Taco Battle On U.S. 1: Get In The Line Of Fire And Pick Your Favorite Between R&R And El Papi

El Papi's taco special -- four tacos, a pair or each

There is a taco battle under way on U.S. 1, and this is one of the rare times that you should get right in a line of fire.

R&R Taqueria has been a HowChow landmark since 2009 when Alberto Flores first turned me onto excellent Mexican tacos in the Shell station at U.S. 1 and Rte 175.  By 2011, R&R was a darling of the local food writers -- and then ended up on Diners, Drive Ins and Dives.

Then R&R ended up across the parking lot.  The owner Rod Albarran-Torres moved out of the Shell station and into a restaurant space in the next shopping center.  A bigger menu with tacos, tortas, burritos, and even a dedicated burger menu that they call Chef Rod's Outrageous Burgers.  Chef Rod made a YouTube video about the move.

R&R tacos with the star, carnitas

That seems to be when R&R's former chef opened his own taqueria in the original space.  That's Jose Flores who started with his own taco offerings and whose El Papi Taqueira got raves from Tim Carmen in the Washington Post last month.

What we have here is a true taco battle.  Flores hung enormous signs that tout "Authentic Mexican Street Tacos" at the gas station and a photo of him with Guy Fieri.  He also did post a little El Papi sign that might let people know that this isn't the taqueria in the gas station that you had heard about when it was R&R.

Dive Into Pisco, Which Is Slowly Opening Off 175

Ceviche at Pisco

A new Peruvian restaurant Pisco is slowly opening in Elkridge -- bringing the upscale menu, classy interior, and strip mall location that has worked so well for Facci.

We stumbled into the soft opening last week.  Literally the first day.  They had intended to just have friends and family while the kitchen started up, but they offered us seats if we wanted to try.

I'm optimistic.  Pisco is owned by the same facts who run Facci .  It's a Peruvian menu and maybe a flashier interoir design than the other two.  Definitely memorable and full of ambition.

They missed some cylinders on the first night, but, again, they had said it was a soft opening and discounted everything 50%.  Among several dishes, we tried two ceviches, which are the Peruvian specialty that would bring us back again and again.  Fresh-tasting flavorful marinades on both dishes.  I assume that it is tricky to slice fish like I've had with excellent ceviche where it isn't chewy, and I'm sure that practice will let them improve.

We had a cool appetizer that was a composed ring of mashed potato, egg and what seemed like shrimp.  We also tried the grilled heart.  By which I mean, I ate the grilled heart -- antichucos -- because Mrs. HowChow passes on organ meat.  One of the skewers was perfect, grilled on the outside and moist inside.  Peruvian is a terrific cuisine because the building blocks are similar to lots of European or Latin American food, but you get all kinds of different flavors and dishes.  We'll go back and write in more detail when they're really running for business.

I don't know if Pisco is still in a soft open or if the grand opening happened this weekend.  This looked like a great place for a drink.  I imagine a lot of dates and ladies night with the decor and menu.  The outdoor seating is pretty, and a classic parking lot cafe -- the indigenous Howard County experience -- as you can see below.

(Update:  I removed mention of Xitomate.  That's owned by the folks who run Azul 17.  The Facci-Pisco empire is separate.)

Pisco
6630 Marie Cure Drive
Elkridge, MD 21075
(410) 312-4888

NEAR:  Pisco is in the shopping center with Perfect Pour and Trader Joe's.  This is at Rte 175 and Rte 108.  The post office says that is Elkridge.  Then it is right across from street from Columbia.

Watch For Pisco Restaurant To Open Early Next Week; New Peruvian On Rte 108 In Elkridge

Watch for the new Pisco restaurant to open on July 28 and 29 near the Trader Joe's in Elkridge.

Pisco is a Peruvian restaurant specializing in ceviche, a marinated fish dish that seems perfect for the summertime.  We're really excited because this is the same folks who created Facci.

