Fans of Dizzy Issie's have nothing to be concerned about. The Dizz, a re-vamped and re-named version of the familiar neighborhood bar known for years as Dizzy Issie's, matches the quirkiness and attitude for which Hampden is famous.
About a 15-minute walk from campus, The Dizz can be tricky to find. It's located just across the street from Charm City Cakes, the famous bakery you may recognize from Food Network's Ace of Cakes. "The Dizz," spelled out in glowing neon letters from the corner bar and restaurant's large glass windows, draws pedestrians' eyes away from the otherwise dark storefronts of the surrounding neighborhood.
One of my favorite things about The Dizz is its welcoming, familiar atmosphere. The waitstaff is friendly and attentive with a great sense of humor. The establishment is divided into separate bar and restaurant areas. The bar is in the front and includes an island lined with bar seats and several video games set against the restaurant's brick walls. The bar is well-stocked with various types of liquor and mixers. There are several good selections of beers on draft and a list of red, white and sparkling wines by the glass. Best of all, prices are cheap! No beer costs over $5, which is quite reasonable. At night, primarily on weekends, The Dizz is often crowded with locals and college students enjoying drinks and conversation.
The restaurant includes upstairs and downstairs seating areas. Posters of Elvis, Marilyn Monroe and other random memorabilia decorate the walls. I especially enjoyed the giant mirror laced with flamingoes, the very embodiment of Hampden eccentricity, hanging by my table. Tables and chairs are nothing fancy, but work with the casual vibe.
The menu is extensive, offering a variety of simple favorites - everything from soups and sandwiches to burgers and pizza. Also featured are several crab entrees, such as Jumbo Lump Maryland Crab Cakes and Maryland Crab Soup. Sandwiches range from grilled ham and cheese (one of my favorites) to turkey club.
The Dizz is known mostly for its juicy, flavorful burgers and offers several different kinds. On my particular visit, I ordered the BBQ Bacon Cheddar Burger, which was absolutely divine. The BBQ sauce was delicious, tangy and sweet, with just enough to still taste the cheeseburger itself. Even better, the waitress asked how I would like my burger cooked, indicating that The Dizz is in fact serious about their burgers.
The restaurant's approach to side dishes, however, leaves much to be desired. Burgers and sandwiches are served with chips and a pickle on the side. My chips were soft and squishy, which freaked me out a bit, so I ordered a plate of fries to compensate. Unfortunately, the fries I ordered had been left in the deep fryer for too long and tasted crunchy and oily.
My friend ordered a glass of pink lemonade, which she thought desperately needed watering-down. She also tried the Crisp Chicken Tender Wrap, which she noted was good, but came paired with a somewhat bland ranch dressing. Her chips were crisper than mine, making me wonder if a new bag had been opened for her.
Most of the menu items are under $8, which agrees with the college student's budget. There is another part of the menu offering more expensive options, such as filet mignon wrapped in bacon, or NY strip steak topped with mushrooms, onions and beef burgundy sauce. I was surprised to find these kinds of items on the menu, but they were appealing. Also notable were the Fat-Ass Crab Skins, something I'm not sure I would order, but intriguing nonetheless.
To really get a feel of the The Dizz's character and friendly vibe, the best time to go is probably later in the day when locals and students flood the bar. For excellent burgers and drinks at an inexpensive price, The Dizz is worth checking out. And if you're lucky, you might even catch a filming of Ace of Cakes right across the street.
