I Guess It’s Chinese Tonight…Yay?

It’s 7pm. You’ve been busy all day. You don’t feel like cooking, but want something delicious and satisfying for dinner. You want it delivered in less than 45 minutes or within 15 minutes of driving and you want it to be fabulous. This is a standard feeling for most college students. We want something different. The ramen noodles, pizza, and Chinese that normally satisfies our bellies cannot satisfy us. So what are our options?

My favorite type of food is international food. I cannot narrow this down to one ethnicity or country, just a genre. I like the explosion of flavors, the spices, the textures, and the variety. Being of African descent, I am used to flavorful foods of several varieties and flavors. Foods that take more than 30 minutes to cook, foods that epitomize the phrase of “putting your foot in it” to cook it. Foods that warm your soul and make you smile. Pizza and Chinese doesn’t cut it for me. I need Caribbean, Soul food, Indian, Mexican, Italian (the real stuff), Thai, Vietnamese, Pakistani, African, Korean, Filipino, and the list goes on.

So after some investigation, I have compiled a list of a few of the many delicious international eateries in the Catonsville-Baltimore area. I made sure they were either places where I have eaten or places where trusted sources have given rave reviews. So if it’s listed, it’s delicious!

African

• Peju’s Kitchen

This amazing resturant has foods of mainly Nigerian influence. I found some foods on the menu to be similar to Ghanaian foods. The atmosphere and décor of the restaurant is amazing and there is a lounge for large parties too! Prices are under $10.

1724 Woodlawn Drive, Baltimore, MD 21244
Menu: http://www.pejuskitchen.com/menu.html
Phone: (410) 277-9779
Hours: Mon-Fri- 11am-9pm  Sat- 12-9pm  Sun- Closed

• Dukem Restaurant

This restaurant has authentic Ethiopian food right in the center of Mt. Vernon. Prices range from $8 to $15 per plate. They have live entertainment, a full bar, and patio seating for those nice Baltimore days!

1100 Maryland Avenue Baltimore, MD 21201
Menu: http://www.dukemrestaurant.com/Baltimore%20menu.html
Phone: (410) 385-0318

Asian/ Pacific

• Hanoori Town

Right next to the H-mart is a mini Asian mall called Hanoori Town. On the top floor there are two restaurants each serving Korean and Japanese food including sushi. Also delicious frozen yogurt is sold at Yogi Berry inside the “mini mall.” It is conveniently accessible on the UMBC Transit Rolling Road Line only on the weekends.

822 North Rolling Road, Catonsville, MD 21228
Phone: (410) 747- 8315
Prices are under $10 for the restaurant food

• Thai Heaven

This delicious Thai restaurant is truly heaven when you are looking for something delicious to eat. The staff is extremely friendly and they love UMBC students. If you don’t have a car, you can come here on the UMBC Transit Arbutus Line.

6413 Frederick Road, Catonsville, MD 21228
Phone: (410) 455-9239
Menu: Available on urbanspoon.com
Prices range from $5-$15

• Teppanyaki Grill and Buffet

This little unknown establishment is right next to the Super Wal-Mart in Arbutus. The food is of Japanese influence. It is a relatively new location so not much is out there about it.

3581 Washington Boulevard, Halethorpe, MD 21227
Prices are up to $10 per person

Italian/ Mediterranean

• Iggie’s Pizza

A favorite spot of mine in the city is Iggie’s Pizza in Mt. Vernon. Some of the most creative and delicious pizzas are made here. I fell in love with it the first time I went and they even sell Italian sodas and drinks! It’s BYOB and the service is amazing!

818 N. Calvert Street, Baltimore, MD
Phone: (410) 528- 0818
Menu: http://www.iggiespizza.com/Iggies_Menu.html
Prices range from $10- $15

• Dmitri’s International Grille

This restaurant specializes in Greek, Mediterranean, and International foods. They have a reduced menu for lunch including a munchies menu as well. Food ranges from $7 to $22 so you have a large price range to work with. It is also on the way to Old Ellicott City so it would be a great adventure to get into!

2205 Frederick Road, Catonsville, MD 21228
Phone: (410) 747- 1927
Menu: www.dmitris.us/catonsville_baltimore/beef_greek_salad.html#complete

Middle Eastern

• The Helmand

This location is a recommendation I got. The restaurant specializes in Afghani cuisine and is supposed to be amazing! The menu is very exotic and it’s a popular place to get some good food! The price range is $10-$15 per plate.

806 North Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21201
Phone: (410) 752-0311
Menu: www.helmand.com

• Mughal Garden

This is probably the best Indian restaurant I have ever been to! The food is more than amazing and not too expensive at $11-20 per plate. There is also a daily lunch buffet for $8.95-$10.95.

920 North Charles Street, Baltimore MD 21201
Phone: (410) 547- 0001
Menu: www.Mughalgarden.com