Baltimore, MD 21211

Golden West Café

Searching for a new breakfast spot to check out with my friends, I came across a place on my list that I’ve been wanting to check out for a long time now: Golden West Café. Located in Hampden amidst a bunch of independent boutiques, eclectic eateries, and antique stores, Golden West offers a lot in terms of food and experience.

When you enter the café, the first thing you’ll notice is the decorations. Golden West is known for hosting the occasional show with local artists and is a hub for information about local artists, collectives, and community events. The assemblage of brightly colored paint with knick-knacks collected over time has a Baltimore feel to it, something that also is apparent in its menu selections. There is a lot of vegetarian fare mixed in with classic menu offerings.

My friends and I were there for brunch time on the weekend, giving us a lot to choose form. Some notables from the breakfast menu are the chorizo burrito (and there’s a vegan version!), the goldilox omelet (for all of the lox lovers out there), and the French toast with your choice of fruit, pictured above. It was definitely a huge portion suited for someone who loves sweets and doesn’t mind taking some home.

I got something from the lunch menu, the Riblet, a sandwich with vegan barbeque riblets, paired with vegan coleslaw or your choice of fries. It was delicious, and somehow I managed to eat it all in one sitting. There is a lot to choose from on Golden West’s diner-esque menu, with items ranging from the typical to the exquisite, with many things to choose from in every price range.

I won’t waste time telling you anymore – it’s definitely worth it to visit Hampden and get a feel for it yourself. I’m not sure that it could disappoint!

- Stefanie

800 South Broadway
Baltimore, MD 21231

Yeah, you can get pizza almost anywhere you go. Still, it’s rare to eat pizza somewhere special with endless options. Representing true Baltimore flavor, Brick Oven Pizza in Fells Point is the perfect place to sit down with friends or grab a slice to eat outside by the docks. The place is always busy (which is definitely a good sign!) and the staff knows how to handle a rush, meaning you’ll never have to wait a long time for whatever you ordered.

The toppings list seems endless and includes the typical toppings and things you can’t get everywhere like artichoke hearts, capers, carrots, cherry peppers, corn, eggplant, garlic, pesto, potatoes, zucchini, spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, bacon, gyro meat, salami, turkey, and spam (!!!). If you’re feeling a bit daring, you can try anchovies, clams, crab meat, or shrimp.

The fun tends to come with the cheese, where you can select between cream cheese, cheddar, feta, fontina, goat cheese, ricotta, sour cream, provolone, or a combination of the items previously listed. Really, the possibilities are endless and making your own customized slice is surely encouraged.

It gets even better for the vegans out there – Brick Oven Pizza offers soya cheese on its pizza. It’s great to pair some with a vegetable medley, like broccoli and spinach. I’ve gotten it many times before, but unfortunately (there were big frowns to be had) they were out of vegan cheese the night I ventured into Fells Point with my friends. I love all pizza, so a cheeseless version was okay for me.

Fells Point already provides a young, hip atmosphere, but it’s important that there’s a great pizza place to go with it. Let me know if you have a chance to stop by and try it. While you’re at it, pick me up a vegan slice!

- Stefanie

We all love good sushi, but sometimes it comes at a big price. Not at Kyodai, Towson’s rotating sushi bar! The sushi is very reasonably priced, with basic sushi plates (shrimp tempura, imitation crab, vegetable, tuna, and salmon) only $2.50 a plate, which has four pieces of sushi on it (and they’re pretty large!) They also have a ton of special rolls to choose from, my old favorite being the rainbow roll. Most of my friends love dipping their sushi in a combination of spicy Sriracha sauce and soy sauce. However, Kyodai also has a special creamy Sriracha sauce, which is always a bit hit.

The novelty of the rotating bar is great, but Kyodai also has a few tables for seating that are great for larger parties. The staff is extremely friendly and is always willing to help you make a decision about what to order. Now that I’m vegan, I order many, many orders of avocado roll, something I often crave. And at $2.50 an order, it’s easy to go a bit overboard. For special orders (special plates are only $5.75), it’s always fun to watch the sushi chefs (located in the center of the rotating bar) roll the sushi in front of you.

This is a really fun place to go on a date, catch up with friends, or just stop by for a quick meal. The wait time is usually very short and the service is great. With a menu in addition to the sushi, there’s something for everyone. Also, I must recommend the banana tempura + chocolate sauce dessert! It’s warm and just the right amount of sweet. You can also order it with honey!

All in all, Kyodai is a great place to experience at least one, especially since the owner claims it’s the only rotating sushi bar in Maryland! Plus, we all love instant gratification sometimes and this is the perfect place to make spontaneous decisions and try new things at your own pace.

