Best Summer Food in Baltimore

Summer is a great time to eat in Baltimore. Try these terrific independent eateries that locals love.

Best Gyro Ever at Mediterranean Halal Food Cart

Near the Charles Center metro stop across from 1^st Mariner Arena stands the Mediterranean Halal Food Cart. You will not find better street food anywhere in the world. Freshly made gyros are the specialty but everything on the cart is great. This is a popular spot for local office workers. Located at 126 W Baltimore Street, a few blocks from the Inner Harbour between the Hippodome Theatre and City Hall Halel's is open 10am-7pm.

Double T Diner

Drive out route 40 West to the corner of Rolling Road and enjoy the unique retro atmosphere of the Double T 50's style diner complete with formica, chrome and a jukebox at your table. Double T is family owned and operated with a few different locations but Cantonville is the place to go. Open 24 hours you will want to sit in the original section that has been there since they opened the doors in 1959.

All of the dishes on Double T's menu are made from scratch and fresh daily. Breakfast is served all the time but they have specials 6-11am weekdays. Try the Chesapeake Benedict which is poached egg over crab patty served on an English muffin with Hollandaise Sauce. 6300 Baltimore National Pike Baltimore, MD 21228 (410.744.4151)

Faidley Seafood World Famous Lexington Market

The World Famous Lexington Market is an ethnic indoor market that you just have to experience to understand and in the midst of the rasta atmosphere is Faidley Seafood. Founded in 1886 it has been a fixture of Baltimore ever since.

Faidley's is easy to find inside the Lexington Market and there is parking available for $3 an hour. Free standing bar tables are available but this is by no means a sit down restaurant. They open at 10am and Faidley's is a great place to pick up a delicious and memorable lunch. Crabcakes are $13 each and well worth it!

Open 10am-5pm except for Sundays dress casually and comfortably and take a friend. 203 North Paca Baltimore, Maryland 21201. (410) 727-4898

The Black Eyed Susan Paddlewheel Boat

Docked at the Inner Harbor, The Black Eyed Susan is an authentic paddlewheel dinner boat that hosts mainly charter events like weddings and Bar Mitzvahs but they do have public cruises.

Enjoy excellent food and top notch service in the Victorian comfort of the elegant boat while you cruise. Visit the website for a calendar or public cruises and to make reservations.

The Baltimore Crab Feast Lunch Cruise ($58) Friday, July 16, 201 and the Sunday Lunch cruises ($43) are great. 2010 dates for the Sunday Lunch cruises are June 27^th, July 18^th and August 29^th. Call the office weekdays 9am-5pm for more information. 410-342-6960. 901 S. Bond Street, Suite 100, Baltimore, MD 21231.

Blue Moon Cafe

Small, popular, under $10 for most entrees and located in Fells Point on Aliceanna Street this is a great bohemian feeling joint.

Arrive early for breakfast and don't go when you are in a hurry. Better yet stop by in the wee hours of the weekend morning and enjoy the Captain Crunch French Toast with a cup of their custom blend organic coffee from local Bluebird Roasters. Blue Moon Café is open 7am-3pm Sunday through Wednesday and on Thursday though Saturday they're open 11am-3pm and 11pm-7am! 1621 Aliceanna St., 410/522-3940