The Roland Park Neighborhood of Baltimore: A Tribute to Eddie Dobkin Way

As I stand on Cold Spring Lane, affectionately known as Eddie Dobkin Way, I am transported back in time to the vibrant days when this neighborhood was the epicenter of culinary excellence. It's here that I find myself in the heart of the Roland Park neighborhood of Baltimore, Maryland, surrounded by the sights and sounds of a bygone era. The street is named after the legendary restaurateur Eddie Dobkin, who revolutionized the dining scene with his five iconic eateries in the 1990s.

Miss Shirley's Cafe: A Breakfast Institution

One of the most beloved institutions on Eddie Dobkin Way is Miss Shirley's Cafe, a funky big breakfast joint that has been delighting patrons for years. This place is truly one-of-a-kind, and its reputation precedes it. People are willing to wait in line for up to two hours to experience the magic within these walls. It's no surprise, given the passion and dedication of Chef Bridget Bledsoe, who has been at the helm since 2005. Her creation, coconut cream stuffed French toast, is a masterpiece that deserves its own pedestal. Two large pieces of Challah bread are stuffed with an incredible cream, the brainchild of Chef Bledsoe herself. Each bite transports you to a world of pure bliss, with textures and flavors combining in perfect harmony.

Chicken Waffle: A Taste of Genius

Another dish that showcases Eddie Dobkin's legacy is the chicken waffle. This delectable combination may seem simple on paper, but trust me when I say it's anything but. The texture of the coconut, sweetness, and crunch all come together to create a culinary experience that will leave you speechless. As the host so aptly puts it, "Each bite you get the texture of the coconut...the sweetness with the crunch." It's truly awe-inspiring.

A Legacy Lives On

Eddie Dobkin may no longer be with us, but his son David and daughter-in-law Brandy have carried on his culinary legacy with pride. They have poured their hearts and souls into every dish that leaves Miss Shirley's Cafe, making it a true reflection of Eddie's spirit. From the shrimp and grit to the crab cake, each bite is infused with love and care, making it impossible not to be impressed.

Crab Cake: The Benchmark

The crab cake at Miss Shirley's Cafe is a benchmark against which all other crab cakes in Baltimore are measured. Jumbo lump crab meat, tabasco bacon onion jam, and Old Bay seasoning come together to create a truly unforgettable dish. As I watch the host assemble the ingredients, it becomes clear just how much care and attention goes into every single one of these crabcakes. Two ounces each, packed with flavor and love.

Bacon Jam: The Perfect Addition

The bacon jam is an integral component of the crab cake, adding a depth of flavor that elevates this dish to new heights. A generous helping of this sweet and savory spread is sprinkled across the top of the crabcakes, adding a touch of magic to each bite. It's no wonder this place is always buzzing with excitement.

Mini Crab Cakes: A Delightful Surprise

As I gaze upon the miniature crab cakes, my heart skips a beat. These bite-sized morsels are almost too cute to eat – almost. Each one is packed with flavor and love, making them an excellent choice for those who want to try their hand at Miss Shirley's Cafe without committing to a full serving.

Garnishing with Parsley

As the host adds a sprig of parsley to each dish, it becomes clear just how much attention to detail goes into every aspect of this dining experience. From the freshness of the lettuce and tomatoes to the subtle tang of Old Bay seasoning, each element is carefully considered to create a culinary symphony that will leave you speechless.

A Tribute to Eddie Dobkin

As I stand on Cold Spring Lane, surrounded by the memories of a bygone era, I am reminded of why this place is so special. It's not just a restaurant – it's a testament to the enduring legacy of Eddie Dobkin, a man who left an indelible mark on the culinary scene in Baltimore. His passion, dedication, and love for food have inspired generations of chefs and diners alike.

As I conclude my visit to Miss Shirley's Cafe, I am filled with gratitude for this experience. It's been a true privilege to witness the power of food to bring people together and create lasting memories. And as I leave this beloved institution, I know that Eddie Dobkin's spirit will continue to live on through the countless hearts and taste buds he has touched over the years.