1 West Pennsylvania Avenue, Towson, MD

- Stefanie

Holy Frijoles has a great name and is located in one of Baltimore’s most well known parts of town, Hampden. Home of hon culture, Hampden is a mosaic of eateries and local businesses, making it a hip hangout, especially for college-aged students. Holy Frijoles is right in the center of it all and offers a wide array of options for all food lovers. The disclaimer at the bottom of their menu reads “ALL OF OUR FOOD IS VEGETARIAN UNLESS IT HAS MEAT IN IT!” So, order your favorites without cheese or meat for some delicious entrees.

Appetizers range from nachos to taquitos and there are a few types of salads on the menu with added Mexican flare. I’ve heard great things about the fish tacos and potato burritos which have potatoes, melted cheese, chopped onions, and homemade picante.

I chose a vegan enchilada, which was just the right amount of spicy and had tons of delicious beans and corn topped with enchilada sauce. The chimichangas are also a crowd pleaser, enormous in size and fried to perfection.

For the 21+ crowd, Frijoles has a friendly bar and offers a creative selection of drinks that’s worth checking out.

ADDRESS:

908 W. 36^th St

Hampden Baltimore, MD 21211

-Stefanie

As students, sometimes we get in the “just deal with it” mentality of things. However, on of the perks of being at a school like UMBC is that you have the opportunity to really change the direction of campus policy. The new SGA Department of Health and Wellness was created by Conor Fowler and Kati Henry, two students who believed that there was not enough student input in creating campus policy and that the health and nutritional services provided by UMBC were not addressing the needs of students adequately.

More specifically, concerns with how University Health Services would handle the H1N1 crisis towards the end of last semester helped Conor and Kati come together to start talking about how students could make a difference and make services more effective. Furthermore, both were worried about the nutritional quality of food provided in the Commons and issues like cross-contamination, allergies, lack of labeling, and lack of vegetarian/vegan options in the dining hall and UMBC as a whole.

The department now has a decent member base, but is looking to expand. With sub-committees focused on UHS, Counseling Services, and Food/Nutrition that have the opportunity to work with the administration and entities on campus like Chartwells, the department is putting students in contact with the right people, encouraging change and helping the on-campus services get good student feedback.

Most recently, the Food and Nutrition committee has had meetings with Chartwells to discuss a permanent all-vegetarian option in the Commons and address cross-contamination in various dining locations. The committee will also be meeting with representatives from the Yum Shoppe to provide more edible options to those with allergies, religious constraints, or strict diets to bridge the gap until the necessary changes are institutionalized on a higher level.

Kati Henry, co-director of Health and Wellness is encouraging students to send an application her and Conor’s way. “We need to the meet the needs of those students who are suffering in silence. We’d like to become a model for other universities.” If you care about other people and are passionate about food on campus, visit the Health and Wellness website and download an application. They’ll be accepted on a rolling basis. If you have any questions about the department and what it does, please send an email to Director Conor Fowler and Co-Director Kati Henry.

It’s really easy at times to get stuck in the mentality that there is nothing to do around UMBC. Sure, Baltimore and DC are a close drive away, but what could be cool about Old Ellicott City? A lot of things!

Besides the assortment of antique stores that line Main Street, there are a ton of cute local shops and businesses in the mix. One such business is an eclectic coffee shop located at 8059 Main Street, the Bean Hollow. While its location is moderately sized and fills up quickly on weekend afternoons, the Bean Hollow is still a hip hangout space full of colorful and antique décor. In the back of the store is an old bean roaster, making the coffee shop one of a few that roasts its own beans in store. Overall, it has an old-time feel, but is perfect for a young, sophisticated crowd.

My friends and I went to the Bean Hollow on a whim one day and were pleasantly surprised by the coffee selection and the many delicious baked goods. In addition, the shop offers an extensive selection of sandwiches and snacks, such as a yummy hummus platter that’s great to share. The menu has a whole vegetarian section and there are gluten-free desserts, making it perfect for those with strict diets.

A lot of coffee shops exist, but my friends made the distinction that the Bean Hollow was an actual coffee shop, with great tasting coffee and good espresso drinks. And for students (all of us!) on a tight budget, you don’t have to worry about spending a lot of money – everything is a great value. With new coffee specials all of the time, it’s worth it to make the Bean Hollow a regular place to spend time. Take a trip outside of the circle and learn more about the culture that exists in our own backyard!

- Stefanie

A week or so before the culmination of finals this semester, a friend of mine sent me a text asking if I’d like to join her and her friends at a neat little Mediterranean restaurant in Federal Hill. She told me that it was safe for a vegetarian and that the food was really great so I took her up on the offer. We ventured to Baba’s Mediterranean Kitchen located at 745 E. Fort Avenue. Located on a quaint street corner, Baba’s is a very cozy place with a lot of character. The hand drawn menus and the hospitable owners and chefs really distinguish it from other eateries of the sort.

