Food Culture of Baltimore

1 food

1.1 blue crabs
1.2 crab cakes
1.3 soft crab sandwiches
1.4 sauerkraut
1.5 pit beef
1.6 bull , oyster roasts
1.7 lake trout
1.8 chicken box
1.9 berger cookies
1.10 polock johnny s sausages
1.11 rheb s homemade candies
1.12 goetze s candies
1.13 lemon peppermint sticks
1.14 natty boh

food

blue crabs

blue crabs

the prominent example of baltimore s distinctive flavor city s close association blue crabs. trait baltimore shares other coastal parts of state of maryland. chesapeake bay years east coast s main source of blue crabs. baltimore became important hub of crab industry. in baltimore s tourist district (located between harborplace , fells point), numerous restaurants serve steamed hard shell crabs, soft shell crabs, , lump backfin crabcakes. many district shops sell crab-related merchandise.

traditionally, crabs steamed in rock salt , old bay seasoning, favored local spice mixture manufactured in baltimore decades. southern state cooks, marylanders insist, boil crabs , along it, boil away true flavor.

marylanders steam blue crabs, in water, beer , old bay seasoning.

the crabs eaten on tables spread old newspaper or plain brown wrapping paper. meat of crabs extracted use of wooden mallets, knives, , 1 s hands. popular cold beer thrown on crabs during steaming process, , made available afterwards.

crab cakes

a traditional baltimore crab cake consists of steamed blue crab backfin meat, egg, mayonnaise, old bay seafood seasoning, cracker crumbs, , mustard. prepared either broiling or frying. baltimoreans typically not use tartar sauce on crab cakes; either eat them plain, or dash of worcestershire sauce , on saltine crackers.

soft crab sandwiches

soft shell crabs blue crabs have molted old exoskeleton , still soft. entire animal can eaten, rather having shell animal reach meat, exceptions of mouth parts, gills , abdomen, must discarded. remaining, edible part of crab typically tossed in flour combination of salt, pepper , old bay seasoning have been added, before being deep fried or sauteed in butter. placed on toasted bread, typically dressed mayonnaise, sliced tomato , lettuce. baltimoreans find amusement in watching visitors city stare in horror eat soft crab sandwiches crab legs sticking out sides.

sauerkraut

it common practice serve sauerkraut thanksgiving turkey. baltimore leading gateway german immigration during 1800s. 1863, year president abraham lincoln declared thanksgiving national holiday, 1 in 4 of baltimore s residents transplanted germans , spoke tongue first language.

pit beef

pit beef refers open pit barbecued meat commonly served rare on kaiser roll, found @ small stands converted large sheds in , around baltimore , outlying suburbs. originated on baltimore s blue collar east side , has through years spread on city. other varieties of meat, such ham, turkey, corned beef , sausages found on menus @ pit beef stands. pit beef meat grilled charcoal , uses no rubs or sauces lacks wood flavor characteristic of texas barbecue , herbal aromas of carolina barbecue. baltimore pit beef uses top round , shaved thin on meat slicer serving. typical condiments pit beef sandwich thick slice of white onion , sauce made horseradish , mayonnaise commonly called tiger sauce made tulkoff food products , unique in baltimore version uses more significant portion of horseradish making sauce extremely hot.

bull , oyster roasts

these fund-raising events held in baltimore , neighboring counties. tickets sold per person or discounted table (seating 8-10 people). scheduled during r months (september–april) when oysters prevalent. menu may consist of pit beef, ham, turkey or oysters, latter being variously served fried, raw (on half shell) or stewed buttery milk or cream. typically, smorgasbord of side dishes (such mashed potatoes, macaroni , cheese, green beans, cole slaw) featured along fresh salad bar. beer , wine may purchased while standard drinks (soda, iced tea) included purchase of ticket.

in addition profits tickets sales, variety of gambling wheels featured, such money wheel (betting quarters on # s 1-6 displayed in dice format on plastic runner), or plant wheel (houseplants , occasionally, wrapped baskets of variety of gift items). @ events, 50-50 tickets sold, winner being awarded half of profits of sale, , auctions featured items donated organizations, local sports heroes, businesses, etc.example of auction items @ bull & oyster roast

lake trout

lake trout fried atlantic whiting. typically served sandwich number of condiments, such ketchup , horseradish sauce. lake trout everyday food, , served wrapped in aluminum foil in standard paper lunch bag @ small take-out establishments.

chicken box

the chicken box consists of 4–6 chicken wings, served in fast food carry out box kind of french fries (wedged western fries , curly fries, or regular fries). toppings consist of salt, pepper, , ketchup, although hot sauce popular. item chiefly sold @ independent fried chicken shops , deli/chinese carry-outs in city. chicken boxes enjoyed half , half , drink combining iced tea , lemonade (referred elsewhere in united states arnold palmer ).

berger cookies

berger cookies kind of cookie enjoys immense popularity in baltimore , washington, d.c. made vanilla shortbread covered in fudge ganache. brought germany baltimore george , henry berger in 1835, produced , sold debaufre bakeries.

polock johnny s sausages

a polock johnny franchise @ 1 of locations on boardwalk, ocean city, maryland.

john kafka, sr. decided specialize in polish sausage use nickname, polock johnny . created now-famous works sauce sold in of stores. john scored polish sausage little cuts became part of polock johnny logo. today, granddaughter, margie kafka, continues business @ several locations, including lexington market.

rheb s homemade candies

newlyweds louis , esther rheb, moved new home @ 3352 wilkens avenue. in 1917, louis, self-taught, started making taffies, brittles, fudge , jellies in basement. candies sold in markets twice week; esther going hollins , louis bel air. in mid-30s, opened in lexington market. louis continued develop more recipes, , esther learned hand-dip centers in smooth , velvety chocolate had blended complement each piece of candy. many people came wilkens avenue buy candy, converted garage store. grand opening took place in 1950. nowadays, rheb s main store. on valentine s day, outside of rheb s on wilkens avenue, there typically long line of customers.

goetze s candies

caramel creams soft chewy caramel cream center kind of cake icing. company founded in baltimore , factory remains there today. caramel creams found in corner stores , convenience markets in baltimore.

lemon peppermint sticks

lemon peppermint sticks treat sold @ mid-spring flower mart held women s civic league. these simple drinks made cutting top off small lemon, cutting hole flesh, , shoving peppermint stick it. sucking on stick , squeezing lemon produces sweet, minty, lemony drink. while sold @ flower mart, throughout summer people in baltimore make these treats @ home or @ social gatherings well.

natty boh

the city s locally favored beer has traditionally been national bohemian, commonly referred natty boh or national locals, or nasty boh detractors. beer , mascot, mr. boh, traditional parts of baltimore culture. historically low price , association city make local favorite.

natty boh long-time beer of choice orioles , colts fans @ memorial stadium. after colts moved indianapolis in 1984 , orioles left memorial stadium in 1991, natty boh no longer available fans @ baltimore sporting events. in 2000, brewing of beer in baltimore discontinued. however, since 2006 orioles season, boh , served @ oriole park @ camden yards. national bohemian beer brewed out of state miller brewing company , distributed baltimore pabst brewing company.

the national brewing company inventor of colt 45 malt liquor in 1963.