Golden West Cafe

Golden West is the shit! They keep my tummy filled with yummy tacos and bodacious brews! The bartenders are sexellent and know how to pour. If you’re lucky enough to get my favorite bartender who is better known by his nickname Mint Julep (watch him walk away you’ll understand what I mean… ;o) then you’re in for a slamming good time. Weed is tight!

This place is awesome! Their food is great as is their staff… or at least the waiter we had. I’ve only been once but I plan on visiting again. If you are GLUTEN FREE this place has lots of switches for different menu items. They even have a whole menu with the modified food dishes you can ask for! The décor is kitschy and has a fun vibe.

Definitely a great place for brunch! They have a large selection of southwest inspired dishes that are delicious and vary on the range of spicy.
My only complaint is that everything seems to be swimming in their chili sauces. These are good sauces, but I could use a little less. You can ask for them on the side, but I feel like that shouldn’t be the default amount.

Ok this is my second update because I can’t not add this. This past Saturday the place was packed but we were seated pretty quickly. Service was slow as shit and we never got a reason why, or a «it will be out soon» or whatever. Also — they are always always always out of any given beer you order. Make the list smaller if you can never manage the whole list.
My mate got some kinda enchilada, which he said was good, and my bestie and I split a chicken quesadilla with a side of tots. Someone please tell me why the quesadilla came out with 3 segments? Did someone eat the 4^th? 3 doesn’t make a full freakin’ circle so wtf. That’s the first time something like that has happened to me and I was so damn annoyed.
Oh well, at least the quesadilla was good. Also man, their tots are a big saving grace. Yummm.

This is a place to go to if you want to feel hip, but do not go to this place is you want tasty food. Truthfully, we came for the vegan/​veggie options — of which there is a sizable choice — but I doubt that I would return to eat.
Interior: A+ for décor and the small stylings that decorate the place. The menu covers are old LP cover albums; there is a giant bison head watching guests dine. The place is sunny and casual, the music selection good.
Service: B. Nothing fancy here. The servers are all the 20somethings hipster student archetype that are polite and timely, but will not over do it with eagerness or faux interest in your life.
Food: Ow. My mouth still remembers how heavy-​handed the cook was with the hot sauce. The Aztec burrito — while I am fully on board with plaintains in flour tortillas — the beans felt awkward in texture and bland in taste. The crema, meant to balance out the «Christmas» sauce (red and green) did not come in enough drizzles to calm the stinging on my lips and tongue. Otherwise the crema taste was delicious.
The hash brown appetizers are acceptable, but a bit soggy and again I am unsure about the sauce pairings. The guacamole was fresh and chips were ok.
By far the worst dish was the Chicken Burrito. I haven’t a clue what spice they toss in with the chicken meat, but it feels so out of place that not a single person could finish the dish. (It currently still is in the take-​out box we brought home some 24hrs later)
Not all was bad news. The tres leches cake — while I did not partake — I heard was delicious, and they had gobbled it up. To the person who ordered the Buffalo Un-​Chicken, he was very pleased with his dish. The portion sizes are huge (see aforementioned take-​out) and the price is about what you might imagine.
Trendy? Yes. Quality of food? Pass.

We came in for dessert. The cake was pretty bad and surprisingly expensive… And they messed up our order so many times that the manager came out to apologize and then went to the wrong table.
Also the tables in the front are dramatically tilted and there were multiple spills.

I was very excited to find a breakfast place in Baltimore that we’d be able to hit before the brunch rush. Got there around 945 on Sunday and was seated right away. It’s the kind of place you have to «go to the bathroom» at but really just go walk around and check out all the eclectic decorations. As usual, Bloody Mary’s in Baltimore are the best and Golden West’s version didn’t disappoint… you’d better be a fan of horseradish though! We tried the Giddy Up omelet which definitely reminded me of my trip to Austin and the French Toast with blueberries and honey butter — our waiter recommended the honey butter on the side and I think that was a very smart decision… who really likes soggy French toast? Overall great service and yummy food and drinks with a cool atmosphere.

