Golden West Cafe
- Price Range: $$
- Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
- Parking: Street
- Attire: Casual
- Good for Groups: No
- Good for Kids: Yes
- Delivers: No
- Take-out: Yes
- Waiter Service: Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
- Outdoor Seating: No
- Wi-Fi: None
- Good for: Breakfast
- Alcohol: Full Bar
28 Reviews for Golden West Cafe
Since I've moved here earlier this year, this has become my standby place to take out-of-town friends who are in town for something else and want to get together for brunch.
The menu has had something for everyone so far -- the savory brunch and the sweet, sweet breakfast -- and has been a big hit. The service can sometimes be slow, and every once in a while the waitstaff will say something alarming like "oh yeah, I almost forgot I hadn't' taken your order, too," but as long as you're not expecting perfect service, you'll be fine.
I try to get people to go early - 10:30 or so - in order to avoid the wait, and so far that's worked well. I haven't actually eaten there for any other meal yet, but I can't imagine the experience would be that much different (except maybe for the wait).
I've been withholding reading other people's reviews on this one so I am sure that I am not being influenced by them. Let me kinda think about this...
Let me paint the picture, so you know where I am coming from. I was brought there by some really close friends on a very sick and slightly hunger-over Sunday morning. I think it was a Saturday. It also might have been late afternoon. Seems like that is something I should remember, as it was only a few weeks ago, but that's a small detail to a person like me. When we got there, I had the feeling that the staff was also hung over. They were spars, kinda slow, and rather quiet. However, the place was really big, open, and pretty well empty. It's my understanding that it gets pretty packed from time to time, but I really appreciated the big, empty, open feeling. I know my description of the service may sound bad, but I rather liked that as well (at least on this visit). The atmosphere kinda weirded me out, but I got over that feeling as soon as I realized the place was likely intended for the ultra artsy but instead populated with the fake artsy and the "in" crowd that I find to be so out of it. Still, that stuff only kinda matters to me. What matters to me is the food.
Let's start with the bad, because I feel obligated. The water came in this big glass bottle that I got the feeling they filled from the tap. I would be totally cool with that (as I drink from the tap and it was free), but it seemed rather pretentious. Also, it had floaty flakes in it. Yum. I passed on the water. I opted for bourbon. Hair of the dog, right? Well... no Wild Turkey. Okay, that's fine. I don't know why, but it seems that everyone has either stopped carrying it, or is constantly down to the last shot. No Maker's Mark. Starting to upset me. Now it was time for my first try of Knob Creek. This cost more than Jack, and I wish I had gone with the Jack, because Jack tastes more like a bourbon than Knob Creek. Knob Creek tasted like branch water. I can't really hold that against the place, because they don't make the bourbon, but it would have been nice had they had the Turkey.
The menu looked really interesting, all though a bit overpriced. One friend ordered the tater tots (though I think they used some snazzy name for them... which... why wouldn't you?). Those were really awesome. They came with two sauces. One looked like a thousand island and tasted like... I don't know, really EFFin' good. The other looked like watery ranch and tasted like.. I don't know, Elmer's glue.
I got the BLT, thinking that it would mix well with my minor hangover. Plus, I was feeling it like crazy. I got the salad with ranch as a side, even though I normally get something like fries. I kinda wish I had gotten the fries, but the salad was really good. The dressing was to, but it was definitely not ranch. The BLT was amazing. I know what you're thinking, "C'mon, Aaron, how do you screw up a BLT?" Well, I've been there. Furthermore, if the BLT comes out and I have made a better one late night at home, I'm going to feel screwed. This was a classic BLT, but with added fresh avocado slices and a wicked good sauce. Everything tasted fresh and the bacon was great. I didn't inquire as to whether it was real bacon or not. This might sound like a silly thing to wonder, but I know the place has vegetarian and even vegan foods, so it wouldn't surprise me if they had dug up some really great fake bacon (though I have yet to find any).
More importantly, one of my friends got a rib sandwich, and let me try a bit. Something like a McRib or that riblet sammy we all got in school back in the day. Except... it was way awesome. It was at least as good as the famed McRib, and I think it was even better. It was like a rib sammy you might get from a smokehouse. GRRR!!! It was good. I want another!!!
My other friend had the Quesadilla, though I don't know which version. I also wish I had ordered that, as it looked amazing. SO MUCH CHEESE!!! And cheese EFFin' rocks. It came with some sort of sauce(s), but all I can remember is the strange, vomit looking sauce she got. Yes. it looked like green vomit. Also, it tasted like green vomit. Also, it was warm. Whatever, that got tossed aside. The meal was great, and the price wasn't terrible. It even worked well with my hangover/cold combo. Yeah, I could do this again. On the other hand, I can also see people not liking it even kind of.
if you like sloooooooooooooow service and unsightly green/red chile sauce look no further.