I heard about a July 28 date when I walked past last week on my way to Perfect Pour.  Now there is an anonymous comment on a prior post saying the grand opening will be July 28 and 29.

Pisco is in the shopping center with Perfect Pour and Trader Joe's across from Costco.  This on Rte 108 just north of Rte 175 -- right on the border with Columbia.

If You Want To Splurge, This Should Be Your Signature Cocktail Of Summer 2014

San Remo cocktail from Scarpetta restaurant

Some of us have reason to drink a little this summer, and I'm exploring cocktails as my dropping alcohol tolerance lets me splurge.

When you're only going to have one drink, then you can splurge a bit on that glass -- especially if you construct it at home.

Our inspiration came from a very special birthday dinner for our niece at Scarpetta in New York City.  I tried their "San Remo" drink.  I thought it was delicious, and Mrs. HowChow was stunned to find a bourbon cocktail that she actually loved.

That's because it's about 10% bourbon.  The brown stuff is in the mix, but Scarpetta's "San Remo" is a bright orange glass with two juices and four liquors.  It's a bracing, refreshing drink.  No harsh alcohol flavor, especially if you follow the HowChow variation.  I think it would be popular with folks who want fancy cocktails and with folks who just want a fruity drink.

To make this happen, we went to Perfect Pour in Elkridge on the way home from New York.  We got good advice and toned down two of chef Scott Conant's liquor choices.  It's still a touch more than $100 for four bottles.  Of course, that's many, many drinks for you to enjoy this summer, and it's a great way to check out both Perfect Pour and the deluxe cocktail craze.

Scarpetta's San Remo
adapted from The Food Network's posted recipe

You can make one drink at a time or measure larger quantities, then shake individual drinks as you want them.  

You'll see that we bought cheaper versions of the elderflower liquor and the bourbon.  The Perfect Pour employee said the difference between St. Elder and St. Germain would be imperceptible in a mixed drink.  I just like Buffalo Trace, and it was less than the Michter's from the restaurant.  You can splurge even more if you want Conant's original.

Also, we doubled the orange juice.  The recipe calls for one ounce of juice.  We both thought the drinks tasted more like the restaurant with about two ounces.

1 1/2 ounces sweet vermouth such as Carpano Antica
1 ounce elderflower liqueur like St. Elder (or pricier St. Germain)
1-2 ounces orange juice like the fresh-squeezed stuff from Wegmans
1 ounce bitter orange liqueur like Campari
1/2 ounce bourbon like Buffalo Trace (or pricier Michter's bourbon)
Juice of 1/2 lime
Ice
Orange twist for garnish

1) Combine all the ingredients in a cocktail shaker filled with ice.

2) Shake well, then strain over ice in a rocks glass.  Garnish with the orange twist.

Cool Detail: Perfect Pour Has Its Own Barrel Of Buffalo Trace, Bottled And Selling Now

Buffalo Trace at Perfect Pour

I hadn't noticed a shortage of Buffalo Trace bourbon, but I stumbled on a cool detail Monday at Perfect Pour in Elkridge.

Apparently, there have been times when Buffalo Trace isn't available.  The giant liquor store apparently  avoided disaster because it had agreed months ago to buy an entire barrel.  That barrel -- bottled up -- has arrived, and it's for sale both in front and in the bourbon aisles.

I'm new to bourbons, but Buffalo Trace has been a favorite -- especially because it costs less than $30 and less than many of the small distillery liquors on the same shelves.

The Perfect Pour bottles even have a special sticker on the side commemorating the barrel.  It's a cool detail, and I'll post next week about the bourbon cocktail that we stumbled on in New York City.

If you're a bourbon fan, this might be a reason to run over.

Maria's Bajas Cafe: A New Latin American Restaurant Opens On U.S. 1 in Elkridge

I haven't been able to check it out yet, but a new restaurant can't always wait for the perfect time.  