I love that golden west is vegan-​friendly on their menu (although, not on their walls, which feature taxidermy and a ton of antlers/​skulls). They now actually have a separate vegan menu, so be sure to request it. I think they also have a special gluten free menu? Not certain, though.
This is a great place for families with mixed diets. They food is really good, as are the cocktails. Brunch mimosas are a bit «meh».
However, their biggest downside is how unbelievably slow they tend to be! Do not go if you’re in a hurry, and definitely do not go for lunch (especially if you’re with a group). That being said, if you can be a bit patient and flexible, I highly recommend. Possibly my favorite restaurant.

I love this place. Everyone here always makes me feel so at home and the food and drinks are killer. Especially the killer bee — one of my all time favorite cocktails.
The Thai curry tacos are unbelievable. I want to drink a vat of the pumpkin curry soup. The nacho salad is so delicious and really fun to share. The bartenders are sweet as hell and yeah, what can I say, I love coming here. So I do, all the time. Thanks for being here, golden west!

Claim to be the only place in maryland to get frito pie, which as any frito pie lover would know, should come as a gooey layered pile of awesome fritoes, chili, and melty cheese. They brought a sad bag of fritoes ripped open with some shredded cheese sprinkled ontop. Can’t forget the weak sauces on the side. Staff was good, and they took it off the check, but overall food wasn’t impressive enough to bring me back. If you want real frito pie around Baltimore, urban barbeque has got it.

I love this place. Super laid back, quality food, great for kids. My favorite dish is the vegetarian mushroom gravy and biscuits. Excellent coffee drinks. If you are vegan or vegetarians there are a lot of choices here. Don’t miss their special events too.

I was so disappointed when I went here! I’ve been wanting to come here for brunch for over a year and was finally able to go last week.
I went with a friend around 1130/​12p and there was an approximate 30 minute wait for a table. This place is praised for being vegan friendly but I would say that it’s more vegetarian friendly, at least for brunch. Their vegan brunch items essentially consist of a few different versions of breakfast burritos and french toast. Not really being in the mood for a burrito since I had chipotle the day before, I went with french toast.
It was underwhelming at best. Firstly, the presentation was awful, three pieces of toast placed on a plate with powdered sugar sprinkled on top. No artful stacking or presentation here. At the very least, there should be fresh fruit or something else presented with it. When the food was delivered to our table, I considered sending it back because that’s how unappealing it looked (see photo). Luckily, the taste was ok, not awful but still pretty bland.
My friend, a meat eater, got the aztec burrito, which did look more appealing but he said it was just «ok».
The food service was super slow. It took about 30 – 35 minutes for our food to arrive once we ordered, though, by the time we were seated, the restaurant wasn’t nearly as busy as it had been. Our server was super nice and some what attentive. By the time we finished our meals, she came to check on us and seemed surprised, saying «Oh! You’re already done?!»
Overall, underwhelming experience. Not worth the wait or hype. Won’t be giving this place a second try.

Eclectic, funky place with a very hip vibe and a great bang for your buck!
And who doesn’t love breakfast for dinner.
VERY vegan friendly! I took my friend who is vegan here for dinner and they have an entire vegan menu with lots of delicious options. I recommend the vegan french toast and the Drew Special (also vegan).
The Drew Special comes with tortillas for making tacos with the most flavorful black beans I have ever had (take note Chipotle). Also comes with guacamole, tomato salsa, and these crispy shredded hashbrowns that give the tacos a nice crunch. The french toast tasted just as good as regular french toast — soft, light with a hint of banana.
From just eating those dishes, I would not have known that either of these dishes were vegan! My friend who has pretty high standards for vegan food was also SO impressed with the entire meal. We were planning on ordering the vegan earl grey cake but were so full from the meal so will have to try that next time!

