You have to try the Maryland Tots at Alexander's Tavern in Fells Point

Sometimes I love it when I’m wrong.  The most recent example is when I went to visit Alexander’s Tavern in Fells Point.  I solicited suggestions on the best meal in Baltimore for $10 or under and the Maryland Tots at Alexander’s Tavern was a recurring suggestion.  The online menu describes them as “tater tots smothered in our crab dip” and at an even $10, it hits the edge of my ‘cheap eats’ limit.  I took my dear sweet time coming around to this suggestion because of the description.  Sure I love crab dip, but prefer to gobble it up on small slices of fresh, warm bread instead of drizzled over some greasy tots.

An acquaintance from the dark and frozen north, Ms. Stoli, was in town for a prestigious function involving educators from over the country (read: drunken debauchery) and since I was also attending this same prestigious event, we decided to catch a bite at Alexander’s Tavern.  First off, I love the neighborhood.  Fells Point has that nice “old town” feeling that I really enjoy.  Next, Alexander’s Tavern has that down home pub atmosphere, which I also enjoyed.

We sat ourselves at the bar and looked at the happy hour snack menu.  There were an impressive amount of selections for only $3 and I was tempted by the tuna bites, but I held firm to my decision to try the Maryland Tots.

I am so glad I did.

As earlier mentioned, I was expecting to see a pile of tots with a thick, cream cheese based crab dip drizzled over top and the dip to be more creamy and less crabby.  I was wrong.  What came out was a plate of greasy, cheesy, crabby heaven.  The tots absorbed a lot of the dip, leaving impressively large pieces of crab mixed in the large potato nugget pile underneath a layer of melted cheese.  Be sure to eat these with a fork unless you bring an oil rag to sop up the slick coating from your fingers after every bite.  This makes the perfect bar food: cheap, sizable, and able to absorb plenty of alcohol in your stomach to prolong a day dedicated to drunken debauchery.  Even though the $10 tips the cheap eat scale, it’s large enough to share.

Now, if you’re a calorie counter, don’t even think about the tots.  I shudder to think about the number of smaller arteries that were clogged as a result of that dish. If you want the lighter side of pub fare, try the Mahi-Mahi Gourmet Tacos.  The blackened mahi-mahi have a kick which is countered by the coolness of the fresh greens, avocado, and salsa.  Don’t apply the sour cream if you want reduced guilt.  There are three to an order and if your stomach happens to nearly full with half an order of Maryland Tots, they keep well in the fridge and reheat wonderfully.  Ms. Stoli was also feeling the guilt of the tots and ordered a turkey burger on a croissant.  She cut me off a piece for posterity sake and I have to say, this was the juiciest turkey patty I have ever sampled.   In fact, it was so juicy that the bottom side of the croissant was saturated so I don’t know how guilt free this turkey burger was.  But, this isn’t a place you should go if you’re overly calorie conscious.

Was it worth my time and money?  Oh yeah.  Those Maryland Tots were worthy of Mama’s on the Half Shell status and those mahi-mahi tacos were a good taste of the lighter side of their selections.

-Mr. Cheap Eats