Linda emailed me last week about a new Elkridge restaurant called Maria's Bajas Cafe on U.S. 1.  Linda said they it opened a few weeks ago, and she learned about it from a post on her husband's Facebook wall.  She says it is in the strip center right next to R&R Taqueria at Rte 175 and U.S. 1 and provided this short report:

The place is family owned. We stopped in yesterday and the owner was cooking in the kitchen while his wife and daughter waited tables. 

My husband and daughter got the fried tilapia and we were shocked to see a whole fish arrive on each plate, certainly not what we would expect from a strip restaurant. It was perfectly cooked and well seasoned. 

I opted for the chicken taquitos and they were really flavorful, nice and crispy outside with a light chicken filling inside, served over a bed of lettuce. We started and ended our meal with plantains, fried plantains for an appetizer and a desert of plantains stuffed with some kind of sweet filling, both very good. 

The owner stopped at our table to talk with us and mentioned that he does fried chicken and does all his frying to order so it takes a bit longer for the food to come out but you know it is fresh and made just for you. 

I'm planning on heading back one day for lunch to give the fried chicken a try. There restaurant was clean and there was plenty of table seating as well as bar seating (no liquor is served). We really enjoyed our meal and are happy to have found an independently owned place that serves what feels like authentic food in a family friendly environment.

Does anyone know more?  I need to drive past for a photo and a chance to check out Maria's.  Linda and I joked with each other that normal folks don't think to photograph their food, but I always appreciate these reports -- and doubly if you snap a cell phone photo before you start.

Maria's Bajas Cafe
7880 Washington Boulevard (U.S. 1)
Elkridge, MD 21075

NEAR:  Linda says this is in the strip center right next to the Shell station and R&R Taqueria.  They're on U.S. 1 at the intersection with Rte 175.

Jersey Mike's Coming To Elkridge At Trader Joe's

A sub chain called Jersey Mike's appears to be opening in Elkridge in the shopping center with Trader Joe's and Perfect Pour -- across from the Costco.

I don't know Mike, but I have received raves from several excited people.  I have always held up Philadelphia sandwiches as a gold standard when I think about good locals like C&B Italian Dely on Rte 40.  It sounds like Jersey Mike's has a South Jersey pedigree, as Zevonista wrote me:

Used to eat these on the Jersey shore - looking forward to their arrival! 

It's been quite a while since I've been to one - but my memory is that they're bigger, with a good amount of meat. Meat sliced as you wait. And the bread is (well, used to be!) great - fresh, baked in store. Hopefully they still do that. 

My experience around here is with pizza places, where they do subs kind of as a backup to pizza. They're fine, but it's not how they make their money. Meats not fresh, bread been sitting around for a bit...

Fresh bread and fresh-sliced meats will make these sandwiches stand up around here.  Marcia confirmed that and said she goes to a Jersey Mike's in Laurel:

I go occasionally to the Jersey Mike's in Laurel.  I don't know if you've been to one, their subs aren't the "stuffed with meat" variety but they use great quality real Italian cold cuts (mortadella, etc) in their subs. T he rolls are nice and crusty.  Head and shoulders above Subway.

This Gateway Overlook center is also the site of the coming-soon Peruvian place Pisco.  That's a few doors down.  Does anyone know the plan or the timing for Pisco or Jersey Mike's?

Hat tip to Randy, Kerri and several anonymous commenters who also saw the signs for Jersey Mike's in Gateway Overlook.

Chopstixx Cafe in Elkridge

Mapo tofu and kway teow at Chopstixx

I need some recommendations at Chopstixx Cafe in Elkridge.

With Red Pearl gone, we're in search of new Chinese.  Noodles Corner in Columbia has caught our eye, and people talk up some pan-Asian places like East Moon in Ellicott City and Asian Palace in Columbia.

Chopstixx in Elkridge is a tiny place with real ambition.  They do a standard Chinese-American menu, but several commenters like KristenB and Stephanie T have talked up the "street food" menu with dishes like mapo tofu.