Anatomy of the perfect brunch —
Get there between 9 – 10 am if you want to be seated fast.
Then order;
Tater tots (yes the best way to start the morning) and buffalo Brussels sprouts (blew my mind with their deep fried goodness and sauce) for the table to share.
The big green was a green chili biscuit sandwich on special that was delicious according to Mr. Jessica. Came with a pretty mixed greens salad.
My vegan BLT was ok but tasty enough.
I really loved their cocoa haze (Nutella plus milk), reccomend getting an espresso shot in it as well but add a bit of sugar to counter balance the bitterness!
Can’t wait to come back to this vegan friendly hangout!

I love this place. My girlfriend and I have been coming here for years for brunch on the weekends. The breakfast polenta with chorizo has been a go-​to, and never disappoints. Quick tip: If you can’t handle super spicy, don’t get the green chile sauce with this dish. The red is a little more mild and smoky. I love spicy anything, but the green is definitely potent. The Elvis Pancakes are another good one, as well as their Hopi pancakes. So many other dishes I like but can’t think of them all at the moment. Service is always spot on. Even when the place gets crazy busy, we never feel like we are being rushed out. Hampden is definitely a hipster haven, but this place lacks any pretentiousness (to me, at least). It’s a pretty laid back atmosphere. Not into the vegan thing, but they offer a lot of vegan options for those who are. Love the new takeout window, too! Can never go wrong with late night tacos. :)

Golden West, I want to love you.
The food is great and with vegan options it’s a blessing.
The only downside (and it is such an intense problem, it makes it a huge downside) is the service is slow. Not slow as in just the kitchen, everything is slow. The waiters, as kind and wonderful as they are, are slow. The food takes an eternity. Waiting for a seat takes forever.
They only take reservations M-​F for parties over 6, but you can call 45 minutes ahead to be put on the waiting list. They don’t split or do separate checks. You can pay with multiple cards but this is a hassle with bigger parties.
I really love the food but the cons of service outweigh the pros. I honestly eat before I go here because I know I’ll be waiting that long.

Seems like management has got it together now. No more 30 minute waits with five olé tables open. Food is always great here.

No complaints! Everything was really delicious, there are a lot of menu options, and the all day breakfast is a great feature. Will definitely be back, but next time on a weekend to try the biscuits and homemade jam.

The staff here is so polite, this is a great establishment to come and have great food, coffee, tea etc, OH did i mention brunch… Bring your family and friends ad have an amazing time… Thanks Kim and Samantha

Food: 4
Service: 2
Ambiance: 3
Came here for brunch on a Saturday. Called ahead to put our name down, so we were able to be seated pretty quickly after we arrived.
The Buffalo Brussels Sprouts are solid, lightly fried and drizzled in a thin Buffalo sauce, with crumbles of blue cheese. The tater tots are small discs of fried deliciousness. The ranch dip and chili mayo pair well. The Frito Pie was a great throwback to New Mexico cuisine (where we first tried Frito pie), though overall had a weird metallic aftertaste. Elvis Pancakes are a great concept, with bacon baked into the pancake, but the peanut butter butter had barely any peanut taste. The French toast was thick and drizzled in a blueberry sauce. For drinks, the Bacon Bulleit is actually rather tasty, and not overwhelmed by the maple syrup. Also ordered a hot chocolate, but it came to us lukewarm and we had to ask for it to be heated.
Service is the big downside, perhaps because this place is so busy. Our server spilled cream all over our menu and table, said sorry but didn’t wipe it up or bring us napkins. Had to continually ask for things — water refills, more napkins, etc. Food for the four members in our party also came out at different times. You will definitely have leftovers (portions are huge), but you’ll have to box it yourself.

