I am very simple when it comes to pizza, I just like the basic sauce and cheese. I guess we came at an awkward time, 4pm, but the pizza was nothing to write home about. I stopped eating the veggie pizza, the over crispy broccoli was doing nothing for me.

I have learned that just because you spend money on eating out does not mean that you have to finish it just because it is in front of you.

The best part was 1/2 a Hope’s cookie that my friend kindly shared with me. The sugar cookie was soft in the middle. Perfection.

If you want a place to listen to some good music, grab a slice of pizza and get some free Wifi- check out Peace a Pizza!

Upon walking in to the restaurant, you are promptly seated at one of their tables that feature a built-in grill. The entree options range from beef, to pork, to chicken, to soups, and more. The group I was with decided to split a few different options. I had a sampler of Pork Belly followed by Jumuluck (seasoned boneless rib pictured below). After a waiter takes your order and retrieves drinks and sides, the kitchen comes to you! All of the food is prepared right before your eyes as you snack on the appetizers.

This gives you a chance to take inventory on all the dishes they have set out. Most note-worthy is the small double-dish that houses two different sauces (there’s two of them in the picture above). The dark red sauce is tasty with beef, while the lighter one goes best on pork. The pork belly is a lot like bacon, just thicker. I soaked mine in the lighter sauce before enjoying its crispy goodness. But the Jumuluck was my favorite dish of the night. The thick chunks of beef soaked up the red sauce quickly and created a tender mouthful of satisfaction. I could have eaten an entire order of that by myself!

But I had to share. There were also some seafood dishes of which I had a nibble. They were raw and contrasted nicely with the hot meat. My friend suggested making a lettuce wrap instead of eating everything separately- a WONDERFUL idea! Large leaves of lettuce are waiting for you to create your own combo. I used white rice, Jumuluck, some red sauce, and an assortment of sides as toppings. Wrap the lettuce tight and you have a tasty sandwich that’s easy to eat!

This is a great place to take friends and try some new food. Even late at night, there is still a young crowd feasting on all the wonderful choices. Just ask Dylan if he had a good time.

Check out their menu! Don’t be scared by the prices. Rice and the assortment of sauces and sides are included.

Evan Ponter: How did you hear about Haiku?

DC: The first time I heard about Haiku was through some paper advertising their employees were doing on campus. At first I wasn’t particularly drawn in, since I had other places I already went to for fro yo, but hearing good things about it from friends eventually made me try it out for myself.

JP: I saw their advertising while I was at Giant purchasing groceries (being that I am in college, this must have meant I had just gotten paid). They had a lot of flags and advertising all around the shopping center. At first I didn’t know what it was but then they put up the sign that said “frozen yogurt” and I got really really excited.

EP: Was it the first time u had fro yo?

DC: It wasn’t the first time that I had fro yo, but i would say that having it there was definitely the first time I had some that tasted like actual yogurt – not as filled with sugar to hide the taste as other places like to do.

JP: This was not even close to the first time. The way that my roommates and I bond is over frozen yogurt from Tutti Fruti (manly, not so much, but at least it is healthier than beer….or is it?) That restaurant is a staple food for many UMBC students as it was the closest fro-yo joint in the area before Haiku was opened. Even though it is like a 20 minute drive to get there it is so worth it because of their cleanliness, selection of yogurts, and plethora of toppings. Haiku has a lot to stand up to and I think they are realizing that. Since opening they have added some new toppings and yogurt flavors to meet customer demand.

EP: What do you usually get?

DC: What I usually get typically involves some combination of vanilla and chocolate flavors, and it always has strawberries on top

JP: I am a sweet kind of guy (yes, I mean personality AND yogurt flavor). I normally go toward the vanilla and chocolate flavors that are sweetened and stay away from the tart or original yogurt. Although I do have many friends that are very into that flavor, I just like the sweetness If I am getting a dessert. I also enjoy loading lots of fruit (and some chocolate….lots of chocolate) on top of my frozen treat. If I am feeling wild I might even throw on some Captain Crunch (yes they have that as a topping. I dreamt of this back in third grade!) or some Oreos. The options of topping go from what you would expect at an ice cream place like chocolate syrup and cherries, to extremely out there like Frutti Pebbles cereal and Pop-Tarts. I think these options, and the fact that you serve yourself, are what set it apart from any other ice cream restaurant.

EP: What do you try to avoid? What haven’t you tried yet that you might be willing to try?

DC: I’m typically down to try just about any flavor, so long as it isn’t supposed to be fruity in the way that it tastes. I prefer to get those flavors by adding actual fruit on top, if possible.

