| MARYLAND (Mostly Baltimore - haven't ventured out much yet to
small towns) |
 |
| Annapolis, Maryland
I only spent a couple of hours here, when you need weeks to explore this
very historic city. This place gives you the same time machine feeling
as Ellicott City (although on most days Ellicott City is not jammed with
tourists). Being on the bay with miles of boats and plenty of places on
the water is a major plus. The water taxi is a very inexpensive way to
enjoy a little taste of the boating experience if you're on a budget.
I'll just put a smattering of pictures here to give you a slight feel
for the place. |
Middleton Tavern is considered by many to be the oldest Tavern in the
U.S. (but I'm sure there are others that calculate that in a different
way - continuous operation, same family of owners, same location, etc.). It's a
beautiful bar and restaurant, although, as one would expect, it does not
seem that much historic interior has survived, but certainly an historic
exterior. |
| Alonso's Restaurant, 415 West Cold Spring Lane Baltimore, MD
21210. 410 235-3433 (since 1931) T
|
This bar and restaurant is in an interesting historic
Baltimore neighborhood. The exterior has those neat glass cubes they
built things with in the 30's (someone write me to tell me what those
cubes are officially called). I poked my head inside. Looks like a
nice local place. Pretty much remodeled except for what looks like the
original bar counter constructed in a unique way from metal.
 |
| Attman's Deli, 1019 E Lombard St, Baltimore, MD
21202(410) 563-2666 (since 1915)
 T T |
Great old Deli on what's left of an historic block on Lombard.
Incredible selection of Jewish Soul Food, served by a fun cast of
characters. Not to much left of the original decor but a throwback to
the past in any event. Got to try the knishes! I'm getting hungry just
thinking about this fantastic place.
 |
| Clyde's of Columbia, 10221 Wincopin Circle, Columbia, MD
21044 Phone: 410-730-2829.
 |
The original Clyde's in Georgetown I believe dates from
1963, although the Columbia one if I remember right is '70s. I
worked here in high school when they had an outdoor short of patio
place. It was a nice place to work for. I also worked for years in the
Columbia Mall for Barry's Restaurant. Occasionally, we could get a
free omelet in the omelet room. I think I had the best omelets of my
life one night with Swiss cheese and asparagus. One of those strange
memories that sticks with you for life. The interior on a recent visit
was virtually unchanged from when I worked there in the 70's. The
antique bar they have (I don't know if it's a recreation or brought in
from somewhere else - no one there knew) has a real time machine effect.
Really beautiful work. A very pleasant upscale place to hang out.
 |
| Double T Diner, 6300 Baltimore National Pike, Catonsville, MD
21228
(410) 744-4151 (since 1959) Also 10055 Baltimore National Pike
Ellicott City, MD 21042
(410) 750-3300 (other locations as well that I have never been to)
Original albeit remodeled Double T Diner in Catonsville
Ellicott City Double T. If you see two hip looking seniors here -
it's my folks! |
We moved to Ellicott City in 1967. There were so few places to eat
in the area, we would drive all the way to Westview/Catonsville to eat
at the Double T Diner almost every weekend. Not being big spenders, my
usual order was the chicken croquettes (a sort of breaded, cone shaped ground chicken) for $1.25 which included
Italian
bread, salad,
mashed potatoes and a vegetable. We would usually then go to the Westview Cinema or the Edmondson Drive-In. My father was so dedicated to
seeing drive-in movies, I remember we once watched Romeo and Juliet at
the Edmondson Drive-In and it began to snow. Slowly, every car left as the snow
accumulated to several inches. Finally, being the last car there, they
had to turn the movie off before we would leave. Nice memories. Back to
the Double T - This true '50s diner ironically remodeled a few years ago
to look like a fake 50's diner. Same great food however. 30 years later,
my parents, now retired eat at the Double T in Ellicott City almost
everyday. Owned by Greeks with a mostly Salvadoran staff, they still
love the place. The menu has so many items, it's almost a novel, and the
place is always packed. Good old American (and occasionally Greek)
comfort food! Although these places do not have historic interiors
(although they are sort of retro) I
have them on here for nostalgic reasons. Question for old timers -
anyone remember the Patio Sub shop across the street from the Double T
in Catonsville, that is now mostly a Korean shopping center? That place
had great food as well. How about a restaurant right near the Edmondson
Drive-In that served an almost exclusively Black clientele in the 60's? |
| ELLICOTT CITY, MARYLAND
Unfortunately, I only got over here at nighttime, but this is one of the
very few "time machine" entire cities I've ever seen (along
with Virginia City, Old Sacramento, Grass Valley and Nevada City). Until Columbia
came in, our mailing address when I was a kid was Ellicott City, but we
really lived about 10 miles away from the real city (I went to Ellicott
City Middle School which was an incredibly red neck place in the '60s -
great place to stick a Bohemian kid!). Ellicott City once had a very authentic ice
cream soda fountain. It still has an amazingly authentic "general store"
(wish I had gotten pictures). I'll let you investigate all the
rich history here as to the Mills and Railroad. For the purposes of this
website, the main point is the place transports you back (just
figuratively - not for real - you weirdos!) to another time and place.