Tried out the Bahn Mi Tacos from the To Go window… ABSOLUTELY DELICIOUS!!! Got two tacos just in case they were tiny, but the portion size is very filling if you happen to have a small appetite like I do. Will definitely be back:)

There are too many things I love about this place. The ambience and food boast a New Mexican, southwestern style. The peepaw wake up juice and their other breakfast cocktails quench thirst like no other.
While this place is not great if you want a good waffle or pancake, it is great if you want something slightly more unique. I would highly suggest their breakfast Polenta or quesadilla. If you get there closer to lunch, opt for pumpkin curry soup with a side of tater tots.
I’ve been going here for years. Because of how great it is, on any given weekend you must put up with their wait list and get seated over an hour later. The way to bypass this is to find a seat at the bar. They have also recently opened a counter which is great if you want something quick and easy or are in to their late night snacks. Unfortunately, they have gotten rid of some amazing things on their menu like these sour cream doughnuts they had.
Regardless, this is a go-​to breakfast spot and one that offers a great, unique Baltimore breakfast.

I still go to Golden West, but whereas before I was psyched on it, now it’s just an a-​ok place.
Waiters are fine, but they’re out of a lot of shit, a lot of the time. Sometimes they are so out of shit they don’t even tell you and then your meal comes out without the thing. I’m only saying this because this weekend we ordered the Turkey Jack, which comes with greens and tomato. It was literally just turkey and cheese. For ten dollars. If you’re out of tomato or greens, please tell me. Also please get with it.
If you’re not out of it and you’re actually just extremely uninspired in the kitchen, please get inspired, or take that item off of the menu.

It’s been about 2 years since my last foodie visit here, mainly because I was majorly disappointed the first time around.
Sadly, not much has improved aside from the quirky décor and service.
I ordered the French toast with blueberries. While the dish had the potential for deliciousness, the bread was very dry on the inside (it was a super thick cinnamon roll-​esque bread) and the outside quickly became soggy from the gallon of blueberry sauce it bathed in.
Funny thing is, I got this same dish 2 years ago and had the same issue. I would have thought by now that it would have improved or changed in some way. C’est la vie!
Maybe the other fodder is good? I suppose I won’t really know, as a singular dish can really deter any potential future visits. My money and tastebuds are much too precious to me.

I think, and have thought for a very long time, that Golden West is one of the best places in Baltimore. Sure it has kitsch and funky décor (which I’m a total sucker for) but it also has really good food that it can stand behind. I’m neither vegan nor vegetarian but as a proud omnivore have found delicious things to eat through the years that range from heavy on the meat (their burgers are great) to heavy on the soy (they used to have these unbelievably delicious tofu buffalo bites.)
I came here for dinner last week and spent entirely too long looking at the menu. This is because almost every friggin thing listed looks awesome. It took almost all of my will power not to order the Frito pie, which I don’t think I’ve seen on any other menu in the entire state. (You can get it with chorizo or faux-​rizo). I also spent quite a long time looking at the salads, which each look amazing. And then finally I decided on the warm apple, brie & pesto sandwich, which was delicious. Every bite tasted like autumn. My friend ordered an un-​chicken sandwich. Highlight for vegans out there: they don’t even offer a regular grilled chicken sandwich on the menu, so you don’t have to worry about taking a bite and realizing that you’ve been duped. It’s all un-​chicken all the time! And here is a pro-​tip for everyone: ORDER THE TATER TOTS. They are crunchy and perfect and worth the $ 2 upcharge (which I rarely say).
You have probably heard about Golden West, and if you haven’t been yet then it’s time to go. Sure, parking in Hampden can be a little annoying, and you’ll definitely have to dodge some hipsters, but it’s all worth it.

They make an excellent Thai iced tea (even with soy milk)!
Tater tots were our appetizer. It was nice to see house made sauces/​ranch served with that.
There were quite a few things in the menu that looked good at 10pm, but what caught my eye was the zucchini Brie pancakes with honey syrup. The waiter also recommended them, saying it was one of their favorite items they make.
Everyone at the table enjoyed the pancakes. Two other people in our party got burritos but I felt those were just okay.

