Foodie News: Mexican Meal for $10, Crabs Make Headlines, Hottest Bars

By Sonia Su

Don't miss this food-related news from around the Baltimore metro area:

Baltimore's Maryland Crabs Nominated as USA TODAY's Top 20 Iconic American Foods
USA TODAY announced the launch of the 10 Best Readers' Choice Travel Awards Wednesday morning. Users vote for their favorite destinations, experiences and amenities in a new travel award category each week. This week, Baltimore's Maryland crabs is listed among the 20 regional specialties selected for the Best Iconic American food category by its expert panel. Voting for the Best Iconic American Foods category ends at 11:59 a.m., Monday, July 22, 2013 and the winner will be revealed on 10Best.com and USA TODAY on Wednesday, July 24, 2013.

Baltimore-Based Chefs to Congress: Hungry Kids Need Food Stamps
Wit + Wisdom executive pastry chef Chris Ford and Pabu executive chef Jonah Kim wrote in the Baltimore Sun to raise awareness for funding for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly known as food stamps. Congress may make cuts to programs that support child nutrition. "Cutting SNAP would be devastating to millions of kids in this nation and many children right here in Maryland, leaving them at risk for long-term hunger, health and educational problems," they say.

R&R Taqueria Named Best Mexican Restaurant in Baltimore
The restaurant guidebook and online publisher Zagat released the top restaurants for Mexican food in or near 20 U.S. cities and named Elkridge's R&R Taqueria the best in Baltimore, according to USA TODAY. The average price of a meal for one person with a drink and a tip at R&R Taqueria is $10, which is also one of the lowest among the 20 restaurants.

The Prime Rib to Close for Renovations from July 1 to 14
The steakhouse and seafood restaurant in Baltimore will be closing from July 1 to 14 for renovations mainly to the kitchen and ladies' room, according to the Baltimore Sun.

Federal Hill's Crossbar Owner Says He's Willing to Work with Neighbors
With the tension between Federal Hill residents and the group behind a proposed beer garden in the neighborhood, Brian McComas of the Crossbar der Biergarten said he is willing to work with residents on their concerns about the 300-seat German-style beer garden at 12-18 E. Cross St., according to Baltimore Business Journal. The Federal Hill residents say otherwise.

Two Baltimore Restaurants Among OpenTable's Top 100 Hottest Restaurant Bars
We're on a winning streak, Baltimore! Bond Street Social (901 S Bond St.) and The Brewer's Art (1106 N Charles St.) won the 2013 Diner's Choice Award as two of the hottest restaurant bars, according to OpenTable diner reviews.

Shuckers in Fells Point to Close
Co-owner Andy Rosenthal told the Baltimore Sun that the lease for the restaurant and sports bar on 1629 Thames St. expired and will not be renewed. The last day will be either June 30 or July 31.

Feeding Baltimore's Poor with Fresh Food
Gather Baltimore is Arthur Morgan's volunteer-based program that collects unsold vegetables, fruit and bread from the Baltimore Farmers' Market and Bazaar in downtown Baltimore and other sources to redistribute to local meal programs, faith communities and others in need. A Baltimore Brew writer featured Morgan and his efforts to feed the city's poor.

Baltimore's Plastic Bag Curb Widely Ignored
Despite the law that requires stores to post the no-bag-unless-you-ask signs, only about one-fourth of the 200 food vendors inspected by the Baltimore City Health Department complied. "The City Council is scheduled to hold a public hearing in July on a bill that would levy a 25-cent fee on both plastic and paper disposable bags, with the aim of encouraging shoppers to bring their own sacks for carrying away their food purchases," according to the Baltimore Sun.

Bluegrass Tavern Debuted Tuesday Chicken Box Special
The contemporary American restaurant on 1500 S Hanover St. in Baltimore debuted its Chicken Box Special this Tuesday. Every Tuesday from 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., the $11.95 special is available only at the bar or for carryout. The eco-friendly to-go box includes two smoked and fried chicken thighs, cornbread and wedge fries, according to the restaurant.

Baltimore Firm First to Release Prescription-Only Smartphone App
"The Food and Drug Administration cleared WellDoc, a 100-person health care technology firm based in Baltimore, to sell a prescription-only smartphone app for diabetes patients," according to the Washington Post. BlueStar is an app that provides real-time suggestions to patients with type 2 diabetes for maintaining glucose levels, including what to eat or when, and when to test glucose levels. BlueStar is available on smartphones, tablets and computers and sends patient data to their physician via an automatic email or fax.

Amish Vendors, Supporters Protest Departure of Two Stands from Joppatowne Market
Many regular customers of the Amish vendors at the Joppatowne Flea Market, which draws people from around Central Maryland including Arbutus, were upset to hear the news last Saturday that at least two of those vendors will have to leave, due to a legal battle between the flea market's neighbor in the Joppatowne Plaza Shopping Center, the Redner's supermarket and the owner of the shopping center, the Cordish Cos. of Baltimore, according to the Baltimore Sun.

Farm to Table: Grille 700 Uses Fresh Ingredients from Its Own Garden
Who knew a "farm" could be just three floors above a restaurant? Chef Carlos Gomez of The Grille 700 at the Baltimore Marriott Waterfront (700 Aliceanna St.) has been trying gardening for the restaurant's ingredients for a year, according to CBS Baltimore. Gomez hopes to have a greenhouse on the deck soon.