Great place around Christmas because when the snow starts falling you
sort of feel like you're in Dickens' Christmas Carole (hey - I'm half
Jewish/half Catholic so I get to celebrate all the holidays! Well - more
than most people at least). Just a few pictures to give you a feel for
the place. |
 |
| FELLS POINT, BALTIMORE
Fantastic area of Baltimore with an intense conglomeration of historic
bars, restaurants and buildings. Great place to spend some time, both
day or night (although use typical big city caution). I need to spend a
lot more time here to give you a real feel for the place. This is just
the briefest of introductions.
|
(The) Horse You Came In On Saloon, 1626
Thames St. Fells Point, Baltimore, MD
410-327-8111 (since 1775?)
Unfortunately, this bar was closed when I stopped by. But I looked
inside and it appeared to have an interesting interior. This may be the
oldest bar in the United States (but there are so many different ways of
calculating that). Some people I talked to in another bar said
there's been much remodeling going on.
The Waterfront Hotel,
1710 Thames St. Baltimore, MD 21231 410-537-5055
(since 1771?)
Although historically a hotel, it's now a bar and restaurant. While
somewhat remodeled, they kept it more original than most of the other
places in Fells Point. I was a bit disappointed how many other
"historic" bars were completely remodeled.
The Admiral's Cup,1647 Thames Street, Baltimore, MD 21231
410-522-6731 (interior since 1916)
I liked this place the most because they have retained more of the
original interior. It gives you the feel of history, rather than being
some generic upscale place. |
| Forest Diner, 10031 Baltimore National Pike, Ellicott City,
Maryland 410-465-5395
T T T T |
The Forest Diner on Rt. 40 is another place we went to for decades.
Although they have expanded it and covered it over with a mundane
facade, the original diner car is still in wonderful condition inside.
Huge plates at reasonable prices keep this placed packed, even though it
has the Double T diner right next to it. You can't go wrong with either
one. Across the street is the remnants of another nostalgic Howard
County mini-"Theme park" - the Enchanted Forest. Question - why is it
almost impossible to get snowballs - mildly similar to a snow-cone - on
the west coast? I fondly (and with great desire) remember the true
snowballs with chocolate syrup and marshmallow or great flavors like egg
custard, skyline, watermelon, etc. I think the only place I've seen
these on the west coast is in El Centro, CA. Some young entrepreneur
could make a fortune introducing these (the real flavors) to the West. I
guess a former snowball stand close to the Forest Diner brought this to
mind.
The Enchanted Forest |
| Frank's Diner, 7395 Cedar Ave Jessup, MD 20794 410 799 8198
(structure since 1959)
T T T T |
This place was so crowded, I couldn't get any interior shots. The
owners brought this classic diner in from New Jersey and it's great
that this history was saved. It appears to be quite a commercial
success. People generally seem to love classic diners more than
any other "time machine" restaurant. It's nice that they are
movable! A movable feast. |
| Hollywood Diner, 400 East Saratoga Street, Baltimore, MD,
410-962-5379 (structure since 1954)
T T T T |
Another great diner brought in from Long Island, New
York. Used in many
films. It's a little hard to find, but don't give up trying. Maryland
may be the diner capitol of the world! Friendly service.