The one fact to highlight is that Chopstixx is really far from my house, so I need a rundown of the kitchen to order the best stuff.  We went a few months ago, and we hit 50-50.  The big plus was the Malaysian kway teow off the "street food" menu.  Thick noodles and white meat chicken.  At first, the sauce seemed mild with onion and small shrimp, but the spiciness creeps up on you.

The second dish was a kung pao tofu.  It was well-cooked.  Good tofu, carrots, baby corn, peanuts.  The bean paste sauce was fine, sort of spicy, but in the end not a dish to make me drive 30 minutes across the county.

You should check Chopstixx out because it is way more than your corner Chinese takeout.  Inside, it's a tiny, minimal box.  But that kway teow was exceptional, and Chopstixx comes up again and again in comments from thoughtful folks like JW who offered favorite dishes at a run of Chinese restaurants like the beef show fun (dry) and Hong Kong style wonton soup at Chopstixx.

Actually, I'm unfair about Chopstixx being minimal.  The seating is small and sparse, but they use unusual modern dishes like the upscale "fusion" spots.  They also go the extra effort on the food.  The shrimp in the kway teow were sweet and crisp.  Next time, I may try the scallops and shrimp "crazy spicy noodles" -- and, when you visit, you'll see that I'm impressed if I'm ordering scallops in this shopping center.

Note in JW's comment that he also talks up China Village at Rte 103 and Rte 104.  That's a new place to me, but JW talks up the beef chow fun (dry).  If you want to browse, check out all my posts about Chinese food.

Chopstixx Cafe
7260D Montgomery Road
Elkridge, MD 21075
410-379-5566

NEAR:  Chopstixx is just off U.S. 1 in Elkridge.  This is north of Rte 100 and almost to the Baltimore County line.

Cochinita Pibil Tacos at R&R Taqueira

Three tacos from R&R Taqueria

Sometimes, a little knowledge can be highly dangerous.  Consider my ability to speak Spanish and recognize Mexican food.

On my last visit to R&R Taqueria in Elkridge, I overly impressed myself by recognizing the tacos called "cochinita pibil."  That's pork, I remembered.  And it involves cooking the meat in citrus juice, maybe orange juice.  You can't see that from the Spanish, but I remembered it ... from my experience ... because I'm awesome.

And I congratulated myself so heartily that I didn't focus on the word "habanero" written in the description.  That word has the same meaning in English and Spanish.  It means "really hot pepper that you had better respect."

Imagine the hottest dish you have ever eaten and enjoyed.  Because R&R isn't serving stupid hot dishes.  The meat is butchered perfectly.  Their sauces are fresh and bright.  When they use habaneros, they use just enough to hit you hard without overwhelming the pork.

The hit was just an awesome surprise.  I'd eaten the other tacos first -- chicken and al pastor, if I remember right.  They're each very well done.  I was reading at the counter as I picked up the third and bit down on what I expected to be citrus-infused and turned out to be enflamed.

R&R pulled off the habanero perfectly.  My tongue squeaked, and my eyes opened.  I drank down my melon agua fresca and then sucked the ice.  But the peppery zip was just part of the cochinita pibil flavor.  I think there were onions.  I know there was slow-roasted pork.  They were all wrapped in R&R's excellent corn tortilla.

At R&R, the tacos are really unique.  They're not just throwing your choice of meat on top of the same shredded lettuce and salsa like a chain.  Each salsa tastes different.  Each meat comes with a different marinade.  The habenero made cochinita pibil stand out, but it welcomed me to eat every last bite.   The R&R chefs know how to play with fire.

Link: El Hidalgo's Giant Burrito In The Sun

The Sun sent writers out to try a bunch of local food challenges -- including the $40, 8-pound burrito at El Hidalgo in Elkridge.

Wesley Case liked the burrito, especially the marinated steak.  Could he finish it?  To find out, click on the Sun's link and then check out photos #5 and #6.

