The Grateful Fed opened last month at 13 E. Randall St. in South Baltimore. The Grateful Fed is a rebrand of SoBo Market under the new ownership of John Leonard and Sam Sunderland.
Leonard and Sunderland took over SoBo Market (the sister restaurant of SoBo Cafe which remains open) about a year ago and kept the concept the same until rebranding it last month.
Sunderland got his start at Leonard’s Don’t Know Tavern in 2018, starting as a dishwasher and bar back and eventually taking on bartending shifts. Sunderland joked, “I inadvertently made sure I could do everything at a bar.”
Both Sunderland and Leonard went to St. Paul’s School in Brooklandville and were huge fans of the deli sandwiches at The Wine Merchant across the street. They still make sure to pick up sandwiches from The Wine Merchant every time they are in the area.
Deli sandwiches are the focus of The Grateful Fed with meats coming from Boars Head and homemade sauces such as the Russian dressing which goes on the reuben and other sandwiches. Sandwiches include the reuben, a turkey club, an Italian cold cut, Italian sausage, meatball sub, shrimp salad wrap, and a powerhouse. Sunderland noted the Hot Chick, which is Buffalo chicken breast with bacon, muenster, lettuce, tomato, and avocado cremé on a mini ciabatta, has been a hit. They also kept the popular Short Rib Melt from SoBo Market.
Sunderland said the sandwiches are large and the goal is for most customers to need a box to take half their sandwich home. He understands the cost of going out to eat these days and wants to make sure “the portions match the price.” Sandwiches range rom $12 to $15.
Other menu items include different styles of deviled eggs, a carryover from SoBo Market; nachos with different meat options; salads; and sides. Sunderland is also excited to add his mom’s BBQ shrimp recipe to the menu. It will feature bacon-wrapped shrimp, Swiss cheese, and BBQ sauce.
The kitchen at The Grateful Fed is run by Mario Espinobarros, who has worked at SoBo Market for many years.
As the name The Grateful Fed suggests, it has a hippy-leaning vibe. They want it be a comfortable place for anyone in the neighborhood with good food, quality drinks, and a friendly staff.
The Grateful Dead and other jam band music will play at the bar, mixed in with some Led Zeppelin, bluegrass, and more. But, Sunderland noted, the music can reflect whatever customers are in the mood for.
The bar now has a mural of an owl, the mascot in The Grateful Fed’s logo, riding an old Volkswagen Westphalia in the mountains. He also sees a future mural of Mount Rushmore, but with the faces of the four dogs owned between Sunderland and Leonard.
Sunderland spent some of his earlier years touring around to see Dead & Company shows and fell in love with the community, the art (some of which is featured in The Grateful Fed), and the food made at the camps.
The Grateful Fed has three long tables, five two-top tables, and a bar. Several televisions will play the local sports. There are also outdoor tables and Sunderland said they plan to add some Adirondack chairs.
The bar has a craft beer list of about 15 cans with a focus on local, but also Ithaca Beer Company’s Flower Power IPA. There are also hard seltzers and iced teas, a wine list, eight to 10 crush flavors with fresh-squeezed juice, and house margaritas including the Watermelon Jalapeno Margarita made with a homemade shrub. The Grateful Fed has kept SoBo Market’s popular Old Fashioned.
Sunderland is also excited about the mocktails at The Grateful Fed as he wants to make sure those not consuming alcohol can still have a great experience.
The Grateful Fed is open everyday for lunch and dinner. The hours are Monday to Thursday from 12pm to 1030pm, Friday from 12pm to 12am, Saturday from 12pm to 1130pm, and Sunday from 12pm to 930pm. They are hoping to add a weekend brunch and expanded hours in the near future.
The post Neighborhood Bar and Deli ‘The Grateful Fed’ Now Open first appeared on SouthBMore.com.