JP: I have yet to try any fruity flavor, like mango or mixed berry for example, and I think that this would be something that I like. I am a HUGE fan of mango sorbet so I should probably take the chance to try the frozen yogurt version as soon as I can. (and yes, I know what you were asking yourself, I WOULD put captain crunch on top!)

After a long and hard work out, all one wants is some delicious and healthy food. With this thought in mind, I headed to the H-Mart on Rolling Road and Rt. 40 to satisfy this taste. When trying international food, I make it a rule to try the food with someone who is accustomed to the cuisine for at least the first outing. After that, I would call myself a connoisseur (not really, sarcasm), and order like a pro right?!

In high school, my Korean friend’s mom would always make me delicious Korean BBQ and other delicious cuisine, so I have grown to love Korean food. Even the dreaded Kimchi was one of my favorite side dishes when I first tried Korean food. From bulgogi, Korean BBQ, galbidolsot, jjajangmyun and jigae, I LOVE KOREAN FOOD.

I had decided to go to Hanoori Town, next to H-Mart, but somehow I ended up in H-Mart at their little Korean restaurant in the corner.

I decided to order some galbidolsot and my friend, Patrice, ordered a variety of Sushi. I am not a big fan of sushi, but I had to try it. The food was, as always, very delicious. The steak was marinated to perfection and everything tasted amazing; just like what April’s ahma (mother in Korean) used to make.

The prices of the sushi and the Korean food are very reasonable. They give you so much food that you can split it into 3 servings. The sushi was also a very good deal. Patrice got 30 rolls for under $25. The sushi was also very good, which was a surprise to me. I normally don’t like anything that smells like seafood, which sushi does exactly, but I really liked it.

This is the menu for the restaurant. They do not deliver but they do take orders over the phone and have a sitting area to eat in. Even though it seems weird to sit in a grocery store, just eating food, it doesn’t feel awkward and you may forget that you are in a grocery store once you are delving into your bowls of deliciousness.

Isabelle Garcia, a graduating senior at UMBC, has this to say about her experiences at Grilled Cheese and Co:

“When I first went inside the restaurant, I was impressed by the creativity in the menu. Before I got inside, I only expected a couple of variations of simple ham and cheese sort of sandwiches, but Grilled Cheese had everything from the Crabby Melt (my personal favorite) to the Veggie Delight Sandwich.

I got the crabby melt and it was heavenly – it was messy (I had to eat it with a fork and knife) but it was so good that I had to embrace the messiness. They definitely don’t skimp on the crabby filling (hence the messiness) and they make it fresh, right in front of you. When you get your sandwich, it’s wrapped in white paper, but it’s so fresh that you can see the steam fogging up the paper a bit. When you take a bite out of the sandwich, you’ll burn your mouth, just a little, but it’s not so hot that you can’t taste the soft, creamy combination of crab and cheese with the crispy, buttery toast.

You also have the option of grabbing a cup of fries with it. Some people like their fries really thick; others like them thin. If you belong to the latter, then you’ll hit a jackpot with these fries. They’re very long and thin, crispy fries – almost like a hybrid between a potato chip and a fry. Since they’re so thin, they’re also really light…but don’t worry because Grilled Cheese and Company gives you a lot of them. The only downside to these fries? They’re pretty addictive.

Really, there’s nothing bad to say of this place. It’s clean. The service is good and they make the sandwiches pretty fast. The sandwiches are also a pretty good size, so you definitely get your money’s worth. And if you’re worried about the cost – don’t be. It’s not exactly the dollar store of sandwiches, but the food is pretty affordable for what you get.”

Head over to 500 Edmondson Avenue in Catonsville to try your own grilled cheese sandwich!

First when we walked in, we were greeted by some of the nicest staff I have ever encountered. They all went out their way to make us feel welcome. The decor in the restaurant is not too upscale that it comes off stuffy and pretentious, but it wasn’t a Red Lobster either. One can tell that real detail was put into designing and creating a warm environment. The view of the harbor and surrounding areas was very appealing as well. Nestled near little Italy and PowerPlant and gazing over the Inner Harbor, there are so many gorgeous views surrounding you while you eat.

For our appetizer, we ordered the Calamari Frito Misto and the Crab, Shrimp, and Artichoke dip with Pita Chips. The Calamari…I gave it a chance but its consistency reminded me of scallops and I despise scallops. They were lightly battered and fried and came with a homemade ketchup. The pita chip dish was amazing. Everything from the chips to the dip was exciting.

For drinks I ordered a German Riesling, that was said to be sweet. I didn’t think it was that sweet though but it was a good wine, just not for me. My next drink with dinner was a delicious Basil and Cranberry Margherita. It had tequila, triple sec, basil and fresh cranberries. A very exciting and holiday themed drink.

