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Baltimore Orioles’ Adam Jones Hits a Home Run in Local French Fry Challenge

Published on August 3, 2016August 3, 2016 by neverbeensoLeave a comment

It’s no secret Adam Jones is a stellar ball player, but did you also know he’s a huge connoisseur of food?? He has been part of the Care First Fan Challenge for years, in which Jones encourages fans to challenge him to various activities. And in recent years, the challenges have become more centered around food; in 2014, it was a Burger Competition and in 2015, it was a BBQ Battle. Not only is this year’s challenge food related, but it’s a cook-off competition with one special twist: the submission must be a ballpark-themed menu item!

The Challenge

After a week of entries, the Mid-Atlantic Sports Network (MASN) announced that Jones hand-selected the 2016 winner: husband and wife duo, Kevin and Elizabeth Irish, owners of restaurant The Local Fry. This local federal hill spot serves up sandwiches and specialty fries topped with items such as Carnitas, Southwestern BBQ, Kimchi Pork Belly, and my personal favorite, Buffalo Chicken.

The competition took place August 3, 2016 during O’s Xtra, the Orioles exclusive pre-game show, before the Birds took on the Rangers. If competing against Jones wasn’t enough to make the Irishes nervous, the competition came stocked with a panel of local celebrity judges, including Chef Chad Gauss of The Food Market, located in Hampden, 13-year old Bryce Taylor, a Food Network Teen Chef and Junior Finalist from Food Network’s show, ‘Chopped Junior’ from Mount Washington. (Watch the video here) and Zach Britton, pitcher for the Baltimore Orioles.

Chris Person, Sous Chef for Dempsey’s Brew Pub and Restaurant, where the competition took place, served as Jones’ assistant for the event.

Kevin and Elizabeth Irish prepping for the competition.

The Outcome

The Irishes came in hot with two options for the judges: fries topped with braised short rib, crema, pickled red onion and toasted sesame seeds, as well as fries topped with jerk chicken, mango salsa and cole slaw. But it wasn’t enough to beat the reigning champion. It was a sweep across the three judges, all unanimously picking Jones’ fries topped with carne asada, guacamole, sour cream, salsa, and cilantro, “a mountain of calories” as Jones referred to them.

Chef Bryce Taylor said of Jones’ fries, “they were the best thing I’ve had to eat today so far.” Chef Chad Gauss went on to say, “the ingredients were the perfect consistency to enhance the french fries and not damage the potato.” Being that he’s a “huge fan of comfort food,” these hit a home run for him.

Jones presented the Irishes with an idea to add his fries to The Local Fry’s menu. We’ll see if they make an appearance in the coming weeks. Congrats Adam!!

The Local Fry – Braised short rib, crema, pickled red onion and toasted sesame seeds.

The Local Fry – Jerk chicken, mango salsa and cole slaw.

Adam Jones – Carne asada, guacamole, sour cream, cilantro, salsa, and cheese.

Jones watching on as Chef Bryce Taylor, Chef Chad Gauss and Zach Britton make their decisions.

Adam Jones Wins with his Carne Asada fries!

11 Baltimore Restaurants Doing Deviled Eggs Right

Published on May 4, 2016May 4, 2016 by neverbeenso4 Comments

For this week’s 180 Wednesday, I’m talking about DEVILED EGGS! I know I’m not the only one who despised these little suckers as a kid (or up until a month ago). Of course deviled eggs have features to dislike (i.e. smell, preparation); however, they’ve never been so on the top of my cravings list.

And because I become instantly obsessed when I stumble upon a new flavor I like (hence the creation of 180 Wednesday), I have been eating up deviled eggs at every restaurant I can get my hands on (all within the last month!). It’s quite surprising how many restaurants actually serve up these little guys, all with their own take on presentation and flavor. I missed photo ops on a few of these, never imagined I would fall in love as hard as I did

And while I’m sure our family’s recipes are on the tops of all our lists, in honor of Mother’s Day this weekend, let’s give Mom and Grandma a break, and have someone else do the work. Here are the restaurants serving up the best deviled eggs in Baltimore!

1 . Cava Mezze | 1302 Fleet Street

GREEN EGGS & HAM deviled eggs | fresh herb vinaigrette | crispy pancetta
First off, their brunch is amazing; bottomless eats and drink. So when I happened upon deviled eggs on the menu a month ago, I gave them a shot. I figured if I don’t like them, no biggie, it’s bottomless. WELL, lets just say, my mouth experienced complete confusion and satisfaction. And since, my love for deviled eggs was born – not to mention they get extra points for Dr. Seuss nostalgia.

2 . Woodberry Kitchen | 2010 Clipper Park Road

Devilled Eggs | Chipped Ham | Fish Pepper
These little guys are high up on my list. I was skeptical of the fish pepper, but it packed such a good flavor!

