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Pollo in or near Hunt Valley?

I'm working in HV in April for a few days. Other folks are coming in from various parts of the country. I'd like to introduce at least one of the people to the Peruvian Chicken thing. Is there a place that's good near HV?

Also - any other recommendations are good. I've searched a bit and seen Andy Nelson's, which is probably the only thing on the list so far (I co-coordinate our meals). So, any suggestions and details are welcome. I think we have 4 dinners and 1 lunch (everything else will be on-site from the hotel, gag).


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    1. re: sas

      Green Leaf sounds really good. I am going to give it a try.

      Green Leaf's
      1235 Jefferson Davis Hwy, Arlington, VA 22202

    2. Corner Stable in Cockeysville is not far and a fun "divey" kind of place. Great ribs, chicken and surprisingly cheesesteak. If you want to go upscale you've got the Oregon Grille and Milton Inn.

      Corner Stable
      9942 York Rd, Cockeysville, MD 21030

      The Milton Inn
      14833 York Road, Sparks, MD 21152

      Oregon Grille
      1201 Shawan Road, Hunt Valley, MD 21030

      7 Replies
      1. re: bunerabbit

        My favorite Indian restaurant, Cafe Spice, is moving to Cockeysville in March. I don't expect the menu to change when it moves and the gobi manchuri is a must. It's super spicy, fried cauliflower. The owners are some of the sweetest people you'll ever meet. Here's the menu, but ignore the location information:

        I plan to be at Cafe Spice as soon as it reopens. If you're at all interested, I can update to let you know how the new location is.

        There is also Bluestone. It's not inventive or exciting, but it's a very solid choice especially for a group where tastes are likely varied. The crab cakes are good, though, and out-of-towners might really appreciate them. That being said, the Bluestone Salad was by far the most memorable thing I ate there.

        Also, here's the link for Hunt Valley Town Center. There are quite a few dining options, but most are chains. I will say that Carmine's makes a decent pizza and wouldn't be a bad casual lunch option for a smaller group.

        Good luck!

        1. re: ronandaim

          Agree with what was said about Bluestone. It's not inventive, and the apps are better than the entrees, but it's a reasonable choice.

          Corner Stable is just horrible. I know a lot of people who like it but I just don't get it. It's like G&M -- one of those inexplicably popular places. Andy Nelson's is awesome and one of the best restaurants in the area -- Cindy Wolf listed it as her favorite restaurant a few years ago in City Paper.

          Oregon Grille is ok, but you pay for that "e" on the end of Grille. The prices are in line with an exceptional place, and they just don't get to that level. You'll spend far more than your meal is worth. It's like a really expensive Clyde's.

          Sadly, the Hunt Valley area doesn't have much aside from Andy Nelson's that's really chowworthy. If you want pollo you'll need to go to Chicken Rico in Baltimore City. It's great, but it's a hike for you.

          Andy Nelsons Southern Pit Barbecue
          11007 York Rd, Cockeysville, MD 21030

          Corner Stable
          9942 York Rd, Cockeysville, MD 21030

          Chicken Rico
          3728 Eastern Ave, Baltimore, MD 21224

          1. re: JonParker

            Thanks for all the replies, but this one is great. Possibly we can do one excursion to the city. I do want to show one person the Pollo experience.

            1. re: JonParker

              I second the thumbs up for Andy Nelsons (although I actually prefer Big Bad Wolf but that's not in the Hunt Valley area) and agree that Corner Stable is no good. Also, I would recommend the Tropical Grill in the Cranbrook shopping center for really good Salvadorian food. There is no ambience at all (seriously, its a hole in the wall with some plastic tables) and the signage is wrong - it has the name of the old restaurant before it still up, but the dishes are excellent (and cheap!). Good for a quick lunch or take out.

              Corner Stable
              9942 York Rd, Cockeysville, MD 21030

              1. re: momnivore

                Actually, that sounds awesome. I'll check it out.

          2. re: bunerabbit

            Avoid Oregon Grill at all costs. Pretentious, overpriced, middling food.

          3. There is a Peruvian Chicken place in Towson named Pollo Amigo that has been mentioned on this board a couple of times. It was discussed back in 2007. http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/464360. I have never eaten there, but it appears to be the closest location to Hunt Valley for Peruvian Chicken. You may want to look at what others have said about and see if you think it worth trying. Its address is 714 York Rd # 1, Towson, MD 21204-2505. According to Google Maps it is a 16 minute drive from Hunt Valley as opposed to the 32 minutes required to get to Chicken Rico off Eastern Avenue.

