HardChow: Adventures With No Plate

Leave the beaten path for delicious adventures. Paper plates. No waiters. Horchata from a cart. These aren't date spots, and most aren't even restaurants. But they have delicious food and put the lie to naysayers who think HoCo is an endless row of chain joints.

Many people -- including Mrs. HowChow -- do not crave tacos on the roadside, but if you want to join the foraging, start with this always-changing list of adventures ---

Maiwand Kabob in Columbia
Start at the high end. Maiwand Kabob offers high quality paper plates and air conditioning. It's also some of the best food in HoCo. Kabobs. Samosas. Pumpkin appetizers.

The "Taco Truck" in Elkridge
Move on to a great taco that you can eat off the hood of your car. Pupuseria Lorenita's offers tacos, pupusas and other treats seven days a week from the parking lot of Paco's Paints on U.S. 1 just north of Rte 175.

Horchata and a Fruit Salad at the U.S. 1 Flea Market in Elkridge
Just north of the Pupuseria Lorenita is the U.S. 1 Flea Market. On weekends, the place fills with vendors and food stalls. Try the horchata from the metal trailer outside that also serves tacos and burgers. Try the fruit salad inside at Frutas de Mexico -- seasoned yourself with lime juice, salt and ground peppers.

The "Taco Truck" in Laurel
If you're farther south, you can grab your tacos at Pupuseria Y Taqueria Los Pinos in the Roll Rite Tires parking lot in Laurel. They're just as delicious. The tortillas are unusually thick with real corn flavor. They're open Monday to Saturday.

Iranian Fruit Roll-ups and a Yogurt Soda at Caezar's International Market in Elkridge
Caezar's is the place for Middle Eastern groceries.  While you are there, check out the "fruit roll-ups" from Iran. They're delicious and adult. "Sour curd" flavor is sour. Also try the yogurt soda if you want. The fermented taste was one step beyond for me (like "gag-inducing"), but Caezar's (formerly Sizar's in Columbia) sells two-liter bottles so some people must love it.

Samosas at Desi Bazaar in Columbia
At the counter, Desi Bazaar often sells samosas. They're room temperature, and you just pop them in a bag and then warm them at home. Nothing is better than fried pastry wrapped around a spicy filling.

Empanadas at the El Patio market in Elkridge
In the same vein of fried goodies, the El Patio market sells a variety of empanadas at the cashier's counter. Each variety is pinched in a different pattern so you can know what you're eating. For $10, you can fill a bag for dinner or for a cool party food if you can them into pieces.

Beef Soup At The H Mart lunch counter in Catonsville
Walk through the produce department to the lunch counter at the H Mart. Again, this is high-end like Maiwand Kabob because you get a plastic bowl and a real spoon. You also get a deliciously spicy soup with beef, noodles and vegetables.

New: HowChow Maps of Restaurants and Markets In Howard County

These Google maps show most of the Howard County restaurants and markets mentioned in HowChow. Check out my recommended restaurants in the post below this one, then use the maps to see what's nearby for an afternoon shopping and grazing.  Or click for my "What I've Learned" guide to the county.

(Update:  These maps are now seriously out of date.  I need to update them.)

Restaurants


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Markets


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Restaurants: Best of Howard County 2008

(CLICK here for 2009 Best Restaurants of Howard County.)


Best restaurants in Columbia or Ellicott City? The answers depend on your taste and budget, but Howard County has great restaurants -- from high-end date nights to shopping-center ethnic food. OK, we have a lot of shopping center restaurants, but some of them are great as well.

Explore below for restaurants -- two lists of recommendations, which change over time. Click to learn more about the restaurants. In early 2009, I'm posting a series of "best of" posts as a makeshift guide to Howard County. Click here for a working list of Howard County restaurants by type. Click here for a similar list of grocery stores and markets. Or check out Google maps showing the restaurants and markets.


If you have your opinions, leave a comment!


A Few of My (Current) Favorite Things
Specific things that I loved at both restaurants and take-out places.


New) Dolset Bi Bim Bop at Bethany Seafood Restaurant in Ellicott City

1) Pit beef sandwiches at Pioneer Pit Beef in Woodlawn
2) Empanadas at El Patio Market in Jessup

3) Crab cakes at Timbuktu in Elkridge
4) Masala Dosas at Mango Grove in Columbia

5) Tacos at Pupuseria Lorentia ("The Taco Truck") in Elkridge
6) Sopapias at Ranazul in Fulton
7) Pumpkin and a kabob at Maiwand Kabob in Columbia
8) Cupcakes at Touche Touchet bakery in Columbia
9) Ceviche at La Palapa Too in Laurel
10) The naan and rice pudding ("kheer") at Akbar in Columbia

Ten Restaurants To Try On A Night Out
Not truly "The Ten Best." Today, my favorite restaurant is Bangkok Delight, but this is an alphabetical array of places that I'd recommend to anyone moving to Howard County. It's weighted to the affordable places and scattered around the county (or one exit beyond). It changes over time.

