A New Food Truck at Hopkins

That’s right – Souper Freak, a conspicuously bright red truck has been spotted on Hopkins ground, Fridays from 11a.m.-2p.m. The truck specializes in gourmet soups, salads and sandwiches. I’ve also learned that the soup operator, Irene Smith, is married to the chef who owns Big Bad Wolf House of Barbecue, Scott Smith (this was my FAVORITE Hopkins Spring Fair food vendor). With that said, I know Souper Freak is going to be a hit.

The truck is currently serving soups such as Vegan Thai Carrot and Turkey Chili with Hominy. To accompany, there are options such as a BBQ Chicken Wrap, a Grilled Cheese and a Spinach Salad with Tropical Vinaigrette.

According to a recent article in the Baltimore Sun’s Dining@Large, the Souper Freak recently ran into some controversy regarding food truck permits. Apparently finding a place to park is a huge difficulty in the city, and obtaining proper permits is a laborious process. I can only hope Baltimore city is supportive of the recent mobile food trend, as it really adds some variety and character to our food scene.

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“Tuesdays with Gertie”

As I am about to graduate, I find myself becoming quite nostalgic about my time at Hopkins. My freshman year boyfriend once took me on a date to Gertrude’s on a Tuesday night. It was my first visit to the restaurant. I was immediately impressed by the dimly lit, tastefully decorated space inside of the Baltimore Museum of Art.

However, the most pleasant surprise came when the menus arrived. Every Tuesday from 5-9 pm is “Tuesdays with Gertie,” where the restaurant offers a special menu with $12 entrees. It gets better – there is also a great selection of wine for $20 a bottle.

I have immensely enjoyed Gertrude’s for the past four years for several reasons. Having such a nice restaurant so close to campus has been wonderful – whenever my mother visits, we always go to Sunday brunch (we’re fans of the blood orange mimosas)!

However, it is “Tuesdays with Gertie” that sticks out in my head the most. I appreciate how the restaurant reaches out to its surrounding students, many of whom don’t have the budget for a fancy dinner.

Gertrudes doesn’t skimp out on portions for its special menu, either. One of my favorites is the Maryland Panfried Chicken. For $12, this is a great deal. The dish consists of a breast, two drumsticks and a thigh, each covered in a crisp, golden brown breading. Framing the chicken is broccoli and a scoop of mashed potatoes topped with creamy gravy. This makes for a savory, comforting meal that reminds me of home in the South, where Fried Chicken rules the world.

I’ve also had the Salmon alla Bella and the Cornmeal-Encrusted Catfish, both of which are excellent. In the future, I hope to try the Crab Cake Platter, to see how Gertrude’s version measures up (I’m sure it’s great!).

Tonight, I had the opportunity to dine at Gertrude’s, causing me to reflect on my past experiences there. I hope that many Hopkins students take advantage of “Tuesdays with Gertie,” as it’s a one-of-a-kind deal. I encourage you to go if you haven’t before!

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