The Golden West is such a wonderful place for brunch with friends. I love the quirky, characteristic atmosphere, the decoration, the location, and oh, the weekend mornings/noons I've spent here, hungover but happy, with that big neverending cup of coffee and the most amazing (!) banana pancakes with coconut syrup...
I wouldn't actually give everything that's on the menu 5 stars (a decent 3 at least, though). I've had just about everything on there that's vegetarian, and while everything was good, I have found myself loving their sweet brunch options the most.
Like I said, banana pancakes! So good!
(And if I weren't already at 5 stars, I would give them another for the pretty vintage make-up table in the bathroom!)
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Kitschy, quirky, fun. You'll see these words over and over again in reviews for Golden West and they're all right-on.
Steel yourself for very long waits for the weekend brunch, but we often put our names on the list and then do some window shopping along the Avenue. The service can be spotty, but I think it's simply because they are working like mad.
I'm not a huge fan of sweets, particularly for breakfast, but the banana pancakes with coconut syrup are insane. My mouth is watering just typing it. I'm not a vegetarian, but the vegetarian sausage could make a convert out of me.
Wednesday: Half price wine by the bottle and glass (selected)
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I was visiting my sister in Baltimore so she took me here for breakfast the morning I arrived. We had blueberry pancakes, vegan sausages, hash browns and eggs. They were all good! =] The pancakes were slightly under cooked but still quiet tasty. I love the decor of this place, it has a bit of an Asian theme to it.
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This place is hipster heaven. In the area surrounding this establishment, you can't differentiate the local elder generation from the young college hipsters because they both don trucker hats, side ponytails, mullets, skin-tight colored jeans and butt packs. My DC living has sadly kept me so isolated from this scene.
Anyway. I came here for brunch and had the lox omelet, which had a generous portion of lox (happily received), cream cheese and capers. I tried my companion's banana french toast which was possibly the best thing I've EVER tasted. Seriously - come hell or high water you better get the french toast here! Put it on your list of things to do before you die. Seriously.
Unlike the DC establishments where I've had brunch, this place actually refills your coffee when it gets low. That alone won them big points.
I guess the only reason I can't bring myself to give this place 5 stars is because I felt like the prices were higher than I expected given the appearance of the place. I don't want to knock it because I like the ambiance here, but I just would expect a slightly more upscale appearance for a place that charges $10 and up for brunch entrees (and an extra $3 for meat with that entree). Yes, this is also a vegetarian's heaven.
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I've been eating Breakfast Burritos from here for about 8 or 9 years, since it was basically a living room with one waitress. In its newer location it's a sort of WPA for Baltimore's Young Artistic Types. Seriously, this restaurant supports half the musicians in Baltimore, and that's a good thing. I have friends that would not make it through the winter without a job here.
The prices increase about a dollar every year. Once in a while you will have to wait 45 minutes for your food. And yes, fuck yes, YOU WILL WAIT for a table on the weekend. As for the food, it's great sometimes and mediocre other times.
There's something that you have to realize about dining out in Baltimore: you can't apply some objective scale to it. Sometimes a restaurant is good because the food is made to an excellent standard or the service is fast and attentive. Neither is really true about this place. But I've moved West and my dining experiences in Baltimore are now going to be limited to weekend visits--and yes, if I am visiting, I am probably going to go here at least once. If my only consideration was whether my burrito was going to be cold in the center the first time it comes out, this wouldn't be the case. But they will reheat that Burrito if I ask. And I'll drink 4 cups of coffee. And I'll see some familiar faces as well as some yuppies with babies. And I'll feel good, and I'll leave more or less satisfied, because that's how it always is.
Baltimore grew on me for my time spent there. The neighborhoods like Fells Point, Canton and Hampden all hold hidden gems that can supercede the MARC train horror stories, Getting lost in west baltimore, and even the autrocity that is Mondawin mall. My heart still carries a torch for the Charm City. In Hampden, The Golden West Cafe is one of those gems.
Go for the food, but don't try to change ANY of their dishes in any way! I had a breakfast burritto one time and jus asked for the sauce on the side. The gave it to me swimming in mole sauce saying that they do not change any of the menu items. but even putting the sauce on the side? gee wiz.... I jus wanted LESS SAUCE DAMMIT! that was minus ONE STAR for that alone... Another Star for the sporadic service. The Waiters are often overworked, and they look it. it takes 20 minutes to get your order...