Awesome brunch place in Hampden! It has a great vibe and cute interior (and exterior! I love the little table-​desks with a built-​in cup holder — perfect for people watching). I got the Huevos Rancheros last time I was here (delicious). At my latest visit, I tried the mushroom omelette (also delicious).
I would definitely recommend getting the tater tots to start off as an appetizer for the table — it’ll bring back memories of the same much-​anticipated side of middle school lunches but in a more grown up way :)! I also love how there’s not only a tex-​mex vibe but also some Asian influences (Thai iced tea, banh mi, etc.) Naice.
Minus one star for having not super bueno service — the food came out kind of slow and the service was pretty meh (the waiter forgot about my drink until the middle of my meal… and it took me like 10 minutes to flag him down). The prices are definitely reasonable for the quality and amount of food you get.
I’ll be back again Golden West Café :)!

Ambiance: CHECK! Make sure to sit under the bison head near the window for the best view in the house.
Coolness factor: CHECK! How cool are menus served on old LP covers?
Quick: CHECK, CHECK! Fast greeting. Fast seating. Food is fast from the kitchen.
Quality: Check! We got the vegan tacos that tasted like the real thing. The spicy avocado sauce was a great addition to the entrée.
Make sure not to skip this place when your on 36^th ave.

Of all the places I have eaten all over the world, this is where I look forward to the most. No I am not kidding. Been coming here for 10 years, and have only had their breakfast/​brunch stuff… But you need to know… It is without doubt… Epic. Chorizo. Listen closely chorizo lovers, I CHALLENGE YOU to find a more amazing chorizo than what they have. You will not. I have tried and tried… But no. Theirs is killer. So if you want simply EPIC food and a super cool décor go here. This place is NOT hype. It is good damn food. Really good. Been that way for years and is NOT hit or miss… It’s always hit.
So that said, being how I moved to Colorado, could golden west move here too? Please? Cmon… We have good beer! Oh and…

This is one of my top favorite spots for brunch in Baltimore. From the ambiance to the food. When you first walk in you see the eclectic look and to the left, the waitress where you check in. I’ve been there several times and where ever you sit, it’s comfortable and cozy.
I got their brioche french toast and coffee. I usually don’t like brioche bread usually but the brioche french toast was perfect. I mean it is pretty hard to mess up a decent french toast.
The waitress was sweet and attentive. I was a server for 9 years, so I judge service off of attitude, and she was great.

By far my favorite brunch place in Baltimore. Every time my dad comes in from NY to visit, we must go here.
It’s a very hipster vibe, but you’re in hampden, so it’s a given. The menu has a lot of options, and healthy options too if that’s your thing!

I’ve been to Golden West several times and half of the time they are somehow out of the one thing I want on the menu. That being said, when I do get whatever I’ve ordered, it’s usually good. I really like the black bean burg and the breakfast burrito. They have a ton of veg options which is pretty cool.
Service is always a-​ok with me. Not quite sure what some of you are expecting service-​wise, I mean, have you looked around while you’re in there or???
I don’t go out of my way to go here but I wouldn’t knock it as an option if I’m in the area.

Close to campus and that’s really the only thing I can brag about! This is a classic restaurant that everyone goes to, and you should probably consider going to as well. It’s very family friendly, great for big groups… but it’s a little loud and always busy.
The sweet potato fries are GREAT if you like sweet potato fries. I’ve tried a lot of the burgers, and they’re better than average. The apple and brie burger is nice, very refreshing. I personally like the Hangover Burger with the easy over egg. Eggs on burgers are always my favorite condiment! I’ve tried the ring of fire burger too, it’s not as spicy as you would think it is.
You should try the cupcakes! They have great cupcakes!