Link: Willy's Dog House On Elkridge Patch

The Elkridge Patch has profiled another new food truck -- this time Willy's Dog House, a hot dog truck that parks at the Hillside Motel on U.S. 1.  Elizabeth Janney profiles the truck's owner, who used to manage the seafood department at the Superfresh in Elkridge.  He is serving dogs now and looking to expand to pit beef.

Hokkaido Has Opened For Sushi In Elkridge

A new Hokkaido Restaurant has opened in Elkridge, and T.J. Mayotte reviewed the sushi and other items for the Elkridge Patch.

T.J. liked the decor and the food, although he said that the rolls weren't outstanding.  Most importantly, he revealed himself to have water-slurping proclivities similar to my own:

I have two basic benchmarks any restaurant must pass to be considered for a repeat visit. Does my water glass remain filled, and (perhaps related) is the bathroom up to snuff? At Hokkaido, I never saw the bottom of my glass, and the marble-tiled bathroom was a clean little oasis of calm.

Anyone else been to Hokkaido?  There is a nice comment on T.J.'s review from Wendy about her meal there.

Hokkaido Restaurant
6325 Washington Boulevard (U.S. 1)
Elkridge, MD 21075

NEAR:  Hokkaido is on U.S. 1 north of Rte 100.  It is just bit south of Montgomery Road, which means that it is pretty convenient if you're north of Rte 100 even west of I-95.

Sushi Yama In Ellicott City

Am I right that Columbia has its own style of sushi?  Well, it certainly has a new sushi place that steps up the scene.

Somehow I discovered the "big roll" style here at Sushi King and Sushi Sono.  I went from sushi pieces and tuna rolls in Virginia to the magical combinations like Sono's #14 that wraps together tuna, seared salmon and a sauce with a bite.

Now, add Sushi Yama near the top of the list.  The new restaurant in the Dorsey Search village center off Rte 108 delivers fish that almost rivals Sushi Sono,  This is a unique variation on the "big roll" style with a price that is probably a step smaller.

Link: New Supermarket In Elkridge By Mid-Nov

Green Valley Markets will open its first supermarket in Elkridge this fall, replacing the Superfresh, reports the Elkridge Patch.

Yogopop in Elkridge

Yogopop has brought the tart frozen yogurt trend to Elkridge just off Rte 100, and it's just the kind of yogurt and topping that you would expect.

It's amazing to me that tart frozen yogurt was exotic enough in 2009 that we drove to Olney for Yogiberry.  Now, Yogopop opened, and I can say "It's one of those by-the-ounce yogurt place with cool toppings."  You know what I'm talking about, right?

Eight flavors of frozen yogurt that you put in your own bowl.  Then you top with a range of items -- fruit, broken candy, breakfast cereal, and mochi.  Yogopop delivers the trend.  I prefer the plain tart yogurt and a purple-colored taro variety.  They're both pretty mild, which goes great with my toppings of mochi and granola.  (I took some chocolate and a gummy something, but I have to admit that they weren't as cool as I'd hoped.)

Yogopop has the bright, modern feel that seems to have come from the original Pinkberry.  That's similar to the Tutti Fruitti in Columbia and the run of yogurt places on Rte 40 in Ellicott City.  Similar enough that I think Yogopop is great for Elkridge, but I'm not sure why you would drive past any of these joints to head to another.  I actually think the big difference is the time of day -- when they're busy, they seem to have the best selection of toppings.

Anyone have suggestions about choosing among the yogurt places?  Any special flavors or toppings?  Anyone have the best stuff?

Yogopop
6010 Meadowridge Rd.
Elkridge, MD 21075
(443) 755-8901

NEAR:  Yogopop is just north of Rte 100 in Elkridge.  You get off on Rte 103 and take the first right.  You look like you're driving into an apartment complex, but a quick right puts you on an access road to Yogopop.

Man Vs. Burrito At El Hidalgo -- Celebrate First Anniversary With Free Food If You Can Handle It

The Burrito And Mr. Monzon

El Hidalgo in Elkridge celebrated its first anniversary by pitting its menu against its customers.  