 |
| Kibby's bar and restaurant, 3450 Wilkens Ave, Baltimore, MD
21229(410) 644-8716 (since 1934)
 |
An old restaurant that appears to be completely
remodeled. Don't know if this is the original location. I just went to
the bar with my sister Helen, who used to live in the area. You're
guaranteed to be called Hon here! I enjoyed the intensely blue collar
Baltimore culture here. It had a mid-70's look. Friendly staff. Looks
like a nice restaurant with very reasonable prices.
 |
| The Owl Bar (in the Belvedere Hotel /Condominiums), 1 E. Chase
St., Belvedere Hotel, Mount Vernon, Baltimore, MD 21202 (410) 347-0888
(since 1902) T T T T T
|
After Werner's restaurant, this was the best "time machine" in
Baltimore. Unique brick designs make up the walls. Very historic feel
with ancient booths and an well worn wooden bar. Old Owl statues
above the bar were once outside during prohibition times and their eyes
would light up to secretly signal the clientele when booze was
available (or something like that). A true hidden gem. The Belvedere Hotel - now condos -
is also a beautiful historic building and lobby.
 |
|
LITTLE ITALY, BALTIMORE
Fun little slice of Baltimore concentrated in an area you can easily
walk around and plenty of street parking (at least when I went). Can't
say it has an intensely Italian feel, although all the restaurants in
the area are Italian, but very much gives me the feeling of the
Baltimore I remember as a child. Can't go wrong eating here (unless
you're on a diet). Here's a few pictures below of the area and
restaurants to the right.
 |
Sabatino's Italian
Restaurant, 901 Fawn St, Baltimore, MD
21202 (410) 727-2667 (since 1955)
I stopped in here with my mom and had a very relaxing time. The
interior appears to be new, but there was something very calming and
reassuring about this classic Italian restaurant. Try the Calamari
appetizer. One very wonderful
thing anywhere you go in Little Italy are the strong Baltimore accents.
My father would always correct me anytime he heard a Maryland accent
creeping in. I sort of wish I had more of a Maryland accent - I feel a
bit devoid of culture. But out West I always have to repeat myself when
I ask for wadder instead of waTer.
Caesar's Den, 223 S High St, Baltimore, MD 21202 (410)
547-0820 
Chiapparelli's Restaurant, 237 S High St. Baltimore, MD 21202
(410) 837-0309 (since 1947)
 Da Mimmo
Italian Restaurant, 217 South High Street, Baltimore, MD(410)
727-6876 
All of the above restaurants are famous for their Italian food. I poked
my head in several places. They were all very attractive, but not
much in the way of historic interiors (which is the focus of this
website). I went into Da Mimmo's with my sister and had a nice time at
their bar. Although it's fairly new, they've done a great job of giving
it an "old School" Sinatra-like feel. Chatting with the bartender and a
manager (I guess) was very pleasant - these guys were pure Baltimore,
which is something I very much miss. The interior of the restaurant
(above) was very attractive. |
| The Senator Theatre
5904 York Road Baltimore, MD 21212
410-435-8338 (since 1939)
 |
I don't have enough material for a D.C./Maryland movie palace page,
but this is a very well preserved quasi-movie palace that I used to go
to as a kid. Wish I had had time for interior shots. Art Deco in style. |
|
Swallow at the Hollow Bar, 5921 York
Road, Baltimore, MD 21212 (410) 532-7542
T |
This place today looks like just about every other neighbor bar in
the world. Clean and comfortable but not particularly old looking,
although the bartender seemed to think it had been around 70 years which
is possible. I have nice memories of it because my grandfather used to
take me there (it's a grill as well) and my dad used to play shuffle board with his friends
here in the mid-60's.
 |
| Tastee Diner,
8516 Georgia Avenue, Silver Spring, MD,
301-589-8171 (since 1946)
T T T |
Another great diner saved from destruction by a move. Most of the
diner is a new extension added on, but it still has the classic homemade
diner food, and much of the original diner remains in tact.
