Places I Wanted to Eat: Philadelphia & DC & Baltimore

Thanks mostly to my grandmother's wanderlust and tendency to settle in remote villages and my parents own traveling aspirations, I am fortunate enough to be twenty years old and fairly well travelled.  However, this is the first trip that I have planned, paid for, and embarked on by myself.

Notice the "paid for" part.  As a direct result, I managed to survive eight days on $32.04 worth of food.  In other words, I passed up on eating out.  It was not that difficult...  My meals were perhaps not balanced, but I was always satisfied (rice goes a looong way).  Still, here is a list of places to eat that I have yet to sample, although their reputations DO precede them:

(There may be a few cultural events or bookstores thrown in here as well because I cannot resist..)

so many books! so many books
that I am now carting across the coast!

Washington, DC

• Ben's Chili Bowl (apparently they ship to all 50 states as well)
• Julia's Empanadas
• On the Fly (a fleet of eco-friendly SmartKarts)
• Johnny's Half Shell
• Chinatown Express
• Dukem Ethiopian
• Sundays 3-9pm in Meridian Hill Park for a drum circle and African dancing
• The MLK Dedication.  I was heartbroken that Irene ripped this experience from me.

I actually did eat at Dukem Ethiopian

Philadelphia

the good men of Tommy Dinic's

• Tommy Dinic's
• The Book Corner

Mercifully, Mary and Margaret were there in Philly to impart their wisdom and experience, so I will have to go again to expand my bucket list!  If that makes sense.

Baltimore

• Red Emma's (a cafe and bookstore)
• Faidley's crab cakes in Lexington Market
• Free music IN Lexington Market
• Batimore Farmers' Market
• Zeke's Coffee (it truly is unbelievable what $14/lb coffee grounds can do)

motto? read, revolt

If you are ever in a position to do any of these things, do not hesitate!  These are recommendations from international travelers, hostel (hostile? hah!  No, everyone was really nice!) staff, and the local city-dwellers.