"WEBVTTKind: captionsLanguage: enso here i am in the roland park neighborhood of baltimore maryland on cold spring lane well more fondly known as eddie dobkin way that's because back in the 90s eddie had like five rocking restaurants in this area and the one he's most widely known for is a funky big breakfast joint known as miss shirley's cafe here's shrimp and grit this place is unlike any other charles affair with oscar it's always a treat people will stand in line for literally an hour hour and a half two hours it's something that is worth the wait it's something eddie would have been proud to see my father he's really smiling down that's because since he passed in 2013 his son david and daughter-in-law brandy have carried on what he started they put an enormous amount of pride in love into their food it becomes infectious here are coconut cream stuffed french toast this is definitely a dish i spoil myself with it's two large pieces of chala stuffed with this amazing cream which is the creation of chef bridget bledsoe who's been heading up this kitchen since they opened in 2005. chicken waffle eddie knew she was big on talent each bite you get the texture of the coconut the sweetness with the crunch i have no problem giving it a wow weed and uh she just dropped a wow it's amazing apparently that's something you might have heard when eddie was around one of his favorite expressions was wowwee so this guy was this is a long way yeah eddie was a big part of baltimore and his legacy still lives on here crab cake the jumbo lump crab meat with this tabasco bacon onion jam a lot of people in baltimore take pride in their crab cakes but they're going to have to measure themselves by miss cheryl so now we're going to finally make the crab cake yes oh mail eggs marcia share old bay yellow mustard kosher salt mix this together okay what's going on now all right we have two pounds of krabby whoa roast red peppers parsley crab cake mix okay this is cracker meal so this is just enough effort to combine it yes that's what i call crab cake i am in awe now show me what the size of a crab cake is right here two ounce three of them are gone sandwich okay now we have our bacon jam plenty of that on there okay oh babe run a lot i'll get this for you oh babe revlon old bay yeah babe lettuce red and yellow tomatoes okay and then we have our mini crack cakes okay we're gonna garnish with parsley and we'll be this is outrageous so give it up freddy and a little wow youso here i am in the roland park neighborhood of baltimore maryland on cold spring lane well more fondly known as eddie dobkin way that's because back in the 90s eddie had like five rocking restaurants in this area and the one he's most widely known for is a funky big breakfast joint known as miss shirley's cafe here's shrimp and grit this place is unlike any other charles affair with oscar it's always a treat people will stand in line for literally an hour hour and a half two hours it's something that is worth the wait it's something eddie would have been proud to see my father he's really smiling down that's because since he passed in 2013 his son david and daughter-in-law brandy have carried on what he started they put an enormous amount of pride in love into their food it becomes infectious here are coconut cream stuffed french toast this is definitely a dish i spoil myself with it's two large pieces of chala stuffed with this amazing cream which is the creation of chef bridget bledsoe who's been heading up this kitchen since they opened in 2005. chicken waffle eddie knew she was big on talent each bite you get the texture of the coconut the sweetness with the crunch i have no problem giving it a wow weed and uh she just dropped a wow it's amazing apparently that's something you might have heard when eddie was around one of his favorite expressions was wowwee so this guy was this is a long way yeah eddie was a big part of baltimore and his legacy still lives on here crab cake the jumbo lump crab meat with this tabasco bacon onion jam a lot of people in baltimore take pride in their crab cakes but they're going to have to measure themselves by miss cheryl so now we're going to finally make the crab cake yes oh mail eggs marcia share old bay yellow mustard kosher salt mix this together okay what's going on now all right we have two pounds of krabby whoa roast red peppers parsley crab cake mix okay this is cracker meal so this is just enough effort to combine it yes that's what i call crab cake i am in awe now show me what the size of a crab cake is right here two ounce three of them are gone sandwich okay now we have our bacon jam plenty of that on there okay oh babe run a lot i'll get this for you oh babe revlon old bay yeah babe lettuce red and yellow tomatoes okay and then we have our mini crack cakes okay we're gonna garnish with parsley and we'll be this is outrageous so give it up freddy and a little wow you\n"