Thursday, September 2, 2010

now that's a tasty dog

During the down time between summer and school programming TM Sam decided that the team needed a fun project. Since we are all in-house she thought that we should try some Baltimore eateries that we haven't been to before. So now we are working our way through all the local places that have been featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives or The Best Thing I Ever Ate (Miss Sam has a bit of a Food Network problem). Yesterday for lunch we went to G&A Restaurant, home of Baltimore's Best Coney Dogs. Located right on Eastern Ave in the heart of Highlandtown, it has been in the same row storefront since 1927 and is obviously a local joint. Hot dogs grill right in the front window and you can sit where ever you like - matching green and tan formica booths or the long counter. There was a steady stream of lunch-time customers most of whom were greeted by name by the staff and vice versa. Our table of five 20-something girls (well four 20s and one 30s, but you know what i mean) really stuck out, but everyone was super friendly. Even the owner came over to ask us if we worked near by and how we had found out about them. It was a pleasant, comfortable atmosphere that had bonus local color. But the real star of the show was the food. You know how sometimes you want something to be good so much that it can't possibly live up to your expectations? That did not happen at G&A. Everything was DELICIOUS. The fries were crispy, the sliders were juicy and the hot dogs...oh, the hot dogs. We all got a traditional Coney dog -Coney sauce (a red meat sauce, like chili just thinner and no beans), mustard and chopped onions- because that is what they are known for and to a woman we were pleased. I have a thing about sandwiches being homogeneous and Elise has a thing about food being proportional and neither of us could fault these dogs. You could taste all the layers in every bite and no one thing overwhelmed the others. I am particular about my Coney sauce as Rea's parents used to own a hot dog/ice cream stand and this stuff is excellent. I highly, highly recommend G&A; they have plenty of offerings besides hotdogs if you aren't a fan and serve breakfast all day.

1 comment:

Kathy said...

I grew up in South Baltimore and we had a spot exactly like this on Light Street. George's Lunch. Hot dogs in the window, the sauce steaming in big pots behind the formica counter. I still can taste hot dogs and have fond memories of them. I didn't realize this place was around! I look forward to the rest of your tour.