Like all true diners it has great homemade soups. Don't know if
the three remaining Tastee Diners in Maryland are still affiliated. I
didn't get out to the one in Bethesda,
 |
|
Tastee Diner, 118 Washington Boulevard,
Laurel, MD, 301-953-7567 (since 1951)
T T T T T
Remnant of a Little Tavern across the street. |
You don't get much better than this. This diner is so well preserved
that it still has its original wooden booths. Great local crowd
with a lot of small town Maryland culture (although Laurel ain't so
small anymore). When I was a teenager, Columbia Maryland was still so
new that it had little in the way of restaurants or businesses. So we
would often go down Rt. 32 over a one lane bridge to Rt. 1 (a very
historic road) to Laurel to eat or shop. There was so little Hispanic
culture in Maryland at the time (I never once heard anyone speak Spanish
while I lived in Maryland), that we would have to drive 40 minutes to
Laurel to get so called "Mexican" food at Tippy's Taco House. Although
we loved that place, it made Taco Bell look like a street stand in
Tijuana authenticity wise. One of the least authentic but most loved dishes was "Chili con queso" - Velveeta cheese melted with some mild canned chili's. Now
Maryland has a large Hispanic population and far more authentic places,
although curiously some places still sell Chili con queso.
 |
|
Werner's Restaurant, 231 E. Redwood
St. Baltimore, MD 21202 410-752-3335 (since 1950, interior since
1938?) T T T T T
|
This is nothing less than a landmark of American pop culture.
HBO's "the Wire" has been filmed here (nice to know these guys know the
REAL Baltimore). Places
like this could never be replaced. I tend to judge all
"time machine" restaurants by the Musso and Frank's yardstick and
interiorwise this
place gives Musso's a run for its money. A perfectly
preserved interior - the ultimate time machine, with great food to boot.
I could eat their Maryland Crab soup every day and not tire of it. While
the restaurant dates from 1950 - it appears to have a lot of earlier
art deco elements (one article says the interior is from 1938. Anyone
know the previous restaurant?). But this is the best time machine
I've found in the Baltimore/D.C. area and probably one of the top six best I've
ever seen along with Musso and Frank's in Los Angeles, Merchants Cafe in
Seattle, and House of Shields and Original Joe's in San Francisco and
the Golden Steer in Las Vegas - though keep
in mind I only travel to a few cities. Extremely nice new owner
who very wisely has not changed the place one bit (with a great
Baltimore accent to boot).
It doesn't get any better than this! Patronize this place regularly
and keep it going forever! This should really become one of the
iconic symbols (is that redundant?) of Baltimore. |
| WASHINGTON D.C. DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA |
I was never a big fan of D.C. as a kid, but it seemed a whole lot
nicer on my last visit. For the first few days you are there, if you are
driving it will seem like King Minos' Labyrinth, but after a few
days, it will just be a maze. At night, when you hit a traffic circle,
you have about a 30% chance of being able to continue along the same
road. Parking on the street was surprisingly often available. It seems
like our founding father's had terrorism in mind when they designed D.C.
No terrorist will ever be able to find their way around this city. |
|
Ben's Chili Bowl, 1213 U Street, N.W.
Washington D.C. 20009 (202)667-0909 (since 1958) T T
|
Great place that serves as the historic anchor of the black
community on U Street. It's a "greasy spoon" with all the yummy food
you'd expect. Can't beat the chili burgers and at very reasonable
prices. The staff is a lot of fun - it's almost a show with all of the
singing and dancing going on (at least when I was there someone was
doing a great Prince imitation). This is a favorite of Bill
Cosby. Much of the interior is new but there are a lot of nice old
elements as well. A landmark in Washington D.C. Don't believe me?
Ask President Obama!
 |
| Florida Ave Grill, 1100 Florida Ave. Washington, DC 20009
202-265-1586 (since 1944) T T T T T
|
They don't make places like this anymore. About as classic an old coffee
shop as you can find. Mostly benches at a counter. From the celebrity
photos, it looks like just about everyone has eaten here (I though it
was amusing that Al Sharpton's photo was right next to Strom Thurman's -
a strange coincidence given recent news!).
