I don't claim to be an expert on wines or any particular subject EXCEPT shrimp salad sandwiches. I have been in shrimp salad ecstasy since tasting Rocket to Venus's shrimp salad. They have taken on the former owner of the location, Showalter's recipe, and it is VERY good. It is a great value for the $12. You get some delicious seasoned fries (has a spice mix with cumin undertones) and enough shrimp to really make 3 sandwiches.
The first time I ordered it I wanted it "my way" - on rye bread with fries with gravy. I was informed the sandwich came on a roll and they didn't have gravy for their fries. I was in a bit of a huff, but one taste of the sandwich with the seasoned fries and I was converted. Let me not forget a good pickle spear to round out the flavor.
Now we Baltimoreans know that you steam shrimp in Old Bay Seasoning. The trick is not to over steam them. Once my shrimp are out of the pot and drained I put them on a sheet pan to cool down quickly. The trick is to let them chill a good while in their shells before preparing the salad. So I peel them and slice them length-wise like Rocket to Venus, blend with a little mayonaisse, diced celery, black pepper and some celery seed. Let it chill so the flavors meld.
Honorable mentions on Baltimore Shrimp Salad sandwiches:
Field's Pharmacy on Reisterstown Road in Pikesville and my latest discovery, Raffy's on Belair Road and Silver Spring Road for $9.99 with real good chips. Raffy's serves steamed shrimp and that is an indicator to me you will have a good shrimp salad sandwich. I used to get a decent shrimp salad sandwich at the Landsdowne Inn but I haven't been back there in 9 years.
To those restaurants who insult me with canned baby shrimp, and buy frozen shelled cooked shrimp and add Old Bay to the mayonaisse --don't bother to make it if you can't do it correctly. Yes, I'm a Shrimp Salad Snob!
Let me know if I missed a place or two for great Shrimp Salad sandwiches and if any of you have Showalter's recipe I would be indeed grateful if you would share.
2 comments:
Eddies in Roland Park or on Charles Street. Perfection!
We've been itching to get to Rocket to Venus and your report of good shrimp salad only makes me want to get there more.
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