Cool hipster joint in the heart of Hampden with varied options. I was a little taken aback by the boisterous clamor upon walking in, but it died down within the hour as people came and went. This place seems to always be packed so I decided to give it a try upon my friend’s request.
She ordered the warm Vietnamese salad and I had the nacho salad. The portion of the nacho salad was overwhelming so I’d recommend it for all of you who like to get that bang for your buck. Everything was fresh from the greens down to the beans, sour cream and guac. You can ask for it with hot sauce instead of their ranch dressing which would add that tangy kick you might want to counter the heaviness of the massive load of beans. Both salads were good and I’d come back to try some of the other menu options.
The only thing that was a slight drawback isn’t related to the food. The bathrooms smelled a little less than fresh and having been a waitress in my previous life, I really think the cleanliness of a place reflects on the management and everything that goes on in the back of the house.
Anywho, would have loved to try their brownie dessert thingy from the takeout window but they were all out. Bummer but I’ll give it another try sometime in the near future. Toodles!

Don’t go to Café Hon. Just come here. Live the dream. Good food at decent prices, and a great wait staff (Alex and Joseph are AMAZING) and bar that will keep you coming back for more. A huge fan of brussel sprouts, their roasted version with teriyaki sause made my life. Burger was delicious and perfectly cooked; you can tell the meat was incredibly fresh and lightly seasoned, for the win. Made my business colleagues’ day by bringing her a DELICIOUSLY decadent slice of tres leches cake. It was a great experience.
Now with more space for eating and seating, as they have taken an old stage that was used for late night shows, and converted it into additional dining room, which hopefully gets them more money.

Pros:
+ Good food
+ Fast, friendly, attentive service
+ Casual, relaxed atmosphere
Cons:
— Food is good, but not amazing (only reason not 5 stars)
Came here for lunch with a friend around noon on Tuesday. We were seated right away. We shared the Buffalo Sprouts appetizer, and I had the Farm Plate, with sausage as the meat, and I upgraded the toast to a waffle. I also got a Dr. Brown’s Cream Soda (it’s listed as Mr. Brown’s on the menu, but really he’s a doctor!).
The Buffalo Sprouts are fried Brussels sprouts in buffalo sauce with blue cheese crumbles. I don’t normally like Brussels sprouts, but this appetizer was quite tasty, and I didn’t mind eating it. The Farm Plate consisted of two eggs, three sausage links, hash browns, and a waffle. The food was solid. The cream soda was fairly typical.
Our server was very fast, friendly, and attentive. We noted that the ketchup bottle was empty, and he replaced it right away.
Overall, the food was good, not too heavy, and the service was great. I had a good experience and would go again.

There are so many great things on the menu here but my absolute is the sopapilla enchiladas. It is served with your choice of green or red chillies. Green is the way to go! Brings back memories of New Mexico.
The Elvis pancakes are also amazing. Peanut butter butter, bacon and bananas are served with lots of syrup.

As a casual brunch-​goer, I went here with some friends to try something new compared to the typical Canton/​Fells brunch scene I’m used to. I liked that this place had vegan dishes and other alternatives so they had a little bit of something to cater to everyone. Traditional is not a word I would use to describe their menu choices, and for very good reasons!
I ordered the huevos rancheros because it was served with green chiles and I was immediately sold. I also got a side of red chile polenta fries served with this insane aioli sauce that was out of this world! The huevos rancheros was spicy from the green chiles, but it had awesome flavors throughout and the presentation was fun and colorful. My one friend ordered the zucchini and brie pancakes which were surprisingly awesome! DEFINITELY doesn’t taste like pancakes, but more like a quiche. She also ordered the blue cornmeal and blueberry pancakes which we an awesome shade of blue with a nice sweet flavor. It wouldn’t be brunch without mimosas and we ordered a «vase» of their house mimosa with is made with 2 shots of bourbon.
The interior is quirky, bohemian and extremely unique. I got a cozy vibe and really enjoyed the atmosphere. The place was packed when we arrived at noon on a Sunday and it was about an hour wait for a table, but we just hung out at the bar til our table was ready. It seems like a local place, where most people who live in the area flock to.