Fed up with Terrace? Tired of Wolman dining? Have a little extra cash to blow on "real" food? Then run across the street to Tamber's Nifty Fifties for an excellent salad and milk shake. You can eat-in or go to their take-out window on the north side of the building. The salads are huge and the milkshakes are only rivaled by the ones at University Mini-Mart. And, if you ask, they'll stick cookie crumbs in your shake. Uni-Mini also has some delicious sandwiches. They have different specials throughout the week, but I've been told that the turkey with swiss on rye is to die for.
Blimpie's is also around and is simply your standard chain restaurant. Located underneath XandO, it's probably your best bet for a quick sandwich and soda.
Another good place for some delicious sandwiches is Eddie's (the grocery store, not the liquor shop). For a quick breakfast or lunch, try Sam's Bagels. The prices are a little steep, but it's the only bagel shop in the neighborhood, so .. CC Carry-out has some really good egg salad and is supposedly the best place for college food in Baltimore (per the sign in the window). They have great breakfast foods, especially after an all-nighter. Pete's Grill is also a great breakfast stop, but beware: It's on 32nd and Greenmount. They open well before you'll get up and they close around noon. Also, be prepared for a line.
For dinner, you have several options. If you're interested in fast-food Chinese, then Orient Express is nearby and relatively cheap. However, it smells pretty bad and it is not highly recommended. Silk Road Cafe has decent Asian cuisine, and the portions are well worth the price. If you show them your JHU discount card, you get a free can of soda.
Both Rocky Run and Charles Village Pub offer carry-out, but if you go there enough times, they'll both grow on you as a great place to hang-out.
Pizza is always a favorite among college students. Around here there's a Papa John's, King's, Crazy Mario's, Charlie's and the Rotunda. The Rotunda doesn't deliver, but it is hands-down the best. Charlie's is also really good. They do deliver and their prices are pretty reasonable. Ask about the specials. King's is open the latest of all - 2:30 a.m. on weekends - and also has some decent specials. Of course, Pablo is also usually around. He's typically standing on the corner in front of Wolman selling whole Domino's pizzas. He's an awesome guy, always has a kind smile and friendly word, and is as close to a campus institution as we get.
As you head later into the evening, most places close. Royal Farms, on the other hand, is always open. (Except, of course, for the occasional robbery). Don't bring large bills, as they probably won't be able to make change. However, after any party, you'll probably find more than one Hopkins student in there getting the chicken and fries. Just be aware that you'll have a stomach ache in addition to a hangover the next morning.
There's a 24-hour Dunkin' Donuts in the Superfresh parking lot. The night-shift guy is usually on a long-distance phone call to India and I've never seen him smile. Ever.
For real fast food that's just not close enough to the school to be convenient, there's a McDonald's on 29th and Greenmount. There's also one on the 3800 block of Falls Rd. Burger King is on 28th near the I-83 on-ramp and Taco Bell and KFC are near St. Paul on North Ave. There's also a Subway on 25th and St. Paul. Most of these fast food establishments feature bulletproof glass in their decor, so make what you will of their locations.
Bon appetit.
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