Another landmark of the Black Community. Very well preserved and great
soul food (although not exactly a low cholesterol place!). Strangely,
this is the only place I've ever seen that makes pancakes exactly like
my mom. I guess we can forgive them for that!
 |
|
(Billy) Martin's Tavern 1264 Wisconsin
Ave NW, Washington, DC 202 333-7370 (since 1933) T T T T
|
Wonderful find in Georgetown, with an amazing amount of political
history. Every president from Truman to George W. Bush has eaten here.
One booth is famous as being the place where JFK proposed to Jackie.
Many other booths have fascinating stories as well. Beautiful old interior with dark woods and a very well preserved bar.
Did I mention the food was excellent as well. I'm so glad they have not
refinished the booths - it would ruin the place. Many generations of the
same family have run this place since the 30's. If you see nothing else
in Georgetown, ya gotta stop in here!
 |
| Round Robin Bar, 1401 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Willard
Inter-Continental Hotel, Washington DC 202-628-9100 (perhaps since
1850) T T
|
Nice old and historic bar in a very historic hotel, right near the
White House. It's been fairly remodeled but in a way preserving the
historic feel. The star here is the circular bar that does appear to
have the 150 some years wear its history indicates. Nice place for
a quiet drink with a fairly good amount of street parking after 7:00pm
the night I went. The Willard Hotel has a really beautiful lobby
to boot.
 |
| Watergate Hotel, 2650 Virginia Avenue, NW Washington, DC
20037 202-965-2300 (since 1967)
|
Obviously a very historic hotel, it's also a very nice place to
stay. Very nice value for the price (at least at the government rate).
Large luxurious rooms and a beautiful lobby. Another big plus is its
proximity to Georgetown (the staff suggested walking there but I don't
know enough about Washington to concur). Right on the shores of the Potomac
River with serene views. Very affable mostly African staff. The
architecture is quite interesting (but sort of strange). Seems to have a
Frank Lloyd Wright influence but I'm not sure the architect completely
pulled it off (probably due to cost cutting beyond the architect's
control). Of course that doesn't detract at all from it being a
great place to stay.
 |
| Yenching Palace Restaurant, 3524 Connecticut Ave. NW,
Washington, DC 20008 202-362-8200 (since 1955) T T T T T
|
The oldest Chinese Restaurant in Washington D.C. This place has a
fascinating history. Apparently representatives of JFK and Nikita Khrushchev
met here secretly to work out the deal resolving the Cuban Missile
Crisis. This is the best looking historic interior I've seen in any
Chinese restaurant. Indirect lighting, faded murals, sort of a pinkish
leather in rounded booths, it's all original and a perfect time machine.
Good food to boot and right off a subway stop. It would be a major blow
to Washington if this place is ever lost. Great neon signage out
front. A must see. Food is very good as well!
UPDATE: Bill H. has sent me an article indicating this
fabulous place will probably become a Walgreens Drug Store sometime in
2008. While I like Walgreens Drug stores, the fact remains that this
place is one of D.C.'s great culture and historic treasures (people
forget that all historic treasures were once "only" 50 years old before
they became 200 years old!). While there are many "time machine"
places I have yet to explore in D.C. I would think this place is at
least tie for the best "time machine" in D.C. (along with Martin's
Tavern). D.C. is rapidly becoming a generic city. This restaurant
is the best mid-century Chinese Restaurant interior I have ever seen
anywhere. And of course its Cold War history is irreplaceable (the very
existence of the world as we know it may have been saved here)!
The City of D.C. or more realistically the Federal Government should
have stepped in and run this place as a living history museum. I'm
sure they could have made a higher offer to the owners then the current
deal (although I guess that's a fait accomplis - any contract must be
honored unless you could make a deal with Walgreens to their advantage
as well). It wouldn't have cost much and could even be profitable.
What are we going to have left to show our children, grandchildren and
great grandchildren as to how life was in one of the greatest decades of
American history? Pictures? Alternatively, how much would it cost to
save the great exterior and interior but moving it to another structure
and doing our best to recreate and restore it. Crazy billionaires waste
so much money on more trivial things - how about doing this! It's just
ridiculous that a city would just quietly let such an incredible place
just disappear! |
