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Baltimore food glossary

By DineBaltimore editors · Updated · How we check listings

The words you will hear at crab houses, carryouts and markets around the city.

Word What it means
Old Bay The seasoning on almost everything.
J.O. spice A coarser seafood seasoning many crab houses use for steaming.
Jimmy A male blue crab.
Sook A female blue crab.
Backfin, jumbo lump Grades of crab meat; jumbo lump is the largest pieces.
Coddie A salt cod and potato cake, served between saltines with mustard.
Lake trout Fried whiting on white bread. Not trout.
Chicken box Fried wings, fries and a roll from a carryout.
Half-and-half Half lemonade, half iced tea.
Pit beef Charcoal-grilled top round sliced thin on a roll.
Tiger sauce Horseradish and mayonnaise, for pit beef.
Snowball Soft shaved ice with syrup. Try egg custard.
Natty Boh National Bohemian beer.
Orange crush Fresh orange juice, vodka, orange liqueur and soda. A summer drink.
Hon A friendly local term of address.

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