• An Loi Pho in Columbia for Vietnamese
  
• Bangkok Delight in Columbia for Thai, especially the mango sticky rice
  
• Cuba de Ayer in Burtonsville for Cuban
  
• Iron Bridge Wine Company in Columbia for tapas and wine
  
• Grace Garden in Odenton for authentic Chinese -- with Mrs. HowChow still voting for Jesse Wong's Asean Bistro in Columbia, especially if you can get it delivered
  
• House of India in Columbia for northern Indian -- new to the list
  
• Great Sage in Columbia for vegetarian food -- new to the list
  
• Shin Chon Garden in Ellicott City for Korean
  
• Mango Grove in Columbia for southern Indian
  
• Victoria Gastro Pub in Columbia for burgers and high-end "pub" food, especially biscuits

Others that make the list: Bethany Seafood Restaurant in Ellicott City for Korean and Sushi King or Sushi Sono in Columbia for sushi, especially in the private rooms. Plus, I need to try the Chinese menu at Hunan Legend.

Worth The Drive From DC or Baltimore
Places to lure a friend to drive to HoCo. Or places that are worth a drive if you're from out of town.
1) The unique rolls at Sushi King in Columbia, especially if you call ahead for a private room.


2) The seasonal menu at Great Sage, which is delicious for anyone who loves vegetables and a special place for a vegetarian or vegan.





In June 2008, the Baltimore Sun's terrific restaurant blog ran a list of "Best in Howard County" that sparked several days of comments -- many of which overlap the places above. The Live in Howard County blog has both a "Best Restaurants" list -- and links from there to its "Nearly Best" List.

Chowhound regularly has someone start a "Where Can We Eat in Howard County" string. This is a thoughtful one about dinners for under $50 for two.

Buy The World: Ethnic, Organic and Specialty Groceries

You can buy the world in Howard County. Organic joints sell brands and items left out at supermarkets, and ethnic markets offer foreign -- both the ingredients for cooking and prepared, frozen or canned food that is ready-to-eat.

(Update:  This was published in 2009 or 2010.  The descriptions are still good, although it is not updated to note that Caezar's and others have closed.  Click on the links in the right column for each market to get updates.)

The organic markets are pretty similar to my eyes, and Today's Catch stands alone. Among the others, H Mart stands out as a supermarket and my favorite place for food. But you need to check out JW Treuth and Sons, and you could also spend an hour in Lily's Mexican Market, Sizar's Food Mart or one of the Indian shops making selections and asking questions because they're larger with densely-packed shelves and helpful staff. All the others are recommended except that I couldn't figure out Afia International when I went there. If you want West African ingredients, definitely start at Julie's or Accra.

You can search through the labels -- including "Markets - Ethnic" and "Markets - Organic" -- on the right column of the blog, or you can click on links below.

ASIAN

H Mart in Catonsville

My favorite place in the world for food. A real supermarket with both Asian and Mexican foods and with produce, fruit and fish unmatched by anywhere else in the area. Snack on the fresh popped rice bowls in the back.Why It's My Favorite Place For Food -- Profile -- Search Labels
Lotte in Ellicott City

An H-Mart competitor. Not as good as H-Mart for many things.  But closer to HoCo and offering the best takeout prepared food, including marinated meats, desserts, fried chicken and the panchan that makes Korean food so spectacular.
Profile -- Search Labels

BAKERY

Bonaparte's Bread in Savage (and at the Sunday farmers market in Columbia)

The best bread around. Spectacular baguettes, along with other breads. Plus pastries.

Profile -- Search Labels

La Bolangarie Bakery in Ellicott City

This Korean-run bakery sells terrific individually-wrapped pastries, including breads and buns filled with sweet red beans and hazelnut cream.  There are formal cakes, plus you can just stop for coffee or a bubble tea to enjoy with a madeleine or a chocolate-filled pastry.

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Momo Bakery inside H Mart in Catonsville

Great Korean bakery with the rice/red bean sweets, plus donuts and sweet-looking cakes.