Other visits I had there were favorable tho. French Toast swimming in butter, topped with a Banana compote and whipped cream. It may as well be dessert for breakfast. It's my favorite breakfast dish there.
I didn't like the undercooked sausage items. but since they only use organic stuff it should be ok right?
Go for breakfast if you're in the Hampden area and go to tthe bathroom and check out their weird selection of album covers stuck to the wall... even with the service issues it's worth a breakfast trip...
I like the Huevos Rancheros and the Breakfast Quesadillas, I do not however like snooty hipster wait staff that seems to wait on you when it convenient and cool for them.
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The service is a big, fat, slow, pretentious, drawn-out BARF.
The vegan riblet is good, but you could probably get the same thing in the freezer section at Trader Joe's (vegan riblet, that is).
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This place is so overrated. Just because a place is all hippie-like does not mean it has good food. The food is overpriced and quite honestly, I've had better. I heard over and over that the banana french toast was to die for, but it wasn't. It was a sugar overdose. The pancakes were burned at the bottom. I guess it's good for the ambience, but I would go elsewhere and get my ambience some other place like the Inner Harbor or the zoo.
The Golden West's funky atmosphere reminds me of a coffee shop, Berkeley, and a modern art museum crossed into each other. It was pretty good for brunch food, though the food did take a long time to arrive. The french toast with bananas is delightful, as is the liberal use of green chilies.
Consistently prepared, interesting food, some of it topped with fried bananas. What's not to like? Monday night is discount burger night: it's packed, but worth it for a real, off the grill, "I formed this patty with my own two hands" burger, topped with green chiles and cheese, if that's your style.
Not for times when you are in a rush, and the dining room can be noisy when it's full. Seems like prices went up a little lately, without much change on the menu. I don't like to mess with a good thing, but I wouldn't mind a few new options besides the $14 seasonal plate.
the chocolate chip pancakes with peanut butter butter alone make this place deserve five stars. i often crave the warm apple & brie sandwich and garlic fries.
portion sizes are generous- the pancakes are usually huge, and cake slices are as well (and they better be for $6.00 a pop!)- good for sharing with at least one other person. i tried the peppermint-iced chocolate cake the other night and the universe exploded with deliciousity.
I have a very picky vegan friend and when I took him here for the drew special, he pretty much licked his plate dry! however, the food quality can be inconsistent.
i've never had bad service here, although i have never attempted to go on one of the infamous weekend mornings where it is fabled to be packed with hours-long waits. also, there are some things on the menu that seriously don't need to be as expensive as they are, but eh. i pretty much stick to what i know, and i'm always satisfied.
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This is my favorite brunch place in Baltimore. The hash browns are super crispy, the chocolate chip pancakes with peanut butter butter are a concept that no one can beat, and the coffee is strong. I love the fact that its so vegetarian (and somewhat vegan) friendly, because Baltimore's other options for vegetarian friendly places aren't the best for brunch. My only complaint about the breakfast menu is the no alterations policy for the chili sauce.
I also love dinner there, especially half price burger night. The best sandwich you will ever eat is their brie, apple and pesto sandwich on a super awesome roll with garlic fries. The cocktails are on the slightly expensive side, but whatever.
Best breakfast in Baltimore.
"How different can you make french toast?" I asked on my first visit. I was suprised to find a stack of THICK texas toast cooked just right, with carmelized walnuts, bananas and syrup - delicious.
Their omlets and other southwestern items are great options too.
While I'm not a big fan, friends say the Tres Leche Cake should not be missed.
As the other reviewers say, the place has a funky/cool atmosphere and feels very homey. I'd love to go in the evenings for dinner or drinks sometime...
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I just wanted to add that you HAVE to try the chocolate chip pancakes with peanut butter infused butter. The BEST pancakes I've ever had, anywhere, hands down. I've been jonesing for them ever since.
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What is it with Hamden and kitchy restaurants with menus that tell you how to act and eat? Wait, "no whining"? It's so clever for that to appear on a menu, I guess I won't whine! The menu is, after all, bound in an Elvis record sleeve.
It looks like you either love it or you wonder what the big deal is about. I think Rachel Ray ate here on one of her shows. Well, I ate at Golden West and it was nothing special. The big deal is apparently the green chile sauce. I had it on a burger and have to say, it didn't blow me away.
On the plus side, the garlic fries were seriously garlicky. I can get with that.
I guess the place is "funky" (kitschy) and so is the menu. If that's what you're into then knock yourself out. I just had a hard time finding something I really wanted and what I ended up getting was just okay.
