Chuck's Trading Post

Chuck’s Trading Post — A Hidden Gem on Lower 36th Chuck’s Trading Post sits just off the main drag of the Avenue, and if you haven’t found it yet, you’re missing out. This quirky little bodega-restaurant hybrid has the kind of neighborhood soul that Hampden does best — rustic, unpretentious, and genuinely good. I went for the Catfish Po’Boy — kimchi-brined fried catfish with remoulade, lettuce, tomato, red onion, and capers on a sub roll — and I have to say, as someone who knows the real thing from stops on Canal Street in New Orleans, this holds up. The catfish was crispy and well-seasoned, the remoulade had the right tang, and the kimchi brine gave it a subtle twist that felt like a smart nod to the neighborhood rather than a gimmick. It’s the closest thing to Mandina’s I’ve found in Baltimore. High praise. My partner had the Heirloom BLT — heirloom tomatoes, bacon, arugula, sprouts, and an herbed avocado mayo on wheat — and it was every bit as good as it sounds at the height of tomato season. Fresh, bright, and satisfying without being heavy. The space is small and cozy with a counter where you can watch everything being made. Service was friendly and relaxed. The bodega side stocks Zeke’s coffee, local hot sauces, craft beer, and wine — so you can grab something for the walk home while you’re at it. Chuck’s doesn’t shout about itself, which is part of the charm. Just go on a Tuesday when the po’boy is the lunch special and thank me later.