Sleeping & Eating
Baltimore 1
5 Chaps American
(%410-483-2379; 5801 Pulaski Hwy; mains
under $10; h10:30am-10pm, to midnight
Fri & Sat) This is the go-to stop for pit beef,
Baltimore’s take on barbeque – thinly sliced top
round grilled over charcoal. Park and follow your
nose to smoky mouth-watering goodness, and
get that beef like a local: shaved onto a kaiser
roll with a raw onion slice on top, smothered in
tiger sauce (a creamy blend of horseradish and
mayonnaise).
5 Dukem Ethiopian^ $$
(%410-385-0318; 1100 Maryland Ave; mains
$13-22; h11am-10:30pm) Dukem is a standout
among Baltimore’s many Ethiopian places.
Delicious mains, including spicy chicken, lamb
and vegetarian dishes, all sopped up with
spongy flatbread.
5 PaperMoon Diner Diner^ $$
(227 W 29th St; mains $7-16; h7am-midnight
Sun-Thu, to 2am Fri & Sat) Like a kaleidoscopic
dream, this brightly colored, quintessential
Baltimore diner is decorated with thousands of
old toys, creepy mannequins and other quirky
knickknacks. The real draw here is the anytime
breakfast – fluffy French toast, crispy bacon and
bagels with lox.
5 Vaccaro’s Pastry^ Italian^ $
(222 Albemarle St; desserts $7; h9am-10pm
Sun-Thu, to midnight Fri & Sat) Vacarro’s serves
some of the best desserts and coffee in town.
The cannoli are legendary, and the gelato and
tiramisu are also quite good.
4 Peabody Court Hotel^ $$
(%410-727-7101; http://www.peabodycourthotel.com;
612 Cathedral St; r from $120; paW) Smack
dab in the middle of Mt Vernon, this upscale
larger hotel with a boutique feel has large,
handsomely appointed guest rooms with all-
marble bathrooms and top-notch service. Often
has great-rate deals online.
Sykesville 3
5 E.W. Beck’s Pub^ $
(%410-795-1001; 7565 Main Street; mains $9-15;
h11:30am-10pm, bar to 1am) In the middle of
Sykesville’s historic district, Beck’s feels like a
traditional pub, with wooden furnishings, soused
regulars and serviceable pub grub mains.Frederick 7
5 Brewer’s Alley^ Gastropub^ $$
(%301-631-0089; 124 N Market St; burgers
$9-13, mains $18-29; h11:30am-11:30pm Mon &
Tue, to midnight Wed & Thu, to 12:30am Fri & Sat,
noon-11:30pm Sun; W) This bouncy brewpub
is one of our favorite places in Frederick, for
several reasons. First, the beer: homemade,
plenty of variety, delicious. Second, the
burgers: enormous, half-pound monstrosities
of staggeringly yummy proportions. Third, the
rest of the menu: excellent Chesapeake seafood
and Frederick county farm produce and meats.
Finally: the beer. Again. The beer.5 Cacique Latin $$
(%301-695-2756; 26 N. Market Street; $11-29;
h11:30am-10pm Sun-Thu, to 1:30pm Fri &
Sat) This interesting spot mixes up a menu of
Spanish (as in Spain) favorites like paella and
tapas with Latin American gut busters like
enchiladas ceviche. That said, the focus and the
expertise seems bent more towards the Iberian
side of the menu; the shrimp sauteed in garlic
and olive oil is wonderful.4 Hollerstown Hill B&B B&B $$
(%301-228-3630; http://www.hollerstownhill.com;
4 Clarke Pl; r $135-145; paW) The elegant,
friendly Hollerstown has four pattern-heavy
rooms, two resident terriers and an elegant
billiards room. It’s right in the middle of the
historic downtown area of Frederick, so
you’re within easy walking distance of all the
goodness.WASHINGTON.DC,.MARYLAND.&.DELAWARE.TRIPS.15
.MARYLAND’S NATIONAL HISTORIC ROAD