Personal Review :
{20 February 2003}:
We met friends for dinner at Cafe Hon this evening. Service was good
for the most part (many of the servers were preparing for a visit from
the Governor and his entourage which resulted in the rest of us having
to sit in the more noisy area of the restaurant while they had the side
room).
Among our entrees were the porkchops, the crab manicotti lasagna and
the Atlantic salmon. The lasagna was very good, the pork chops looked
good, the salmon...not so good. The vegetables with the salmon were
dead; not just a little overdone...they were dead! Not
edible. The salmon was baked and was not all that great either. Prices
have risen over the years as well. The salmon was $16.
The lasagna was about $12. All in all, diner was acceptable. The
visit with our friends was the best part. Next time we'll likely try
a better, quieter location though.
{11 May 1998}: A large group of us (14) went to Cafe Hon today for a `going away' lunch. Unfortunately, our experience on this occasion was not as pleasant in that nearly 1/3 of the party had to change orders because the Cafe was out of Turkey and many sandwiches, etc...even the Ruben (they substituted roast beef...whether we wanted it or not). On top of that, several orders were wrong and had to be sent back. Added to that, we didn't see our waitress much, and I never did get my ice tea refill. That's not to say the food we did get wasn't good. And to their credit, the waitress didn't charge for the after lunch coffee and tea ordered due to the long delays in getting service. For all this, groups of over 6 are supposed to pay a required 20% gratuity. We did, but it wasn't really worth it this time.
{17-April-1998}
I'd heard about Cafe Hon for years after moving to Baltimore but had never
been there until sometime last year. Besides the `homey' atmosphere and food,
they were supposed to have the typical `rude' Baltimore waitresses (a myth?).
Our experience was enjoyed with friends and their kids and we were seated in
the side room (had to pass by the counter and partially through the kitchen
area to get there). I understand they were going to be remodeling, but we
haven't had a chance to return to check it out. Our waitress was actually
very friendly. The decor was nothing elaborate, but food was pretty good, and
cheap. I hadn't had meatloaf and mashed potatoes in a long time. Cafe Hon
is actually a great place to go for a reasonably good dinner for a family
looking for a cheap night out. {17 April 1998}
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Baltimore Magazine, April 1998 -- "Cheap Eats" by Cynthia Glover
{Reprinted with permission of Baltimore Magazine}
It's the perfect refuge for homestyle cookin' on a rainy evening. You won't find any wraps or trendy concoctions here--only childhood favorites like hot turkey with mashed potatoes, meat loaf, big juicy burgers, and chicken-salad sandwiches. Miss Grandma's pie? Check out the award-winners in the glass case right up front. Whether you're perched solo on a red-leather stool at the counter or settling in for a chat and chew with your siblings at a cozy four-top in this homespun dining room, you're sure to enjoy the small-town friendliness and welcoming atmosphere that make Cafe Hon a Baltimore classic.
LEAST EXPENSIVE ENTREE: Heart-healthy penne with vegetables and marinara, $8.95.
MOST EXPENSIVE ENTREE: Four-cheese lasagna or pork chop platter, $11.95; specials run to $14.95.
VALUE ADDED: Arrive in time for the early-bird special and you'll get ``better-than-Mom's'' meatloaf with salad, vegetable, and potato for $7.95.