For lunch, though it was closer to 4:30, I had the Spicy Shrimp Linguini. I loved that dish so much. It was the perfect blend of spice and full-bodied flavor I want from my foods. Everyone seemed to love their plates and it brought a smile to everyone’s faces as we terrorized our plates. From the crab cakes, salmon, burgers and shrimp, we all could do nothing but rave about our dishes.

Then it was dessert time! We ordered an apple pie a la mode, an oreo cookie dessert, a creme brûlée, and a triple berry cheesecake and shared around the table. The best one on the table was….drum roll please…the apple pie a la mode. That pie is probably the best pie I have ever had in my life. The vanilla ice cream created to accompany it was soo good I am convinced that the cow is in the back somewhere just providing the milk to churn into ice cream.

All in all, I would highly recommend this restaurant for all you lovers and friends out there. Even for a family dinner, this would be a great place to have a meal with the parental units. The downside: unless you are really, really wanting to foot the bill, I would advise you to take the parental units or a money machine because this restaurant is a bit over the college budget. The drinks were at least $10 each and meals range from $12-$27. Unfortunately, I couldn’t take any pictures to share with you all. That is all the more reason to go and see the place for yourselves 

Shane’s Rib Shack in Laurel is some of the best BBQ Food I have ever tasted. Everything is slapped, slopped, and soaked in delicious marinades and sauces that will make you just fall out out of your seat. The staff is friendly and the food is amazing!

I went there one night after a long day of driving to Virginia and back to Baltimore with no food to eat. I wanted something that I could just sink my teeth into, get my clothes dirty, and lick my fingers. Yes, it was one of those days! My friend suggested to me that we go to Laurel and try Shane’s Rib Shack. Now my first question was, “Who is Shane?” After a lot of laughter, she told me that it was a restaurant that had amazing wings and to die for ribs. That was all the information I needed, and we headed out.

Once I entered the Shack (it wasn’t really a shack), I was surprised how nice the place was. It wasn’t a fru fru fancy restaurant, but the décor was very fitting for the place. It had memorabilia on the walls, nice booth seating, and tvs to watch the games. When it was time to order, the staff was extremelly patient with me, even when I was so indecisive.

I decided to order the Shack Sampler, you know, just so I could try all the best stuff. My friend ordered a tray of wings and some sweet potato fries. I thought it would take a while to get my food, but the food was ready and delivered to our table in under 20 minutes.

Boy o boy, was that food delicious! Nothing bad could be said about that food. In the same regard, you can’t know how good it is until you taste it. I strongly  recommend Shane’s Rib Shack to anyone looking for a casual and different place to eat BBQ. They have two locations: Laurel and Alexandria. I have posted the menu which has the addresses for both locations. If you get the chance to go, send me an email and tell me about your experience at the Shack!

Chicken Satay

Chicken Satay: $6- for 5 chicken skewers (clearly, we were pretty hungry haha), you get this awesome appetizer!  Infused with curry and paired with 2 slices of toast, a delicious peanut dipping sauce and a cucumber salad, this appetizer is a definite crowd pleaser for those trying Thai cuisine for the first time.

Lunch Special with Chicken

#46 Lunch Special with Chicken $6.25: This was my delicious (and affordable) lunch choice.  If you like spicy, go ahead and get this.  Stir fried chicken, green beans, onions, thai basil, and thai chilis, this dish was SO good and SO satisfying.

Drunken Noodles

#68 Lunch Special with Chicken $6.25: My friend’s pick. Drunken noodles — a Thai staple.  Another great beginner-Thai cuisine dish.  Also fairly spicy!  Really delicious and satisfying.

Overall, Thai Heaven is an amazing lunch/dinner spot for UMBC students and local Catonsville residents.  Great prices, great food, great personalities—the owners of this place are hysterical.  If you need a great laugh, come to Thai Heaven:  6413 Fredrick Rd., Baltimore, MD 21202 - (410) 455-9239

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

The menu at Kebob & Curry

I was also happy that this place had halal meat! I could try a meat dish instead of having to stick with a veggie platter.

The prices were pretty standard for most of the places I have been to.

I decided to go with the Lamb Biryani.

Lamb Biryani

Lamb Biryani

Big portion! I was only able to eat 1/3 of that!

We also got the Chicken Kabob to share- they were not as spicy as we were expecting!

Chicken Kabob

Best part was the fast service and the free drinks!

Thanks Kabob and Curry! I love that I can hop right over from school and get some Indian food- if I don’t feel like driving the 15 mins home to my mom’s kitchen!