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BUTCHER
Laurel Meat Market in Laurel

A great source for thick-cut, peppered bacon. They sell other meats and fish, but I haven't been inspired.
Search Labels

Boarman's Meat Market in Highland

Try the home-made sausages at this small grocery/liquor store south of Clarksville

Profile -- Search Labels

JW Treuth and Sons in Oella

 A spectacular butcher near Ellicott City.  Good seafood.  Try the Chesapeake sausage!

Profile -- Search Labels

INDIAN
Desi Bazaar in Columbia

A splendid grocery in a commercial park. Essential for Indian foods, including some produce like avocados and mangos and some prepared food like the samosas at the counter. Easy snack to start -- papads. Also has a well-stocked freezer with frozen samosas and breads.
Profile -- Search Labels

Apna Bazar in Laurel

10119-C Washington Blvd (U.S. 1)

Laurel, MD 20707

301-498-1233

A super-stocked store just north of Main Street on U.S. 1. All the spices, flours, lentils and rices you need for Indian cooking. Plus, an exceptional variety of frozen prepared food and breads -- a few dozen different types of naan, puri, paratha, etc. Even though Apna is smaller than some other groceries, it has a better selection of many items.

Profile -- Search Labels

MEXICAN/CENTRAL AMERICAN
Lily's Mexican Market in Columbia

Absolutely one of the best shops in the county. A fresh tortilla machine. Baked goods. A butcher.  Take-out tacos!  All on top of aisles of Mexican ingredients, sauces, peppers (chipotles!), and spices. Check out the frozen tamales.

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Tere's Latin Market in Ellicott City

Smaller than Lily's, but still nice for Mexican ingredients, especially canned goods, corn meal and similar dry goods.

Profile -- Search Labels

El Patio in Jessup

Like Tere's, this is smaller than Lily's. The Argentine empanadas are worth a visit, and the place has both a large stock for its size and really class decor for a converted convenience store -- tile floors, faux-wood shelves, and cigarettes displayed in baskets like a country store.

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Mexican Bazaar in Columbia

This small shop in southern Columbia has the Mexican basics like beans, chipotles, spices, pasta, etc.  It is in the same shopping center as An Loi Vietnamese restaurant, but it doesn't have a sign.  Check it out for Mexican candies and for soccer jerseys.

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MIDDLE EASTERN
Caezar International Market in Elkridge (formerly Sizar's Food Mart in Columbia)

An emporium. Go for any food from Turkey to India -- breads, oils, syrups, beans, meats, pastries. This is a 13-year-old store that stocks and organizes a half-dozen kinds of bread from sweet Afghan rist to table-sized lavash. Dried fruit. Spices and herbs. Pistachio nougat. Jallab syrup. Halal chicken nuggets!

Profile -- Search Labels

Aladdin in Laurel

Smaller than Sizar's, but a strong selection of breads, canned goods and well-stocked coolers with Greek yogurt, Lebni cheese and frozen pastries and appetizers.
Profile -- Search Labels

Caspian Supermarket in Ellicott City

I haven't visited yet, but on-line reviews describe a supermarket smaller than Sizar's but filled with Middle Eastern supplies. It is on Rte 40 just west of Rte 29. For more information and the address, check out this review.

Profile Coming

ORGANIC
David's Natural Market in Columbia

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My Organic Market in Jessup ("Columbia East")
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Roots in Clarksville
Search LabelsAll three of these offer organic vegetables and meat. They have the national organic brands of cereals, crackers, canned goods, detergent, etc. They have breads, cheese and herbal remedies. They don't differ much to my eyes. I wrote about buying grains and listed the addresses for all three.

SEAFOOD

Today's Catch Seafood in Columbia

Beautiful seafood. A minimal shop with most everything in a single cooler and an ice tray. Go for the quality. Expect to pay for it and expect to enjoy yourself.

Profile

Frank's Seafood in Jessup

The retail outlet inside the wholesale seafood.  Great for crabs, but with many fish on ice.

Search Labels

WEST AFRICAN
I don't know African food, so I'm not an expert on the stores. The owner at Accra was friendly, but even he didn't have recipes or the lines of prepared food that Indian or Middle Eastern stores offer. I need to find a cookbook. If you know what you want, all three carry the same brand of Ghanian items, including palm nut concentrate for making stew, potato starch, dried okra, and canned goods. Afia had a butcher, but honestly, it also had an odd smell that put me on edge. I'd appreciate any advice.

Accra International Foods in Laurel

Profile -- Search Labels

Afia International Market in Jessup ("Columbia East")

Profile -- Search Labels

Julie's International Market in Elkridge (really Ellicott City, near the Costco)

Profile -- Search Labels

10 Cool Places To Start Eating

Start with something that you know you'll like. My first tastes of HoCo were dates over sushi and Indian food, so don't believe this is a county of white bread. Horchata. Masala dosa. A night outside with ice cream. Try something fun.

