Forgot Password?  Join Now!
google
CAFE HON IN
TRENDY HAMPDEN
Welcome To Bawl’mer, Hon!
By Carol Sorgen

If you’re familiar with the musical Hairspray, well, then you won’t feel a bit out of place at Café Hon, a favorite Baltimore (or as the natives say, Bawl’mer) eatery in the quirky-now-trendy area of the city known as Hampden.

Walk into Café Hon (which gets its name from the Charm City tradition of calling everyone by the familiar endearment, Hon, whether you know them or not!) and you’ll feel as if you stepped back to the ‘50s. Formica tables, vinyl-topped chairs, and the comfortably kitschy décor let you think you’re visiting Grandma’s for Sunday supper. The menu is a nod to both tradition--with such favorites as chicken and dumplings, or “Much Better than Mom’s” meat loaf, mashed potatoes, and gravy--and contemporary tastes, with fare such as grilled marinated portabella or vegetarian black bean burgers. And just as Grandma would have said, “Save room for dessert, Hon.” The food at Café Hon is not haute cuisine, but it’s comforting, tasty and reasonably priced, and comes with a slice of Baltimore charm.

Don’t leave Hampden without strolling down West 36th Street, more commonly known these days as “The Avenue.” An assortment of eclectic and unique restaurants and shops from antiques, collectibles, and art galleries, to craft boutiques, to funky clothing, home décor, and gift shops fill the rowhouse-lined street. Some of my favorites--Hometown Girl & Co. (complete with an ol’-fashioned soda fountain), for gifts with a local twist; Mud and Metal, for functional and decorative crafts; Ma Petite Shoe, featuring shoes and chocolates (what girl wouldn’t love that!); and In Watermelon Sugar, fun gifts for the home and bath.

If you’re in Baltimore between Thanksgiving and the first weekend after New Year’s, make sure your visit to Hampden includes a visit to 34th Street too. Yes, Baltimore has its own Miracle on 34th Street, and this block of traditional rowhomes has been featured in books, magazines, calendars, and TV shows for its all-out, over-the-top holiday decorations. This is one Baltimore tradition you won’t want to miss!

For more information:

Café Hon is located at 1002 W. 36th St. in Baltimore. Check out the website at cafehon.ezsitemaster.com . Don’t miss the link to “Bawlmerese” so you’ll be able to understand the locals once you get here!

For more information on Hampden itself, visit hampdenmerchants.com .