3 . Bond Street Social | 901 South Bond Street

“Eggs and Bacon” Deviled Eggs | bacon jam | pickled mustard seeds | pimento cheddar filling
Half-priced, daily 4pm-7pm

4 . Dinosaur BBQ | 1401 Fleet Street
Creole Deviled Eggs | Cajun spiced | Chives
Get these in portions of 3, 6 or 12 pieces

5 . Artifact Coffee | 1500 Union Avenue

Deviled Eggs
As you can imagine, these are pretty similar to the ones served at Woodberry Kitchen, but there’s nothing wrong with that!

6 . Ten Ten | 1010 Fleet Street

Deviled Eggs | Cunningham farm eggs | bacon | smoked paprika

7 . Sugarvale | 4 West Madison Street

Deviled Eggs | Duck Ham
This ham is LEGIT.

8 . Southern Provisions | 3000 O’Donnell Street
Deviled Eggs | Mustard Seed | Paprika

9 . The Nickel Taphouse | 1604 Kelley Avenue
Deviled Eggs | bacon jam

10 . Cardinal Tavern | 901 South Clinton Street
Mom’s Deviled Eggs | “classic recipe just like Mom used to make”

Who am I missing?? I’m always up for solid recommendations!

Baltimore Food and Drink: Snowmageddon 2016

Published on January 22, 2016January 23, 2016 by neverbeenso27 Comments

One really huge benefit of living in the city of Baltimore is that most everything is walking distance. And with that, when the rest of the DC/Baltimore area frets and ransacks every grocery store in a 10 mile radius, us city-dwellers still have options; neverbeenso thankful. |And really, who wants milk and bread, when you can have tequila and tacos?|

Thanks to these fine Baltimore City establishments below, who have already committed to staying open all weekend, we won’t go hungry or thirsty during Snowmageddon 2016. How many bars and/or restaurants across Baltimore can you make it to? Challenge accepted, Jonas.

And don’t forget, it’s also Baltimore City Restaurant Week!

So get your snow boots on and boycott the grocery store madness!

Follow along on Instagram @neverbeenso to see some of our favorites! Use #bmoreopen on social media to show us your Snow Day Specials!

CANTON

Jokers n Thieves – 3000 O’Donnell St.

Verde – 641 S. Montford Ave.

The Boathouse – 2809 Boston St.

QuarterHouse Tavern – 801 S. Decker St.
HAPPY HOUR draft prices on select beers as long as it is snowing – They also sell beer & wine TO GO!

Saigon Today – 700 S. Potomac St.
$5 PHO, $2 off apps, $4 draughts, $3 hot toddys $5 vietnamese spiked coffee and $4 bacon bloodys!

Mahaffey’s Pub – 2706 Dillon St.
3 beers for $6 every day until 7!

Tavern on the Square – 2903 O’Donnell St.
FRIDAY HAPPY HOUR 1-7pm!!! 1/2 off drinks! $5 apps!! $8 Pizzas!! $10 Pasta dinner!!

Looney’s – 2900 O’Donnell St.

Baltimore Taphouse – 600 S. Potomac St.

Cardinal Tavern – 901 S. Clinton St.
Friday Happy Hour Food & Drinks tip 7pm
Saturday and Sunday Brunch 9:30am – 3pm

Snake Hill – 418 S. Clinton St.
Bonus: Offering drone customer pick-up within a six block radius.

Alma Cocina Latina – 2400 Boston St. Ste 108
Dinner starts at 5pm

Plug Ugly’s – 2908 O’Donnell St.
Friday: FREE Smores on 2nd floor heated deck!

Smaltimore – 2522 Fait St.
Saturday – Opening at 7:30am for Liverpool match
$10 bottomless until noon

El Bufalo – 2921 O’Donnell St.

Myth and Moonshine – 2300 Boston St.

Saute – 2844 Hudson St.
Saturday and Sunday – BRUNCH 10am-3pm and happy hour prices are in effect ALL WEEKEND after brunch

FED HILL

Blue Agave – 1032 Light St.

Das Bier Haus – 1542 Light St.

The Local Fry – 21 E. Cross St.
BYOB

Liv2Eat – 1444 Light St.

Banditos – 1118 S. Charles St.
**for every 6 inches of snow, everyone gets a SNOWBOMB**
$16 beer buckets
$5 32 oz Budlight/shocktop
$5 espolon
**bottomless mimosas till 2 w/ brunch**

Mad River – 1110 S. Charles St.
Happy Hour Specials All Day
Wear Your Pajamas for 10% Off

Magerk’s Pub – 1061 S. Charles St.
–Friday —
3-8pm: $1.75 Bud Light, Miller Lite & Yuengling drafts
$3 all other drafts
$4 wine, firefly & pizza bread
11pm-close: BOGO Rails, Fireball, Jameson, Jack Daniels & Jim Beam
–Saturday–
11am-6pm: $3 drafts & $3.50 mimosas
6-close: $3.50 16oz Bohs, $4 Terremoto, $5 Deep Eddy, $6 Ice 101 and Deep Eddy Bombs

Don’t Know Tavern – 1455 Light St.
Friday – ever favorite ALL YOU CAN DRINK Miller, Coors & wine, just $10 from 7-10 & live music

Sobo Cafe and Sobo Market – 6-8 W. Cross St.