But let’s not forget about the food! I really love going to eat at places where I get to choose a dish that allows me to sample a variety of different foods. This is what this place is great for; there are so many different combination platters so you can easily pair up pita pockets filled with meat or delicious falafel with hummus, dolmas (mmm, my favorite!), spanokopita, salads, or Baba’s special “Pit(z)as.” They also serve their own coffee brew, which is very distinct but delightfully good, and their own desserts, including baklava.

Growing up in a Greek family, I can definitely vouch for the authenticity of Baba’s. And if you’re new to this type of food or just can’t make up your mind, the staff will be more than happy to help you! P.S. – bring a new friend to try Baba’s and get an order of free hummus!

Clearly, campus isn’t up to speed with all of the changes that meat-free and vegan students wish to see, but don’t get down! Help join in to improve food services and options available to students on campus and use it as an excuse to explore the diversity of Baltimore!

- Stefanie

One side of the store houses selves of all different types of books, many of which you can’t find in libraries or in mainstream bookstores.

Located at 800 St. Paul Street, Red Emma’s offers both a relaxing study space and a bustling forum for conversation. It’s unlikely that you’d not meet anyone during your stay. There’s WiFi, tons of handmade zines, lots of alternative publications, and a multitude of books that you can’t find anywhere else! Beyond this, there are vegan doughnuts that are to-die-for and vegan Tofurky melts that are hard to resist. They always have seasonal desserts that are great compliments to their fair-trade coffee or yerba mate. My friend Victoria and I love to get the naturally-sweetened root beer whenever we stop by the cafe.

It’s not unusual to see children and older people enjoying what the shop has to offer throughout the day.

Their website is a really great resource to learn more. You can even volunteer at the shop and learn more about the community. Regardless, it’s a really welcoming place with great food and treats.

- Stefanie

Yasmin, a vegan, became involved with the group this summer shortly after its inception. Students who aren’t vegetarians or who aren’t particularly invested in the issues surrounding a meatless diet might find the group to be meaningless for them, but it’s clear from their mission that it’s something that will have an overwhelmingly positive impact on the campus as a whole. As Yasmin explained, “the mission of our organization is not to turn every UMBC student into a vegetarian. Rather, we want students to be aware of what they are eating and how important what they eat is. Food has significant effects on the body, animals, and the environment, and one cannot be separated from the other two… Knowing the origin of the food on campus is of importance as well. We are working on getting that information.” Clearly, this is something that would lead to more ethical practices across the board and ensure that UMBC is providing the highest quality fare to each of its students, despite their dietary restrictions.

One of the most exciting things is the new partnership that’s been created between students and Chartwells. Yasmin has been meeting with our food source bi-weekly to discuss changes that should be made, many of which come from student feedback she receives from other students with dietary concerns. As a result of this, vegetarians have been able to depend on a few safe staples in the dining hall, for example. The progress won’t stop here – Yasmin informed me that “starting in the spring semester, Chartwells has promised to rejuvenate Outtakes by offering vegan sandwiches and other healthy alternatives. If students express the desire for healthy, vegan options, Chartwells has no option but to listen.” This is great; I’m sure many other students can relate to the disappointment that comes with being able to eat very few things that Outtakes has to offer, both in the Commons and dining hall.

Student advocacy groups like this depend on the efforts of students who are invested in these issues. UMBC Vegetarians will be meeting next on Monday, December 7 at 3:30pm in the Mosaic Center (the meetings are catered!). If you’d like to get involved, send an email to umbcvegetarians@gmail.com. In addition, the group will be showing the film Fowl Play, discussing animal issues, on December 21.

- Stefanie

Two weeks ago I did a piece on One World Café, an almost entirely vegetarian restaurant by the Hopkins University campus. Now, I’d like to talk about another eatery that has great food (and lots of veg options too!) and that serves as a perfect visual representation of Baltimore: Papermoon Diner located at 227 W. 29^th Street. It’s open almost all of the time, so it’s a great place to go after concerts or late movies. They serve delicious breakfast meals, sandwiches, wraps, and specialty items around the clock so you can always get whatever you want.

I got the vegan nachos (which is just too huge for one person to eat, by the way) and a side of home fries.

My sister, Athena, ordered the Crabbi Patti, which is not only a good Spongebob reference, but also looks really tasty!

Conor ordered a grilled cheese and ham, something that he rarely passes up since Papermoon was voted as having the best grilled cheese in Baltimore by the Baltimore City Paper.

The clever titles have Baltimore flare, something that works perfectly with the eclectic and colorful decorations. It’s reasonably priced and totally worth it, at least for the experience. Make a point to go there with your friends, especially if you’re not from around Baltimore. Google Maps has a great feature that finds the MTA bus route to your destination.

So make the trip and let me know how it goes!

Visit their site for more information!

- Stefanie