            1 Reply
            1. re: Gary O

              But Chicken Rico is so, so worth it!!!

              Chicken Rico
              3728 Eastern Ave, Baltimore, MD 21224

            2. Thanks for the recs so far! I was up there for pre-planning yesterday and had Andy Nelson's. I had the brisket sandwich with two sides. Andy Sr served it up to us with a great smile and nice conversation.

              Rarely do places actually live up to expectations, but this one did. I think the beans are a close second to Smoking Joe's near Gainesville, but the overall meal was better at AN. The slaw was my other side and it was solid. My wife's version has yet to be surpassed, but this is potentially the best slaw I've had at a restaurant.

              Question - from another thread, what's the latest on the following:
              - Sabor
              - New Peerce's Grill
              - Liberatore's

              And - our group usually eats together, so there'll be a few meals over 3-4 days. Some are good but dirty, some more high end, and some utilitarian.

              Thanks all!

              8 Replies
              1. re: Dennis S

                I haven't been in a while, but Liberatore's, while not horrible, wasn't memorable either. It's perfectly mediocre, overpriced red sauce Italian.

                Next time you're at Andy's, try the pulled pork with Guy's Pig Dip. That's one of my favorite things to eat ever.

                1. re: JonParker

                  That will be my next order. Thanks!

                  1. re: Dennis S

                    There's a Salvadoran place -- Tropical Cafe (I think) in the Cranbrook Shopping Center on Cranbrook Road. It's a little hole in the wall place, but I had a great fresh pupusa there. It a little confusing to find because I think the sign outside still says Maria de Las Angeles. Worth a visit.

                    1. re: zebcook

                      Andy Nelson's is awesome! Check them out. For Italian try Pasta Blitz (49 W Aylesbury Rd Lutherville 21093). I agree with everyone else- don't go to Libertore's or Oregon Grill and I wasn't thrilled with Carmine's or Bluestone either.

                      Vaccarro's Bakery is on the second floor of Hunt Valley Towne Center and they're great for desserts. Try Baltimore Coffee and Tea (9 W. Aylesbury Rd Lutherville) for great local coffee (roasted on site) and tea (they're the largest tea emporium in North America).

                      For a cheap and relaxing meal try Bill Bateman's (different locations, the closest is in Towson I think). It's easy all American fare and a local chain. If you travel a little north and west, try J&P's Illiano Italian Restaurant in Hampstead or Glyndon.

                      You could always try sushi- we have more sushi restaurants then anywhere else on the East Coast (even New York) and our sushi is good. Try Edo on Padonia Road (in the Mars Shopping Center) or the Japanese place (imagine, a Japanese Restaurant selling sushi!) next to Pasta Blitz on Aylesbury (the name escapes me right now). There's a revolving sushi restaurant in Towson (that name also escapes me).

                      1. re: adcarter1

                        I'm not a fan of Bill Bateman's. It's along the lines of a Friday's or Ruby Tuesdays. They're nothing alike, but I'd pick Carmine's or Bluestone over Bateman's.

                        1. re: ronandaim

                          I swear I'm not trying to be argumentative but...really? How is Carmine's not along the lines of a Pizza Uno or every other chain Italian restuarant? What is it about Carmine's that you like? I ask honestly, maybe I missed something when I was there. And please tell me it's not the gelato, PLEASE.

                          1. re: adcarter1

                            I believe I said that Carmine's makes a decent pizza and isn't a bad option for a casual lunch. I did not give it a glowing review. I do think it's better than Pizza Uno. And no, never had the gelato.

                            I think most people on this board would agree that Hunt Valley isn't a mecca for foodies, but I think we are really scraping the bottom of the barrel if we are recommending Bill Bateman's. Perhaps if the OP was interested in wings and beer....

                      2. re: zebcook

                        Yup - see up thread - its called Tropical Grill and its great but unfortunately very hard to find. Their number is: (410) 628-1164.

                2. Vito's Cafe can be pretty good. I have only carried out. They have some of the cooks from Boccaccio working there. Andy Nelson is great.

                  1 Reply
                  1. re: 2000man

                    It's been a while since I was at Vito's, but I didn't like it at all. Hopefully it's better these days.