Parking lot cafes: Possible Top 10?
I love this entry from the HowChow blog, particularly the concept that the parking lot cafe is the ultimate Howard County experience. It's a phenomenon I've noted often enough, but just never thought to blog about it. Luckily I can link.
Even someone as diehard as I am about eating outside thinks twice before taking a table that's essentially in a parking lot. I don't know why it feels so different from a sidewalk cafe with traffic going by, but it does.
(View from the table by David Hobby/Sun photographer)
Comments
I saw the funniest thing last week while driving down York Road in Hunt Valley. There was a school bus converted into a cafe. I've never seen it before. I guess it just moves around as needed.
Posted by: NotableM | May 27, 2009 4:52 PM
Atwater's at Kenilworth, and every Chipotle ever.
Posted by: Multimedia Editor Mary | May 27, 2009 5:03 PM
The Harryman House. Not only are you over the parking lot, but all the patrons walk by you to enter the restaurant.
Jilly's (in Pikesville) outdoor tables afford a lovely view of a Chinese take out, a convienence store and Reisterstown Road.
Posted by: Joyce W. | May 27, 2009 6:00 PM
Due to my inability to "choose civility", I am not welcomed in Howard County.
Posted by: Robert of Cross Keys | May 27, 2009 7:09 PM
They need to link to this somewhere in the 'I
Lulz. It's an almost perfect indictment of why I panic at the thought of living in the suburbs.
Posted by: El Generalissimo | May 28, 2009 12:38 AM
RoCK, have you ever noticed that the cars with the "choose civility" bumper stickers are usually the ones cutting you off and driving like maniacs? I'm telling you, HoCo is thick with irony!
Posted by: Zevonista | May 28, 2009 7:44 AM
Zevonista, I think that's also true of the "practice random act of kindness" drivers.
Posted by: Joyce W. | May 28, 2009 8:35 AM
Notable! You saw that bus? I've passed it several times over the past month or so at 5-5:50ish, right at McCormick Road as I'm making the right, so I have no time to study the situation. I don't pass there every evening and it doesn't seem to be there every evening. Last Friday, I thought I'd head down for lunch, to see what was on the menu and it wasn't there.
Short version: I have no clue what's up with that.
Posted by: Eve | May 28, 2009 9:32 AM
Zev and Joyce - I think these are the old, "Baby On Board" drivers.
Posted by: Eve | May 28, 2009 9:35 AM
sidewalk cafe is european and thus chic and cool.
parking lot cafe? definitely NOT european.
oh and there may be something about exhaust fumes making food a bit less appetizing
Posted by: Matt | May 28, 2009 9:42 AM
Eve - laughing! you are so right!
Posted by: Joyce W. | May 28, 2009 10:12 AM
Howard County is full of them. The Green Turtle in Columbia comes immediately to mind. So does the outdoor seating at the Carrabba's/Outback locations right next to each other in Ellicott City.
Posted by: Donny B | May 28, 2009 10:21 AM
Eve - I saw the bus across from the Hunt Valley Town Center entrance on York Road, a bit north of Shawan around 4 p.m. last Thursday. They were encouraging customers to dine inside - I have no idea what type of food they serve. I haven't seen it since.
Posted by: NotableM | May 28, 2009 11:42 AM
If you buy food and eat it in your car in the parking lot, does that count as a parking lot cafe?
Posted by: PCB Rob | May 28, 2009 12:40 PM
Fl Rob - are you old enough to remember carhops on rollerskates? The was big time a parking lot cafe!
Posted by: Joyce W. | May 28, 2009 1:12 PM
Ann's Footlong!
Posted by: Anonymous | May 28, 2009 1:25 PM
Ann's *what* is a foot long? Isn't it Ted that claims to have that much?
I'm so confused...
Posted by: Lissa | May 28, 2009 1:39 PM
Joyce, I have a friend who put herself through grad school as a roller-skating carhop. She was studying to be a concert pianist and had no marketable skills.
Posted by: Eve | May 28, 2009 2:14 PM
Eve, she could have done roller derby, but point well taken. Did she succeed in her quest?
Posted by: Joyce W. | May 28, 2009 2:18 PM
I think Ann's Footlong is in Glen Burnie? Near Marley Station Mall? Known for their hotdogs I think? If so, yes, it is in fact a parking lot cafe.
Posted by: BaltBabs | May 28, 2009 2:29 PM
Lissa -- I think the reference was to Ann's Dari-Creme on Ritchie Highway in Glen Burnie, the subject of several comments a few months back.
Posted by: hmpstd | May 28, 2009 2:31 PM
Yeah, but it is more fun to pretend it was obscene.
Posted by: Lissa | May 28, 2009 2:50 PM
Joyce - no.
Posted by: Eve | May 28, 2009 4:08 PM
See, Eve. She should have done roller derby instead!
Posted by: Joyce W. | May 28, 2009 4:51 PM
Love it...at least you can keep an eye on your car while dining.
Posted by: ATigerintheKitchen | May 29, 2009 1:43 PM