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It has the style and atmosphere for good ol' Charm City, but disappointingly, I have never found their food [which - come on - for a restaurant is of the utmost importance] has never done it for me. The outside is quaint, when I first saw it my heart soared... a diner for me to enjoy in B-more, but I have not found myself waking up with the savory flavors of the Golden West dancing through my head, or even slightly yearning to drive over to Hampden to eat. It makes me sad. Why why why... I want you to have good food... so scrumptous and yummy to eat, but alas I have tried 3x, and failed to hit a home run. I keep thinking maybe this item on the menu will pluck at my heart stings, but so far the Green Chile Burger was just mediocre, the Chorizo Burrito I wouldn't even try, and the Turkey Brie and Chutney was so dry, a cactus came out the side o my mouth. A friend of mine had an Asian Noodle Salad there with me, I personally thought the aroma that entered through my nose was repungent, but she claimed it was the best salad ever. Personal tastes... maybe maybe I am wrong, maybe The Golden West Cafe is not the problem, but it is me!!
It has a non-smoking bar with a variety of drinks on tap, and in bottles. I had the DogFish Brown, an IPA [don't remember the brewer], and a Chamay. The DogFish was the best of them all I would say. Okay it is sad, but I think I will go back and give it one more college try...
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When I lived in Baltimore this was one of my favorite places to eat (and take people who were visiting to eat!)
Beautifully decorated in southwestern kitsch it's like it was decorated by your grandparents if your grandparents were cool country musicians in the 60's.
An amazing brunch with the best banana pancakes EVERRR. Seriously, you can't leave this place without eating the banana pancakes coated in the homeade coconut syrup. Also, breakfast burrito!
The staff is usually all hipstered out and you kind of get the vibe that they'd rather be at band practice than serving up your food but it's all good. This place is worth the wait (and if you go on any given weekend you WILL wait).
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i reckon the price hikes are for the heirloom fryer oil.
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Yummy Southwestern-inspired food with vegan and vegetarian options. The breakfast burrito is amazing. My Bloody Mary-drinking friends swear by the Golden West rendition. A lot is said about the uneven service, but I have noticed improvement as of late. Get the Tres Leches. It's muy autentico.
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The chorizo breakfast burritio tops my list here. It is the perfect blend of Southwest spicy and Northeast glutton. The fresh chiles really give it a zing. You can wash it down with some great coffee or their Thai tea. It's a little pricy for breakfast though.
I really like the atmosphere here because you can eat and have a conversation at a normal tone of voice. Huge fan of the no cell phone rule. Can't stand people sitting at a table talking to people on the phone while real live humans are right in front of them.
Dinner is good too. Monday is half priced burger night, and they come with great garlic fries.
The service has always been slow, but it fits the bill here. The staff is exceptionally knowledgable, friendly, and not pushy.
I havent had brunch there yet but after reading the reviews, I'll have to go!
I have, however, been to the Golden West for lunch & dinner - and it is good!
My favorite is the Thai Chicken Salad, comes in a huge bowl and is just a tad bit spicy.
You can't bet the decor (not as crowded in nick nacks as Paper Moon Cafe but there is still a ton to look at while you're waiting for a table or your meal to come out. ) I also love the menus made out of old record sleeves.
Good, funky, food. Breakfast is served all day. The main detractor is very hit-or-miss service. Weekday mornings are the best -- no line, fast service.
The menu has recently been updated to be even more vegetarian friendly than they were before, with many vegie-alternatives to the meat in various dishes, and to proclaim that the green chille sauce is finally vegetarian.
Quirky and fun...I feel like I'm among the earthy crunchy when I come here to have a brunch.
Great breakfast brunch: fun quirky southwest-inspired dishes. Really crowded on weekends though, the wait can be ridiculous.
Wow, I'm such a Baltimore old-timer... I remember when I was a terrifed 22 year old in my first year at Hopkins and the Golden West was in its first location. I very nearly cried with homesickness as I ate their Huevos Rancheros amidst the vintage cowboy kitsch (I had just moved to Baltimore from AZ). Fast forward to a few years later, and the Golden West was bigger and older, and so was I, and I spent many a brunch at the new, expanded location laughing haughtily about Hopkins social games played and won, boys loved and possessed, and pale imitators put in their place. That's the thing about the Golden West... you don't go there for the food, which isn't as good as it thinks it is. You go there to linger publicly over brunch or dinner while you swap stories and share drinks or wine. My friends and I who had been going there since it opened came to lament how much of a stroller scene it has become. But if you're new to Baltimore, like we were, and you feel oddly comforted by a nouveau midwest-hipster-brunch scene, I wager you'll go there too.
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