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A Gastronome’s Grand Tour

From the 17th into the 19th Century, the “Grand Tour” was a quasi-educational journey, undertaken by the wealthy, to explore foreign lands and cultures.  Today, the Baltimore National Pike, U.S. Route 40 leading west from Baltimore City, presents an opportunity for foodies to embark on culinary Grand Tour, without the need for a passport or Passepartout.  

“The Pike” connects dozens of international food markets, creating a plethora of gastronomic adventures easily driven in a day.  Begin in a nondescript strip mall set back from the north side of the 5500 block of the Pike just west of St. Agnes Lane.  The Great Wall caters to Asian shoppers, offering a stunning stock of Asian products in a supermarket-style retail store.  The produce section seems to stretch to the horizon, while the meats and seafood sections are expansive, diverse, and competitively priced.  Just walking the many aisles of groceries and cookware is an education in Asian cuisine.

Follow the Pike west to Rolling Road where H-Mart, part of a Korean–American supermarket chain, has distinguished itself for its produce and seafood departments, as well as its traditional and ethnic foods.  H-Mart also carries an extensive line of household items, and n-store Asian food stands offer a range of dishes for carryout or dine-in.  Try the kimchi or the chicken eggrolls.

Back on the Pike, the Westpark Shopping Mall on the north side of the 6400 block holds a cluster of eateries including Linsy’s Hispanic Store.  More than just a Mexican market, Linsy’s offers a taste of Latin culture with a full restaurant serving traditional dishes such as tacos, tostadas, and pupusas.  Everything on the menu is authentic and made from ingredients carried in the market.

Sharing the Westpark mall, Paaq Halal Meat & Grocery calls itself an “Indian Pakistani Bangladeshi Afro-American Store”.  A Halal Certified butcher shop, Paaq carries fresh goat, lamb, beef, veal, and chicken along with many grocery items.

Going West

Continuing west to the Pike Park Plaza, Patel Brothers stocks a huge selection of Indian and South Asian foods, including fresh produce.  This is the place to find authentic regional specialties.  Large freezer cases hold prepared foods, kulchas, naans, parathas, and even Indian ice cream!  Be sure to try the homemade samosas sold at the checkout.

One of the Pike’s origional large ethnic supermarkets, Lotte Plaza Market, in the One Mile West mall, has become a bastion of gastronomy, offering products from India, Pakistan, the Middle East, China, Vietnam, and the Philippines.  Along with ethnic culinary specialties, Lotte stocks many of the items found in regular supermarkets, including household goods.  Part of a multi-state chain, Lotte has two locations along the Pike’s culinary Grand Tour.

Crossing the Patapsco River, the Pike enters the Normandy section of Howard County.  In a single tiny strip mall on Normandy Woods Drive on the Pike’s south side, two markets command attention.  The Turkish Family Market stocks Turkish and Middle Eastern specialty products, fresh desserts including absolutely addictive baklava and kataifi, and fresh cuts of beef, goat, lamb, and chicken.  Next door, Tigi’s Ethiopian Restaurant & Market adds another continent to the Pike’s roster.  Long a foodie favorite and a vegan’s haven, Tigi’s market offers traditional Ethiopian foods, ingredients, and the iconic injera breads.  Just up the block, Ventura’s Latin Market adds another flavor to this stretch of the tour.

Discovering “Korean Way”

A second Lotte and an expanded H-Mart bracket the Pike just before it crosses under Route 29.  The “Korean Way”, a 5-mile stretch of the Pike, then traverses Koreatown, encompassing more than 150 Korean-owned businesses.  Do not miss Korean fried chicken or hot pot from any of more than a dozen restaurants.  Korean Way is also the place to visit for French-style pastries and cafes.  Tous Les Jours and Café June are two of the standouts.

Snugged behind a Burger King on the Pike’s south side, anchoring yet one more low-rise strip mall, the Caspian Supermarket is a gastronomic adventure.  Focusing on Mediterranean and Middle Eastern foods, a specialty butcher shop, regional produce, baked goods, and traditional Persian delicacies fill every shelf and case.  The fresh dates, zatar breads, and feta cheese flavored with olives are particular favorites.  

The Caspian Supermarket stands as emblematic of the Baltimore National Pike’s gastronomic diversity.  From tacos to kulcha to kimbap and Korean comfort food, exploring the Pike is a true gastronomic Grand Tour.

The Baltimore National Pike Grand Tour

The Great Wall, 5510 Baltimore National Pike, http://www.gw-supermarket.com, 410-788-8888

Linsy’s Hispanic Store, 6400 Baltimore National Pike, https://linsysrestaurant.com, 410-744-6412

Paaq Halal Meat & Grocery 6400 Baltimore National Pike, 410 970-2790

Patel Brothers, 6504 Baltimore National Pike, http://www.patelbros.com, 410-719-2822

Lotte, 6600 and 8801 Baltimore National Pike, http://www.lotteplaza.com

Turkish Family Market, 8457 Baltimore National Pike #16, 410) 750-0679

Tigi’s Ethiopian Restaurant & Market, 8459 Baltimore National Pike #14, http://www.tigisethiopianrestaurant.com, 410) 750-1500

Ventura’s Latin Market, 8525 Baltimore National Pike, 410-313-8555

H-Mart, 3301 North Ridge Road., www.hmart.com, 443-574-3456.  Also, 800 North Rolling Road.

Caspian Supermarket, 9191 Baltimore National Pike # 1, 410-313-8072

Tous Les Jours Bakery, 9380 Baltimore National Pike #111, tljus.com, 410-461-6301

Café June, 10039 Baltimore National Pike Suite e, cafejune.com, 410-461-5210