Daniel goes to El Hidalgo for the burrita prenada, the BBQ pork sandwich, and the tres leches cake.  But he went last night to report on the first time that the Tex-Mex restaurant offered up a two-foot burrito with the promise that you could get it free -- with a catch.

Daniel is a pro, so let him take it from here:

A classic showdown played out last night at an Elkridge restaurant: Man vs. Food.

Final tally: Food 2, Man 0. 

Kupcake & Co. in Elkridge

I married into a no-cake house.  No wedding cake, so we're not the first folks in line at a cupcake bakery.  (The Rice Krispy Treat bakery?  We're there.)

Kupcakes & Co. opened last week in Elkridge.  T.J. wrote a rave on the Patch, although early comments on a prior post had been mixed.  To settle it, RDAdoc headed over for HowChow.  Nothing like sending a nutrition PhD to do a dessert blogger's work.  She dropped one off here, and I thought the chocolate was good.  It's not the richest cake, but the flavor was chocolate -- not just a sugar rush.  This is the RDAdoc report:

Last week I hosted an end of the school year party for my son’s preschool class. Being RDAdoc, of course, I preferred to serve just fresh fruits and vegetables to the kiddies.  Wanting to avoid a revolt, however, I planned to offer cupcakes too. 

My party was a good excuse to try the new cupcakery in Elkridge: Kupcakes & Co. My original plan was to get mini cupcakes, but unfortunately they don’t make them. I emailed the owner to ask if she could put less icing than she normally does (I am, after all, RDAdoc). Graciously, she was happy to honor my request. I ended up placing an order for an assortment of two dozen red velvet, cookies and cream, chocolate buttercream and vanilla buttercream cupcakes, enough for both the kids and their parents. I decided to stick with basic flavors, but they do have more interesting flavors such as Key Lime, Mocha Latte and Peppermint Patty. They also have seasonal flavors that sound delicious including Margarita and Pina Colada! 

Extend Your Cinco De Mayo In Elkridge

You can enjoy a day of Mexican food and music tomorrow at El Nayar in Elkridge.

The Mexican restaurant just off U.S. 1 plans a day of games for outdoor grilling, kids, music and "Comida Rifa."

(You might spend a while trying to translate "Comida Rifa" from El Nayar's sign.  Rich food?  Party food?  Neither your college Spanish nor Google would understand.  Only then would you would realize that it was two words -- food and raffles.  Whoops!)

I actually stopped at El Nayar last weekend.  We ordered tamales and a plate of tacos that we split with my parents.  I'm not a huge side dish fan at most Mexican restaurants.  Just order tacos because the beans and rice are often pedestrian.  El Nayar's tacos are delicious, especially served with chips and the homemade salsa.

The party is Saturday, May 7, but the sign didn't actually say when.  I think all day, but call to confirm.  Thanks to Thierry for the nudge.  I had the photo last weekend, but I had forgotten until he emailed.

Has Ceazar International Market & Restaurant Closed in Elkridge? A Lost Institution

Has anyone else been past Ceazar International Market in Elkridge?  Lisa left a comment on an old post saying that the market and restaurant are closed, and the spaces were being cleared out.

Ceazar Market was the king of Middle Eastern markets when it opened its expanded space in Elkridge in 2009.  For 13 years before, they had operated in Columbia off Oakland Park Boulevard under the name Sizar's Food Mart.  The new store had a butcher, more space, and the attached restaurant.

Kupcakes & Co. Bakery Coming To Elkridge

A new bakery is joining the Howard County scene -- Kupcake & Co., which is already selling cupcakes through local places like Pazani and Alexandra's and is opening a store in Elkridge.

KAM pointed out the Kupcake & Co. Web site on a comment to a prior post.  They have posted photos from early March showing the construction of new shop in the Lyndwood Green Shopping Center.  That's the same shopping center as El Hidalgo and Pazani Trattoria.

The Lyndwood Shopping Center is just north of Rte 100.  It is at the intersection of Rte 100 and Rte 103.