Stalking Horse – 26 E. Cross St.
$12 buckets of Bud light and “warm-up with $.59 wings, $4 Fireballs and $4 Jamesons” all weekend

FELLS POINT

The Point – 1738 Thames St
Baltimore’s best brunch from 10am-4pm with $13 bottomless Mimosas, Bloodies, Screwdrivers and Sangria till 2pm
$6 Irish Coffees and Adult Hot Chocolate
$4 Old Man Winter and Vanilla Porter drafts
& Live Music

Slainte Irish Pub – 1700 Thames St.
According to the Director of Operations, “…will remain open all weekend during the Blizzard. We are planning on operating at regular business hours (Sláinte 7am – 2am)”

Kooper’s Tavern – 1702 Thames St.
According to the Director of Operations, “…will remain open all weekend during the Blizzard. We are planning on operating at regular business hours (Kooper’s 10am – 2am)”

Max’s Taphouse – 737 S. Broadway
Friday – Big A$$ Drafts (32oz) from 5-8pm; Saturday – normal business hours

Papi’s Tacos – 1703 Aliceanna
10am-3pm $12 AYCD mix and match bloody’s, bellinis, dos Equis drafts, screwdrivers, and tequila sunrises
10am-5pm $12 Coronita buckets (6) and $15 day of the dead craft beer buckets
All Weekend – select $3 beers and $4 shots

Penny Black – 1800 Thames St.

Alexander’s Tavern – 710 S. Broadway

HAMPDEN

Birroteca – 1520 Clipper Rd.
Grab a pizza and a growler glass, get 50% off the fill, bring a growler get 25% off the fill!

HARBOR EAST

Roy’s – 1720 Aliceanna
Aloha Hour Specials – $7 select appetizers, wine & cocktails in the bar 4pm-7pm

NBS BITES: Snake Hill Grill

Published on January 11, 2016January 11, 2016 by neverbeensoLeave a comment

If I had to describe Snake Hill Grill in one word, it would be ‘Eclectic’ – no wait, ‘Intrigue’- actually, ‘Savory’ – oh hell, I can’t pick just one. This is one of Baltimore’s newest additions to its food fellowship, and I have to say Snake Hill is bringing the charm.

Snake Hill opened back in November 2015 and seems to be doing pretty well for being on the street for only a few months. The owner, Rich Pugh, is no junior to running a restaurant, as he is the owner of the successful Johnny Rad’s. This name being tied to Snake Hill is what originally peaked my interest. Pugh could open any establishment and I would be there bright-eyed and ready for goodness – the reason: risotto balls (I’ve neverbeenso obsessed with an appetizer – but that’s for another post). Naturally, I assumed Snake Hill must have something of equal deliciousness. I was right.

The casual brats and beer atmosphere presented by Snake Hill is sure to have you feeling right at home. Snake Hill is located on Clinton Street towards the end of Canton and technically Highlandtown. From the outside, I have to admit, I wasn’t sure what to expect, whether it would be one of those music-stops-when-you-walk-in bars. It wasn’t. We took a seat at the Scrabble-tile topped bar, right in front of the old fortune-teller booth, and immediately started searching for hidden messages. My favorite was ‘Beetle Juice Beetle Juice Beetle Juice’ |applause| This already proved to me that a lot of love and humor went into creating this establishment. But it was time to check out the grub.

First glance at the specials menu had me fixated on dessert. Puppy Chow. Some of you may not know what this is (chex mix covered in peanut butter + chocolate and rolled in powdered sugar), but I remember every single Christmas waiting PATIENTLY for a friend of the family to make a huge batch of this stuff. I’d tear into it, fingers and face covered in powdered sugar, and seeing this on a menu immediately took me back to my childhood. I already knew I was getting dessert regardless of how the meal went.

Not knowing where to start with food, we asked for help. The incredibly friendly bartender directed us towards the fries as a ‘must-have’. The menu consists of various types of sausages, each with several toppings: A very simple, yet upgraded, sausage list. I went with the Pig Newton (Pork with Fig & Fall spices) with sauerkraut and sweet peppers, while Will went with Hot Louie (Spicy Pork) with sauerkraut and hot peppers.

NBS BITES: Snake Hill Grill — The Pig Newton

I am a huge condiment fan and Snake Hill does not disappoint. Alongside the fries came a mouth-watering sriracha ranch – this needs to be bottled and sold. And they have a couple homemade mustards for the sausages such as Honey Bourbon and Old Bay.

The fries were heavenly. BUT the sausages were above and beyond. The brioche style bun with the toppings and the mustards and the flavor infused meat made for a very happy palette. Since we were so full, we ordered the puppy chow to go and it was just as I remembered. Nothing fancy, but if you ever had this as a kid, you will be immediately nostalgic.

NBSB Rating: Love it.

Snake Hill is located at 418 S. Clinton Street | Baltimore, MD 21224

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