10) Papad at Desi Bazaar in Columbia or Apna Bazar in Laurel -- an Indian cracker that you toast over your gas range, converting a staple from your pantry into exotic, peppery snacks. It's a bargain, and it's a door into these Indian grocery stores.

9) The burger at Victoria Gastro Pub -- a small, delicious burger on the perfect roll. Good cheese and bacon options. And you can upgrade to kobe beef if you are amused.

8) The perfect baguette at Bonaparte's Bread in Savage. The bakery sells other delicious breads along with French pastries in a cute shop at the Savage Mill. They also sell at the Sunday farmers market in Columbia.

7) The Persian food at Ceazar Restaurant in Elkridge.  You get casual, approachable food with some special touches and unique items like pickled garlic.  Then you can shop at the Middle Eastern grocery store next door.

6) A horchata from a vendor at the U.S. 1 Flea Market in Elkridge. Make it a meal with tacos, pupusas, fruit salad and more.

5) The masala dosa at Mango Grove -- a South Indian crepe wrapped around spiced potatoes.

4) An ice cream outside -- sit outside for Italian ice at Rita's in Columbia or soft ice cream at Soft Serve in Ellicott City.

3) The whole tandoori rockfish at House of India in Columbia.

2) The private rooms at Sushi King -- groups of 4-8 can sit inside private rooms at the Columbia Japanese restaurant. You could impress someone. You could just want privacy. You could use the sliding door to corral a two-year-old. Whatever you do, eat those sushi rolls.

1) Taking one down from the 50-foot-long wall of beer at The Perfect Pour in Elkridge. This is a spectacular selection -- from the exotic to the seasonal to the standards -- at a liquor store that gets the thumbs up from the Baltimore Beer Guy blog.

Guide to Howard County Restaurants and Food

Without much planning, HowChow has become a de facto guide to restaurants and food in Howard County. For me, this is an inspiration to check out new places. Much of what I learned has been mentioned before in reviews or blogs or Chowhound, but this is centralized enough that some people stumble on the site and click around to read more.

For several months in 2009, I'm writing a series of thematic posts about "What I Learned," linking back to prior profiles and trying to summarize little things that I have learned. Where is great Chinese food? Where can you find Mexican groceries? The best take-out tacos? The best bread? This builds on the Best Restaurants in Howard County post, which people seem to enjoy.

Help me! Occassionally, I'm asking for advice on the upcoming subjects. I'll even update existing posts to incorporate good advice. Click here to see where you can make suggestions. Or browse through the existing posts in the three planned "rings":

Ring One: What I Learned -- Restaurants

• Chinese Restaurants in Howard County
• Indian Restaurants in Howard County
• Pizza in Howard County
• Barbeque in Howard County (and Kabobs!)
• Burgers in Howard County
• Asian Restaurants in Howard County
• Mexican Restaurants in Howard County
• Coffee Shops in Howard County
  

Ring Two: What I Learned -- Shopping

• Bakeries in Howard County
• Seafood Markets in Howard County
• Vegetable Shopping in Howard County
• Meat Markets in Howard County
• Organic Shopping in Howard County
• Ethnic Shopping in Howard County
• Asian Grocery Stores in Howard County

Ring Three: What I Learned -- Ideas

• Beer in Howard County: The Sudsy Triangle
• Cheese in Howard County
• U.S. 1: The Foodie Frontier
• Why I Want Wegmans in Columbia
• Great Takeout in Howard County
• Ice Cream For A Summer Night
  

Restaurants of Howard County

(Update: This listing is REALLY behind my total reviews. I have reviewed many restaurants since I last updated this. I am planning to re-do this list and the "best of" post. For now, you definitely check out the "cuisine" and restaurant name links in the right column.)

Want to find a restaurant in Howard County? Look below for a map and then "by-category" lists of most of the restaurants mentioned in HowChow. I update gradually, and I'm keeping a working list of my favorites. Also, check out this listing of ethnic and organic markets.


