, so show up with an appetite.

Have a great day everyone and as always, Eat Like A Local!