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Afghan
Maiwand Kabob in Columbia -- superb, best meal "dollar for dollar," especially the appetizers

American
Iron Bridge Wine Company --one of the best restaurants in Howard County

Five Guys Burgers -- coming in 2009 to the Columbia Mall

Second Chance Saloon in Columbia -- recommended by people in the comments

T-Bonz Grille & Pub in Ellicott City -- great place for football and food

Trapeze in Fulton -- closed
Victoria Gastro Pub in Columbia -- recommended, especially the biscuits and burgers

Breakfast
Bagel Bin in Columbia -- recommended
Eggspectation in Columbia -- recommended

BBQ/Steakhouse
Jordan's Steakhouse in Ellicott City -- recommended
Kloby's Smokehouse in Laurel (really Columbia/Fulton) -- recommended
oZ Chophouse in Fulton -- recommended, especially fun for a "progressive dinner" in Maple Lawn

Pioneer Pit Beef in Woodlawn -- spectacular pit beef, sold from a tiny shack on Rolling Road

Smokey & Uncle Grube's in Elkridge -- super-casual BBQ and pit beef just off Rte 1
Carnivores should also check out the kabobs at Maiwand Kabob and Parsa Kabob

Chinese
Fortune Buffet in Jessup -- an adventurous buffet with good food and an amazing array
Hunan Legend in Columbia
Hunan Manor in Columbia
Jesse Wong's Asean Bistro-- recommended for a classy dinner of Chinese and more

Coffee

Mad City Coffee in Columbia -- recommended for coffee, breakfast and house-roasted beans to take home

Orinoco Coffee House in Columbia -- recommended

Cuban
Cuba de Ayer in Burtonsville -- superb and worth driving for traditional Cuban

Dessert/Bakery

Bonaparte Bread in Savage -- French pastries like opera cake, sandwiches, coffee, the best bread in Howard County

Fractured Prune in Columbia and Ellicott City -- hot donuts with creative glazes, also breakfast (donut w/sausage)

La Boulangarie Bakery in Ellicott City -- a Korean bakery with sweets, cakes and bubble tea

Old Mill Bakery Cafe in Ellicott City -- coffee shop/bakery

Ethiopian
Coffee Oromia in Burtonsville -- recommended, although for a simple meal more than an "out to dinner" night

French
Tersiguel's in Ellicott City -- recommended by others, on my list of places to try

Ice Cream/Snowcones
KyKy's Hawiian Ice in Elkridge -- recommended
Rita's in Columbia -- recommended, especially after a dinner at Maiwand Kabob
Snowballs in Clarksville -- recommended
Soft Stuff in Ellicott City -- recommended

Indian
Akbar -- recommended for northern Indian food

House of India -- recommended for northern Indian food, especially for the classy decor and interesting menu
Mango Grove -- superb for southern Indian food, especially the naan, the masala dosa, and the samosa chat
Mirchi Wok -- superb unusual Indian food, including northern and fusion Chinese-Indian

Italian/Pizza
Luna Bella Ristorante in Columbia -- recommended
New York JP Pizza -- recommended

Pazani Trattoria in Elkridge -- my new best pizza in Howard County

Trattoria E Pizzeria Da Enrico in Columbia -- recommended

Japanese/Sushi

Maruha Japanese Steakhouse -- new hibachi and sushi joint in Hickory Ridge, haven't been yet
Sushi King in Columbia -- superb
Sushi Sono in Columbia -- superb

Jamaican

Golden Krust in Catonsville -- recommended for takeout patties

Korean
Besoto Food Court in Catonsville -- recommended
Mirocjo in Ellicott City -- recommended
Shin Chon Garden -- recommended (and reopened after renovations in 2008)

Yetnal Asian Food Service House -- looks great, but still a mystery to me because it's a takeout with a menu in Korean

Mexican
El Azteca in Clarksville -- recommended

El Nayar in Elkridge -- recommended for very casual meals
La Palapa Too in Laurel (really Columbia/Fulton) -- recommended, especially for the weekend ceviche

Lily's Mexican Market in Columbia -- recommended for takeout tacos and chicken

Pupuseria Lorenita's (the "Taco Truck") in Elkridge -- superb tacos, super-inexpensive

Pupuseria Y Taqueria Las Delicias in Elkridge -- a taco truck that grills ribs and fajitas
Pupuseria Y Taqueria Los Pinos in Laurel -- recommended

Persian

Ceazar Restaurant in Elkridge -- highly recommended for a casual and accessible meal, but unique options
Parsa Kabob in Elkridge -- recommended, also check out Maiwand Kabob in Columbia

Seafood
Trapeze in Fulton -- closed

Tapas / Small Plates
Iron Bridge Wine Company in Columbia -- recommended
Ranazul in Fulton -- recommended, especially for sopapias or a "progressive dinner" in Maple Lawn

Thai
Bangkok Delight -- superb
Bangkok Garden -- recommended

Thai Aroma -- recommended

Vietnamese
An Loi Pho -- superb, especially the "French" coffee with condensed milk and the salted plum/salted lemon sodas

Pho Dat Trahn -- recommended